AHAI's New Newsletter Name Revealed, Join the Paravola Family for a Day in Their Busy Hockey Life, HS State Tournament Seeding, All State & Showcase Selection Explained, Player Development Process Begins and More!

My son was the best player on his team last year, and was not considered for All State or Showcase. Can you tell me why he was omitted? I don't want the same thing to happen to him again this year.

ANSWER:

I have checked the computer system for your son's name (intentionally omitted from this article); it was in the system for last year. The fact is your coach did not vote for him. In actuality, he did not vote for anyone last year - for All State or for Showcase. Therefore, no one from your team, or any other teams' players received recognition from your coach. In checking the system this year, I see your son's name and he is again eligible for All State and Showcase voting.

I encourage you to follow up with your club and coach to be sure he votes this year for players. See accompanying article by AHAI HS Chair, Jim Powers, regarding the All State and Showcase selection process. Your coach can vote for 6 forwards, 3 defensemen and 2 goalies in a descending points order. Just be sure he votes.

Editor's Note: Readers may email any questions to Ask AHAI to be answered in future issues.

Ask the Coach

QUESTION:

I have received emails from AHAI that remind me that I have not yet taken a required Age Specific Module. I have since taken that missing Module, but I am still getting emails from AHAI telling me I will be suspended if I do not take it. What should I do?

ANSWER:

If you have already taken an Age Specific Module (or done an online Level 3 Re-cert) and you are still being notified by AHAI to do so, please ask your organization's Registrar to update the CEP and PERSONNEL information in their CyberSport and then send an update to the AHAI Webtool. These two steps will incorporate any recently taken Modules or Online Level 3 Re-cert in both their CyberSport program and also on the AHAI database. Please be aware that there is a delay with USAH from your completion to its entering their database. If your Registrar is uncertain how to do this, please ask them to contact Laura Johnson, the AHAI Registrar for directions on how to do so. Laura's email is: registrar@ahai2.org.

Editor's Note: Readers may email any questions to Ask the Coach to be answered in future issues.

High School Hockey with Ross Forman

Interview with Loyola Gold Head Coach D.J. LaVarre

Loyola Gold did something this past Dec. 14 that the Ramblers were not able to do all last season: defeat arch-rival New Trier Green.

The Trevians defeated the Ramblers four times last season, but as the 2013 portion of the 2013-14 season wrapped up, Gold stopped Green 6-3 in Winnetka, as Jacob Skarzynski and Danny O'Grady each scored twice, while Ryan Hill had a goal and an assist against the Trevians. READ MORE >>>

HIGH SCHOOL

HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

*Highland Park stands on top of the North Central Division, with a 15-1-3 record, two points ahead of Maine Township and BG/H/W. New Trier Blue collected 27 points in 19 games, while the CCM Tigers and New Trier White had 24. Cary-Grove finished 0-19 and only scored 16 league goals while surrendering 125.

*The co-op Lakers JV team was undefeated in 20 games, finishing 15-0-5.

*Noah Pickus (Highland Park) and Derek Dyball (Maine Township) each scored 21 goals in 19 games. READ MORE >>>

Editor's Note: Ross Forman has written about Illinois high school hockey for nearly 15 years, and is the only sportswriter to have covered Illinois High School hockey every year during that stretch. He played locally and then at Indiana University before becoming a referee. Ross was a referee for the State Championship game several years ago at the United Center. Contact Ross at Rossco814@aol.com.

Ross Forman's High School Hockey Rankings

1. Loyola Gold

2. Providence

3. New Trier Green

4. Glenbrook North

5. Benet

6. Stevenson

7. Naperville Central

8. Waubonsie Valley

9. St. Rita

10. Highland Park

11. Maine Township

12. Rockford

13. BG/H/W

14. Fenwick

15. AWF Renegades

16. Sandburg

17. St. Ignatius

18. Lincolnway

19. New Trier Blue

20. Neuqua Valley

Editor's Note: Ross Forman's High School Rankings are compiled by Ross Forman through feedback from coaches from every league.

