Originally Posted by
mom2binsd
OMG, I think maybe we did play you guys, a few years ago (pre COVID) DS's 06 team was placed in Bantam Elite, even though all the other teams in Elite were 05 teams, NIHL in their infinite wisdom thought that because our kids did well in the seeding round (we had some easy games) they would add us to the Elite division, not only were we 2006 kids, but almost half were 2007's. Needless to say that was a rough season, we did play Winnetka on a Sunday morning at 8:30, I remember it well, left at 5am from Bloomington where we live, drove to Winnetka, got killed something like 13-1, and the kids on Winnetka were so good, and so HUGE compared to our little guys. The parents in the lobby were surprised that NIHL would even put in in Elite. After the game we went and checked out the Home Alone House and DS wanted to see the lake, he loves throwing rocks into a lake.
I too am savoring each last trip up to Chicago (Skokie next week) and for our final tournament we have decided to make the kids door signs with their mini mite pictures on them.
DD is an 03, she began at age 14, so late, especially as a goalie, but she is now playing on the women's club team at U of Illinois, and was named captain this year as well as being team President. She swam in high school and played lacrosse, and she's also on the club lax team (and is enjoying the social "lax" house on campus, it's like a frat house for all the lax players).
It's been a wild ride, with way too many miles on the road (especially the years where the Chicago teams could "Peoria Rule" us and make us play our home games up there), but I wouldn't trade it for anything.