Newsletter - October 2026
September is one of the most exciting times of the hockey season.
Teams have been selected. New teammates and coaches are getting to know one another. Players are figuring out roles, teams are beginning to develop their identity, and the first games finally arrive after a long offseason.
There’s a lot of promise and potential this time of year — and usually a little early-season adversity, too.
That’s all part of it.
Our teams continue building. Players are being challenged. Coaches are learning what makes their groups tick. There are exciting wins, tough losses, great weekends and moments that remind everyone just how much season is still ahead.
And through all of it, the rink starts to feel like home again.
70+ GAMES AND COUNTING
Our CSDHL, NIHL and CUHL teams combined to play over 70 games during September, from our youngest Mites through Midget hockey. As league schedules ramp up in October, weekends get busier and teams settle into the season, that number will grow quickly.
More important than any individual result is what we're beginning to see throughout the club: players competing, learning how to play together, responding to adversity and putting in the work away from game day.
FROM THE HOCKEY DIRECTOR
“Let the games begin!”
The best part of the season has begun — game time.
I've watched several of our teams compete over the past few weeks, and it has been rewarding to see our athletes compete, face adversity, overcome defeat, cherish victory and support one another.
While games naturally get much of the attention, it has been equally rewarding to see our development programs get off to a strong start. Monday Skills, GVN Performance and our Goalie Clinic are all important parts of what we're building. Our training staff has been engaged, prepared, fundamentally sound and patient.
It takes time for coaches to learn their athletes, and for players to become accustomed to the teaching styles of their coaches. It's been a great effort by everyone so far, and the progress will become increasingly visible in the weeks ahead.
Coming in October: Measuring Player Development
One of the most important questions in player development is also one of the simplest:
Am I getting better?
This season, we’re introducing a more objective way to help answer that question.
Three times during the season Cyclones players will complete a series of skills measurements in areas such as skating, speed, puck handling, shooting and goaltending.
The goal is to establish consistent measurements that allow players, coaches and families to see progress over time.
By measuring the same skills at multiple points during the season, we can begin to answer important questions with more than observation alone:
- Are players getting faster?
- Are their puck skills improving?
- Are they becoming more efficient and consistent?
- Is the work they’re putting in translating into measurable progress?
At the end of the season, we’ll use the final round of measurements as part of a fun year-end Cyclones Skills Competition.
Enjoy this early part of the season. Cheer on your team, support our players and coaches, and make some new friends around the rink.
— Frank Bisceglie, Hockey Director
DEFINING WHAT IT MEANS TO BE PART OF THE CYCLONES
Over the past month, our Board and hockey leadership have been working on something bigger than schedules, teams and wins and losses.
We've been asking a simple question:
What should it mean to be part of the Cyclones?
This month, we're excited to introduce a new mission and four core values that will help guide how we develop players, coach teams, make decisions and build our hockey community.
Our Mission
Foster a hockey community where players have a place to grow, compete, build character, and develop a lifelong love of the game.
Our Core Values
DEVELOP EVERY PLAYER
We create opportunities for every player to improve through purposeful coaching, hard work, challenge and competition. Development looks different for every player, but learning to compete is an essential part of growth.
INSPIRE A LOVE OF THE GAME
We want hockey to be something our players enjoy today and stay connected to long after their Cyclones years are over.
LEAD WITH CHARACTER
We hold ourselves accountable, follow through on our commitments and treat teammates, coaches, opponents, officials and one another with respect — especially when competition gets difficult.
STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY
The Cyclones are bigger than any individual player, team or season. We support one another and work together to make our club stronger.
These aren't intended to simply become words on a wall.
You'll begin seeing them incorporated into our player development pathway, coaching expectations, club communications and the decisions we make as an organization.
We'll share more about that work throughout the season.
SAVE THE DATE: BLACKHAWKS CYCLONES NIGHT OUT
- Saturday, January 16, 2027 | 6:00 PM
- Chicago Blackhawks vs. Detroit Red Wings
- United Center
We're taking the Cyclones to the United Center!
Special-rate tickets are available now for Cyclones families, friends and supporters, starting around $85 (plus applicable fees).
Tickets purchased through the Cyclones link also help support the club:
- $5 back to the Cyclones for each 300-level ticket
- $10 back to the Cyclones for each 100- or 200-level ticket
Cyclones players will also have opportunities to participate in an intermission relay race, National Anthem Future Stars experience and Goal Horn Team.
Invite your teammates, friends and family, wear your Cyclones gear and help us pack the United Center.
COMING THIS THANKSGIVING: INTERNATIONAL SILVER STICK — GENEVA REGIONAL
For the first time, the Cyclones and Fox Valley Ice Arena will host an International Silver Stick Regional Tournament right here in Geneva from November 27–29, 2026.
Teams will compete in a four-game-guarantee format, with championship teams earning the opportunity to advance to the International Silver Stick Finals in January.
Friday night will also feature an Opening Ceremony and traditional Silver Stick Pin Exchange in the North Rink.
This is a significant event for the Cyclones and a great opportunity to welcome teams and families from throughout the region to our home rink.
We'll share more in the coming weeks, including schedules, volunteer opportunities and ways Cyclones families can be part of the weekend.
SEE YOU AT THE RINK
October means league play is in full swing, development programs are rolling and the season is beginning to take shape.
Support our teams. Introduce yourself to another Cyclones family. Cheer for great hockey — on both sides of the ice.
And most importantly, enjoy the season.
