FAQ
The Milwaukee Winter Club (MWC) seeks to provide opportunities to introduce and grow youth hockey from age three to fourteen in the north shore area of Milwaukee. We create an environment for boys and girls to play at the appropriate skill level and develop a lifelong passion for the game.
What are our home rinks?
Our primary rink is The Uihlein Ice Arena, 2100 W Fairy Chasm Road, River Hills, WI 53217
In 2024-25 we operated a studio rink at Community Square Park in Brown Deer for practices and Mites games.
We also host practices and Games at Kern Center and Pettit Center in Milwaukee.
MY CHILD IS NEW TO SKATING, CAN HE/SHE STILL PLAY HOCKEY?
Absolutely! For those who need help learning to stand up on the ice, we recommend starting with a Learn-To-Skate Program at USM. Contact us (see above) for specific inquiries.
Is Hockey Safe?
Yes, in many cases safer than most other youth sports!
Recent data analysis by Safe Kids Worldwide, an organization dedicated to preventing injuries in children, suggests that a lower percentage of hockey players visited emergency rooms in 2021 and 2022 than kids who played football, soccer, basketball or wrestled. Hockey players are typically less injured because they have a lot of protective gear. We also take a lot of time to teach them how to stand, skate and stop - it's a gradual progression. Players learn body control and on-ice awareness.
Please review our Safety page for additional information.
WHAT EQUIPMENT DOES MY PLAYER NEED?
Check out our Equipment page for detailed information.
Does hockey involve a lot of travel?
On weekdays, we only have practices, which are at our home rinks.
It is true that hockey parents will spend some time driving on the weekends. But even the parents are amazed at how much fun it always is.
Many of our games are against our neighboring associations within a 10-45 minutes drive. Some additional games are typically 60-90 minutes.
Each team has about two tournaments every season. One might be 3-4 hours away, and often times the other tournament is closer to home.
ARE THERE SEPARATE TEAMS FOR GIRLS?
We are proud to be a leader in the Girls Growth Initiative. WAHA, our state governing body, has recognized us through grant funding in recognition of the girls teams we continue to add.
The option for all girls teams is available at all levels. It is hard to find a team in any youth sport that has more fun together than our girls hockey teams.
Please contact our Girls Program Coordinators for additional information:
What age groups exist?
Hockey age groups are defined by birth year. For 2025-26, age levels are as follows:
- 6U Atoms: 2019 and younger
- 8U Mites: 2017/18
- 10U Squirts: 2015/16
- 12U Pee Wees: 2013/14
- 14U Bantams: 2011/12
How Are Teams Created?
MWC hosts evaluations to form like skilled teams based on players abilities at the beginning of the season.
- Learn to Play - No Evaluations / No Teams
- 6U - No Evaluations / No Teams
- 8U - Evaluations End of October
- 10U - 14U - Evaluations End of September / Beginning of October
When is the season and what is the commitment?
The hockey season runs from mid-September to late February or early March.
ATOMS only on weekends, typically Saturday and Sunday each weekend. 95% at our home ice.
MITES skate each Saturday and Sunday and usually one weekend. About 15-20 of the weekend days are games, either at a home rink or another association within 10-40 minutes. There may be an end of season tournament, often times within 60 minutes of home.
SQUIRTS/PEE WEES/BANTAMS typically two weeknight practices each week (2-3 for Bantams), and then 1-2 games per weekend. See above 'Travel' question for additional game/tournament details.
See Programs > MWC Youth Hockey for additional details.
Can I help volunteer?
Yes, please!
MWC is a volunteer run organization. We are always in need of additional volunteers. Go to the About > Additional Roles page to look for open positions. Or if a filled position is of particular interest, let us know that as some roles could use additional assistance.
In addition, be certain to help your child's team running the clock, recording gamesheet, working the penalty box, or monitoring the locker room.
And especially at our younger ages, we are always in need of additional coaches. No hockey (or skating!) experience needed to get started. Be careful, you may fall in love with it - almost half of our girls team mom's have taken up women's hockey as a later in life new sport!