|
Official Media
Partner of AHAI
|
Did you take a picture with the Stanley Cup on Saturday, October 12? Click the name of the rink below to view your photos!
Note: Photos from Centennial will be posted by Wednesday, October 16 or Thursday, October 17.
|
QUESTION:
I have been reading about the concussion issue and am concerned. We are shopping for a new helmet; does AHAI have any recommendations for a concussion preventing helmet?
ANSWER:
Now there is a question that has been asked many times, and after consulting with AHAI concussion specialist, Dr. Beth Pieroth, of the NorthShore Medical Group...the plain and simple fact is that there has not been a helmet invented that can prevent a concussion!
What about the newest helmets? Nope! Concussion is a function of force - velocity vs. stopping distance. Although you may not fracture a bone, a helmet cannot prevent the brain from slamming into the inside of the skull - hence a concussion.
"The best equipment is of little use if not worn properly."
Not even the best of helmets today can prevent that! Helmets and face masks, as required by USA Hockey and certified by HECC, can and do provide great protection for injury to the face and head - they just cannot protect the inside of the head - where your brain resides. A helmet is an essential piece of equipment that can provide great protection, but it must be worn correctly. If not worn correctly, the helmet can actually cause head or facial injury - if it not snug, if the straps are loose, the cage can come up during contact and split the chin, lips or knock out teeth, maybe even break a bone.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON HOW TO PROPERLY FIT A HELMET.
 | | Fitting Hockey Helmets |
Editor's Note: As always, ASK AHAI should you have any further questions.
|
|
Hey Coach, Looking for a Cross-Ice Mite Tourney?
|
What You Can Do to Help Prevent Infection
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), The "seasonal flu season" in the United States can begin as early as October and last as late as May. USA Hockey, with guidance from its Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Michael Stuart, has issued basic recommendations to reduce the likelihood of spreading flu.
Click HERE for USA Hockey Recommendations.
|
Support the U.S. Women's National Team & Their Families...
The U.S. Women's Olympic team will be traveling to Russia in February 2014 for the Sochi Winter Olympics. The USA Hockey Federation has given permission for the families of these athletes to sell T-shirts as a fundraiser to help offset the cost of travel to see their daughters play. T-Shirts are $20 plus shipping. Please make checks payable to Julie Chu and note "Women's National Team T-Shirts" in the memo line. Mail checks to:
Julie Chu
The Edge
191 Hartwell Road
Bedford, MA 01730
uswomenshockey@gmail.com
Shipping:
$5 for 1-3 T-shirts
$10 for 4-10 T-shirts
$15 for 10+ T-shirts
|
|
BMO Harris Bank Youth Hockey Player, Coach & Volunteer of the Month
|
The Chicago Blackhawks and BMO Harris Bank are committed to honoring our hockey community by congratulating each month during the season, a:
- Youth Hockey Player
- Amateur Hockey Coach
- Hockey Volunteer
Criteria is based on hockey accomplishments, volunteer activities in the nominee's community and a demonstrated passion, dedication and spirit through commitment to community. In determining the Youth Hockey Player of the Month, the judges will also consider the nominee's academic accomplishments and involvement with his/her school. Click HERE for official rules. Click HERE for nomination form.
|
|
 |
|
Facebook Fan Contest Just Got Better!
Free Ride To & From Game by American Taxi
 Become a Fan of AHAI's Facebook Page and you will be entered to win a pair of tickets (5th row, lower level) to Game 10 - Hawks vs. Jets on Wednesday, November 6th at 7:00 p.m. Not only will the lucky winner receive a pair of quite impressive tickets, but will be driven to and from the game in style by American Taxi. HURRY! Contest ends on Wednesday, October 30 at 11 p.m.
|
|
|
|
Register for A Step aHead FREE ImPACT Baseline Testing and WIN!
1,000th Athlete to Register Can Win a Signed Patrick Kane Puck
 A Step aHead, formed by the Chicago Blackhawks, AHAI, Athletico and NorthShore University HealthSystem, is providing Complimentary Baseline ImPACT Tests to all AHAI hockey players aged 13-18.- ImPACT allows medical providers a deeper understanding into the healing of a brain after an athlete sustains a concussion.
- The ImPACT test is a computerized test, and only takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.
- The 1,000th athlete to register can win an autographed Patrick Kane puck!
|
|
|
|
USA Hockey's Bob Mancini on ADM
"ADM Is More Than Cross-Ice Hockey"
Recently AHAI's Media Partner, NoozeBox.com had the opportunity to sit down with USA Hockey's Bob Mancini. Bob is the American Development Model (ADM) Regional Manager for Illinois. His focus is to assist Affiliates in understanding and implementing the ADM at all age levels. Listen to Bob as he discusses several facets of the ADM including what ADM is and is not, what is Long term Athlete Development, and what are the benefits he has seen with this model of development for our players.
|
|
|
|
ADM: What About Squirts?
