Free CCHA “have fun, play hockey” Clinic Set at THE ONYX-ROCHESTER ICE ARENA

Boys and girls ages 5-11 can experience the fun of organized hockey for the first time at no charge.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., The CCHA, FSN, RBK, the Detroit Red Wings and Perani’s Hockey World are hosting a “Have Fun, Play Hockey” clinic at the Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena on Saturday, April 5. The free clinic, open to boys and girls ages 5-11 who have not played organized hockey, is scheduled for Saturday, April 5 from 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

All equipment including skates and a stick will be provided to participants, who must pre-register for the clinic. There will be professional instruction with help from local volunteers.

“We are really excited to be able to offer more boys and girls an opportunity to experience the fun of hockey for the first time for free in these ‘Have Fun, Play Hockey’ clinics,” commented CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos. “Kids who have never played watch TV and see some of the best athletes in the world perform with all that equipment on. Now they have a chance to be just like them, and afterwards, the smiles tell us they think can.”

Over 750 kids throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Alaska have had a chance to participate in these “Have Fun, Play Hockey” clinics.

To enter for a chance to be selected for the clinic, please fill out a registration form online at www.ccha.com or call the CCHA Office (248) 888-0600 for more information

February 19, 2008

Learn to Check with Suburban Hockey

Checking Clinics scheduled across the state.

Suburban Hockey Schools will conduct the highly popular Learn to Check clinics at several locations prior to the spring hockey season, including Kensington Valley Ice House in Brighton (March 18), Dearborn Ice Skating Center (March 19), Lakeland Arena (March 20), Birmingham Ice Arena (March 26), Suburban Ice – Farmington Hills (March 27 & 30), Suburban Ice – Macomb (March 31 & April 8), Ice Box Sports Center (April 1), Novi Ice Arena (April 2), Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena (April 2) and St. Clair Shores Civic Arena (April 3).

The program is geared toward squirt players moving up to the pee wee level, as well as pee wee and bantam players who need instruction on the techniques of checking. Areas of emphasis in the two-hour instructional session include proper checking technique, how to receive a check, how to avoid a check, stick checking, back checking, angling and body positioning.

This is an extremely popular program for players ages 11-14 and there is limited enrollment. For more information on the checking clinics or any other Suburban Hockey program, contact (248) 478-1600 or visit www.suburbanhockey.com.

Suburban Hockey Schools’ mission since 1974 is to provide an instructional experience that allows a student to improve their skills, knowledge of the game and overall self-confidence as it relates to the game through a “positive” learning experience.

About Suburban Sports Group

Based in Farmington Hills, MI Suburban Sports Group (www.suburbansportsgroup.com) owns, operates and manages full-service sports and entertainment facilities.  In addition, Suburban Sports Group continues to provide world-class training, education, periodicals and programming for ice sports through Suburban Sports Communications and Suburban Hockey Schools.

January 17, 2008

Heat Up Your Game with SHS Mid-Winter Clinics

Clinics held in Farmington Hills, Macomb and Rochester in February.

As the season winds down and players gear up for the playoffs, the Suburban Hockey Schools will hold one-day Mid-Winter Clinics at Suburban Ice-Farmington Hills, Suburban Ice-Macomb and The Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena.

Clinics will begin at Suburban Ice-Farmington Hills on Monday, February 18 with the Quick & Fast Clinic from 11:00 am-12:50 pm, followed by Shoot to Score from 1:00-2:50 pm. Both clinics are for ages 6 & up. On Tuesday, February 19, there will be a Defense Clinic for ages 8 & up from 11:00 am-12:50 pm followed by Puckhandling & Playmaking for ages 6 & up from 1:00-2:50 pm. Clinics at SIFH will conclude on Wednesday, February 20 with Power Skating classes for mites (ages 6-8) from 11:00 am-12:50 pm and for squirts/pee wees (ages 9-12) from 1:00-2:50 pm.

Suburban Ice-Macomb will also host clinics on Tuesday, February 12 with Quick & Fast for ages 6 & up from 11:00 am – 12:50 pm followed by Shoot to Score (ages 6 & up) at 1:00 pm. Clinics continue at SIM on Wednesday, Feb. 13 with a Defense Clinic (ages 8 & up) at 11:00 am – 12:50 pm and Puckhandling & Playmaking from 1:00 pm – 2:50 pm. Outside Edges and Shoot to Score are also available at Suburban Ice – Macomb on Wednesday, Feb. 20, running 11:00 am – 12:50 pm and 1:00 – 2:50 pm, respectively.

On Monday, February 18, the Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena offers Quick & Fast from 11:00 am-12:50 pm and Shoot to Score from 1:00-2:50 pm. Both clinics are for ages 6 & up. On Tuesday, February 19 there will be an Outside Edges clinic for ages 7 & up from 11:00 am-12:50 pm and a Defense Clinic for ages 8 & up from 1:00-2:50 pm.

