JOLIET — Canada this isn't, but hockey country this is.

When the Joliet Jaguars youth hockey program started 25 years ago, the program had five teams. Ice time was a big concern and getting the program organized was a daunting task.

Over the years, the program has evolved. And, now the program supports 23 teams on various levels with between 250-260 youngsters ages 3 to 15-older involved.

Like any youth program, the Jaguars have levels of play. Most are based on age, with some based on skills.

The basic age groups involve Mites (8-younger), Squirts (9-10), Pee Wees (11-12), Bantams (13-14) and Midgets (15-older).

So, how does a youngster get involved in hockey? From the ground floor, of course.

"Our youngest skaters are basically there to get used to being out on the ice and learning the basics of ice skating, there's really very little hockey involved," said Kevin Simpson, the Jaguars' organization vice-president and immediate past president.

Oh, sure, even the little ones may bang a puck around eventually, but Simpson describes the basics as "just giving the youngster a chance to try hockey, just like he or she would try soccer, baseball or another sport."

Then comes instructional programs, designed to teach youngsters the basics of hockey. If a young soccer player tries to kick a ball and lands flat on his back, the hockey equivalent is for a player to try to hit a puck and fan, hitting nothing but air. Dad chuckles, mom laughs and then the youngster picks himself up and tries again.

The Jaguars try to keep prices reasonable for youngsters who are learning to skate or are in the instructional program.

"I think every family eventually comes to a crossroads, trying to decided just how much of a commitment they want to make, both in terms of time and financial," said Simpson.

If the youngster is developing and a family decides to go the travel team route, it means playing for the Jaguars on one of their Northern Illinois Hockey League. Lots of time, much expense for ice time ("That has always been and continues to be a major cost factor," said Simpson) and stops in places all over the state, this year including Peoria and South Bend, Ind.

If a family doesn't go that route, there is the choice of the South Suburban League, which includes teams in Oak Lawn, Orland Park and Homewood-Flossmoor. The Jaguars use the Joliet Park District's Inwood rink as their basic home rink, with some activities farmed out to the Rocket Ice Arena in Bolingbrook.

The program, according to president Randy Clauson, is hoping to advance to the level of a top five program in Tier II in the state.

There is already a lot of hardware on the shelves on the various levels. Starting in 1995-96, when the Jaguars' Pee Wee AA team advanced to the state elite eight, Jaguars' teams have won 11 championships.

Last season, for instance, the Bantam AA team won the NIHL Gold B title, the Mites won the South Suburban championship and the Squirt AA was the Silver Stick Champions. The first-year girls team got to the state final four in the 10-under division.

"Hockey continues to grow substantially," said Simpson.

That growth also happens in Simpson's family. His daughter, Jocelyn, 11, is in her seventh season and son Mitchell, 9, in his fifth.

08/27/03