Summer

Summer 2025

Hockey Development and Skills Program

We are excited to announce our program for the 2025 Summer Season.

We are dedicated to helping your athlete reach his or her potential within the game.

What we offer:

  • Individual Skill Development
  • Skating, Passing & Shooting
  • Position Play
  • Defensive Zone Coverage
  • Offensive Zone Entries
  • Controlled Scrimmages w/ real time correction
  • Video Review - team and individual
  • Off Ice Shooting
  • Age Specific Strength Training
  • NEW for our 2025 season. All tournament teams will have team sessions at THE LAB. Teams will have specific training on shooting and passing



Practices

For each tournament, practices will be scheduled accordingly for the 2025 season

Practice location will be:

Owens Center

1019 W Lake Ave

Peoria, IL

61614


Fees

Fees for the 2025 season will be 375.00 per tournament. Payment plans are available for multi tournament plans.

The fee includes tournament fees, on-ice, off-ice practices, video sessions, and all sessions at The LAB.

Uniforms and travel expenses are an additional cost.

UNIFORMS & SWAG

Use link below for all uniform needs. (Jersey and socks)

Official merchandise will be done in house this year as to make sure sizes and product arrival times are accurate. Please try on all merchandise after your ID skate. You will have time to pre order all merchandise. If you missed the ID skate please contact Bo for any merchandise questions.


Volunteers

Each team will need a Team Manager. Please reach out to Bo if you are interested in helping.

Crossbar

New to Crossbar? Click here for help setting up your account.

QUESTIONS?

Bo Cheesman

Head Coach

Tournament Dates

Chicago June 20-22 (SOLD OUT Goalies and position players)

Ann Arbor July 11-13 (Goalies SOLD OUT)

Nashville July 25-27 (Goalies SOLD OUT)




Coaches

Bo Cheesman

Bo Cheesman has been involved in the game of hockey as a player, coach, skills instructor, and trainer for over 35 years. Bo played professional hockey for 7 years and earned an NCAA Div 1 scholarship to Lake Superior State University. Bo brings lots of energy and a wealth of knowledge for all youth players. Currently Bo is the 16U and 18U Head Coach for the Bloomington Thunder and owner of The Lab, central Illinois' premiere off ice training facility. Bo is married to his wife, Julie. They are blessed with two adult children, Callie and Reilly, and two Labrador Retrievers, Cooper and Lucy.

Certifications:

Level 4 USA Hockey Coach

Blake Mitchell

Blake Mitchell, Played for the Westbend Power in the NA3HL this past season. Where their team won the Central Division championship and made their first appearance at the Fraser Cup Finals. Blake Mitchell has been playing hockey for the last 17 years, 2 of the season were played for Coach Bo!! This past season Blake worked as an Office ice trainer for WYCHA Program and also helped coach at all levels for practices. 

Wyatt Swonger

Wyatt Swonger is currently playing Tier II junior hockey for the Utica jr Comets of the Usphl, Ncdc and is en route to making an NCAA college commitment!

Wyatt has been playing for the past 17 years, 2 of which were played under coach Bo!

Wyatt is just beginning his hockey coaching career most recently working as assistant coach of the 18u ada Utica Jr Comets, who qualified for the New York state 18u tier 1 tournament

Michael Natoli

Michael Natoli, played for the Illinois State Redbirds last year for their D1 Mens ACHA team. Michael has been playing at the collegiate level for the last 2 years. Michael has been playing for the last 18 years while playing youth hockey for the Bloomington Thunder and the Peoria Jr. Rivermen CSDHL teams. Michael has also played two years of juniors for the Peoria Mustangs of the NA3HL. 

Michael has coached a fall season for the Bloomington Thunder U16 and U18 teams as well as a few spring seasons at each level. Michael is excited for the summer season with the Tropics! 


Chanler Taylor

Chanler currently plays for and is the captain of the Concordia University Wisconsins women’s ice hockey team at the NCAA DIV III level. Chanler is going into her junior year and majoring in physical education. She started playing hockey at 6 years old with the boys for BYH. Then moved to AAA hockey at 14. Prior to college she played six years of AAA girls hockey, three of which were for the Chicago Fury and the other three for the St. Louis Blues. She has helped coach Bloomington Youth Hockey teams in the past and wants to further her coaching career after she graduates college. 

Summer 2025

Birth Years for 2025 Summer Season:

Mite 8U: 2017, 2018

Squirt 10U: 2015, 2016

Peewee 12U: 2013, 2014

Bantam 14U: 2011, 2012

Midget 16U: 2009, 2010

Midget 18U: 2007, 2008


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