Knights Academy

Knights Academy | U8 AAU Full-Ice Hockey Program

The Knights Academy is a supplemental U8 AAU full-ice hockey program designed for dedicated 2018 and 2019 birth-year players looking for additional development and competitive full-ice opportunities.

The Academy is intended for players with previous full-ice experience who are looking to continue developing their skills and compete alongside players of similar ability.

This is a non-USA Hockey sanctioned program. All tournaments, scrimmages, and events we participate in will be non-USA Hockey sanctioned events. Knights Academy is designed to complement a player’s local association season, not replace it.

The Academy season will run from September through February.

Program Structure

Players must first be accepted into Knights Academy following the ID Skate and evaluation process.

All accepted players will participate in Knights Academy development skates throughout the season. A minimum of 10 Academy skates will be scheduled between September and February at Rhinelander, Antigo, and Merrill. These skates will be inner-squad scrimmage-based sessions focused on learning full-ice rules, positioning, spacing, and game understanding in a controlled development environment.

Tournament participation is à la carte, allowing families to choose the tournament weekends that work around their local association schedules.

Tournament invitations will be sent at least six weeks prior to each tournament. Families can register for the tournaments they are available to attend. Invitations will continue down the Academy player list until a complete roster is formed.

The ID Skate will help our coaching staff evaluate each player’s current ability and determine the appropriate competition level for our Academy teams. Evaluations will continue throughout the season during Knights Battle Camps and Knights Academy skates, allowing our staff to continue placing players in the environment that best fits their development.

Additional full-ice scrimmage opportunities may also be added throughout the season as schedules and opportunities become available.

2026–2027 Tournament Schedule

Knights Academy plans to participate in Ultimate Hockey Tournaments based out Wisconsin Dells and Madison.

We will also explore additional tournament opportunities, including CCM 200x85 events in Chicago, depending on team formation, player interest, and scheduling.

Tournament participation is optional and offered à la carte. Players may sign up for the tournaments that fit their family’s schedule and do not interfere with their local association commitments.

Program Cost

Academy Fee — $100

Required for all accepted players and includes all scheduled Knights Academy skates in Rhinelander, Antigo, and Merrill from September through February. A minimum of 10 Academy scrimmage-based development skates will be offered.

Jersey & Sock Package — $75

Required for all accepted Knights Academy players.

Tournament Fee — $150 per tournament

Tournament fees are paid individually for each tournament a player chooses to attend.

This structure allows families to participate in Knights Academy development throughout the season while choosing the competitive opportunities that best fit their local hockey schedule.

Knights Academy ID Skate

The Knights Academy ID Skate will be held on Thursday, August 27, at the Rhinelander Ice Arena from 5:00–6:15 PM.

Registration is limited to 30 skaters and 4 goalies to ensure a quality evaluation experience for all participants.

Player Cost: $20

Goalie Cost: Free

Registration Capacity: 30 Skaters / 4 Goalies

All participants should plan to arrive by 4:30 PM to complete check-in prior to taking the ice.

The ID Skate will allow our coaching staff to evaluate players and identify the appropriate level of competition for our Academy teams. Players will continue to be evaluated throughout the season as they participate in Knights programming.

We are excited to provide young Northwoods hockey players with additional full-ice development and competition while allowing them to remain committed to their local associations.