Players are grouped by skill and experience level within each class, and the lesson plan is adapted to ensure that every player is challenged to improve their game. Players who sign up for two or more classes receive a discount!

Enrollment is limited and full hockey equipment is required. For more information on Mid-Winter programming or any other Suburban Hockey program, contact (248) 478-1600 or visit www.suburbanhockey.com.

October 29, 2007
Enter to Win Ringling Bros. & Barnum Bailey Tickets at The Onyx
Learn to Skate participants to receive a special discount on tickets.

The Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena will be giving away three sets of four tickets to the Ringling Bros. & Barnum Bailey’s Circus of Dreams at the Palace of Auburn Hills from Nov. 14-18.

Learn to Skate participants who are interested in purchasing tickets will receive a special discount. Call the Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena at (248) 601-6699 for more information.

For more information on Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey, visit www.ringling.com.

To purchase tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.

September 18, 2007

Enter to Win Disney on Ice “Finding Nemo” Tickets at The Onyx
Learn to Skate participants to receive a special discount on tickets.

 The Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena will be giving away four tickets to the Disney on Ice show “Finding Nemo” to three Learn to Skate participants in a drawing on Saturday, Oct. 6. The show runs from October 17-21 at the Palace of Auburn Hills.

Learn to Skate participants who are interested in purchasing tickets will receive a special discount. Call the Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena at

(248) 601-6699 for more information.

For more information on Disney on Ice, visit www.disneyonice.com.

To purchase tickets, visit ticketmaster.com.

August 9, 2007

Suburban Hockey’s Preseason Clinics Prepare Players for Season
Last chance for hockey clinics before the season gets underway.

In addition to its weeklong summer programs at various locations throughout the Detroit area, Suburban Hockey will once again offer Preseason Clinics at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills on Monday through Thursday, August 20-23, the Onyx - Rochester Ice Arena on Wednesday and Thursday, August 22-23 and Suburban Ice - Macomb on Friday, August 24. There are different clinics offered at each location. All clinics are one-day, two-hour programs.

“It’s a great opportunity for kids who are already on a team for the coming season to work on certain aspects of their game that could use some improvement, as well as a good time for players performing for evaluation skates to get back on the ice and sharpen their skills,” said veteran SHS instructor Geoff Bennetts. “We offer classes that cover a variety of different skills and concepts in the game so players can pick and choose the clinics that will benefit them the most.”

Eight clinics are being offered at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills including Quick & Fast, Shoot to Score, Learn to Check, Deking & Dangling, Defense Clinic, Backward Skating, Playmaker and Outside Edges. Each class focuses on specific techniques tailored to help improve key areas to becoming a better hockey player.

The Onyx - Rochester Ice Arena will host four sessions August 22-23 including Quick & Fast, Shoot to Score, Backward Skating and Deking & Dangling.

Two classes will be held at Suburban Ice - Macomb including Playmaker and Outside Edges.

The following classes are for players age six and up: Quick & Fast, Shoot to Score and Outside Edges. Four classes including: Backward Skating, Defense Clinic, Playmaker and Deking & Dangling are for players at least nine years old. The Learn to Check clinic is designated for players 11 years old and older.

Players will be grouped according to skill and experience levels. The cost of the clinics is $48 or $40 each if a player signs up for two or more. Enrollment is limited so classes will fill fast! Call (248) 478-1600 today for more information or to register.

August 9, 2007

Registration is Underway for Onyx Fall Learn to Skate Program
Fall classes offered for skaters of all ages and ability levels

The fall series of the Onyx - Rochester Ice Arena's Learn to Skate Program will run from September 5-October 20, 2007. The following 30-minute classes will be offered once per week for seven weeks on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays with optional 30-minute practice sessions:

• Parent Tot
• Snowplow Sam 1-3
• Basic 1-5
• Skater's Edge 1-3
• Adult

Learn to Skate participants will receive a pass to attend one Onyx open skating session for free. In addition, boys and girls of all ages and levels from the Learn to Skate program are invited to participate in the Onyx-Suburban Skating Academy’s eighth annual ice show May 3-4, 2008.

Open registration for Learn to Skate is currently underway. The program is very popular, as it is the feeder program for both the Suburban FUNdamental Hockey program and pthe Onyx-Suburban Skating Academy figure skating club, so call the Onyx - Rochester Ice Arena at 248-601-6699 or visit www.onyxicearena.com to inquire about the proper class for your skater. Skate rental is available!