AHAI Youth Hockey Night

Come see two of the top college teams in the Midwest face-off. Northern Illinois University Huskies will take on the University of Michigan Wolverines on Friday, January 31 at 7:00 p.m. at Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, IL. All AHAI players in their team jerseys get free admission to the game!

OPRF & Skokie Flyers Hold Benefit Games for Chicago Hornets

Skokie Flyers' Holiday Rumble with the Hornets a Big Success

VIEW MORE PHOTOS

By Patrick Long

The Skokie Flyers hosted the Hornets Youth Sled Hockey Team at their Holiday Rumble on December 22, 2013 at the Skatium. By night's end, combining door donations, sponsor gifts and auction and raffle items, the Flyers Midget Team Coach, Mike Tompkins and Flyer's President, John Mogan were able to present to the Hornet's team manager, JJ O'Connor (pictured above), a check totaling nearly $4,000; approximately $1,000 dollars over the night's goal. In the past five years, this annual event has raised nearly $10,000 in support for the Hornets, every penny of which goes to paying expenses for the Hornets players.

Chris Ahearn, Avid Blackhawks Fan...

And AHAI's "Name the Newsletter" Contest Winner

Meet Chris Ahearn from Chicago, an avid Blackhawks fan who grew up playing floor and street hockey in Westchester, IL. Ironically Ahearn did not pick up the game of ice hockey until moving to the warmer climate of Atlanta, GA. After returning to the Windy City Chris joined the Howitzers, who play in the McFetridge Adult Recreational Hockey League and the Chicago Outdoor Hockey League. When asked how he arrived at his winning entry, SNAPSHOT, Ahearn said, "A Snapshot is a shot in hockey that combines the speed of a slap shot and the accuracy and quick delivery of a wrist shot. A snapshot is also a look into the goings on of an organization...I thought these two definitions overlapped perfectly!" Ahearn, who works for La Casa Norte, a not-for-profit organization that serves youth and families confronting homelessness, chose Patrick Kane to sign his jersey stating, "Kane is the best American right winger currently in the NHL. I wish Patrick all the best in the Olympics....bring home the Gold!". Congratulations Chris, and in your own words, "GO HAWKS"!

Meet the Paravolas: SNAPSHOT of a Hockey Family

AHAI/Noozebox.com Feature Video

Several issues ago we asked AHAI families with multiple skaters to reach out to us so that we could capture the real-life drama of getting multiple kids to various rinks, tournaments, games and practices. Meet John, Angela, Cole, Emma, Reese and Jack - The Paravola Family!

"When I think about how our family bonds over hockey, I think about really early mornings watching the sun rise on the way to a hockey game. That stands out in my mind as an opportunity to bond and share that we are doing this really crazy thing together." - Angela Paravola, Hockey Mom

ATTENTION COACHES: There Is Still Time to Register for Chicago Blackhawks/AHAI Coaching Clinic!

Hurry! Deadline to Register is Friday, January 10

In the continuing effort of assisting and developing amateur hockey in Illinois, AHAI, in conjunction with the Chicago Blackhawks, will host the 14th Annual Blackhawks/AHAI Coaching Clinic on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at the United Center from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Blackhawks Head Coach Joel Quenneville along with Assistant Coaches Mike Kitchen and Jamie Kompon, Goaltending Coach Steve Weeks and Strength and Conditioning Coach Paul Goodman will be on hand to discuss different techniques in coaching, as well as field questions from the AHAI Coaches in attendance. Topics of discussion will include best use of ice time, running a practice, proper conditioning and nutrition; good sportsmanship; proper equipment and having fun within the game of hockey.

To reserve your spot, you must email Paul Jakubowski by Friday, January 10 at bhcoachingclinic@ahai2.org. When registering please make sure to include: Coach's name, telephone number, organization name and team level. Each coach must register individually via email.