It's Not All About Mites, by Jim Clare, ADM Chairman
 As I have stated several times in previous articles about the ADM, it is not all about the mites! The ADM is a full ladder of development for all ages and skill levels. The basic premise of the ADM is that we as adults impose adult competition and skill on our young athletes. These KIDS vastly under-train and over-compete, and we as coaches are more concerned about immediate outcomes (the win) rather than optimal training for our skaters. The ADM is a comprehensive plan of development that is centered on the participant and focuses on age-appropriate training. Part of what a coach should do well beyond the skater's mite years is develop the long term athlete by better understanding the windows of trainability that exist and maximizing the development opportunity during those key times.
At the Squirt age group the kids should begin the process of learning how to train, this includes learning the fundamental sports skills needed to move to the next step in the development ladder. It is the period of accelerated learning of coordination and motor skills as well as the development of hockey specific skills.
READ MORE>>>
|
|
|
|
Rosters: What is the October 15th Date?
How is a Player/Coach Added After That Date?
Every year there is confusion about the October 15th date. Hopefully this information will help to inform AHAI members about the details and importance of the date. October 15th is NOT the date that rosters must be submitted. All teams must have a roster submitted to AHAI prior to their first team activity! All teams must have an official USA Hockey roster that has been certified by the AHAI Registrar before they play any games; league, tournament or practice. The process of submitting a roster for certification is done by an organization's registrar.
READ MORE>>>
|
|
|
|
Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame Announces 2013 Class Inductees!
Induction Dinner Sunday, January 26, 2014
 Illinois hockey has had a very long and rich hockey history, due in large part, to the foundation laid down by these inductees. Their tireless dedication in making sure every individual who had a desire to participate in this great sport has had the opportunity to do so. The IHHF Induction Dinner will be held in their honor on Sunday, January 26, 2014 at the Belvedere Banquet Hall in Elk Grove Village. Tickets are available by contacting Norm Spiegel at 847.269.2922 or jacole@comcast.net. PLAYERS' CATEGORY Bates Battaglia Sean Berens Joe Day Mark Kurzawski Carisa Zaban Wahlig BUILDERS' CATEGORY Mike Lebarre Buddy Meyers Efren Molina Joe Olson REFEREES' CATEGORY Bud Monaco John Opoka AHAI will highlight two Hall of Fame Inductees from this year's Class of 2013 in each of our e-Newsletters leading up to the IHHF Induction Dinner on January 26, 2014. For Official IHHF Press Release, click HERE.
|
|
|
|
New USA Hockey Helmet Rule
How Will It Effect Your Skater This Season?
 As you know, USA Hockey changed its rule about helmets, specifically regarding the expiration of the helmet "certification" based on the HECC approval ratings. At the outset, it is important for parents to know that this issue is one involving their children's HEADS. In this day and age, the medical information regarding the consequences of concussions and their long term effects upon someone who has suffered a concussion is enormous. The age old belief that a young player, or anyone for that matter, could simply shrug off a concussive hit to the head with absolutely no consequence is simply incorrect. Concussions are perhaps the most common form of injury to contact sports players yet only recently has the medical information regarding the long term effects of concussions really been brought to center stage.
|
|
|
|
Tier II State Tournament Information
Dates for Exemption Process, Registration & More
 December 7 - December 14 Exemption Process
December 15 - January 8, 2014 Registration
January 13 Liaisons' Meeting AHAI Offices, The Edge in Bensenville
February 7 - February 15 1st Round Eliminations
February 16 - February 23 2nd Round Eliminations
February 27 - March 2 Round Robin Games
March 4 - March 5 3rd and 4th Place Games Played
March 9, 2014 SUPER WEEKEND FINALS
|
|
|
|
Wilmette vs. Winnetka
Mite Cross-Ice Challenge
 On Saturday, October 6, the mite teams from the Wilmette Hockey Association and the Winnetka Hockey Club faced-off in a cross-ice challenge at Winnetka Ice Arena. Four cross-ice games took place during a two hour period. The 50-minute contests were played with two minute quick shifts. The non-stop cross-ice action resulted in lots of ice time, scoring opportunities and puck battles for all the players involved. Players, coaches and parents seemed to enjoy the format. The two clubs will co-host another cross-ice event on October 27 at North Shore Ice Arena as part of the NIHL Mite Jamboree. Mite teams from the Express, Falcons, Glenview, Ice Dogs, Northbrook and Stallions are scheduled to participate along the Wilmette and Winnetka. Visit AHAI's Facebook Page to view photos from the event.
|
|
|
|
Important Central District Girls/Women Hockey Dates
October 15
Deadline for women's teams to declare for USA Hockey Nationals. Email team declaration to Mary Ann Robinson, USA Hockey Central District Girls Representative and copy Tom Hansen, Central District Registrar.
March 21-23
Central District Tier I & Tier II playoffs in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin to advance to USA Hockey Nationals
April 2-6
USA Hockey Nationals for Girls Tier I, Tier II and Adult Women A, B & C Divisions.
April 25-27
Central District tryouts for both USA Hockey Player Development Camp and Central District Development Camp in Madison, WI.
June 22-27
Central District Player Development Camp for birth year 2000, 1999, 1998 and 1997 in Green Bay, WI.
Questions and/or concerns? Contact Mary Ann Robinson, Central District Girls Representative at wahadir@yahoo.com or call 920.758.3063.
|
|
|
|
|