July 26, 2007

Registration for Onyx Learn to Skate Program

Begins August 8

Fall classes offered for skaters of all ages and ability levels

The fall series of the Onyx - Rochester Ice Arena's Learn to Skate Program will run from September 5-October 20, 2007. The following 30-minute classes will be offered once per week for seven weeks on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays with optional 30-minute practice sessions:

• Parent Tot
• Snowplow Sam 1-3
• Basic 1-5
• Skater's Edge 1-3
• Adult

Learn to Skate participants will receive a pass to attend one Onyx open skating session for free. In addition, boys and girls of all ages and levels from the Learn to Skate program are invited to participate in the Onyx-Suburban Skating Academy's eighth annual ice show May 3-4, 2008.

July 19, 2007

Tune Up Your Game this Summer with Suburban Hockey Schools
SHS is Michigan’s power skating and hockey school leader since 1974.

Registrations are still being accepted for the Suburban Hockey Schools Summer programs. Classes continue July 23 at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills, the Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena and Novi Ice Arena. Summer programs continue throughout August at St. Clair Shores Civic Arena, Suburban Ice-Macomb and Birmingham Ice Arena.

Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills and the Onyx will both hold Squirt Skillbuilder and Pee Wee/Bantam Finishing Schools July 23-27. Novi Ice Arena is running four programs during the fourth week of July including: Mite Power Skating, Defense School, Fundamental Goalie and Advanced Goalie classes.

Mite Power Skating classes are being held at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills, the Onyx and Suburban Ice - Macomb on July 30 - August 3. During that same time period, Novi is managing three programs including: Mite Hockey, Squirt Skillbuilder and Pee Wee/Bantam Finishing School.

On August 6-10, Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills and the Onyx will offer Mite Hockey School and Power Skating (ages 9-12). St. Clair Shores Ice Arena will offer Mite Power Skating, while Suburban Ice - Macomb is holding three programs: Squirt Skillbuilder, Pee Wee/Bantam Finishing School and Mite Hockey School.

Suburban-trained instructors, including those with professional and college coaching and playing experience, will lead these programs. Classes are open to players of all ability levels. All classes have limited enrollment, with a 6 student-to-1 instructor ratio (even lower in the goaltending program!).

Classes are filling fast! Call (248) 478-1600 or visit www.suburbanhockey.com today for more information or to register. Don't forget to ask about multiple class, family and team discounts as well as our mite and goalie combos!

July 5, 2007

Be a Player with Suburban Hockey Schools
Programs are offered at six different locations.

Suburban Hockey Schools is still accepting registrations for all seven weeks of its summer class schedule. Classes get underway July 9 at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills and the Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena. Summer programs continue throughout July and August at Novi Ice Arena, St. Clair Shores Civic Arena, Suburban Ice-Macomb and Birmingham Ice Arena.

Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills offers the Fundamental Goalie, Advanced Goalie and Girls program July 9-13, while the Onyx will hold Defense and Forward Schools during the same week. The 10-week Adult Breakfast Club begins July 11 at Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills.

From July 16-20, Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills offers three programs including specialized programs for forwards and defensemen who are between nine and 14 years old. There is also an Adult Class that runs for four consecutive days. The Onyx’s hockey school programming continues with the Fundamental Goalie Program (ages 8-12), Advanced Goalie Clinic (ages 9-16) on July 16.

Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills and the Onyx will both hold Squirt Skillbuilder and Pee Wee/Bantam Finishing Schools July 23-27. Novi Ice Arena is running four programs during the fourth week of July including: Mite Power Skating, Defense School, Fundamental Goalie and Advanced Goalie classes.

Suburban-trained instructors, including those with professional and college coaching and playing experience, will lead these programs. Classes are open to players of all ability levels. All classes have limited enrollment, with a 6 student-to-1 instructor ratio (even lower in the goaltending program!).

Classes are filling fast! Call (248) 478-1600 or visit www.suburbanhockey.com today for more information or to register. Don't forget to ask about multiple class, family and team discounts as well as our mite and goalie combos!

June 27, 2007

Cool Off with Suburban Hockey Schools at Six Locations
Limited spots are still available for July 16-20 at The Onyx and Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills.

Suburban Hockey Schools is still accepting registrations for the second week of its summer class schedule on July 16 with programs at the Onyx - Rochester Ice Arena and Suburban Ice-Farmington Hills. Summer programs continue throughout July and August at Novi Ice Arena, St. Clair Shores Civic Arena, Suburban Ice-Macomb and Birmingham Ice Arena.

From July 16-20, Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills offers three programs including specialized programs for forwards and defensemen who are between nine and 14 years old. There is also an Adult Class that runs for 10 weeks.

The Onyx’s hockey school programming continues with the Fundamental Goalie Program (ages 8-12), Advanced Goalie Clinic (ages 9-16), Girls Program (ages 9-14) and Women’s program.

Suburban-trained instructors, including those with professional and college coaching and playing experience, will lead these programs. Classes are open to players of all ability levels. All classes have limited enrollment, with a 6 student-to-1 instructor ratio (even lower in the goaltending program!).

