History:  The Central Wisconsin AAA Hockey program began in the Spring of 1997 with two teams made up of peewee age players.  In 1998 the program expanded to 4 teams at the 83, 84, 85, and 86 age groups.  In 1999, 6 teams at the 82 - 87 age groups.  2000 offered 7 teams at the 83 - 88, and girls U19.  2001offered 7 teams at the 84 - 90 age divisions.    2002 offered 8 teams at the  85 - 92 age divisions. In 2003, 8 teams played at the 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92 and 93 age divisions.  2004 season had 8 regular teams playing at the 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, and 94 age levels.   2005 season had 8 regular teams at the 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95 age levels.   2006 season had 8 regular teams at the 88/89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, and 96 age levels.  2007 had 8 regular teams at the 89/90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, and 97 age levels.  For 2008, 8 teams at the 90/91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, and 98 levels will play a full schedule. 2009 the program was cut back to 6 teams to focus on Peewee and above age skaters development. 

 Facilities:  Home is the Greenheck Field House on the campus of D C Everest Senior High School.  This serves as a very centrally located facility, as players come from Eagle River, Tomahawk, Lakeland, Medford, Merrill, Antigo, Stevens Point, Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau, Waupaca, and the Everest area.

Administration: Tom Knowles (TK) took over the program in Spring of 2008. TK has over 10 years of coaching at the Midget age level and over 20 years of coaching overall age groups. He has been the Head Coach of the Wisconsin Elite Hockey League U18 Tier II Elite League team for the past 4 years and involved in Wisconsin Elite Hockey League program since it's inception. His U18 team has won the Tier II State Championship in 2009 and finished 2nd at Central Districts. TK has a USA Hockey Level 5 Coaching Certification along with being ASEP certified to coach by WIAA.  

Coaching:  Teams are coached by current and former High School and College coaches along with some of our alumni players.  Coaches who have worked with the program in addition to Brand include Pete Susens, Head Coach at Wausau West,     MJ Laggis, Head Coach at Rhinelander,     Brian Idalski, Head Coach at UWSP Women's team current Head Coach of North Dakota DI Womens team,     Craig Dakins, Assistant Coach at UWSP Women's team,     John Hanzlik, former Assistant Coach at WI. Rapids Lincoln,     Jeff Gunderson, Assistant coach at WI. Rapids Lincoln,     Mark Weddig, former Head Coach at Merrill,     Bill Hauswirth,  former Head Coach at Merrill,  Matt Interbartolo, Assistant Coach at UWSP Men's, Tom Knowles, Former assistant Coach at D C Everest High School Head Coach WEHL U18 Elite High School League. Randy Walker, former Head Coach at Marshfield, Adam Brand and Corey Garrett players of Lawrence University, Jacques du Vair, Head Coach at D C Everest, and Goalie Coach Ryan Scott, UWSP, Eric Borre and Jesse Brown former CWAAA players and Junior NAHL players. Mike Hanke -Marshfield High School Head Coach Former Saint Johns University Player.  Final team assignments for coaches will not be made until teams are decided and are complete so as to comply with WIAA rules regarding High School coaches not coaching their local players during the off season. 

Schedules:  Most of the teams will begin practice this year on April 7th and continue through mid June. Teams practice 1-2 times per week depending on competition schedule, and average 15 practice sessions per season.  Practice sessions are held mainly on weekends.  Schedules do not conflict with any USA Hockey or WAHA tryouts.

Competition:  Teams will each compete in 3-4 tournaments.  Major tournaments include the Minnesota Meltdown in April, Missions windy City Tourney.  All teams will compete in the Cheese Cup in late April or early May for all teams, All teams will compete in the International Cup Tournament in Minneapolis in late June. Other tournaments will be considered based on team make up and level. Other tournaments' have included the Blue Devils AAA Tourney, Pepsi Cup, AAA Hockey Challenge Brandon Manitoba tournament in July.  Our goal in all competitions is to provide equal playing time for all players.  However, as players get older, a lack of effort, intensity, team play, or negative behavior will effect playing time.

Mission and Objectives:  To provide an opportunity for  17 of the top players in each age group to practice,  train, and compete with players of the same skill level.  Provide highly qualified and experienced coaching.  Provide a competitive atmosphere where players can compete with and be challenged by the best.  Our philosophy is that in order to improve, players must be placed in an environment where they are challenged, given an opportunity to play a lot, and know that it is OK to make a mistake while they are trying to do something new.  All players will be encouraged to stretch their limits and will be made to feel comfortable when they make an individual mistake trying to expand their comfort level.

Cost of participation:  Compared with many of the other programs/camps that are out there, this is a no frills program. Each player is required to purchase a very inexpensive set of home and away jerseys and socks.  Team clothing is available but not required for players.  Participants will get the most ice time, instruction, and competition available for their money.  A $600.00 participant fee, (returning players), will cover practice ice time, game ice time, referee’s, coaches time and expenses, and tournament registration fees.  New player fee is $655.00 which includes two jerseys and socks.  Any additional expenses including equipment, travel, motels, etc. are the responsibility of the participant.  A $300.00 deposit is due by the deadline posted on your personal invitation to confirm and guarantee your roster spot for the up and coming season.

Identification and selection of players:  Head coaches from all the top level teams in the Central Wisconsin area have been asked to recommend players from the teams they coach and the teams they have played against.  Players that have previously played for one of the Central Wisconsin AAA teams have also been asked to help identify any other players that would fit into this program. There will be open rosters spots available on all teams, NO skater is guaranteed a roster spot from year to year. Skaters not performing at the desired level of play will be cut.   In some cases it may only be one or two spots. To make the team you only need to demonstrate that there are fewer than 15 players in North Central Wisconsin that can play/perform better than you.

Criteria we look for in players.

·         Currently possess individual skills including skating, passing, checking, shooting, and team play that are obviously exceeding the skill level of their current teammates.

·         Have the desire and realistic ability to make a full commitment to work hard at becoming the best they can be both during practice sessions and games.

·         Have consistently displayed the desire and ability to play and compete at a high level.

·         Are coachable, meaning that they have the desire to learn and have previously displayed consistent respect for coaches, officials, administrators, team mates, opponents, and the facilities they play in.

·         Comes from a family that will support the philosophy of the program, the administrators, and coaches.  If the family is going to be excess baggage for the program or bring unrealistic expectations of the player(s) or team, they will not fit in very well or very long.

·         Has the academic ability and desire to keep their performance level in school up to an acceptable level.

          Interested players will submit a player profile and application  These forms are available on this web site and you can print it off of this site..

Tknowles@cwaaa.com or cwaaas@aol.com