Development Program
*Spring 2026 Updated *
What is the Development Program?
Heading into its 10th year, the Development Program has been remarkably successful in enhancing players' skills across all levels, fostering competition among high school-aged participants, and ensuring a highly enjoyable experience. This program is designed to elevate your skills and overall performance as a player, offering challenging scenarios, ample puck handling opportunities, and continuous decision-making within a game-like setting.
The Chill Development Program will offer independent 4 week Spring and Summer sessions
This program has sold out the past few years. REGISTER EARLY
Ages
High School Aged Players
SPRING 2026
- We will be accepting players with birth years 2007-2011.
- Players born in 2012 must be entering high school at the start of the upcoming school year and will need to email columbuschillhockey@gmail.com for approval process.
SUMMER 2026
- For birth years 2008 - 2012, must be a HS student fall of 2026.
- Players born in 2012 (that are entering HS) DO NOT need pre-approval.
Dates
SPRING SESSION - 2026
March 18 - Evaluation Skate
7:20 & 8:30 PM Chiller North
Evaluation session times will be assigned when registration closes.
April 13 - May 6, 2026 (8 Ice Sessions)
Monday Times: 5:15, 6:35, or 7:55 PM
(Skill Session & Small Area Games)
Wednesday Times: 5:15, 6:40, or 8:05 PM
(Small Area Games)
*Times Subject to Change
LOCATION
Spring Session: Chiller North
SUMMER SESSION - 2026
TBD - Evaluation Skate
5:30 & 6:40 PM Chiller North
Evaluation session times will be assigned when registration closes.
July TBD (8 Ice Sessions)
Tuesday Times: 5:30 or 7:00 PM
(Skill Session & Small Area Games)
Thursday Times: 9:00 or 10:45 AM
(Small Area Games)
*Times Subject to Change
LOCATION
Summer Session: Chiller North & Ice Works
Player’s Ice Time will be 70 - 80 mins on Day 1 and 75 - 95 minutes on Day 2 . Each player will be given a specific schedule after the Columbus Chill staff forms even teams.
Team Ice times will change each week depending on game schedule and practice design. Each player’s exact schedule will be set after the evaluation session when teams are designated.
All players will receive a practice jersey and t-shirt.
Practices & Format
Following the evaluation skate, players will be placed onto small, balanced teams that will compete throughout the program for the I-270 Cup. Each week, teams will battle in small-area games, earning points toward their placement in the I-270 Cup Tournament, which will take place during the final week of the program.
Each small-area game will be 8-10 minutes in length with wins and losses recorded.
Weekly Format
Day 1 Session:
Each session will begin with 30 minutes of skill and technique development, focusing on areas such as passing, shooting, skating, checking, decision-making, and position-specific details. The session will conclude with 35 mins of small-area games, allowing players to immediately apply what they’ve learned in a competitive environment.
Day 2 Session:
The 2nd session each week will consist entirely of small-area games.
Coaches
All sessions will be led by Coach RJ and the Columbus Chill Hockey Club staff, with additional support from former Columbus Chill players and specialty coaches.
- Lee Harris Skating Systems (LHSS) participate in the Day 1 session
- Goalie Coach for Day 1 session.
Goalies
During small area game play, goalies are rotated between the teams. Goals Against is recorded for each small area game. During the I-270 Cup goalies will choose a team to play on for the tournament based off cumulative goals against average.
Goalies need to be able to focus and refocus quickly in the small area game environment. This could be the best development they will see all year.
Spring Session
2026 is full. Registration is CLOSED
Cost is $330
For birth dates 2007 through 2011. Player's born in 2012 that are entering high school in the fall of 2026 need to email columbuschillhockey@gmail.com for approval process.