Classes will fill fast! Call (248) 478-1600 or visit www.suburbanhockey.com today for more information or to register. Don't forget to ask about multiple class, family and team discounts as well as our mite and goalie combos!

June 21, 2007

Suburban Hockey Schools Heat Up on July 9 at

Suburban Ice - Farmington Hill and The Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena
Don’t miss out on summer hockey schools with programs available at six locations.

Suburban Hockey Schools kicks off its summer class schedule on July 9 with programs at the Onyx - Rochester Ice Arena and Suburban Ice-Farmington Hills. Summer programs continue throughout July and August at Novi Ice Arena, St. Clair Shores Civic Arena, Suburban Ice-Macomb and Birmingham Ice Arena.

Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills offers four programs starting July 9 with the Fundamental Goalie program (ages 8-12), Advanced Goalie Clinic (ages 9-16), Girls Program (ages 9-14) and Women’s program. There is also an Adult Class that begins on July 11 and runs for 10 weeks.

The Onyx’s hockey school programming also begins July 9 with specialized programs for forwards and defensemen ages 9-14 as well as a Men’s Program.

Suburban-trained instructors, including those with professional and college coaching and playing experience, will lead these programs. Classes are open to players of all ability levels. All classes have limited enrollment, with a 6 student-to-1 instructor ratio (even lower in the goaltending program!).

Classes will fill fast! Call (248) 478-1600 or visit www.suburbanhockey.com today for more information or to register. Don't forget to ask about multiple class, family and team discounts as well as our mite and goalie combos!

THE ONYX CELEBRATES HOCKEY DAY IN MICHIGAN

The Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena will host a special event on Feb. 10 as part of the Hockey Day in Michigan celebration with the Coaches Game and Player Skills Challenge. This week players from each team (Mite, Squirt, Pee Wee and Bantam) will compete to see who represents their team in the finals on Saturday.

"We feel it is important to celebrate the game of hockey, the game that means so much to us as adults and kids," said Ryan Pardoski, general manager of The Onyx. "We're excited about the awareness this celebration brings statewide as well as the community level."

The Pee Wee/Bantam game is at 3 p.m. and the Mite/Squirt game is at 5 p.m. Players from each division will be participating in skills competition between periods of the games.

Off the ice, the FUNdamental program players will have a chance to win a prize by writing an essay on "Why I love to play hockey" or draw a picture of their favorite player.

For more information on events throughout Hockey Day in Michigan at The Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena, please call (248) 601-6699.

Interested in getting your Hockey Day in Michigan event highlighted on ccha.com? Call (248) 888-0600 or e-mail hockeyday@ccha.com.

January 24, 2007

The Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena to Host Free "Hockey is Fun Clinic"

Boys and Girls Ages 5-11 can experience the fun of organized hockey for the first time at no charge.

The Onyx-Rochester Ice Arena will host a “Hockey is Fun” clinic on Saturday, March 10 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

The rink is one of six metro-Detroit locations to team up with the CCHA, FSN, Detroit Red Wings, RBK and Perani’s Hockey World to offer the free clinics during February and March in conjunction with Hockey Day in Michigan, a statewide celebration of the sport.

“We are really excited to be able to offer more boys and girls and opportunity to experience the fun of hockey for the first time in these “Hockey is Fun” clinics,” said CCHA Commissioner Tom Anastos. “The smiles we saw last year are one of the best things I’ve experienced in hockey. I hope many more kids are able to enjoy that same feeling this year.”

The opportunity to experience the excitement of playing organized hockey for the first time is open to boys and girls ages 5-11. All equipment including skates and a stick will be provided to participate, who will randomly selected from the registrations, for the clinic.

There will be two clinics run on Hockey Day in Michigan (Feb. 10) at Joe Louis Arena, home of the Detroit Red Wings, from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.; 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Participants in the Joe Louis Arena clinics will have a chance to watch the Red Wings practice for free at 11:00 a.m. on Feb. 10.

Other clinics throughout Michigan include: Lawson Ice Arena on Jan. 28 from 3:10 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.; Munn Ice Arena on Feb. 3 from 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. and 12:45 - 1:50 p.m.; Yost Ice Arena on Feb. 4 from 4:00 p.m. - 4:50 p.m. and 5:00 - 5:50 p.m.; Flint Iceland Arena on Feb. 18 from 3:30 p.m. - 4:20 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. - 5:20 p.m.; Suburban Ice - Farmington Hills on Feb. 25 from 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.;  Novi Ice Arena on Feb. 26 from 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. and Suburban Ice - Macomb on March 3 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

To enter for a chance to be selected for one of the listed clinics, please visit CCHA.com or email hockeyday@ccha.com for more information.