OFFICIAL FLYER >>>

Join AHAI and USA Hockey ADM Regional Managers for the Chicago ADM World Tour! They will discuss the benefits of Long Term Athlete Development and the American Development Model. Presentations are geared toward parents and coaches of 6U players. LOCATIONS & DATES >>>

AHAI to Send Teams to USA Hockey Midwest Regional Pee Wee Invite

Madison, Wisconsin ~ March 28-30, 2014

AHAI will be sending the Pee Wee Illinois State Champions from Tier II AA and Tier I AAA youth divisions to Madison, Wisconsin, to face off against State Champions from around the Midwest. State Champions from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Michigan and Mid Am will be participating in this invitational tournament. The dates for the tournament are March 28 - 30, 2014. The goal of the tournament is to offer a USA Hockey National Tournament atmosphere and a competitive environment without extensive travel and loss of school days. Each team will play a minimum of three games in a Round Robin format. Further information regarding the tournament will be sent to the clubs through the State Tournament Committee in the following weeks.

High School State Tournament Seeding, All State & Showcase Selection Process

By Jim Powers, AHAI High School Chairman

As the end of the regular season approaches, we receive numerous questions regarding seeding for the State Tournament, as well as All State and Showcase team selections. There are many misconceptions that exist regarding the above and AHAI's role. The following is a synopsis of the process in place.

State Tournament Seeding Process

Each year every High School Club is provided an information packet which contains all information necessary to apply and/or register for the State Tournament online. In this application/registration packet teams are provided information in regards to seeding for the State Tournament. The system in place provides for coaches from each team to vote and/or seed each team. In the information packet provided, it is recommended that each coach seed and/or rank other teams that coach's team has played, or that he or she has seen play. Each coach's ranking and/or seeding is inputted into the computer program, which then provides an average ranking and/or seeding for each team. The highest average ranked team is then seeded number one, with the remaining teams following in descending order. The seeding and/or ranking of teams for the State Tournament is done solely based upon the coaches' vote. The only role that AHAI plays in the seeding and/or ranking process is the accumulation of the data necessary to rank the teams. READ MORE >>>

2014 Player Development Process Begins This Month

For All Tier I, II, Prep & HS Varsity Players 1997~2000

All Tier 1, Tier II, Prep and High School Varsity players within the 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 birth years are eligible by invitation only for the 2014 Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) Player Development/ Identification Tryout Camp held in Bensenville, IL, in March of 2014.

The process will start this month with an online ranking of each of the age appropriate players. AHAI has developed a web tool that allows ALL the IL Head Coaches, from each of the above divisions, to go on line to rank ONLY those players they saw play during this season. The due date for these rankings will be early February. These Head Coaches will be ranking the "best" player's from this State, NOT JUST THEIR OWN PLAYERS, within a specific birth year, by position, starting with number 1 as the best and so on down the line. READ MORE >>>

Central District Girls' Open Tryout Information

Registration Begins Saturday, February 15

The Central District will hold open tryouts for all Tier I, Tier II, Tier III and High School Girls on April 25-27, 2014 at Capitol Ice Arena in Middleton, Wisconsin. All registered USA Hockey players will receive an email at the start of February with the following information: Registration will be online and open February 15 and close March 15. If you are interested in trying out for an opportunity for both the USA Hockey National Development Camp hosted in St. Cloud, MN or the Central District Development Camp hosted in Green Bay, WI starting June 22-27, you MUST be at this tryout. No walk on registrations will take place, you must be pre- registered. The Central District is also pleased to announce that the Girls' Player Development Camp is being increased to 102 players, up from 68 players (12 goalies, 36 defense and 54 forwards). Both camps are for the 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 birth years. The staff for this camp is D1 and D3 coaches and counselors. Additionally, information about the High School Showcase team that Central District will be sending to Pittsburgh in April will be announced in Issue 20 of Snapshot on Wednesday, January 22.

OPEN TRYOUT INFORMATION

AMERICA'S SHOWCASE INFORMATION

ADDITIONAL WOMEN'S/GIRLS' DATES

Meet Carisa Rachel Zaban, Players' Category

Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame (IHHF) Inductee Series

Carisa Rachel Zaban was born on September 12, 1977 in Chicago, Illinois. She attended Glenbrook South High School from 1991-1995 where she was a three sport athlete in soccer, track, and hockey. Zaban was the first female to play on the boys' Varsity hockey team at Glenbrook South, and was only one of a handful of females who participated in the Metro North league for all four years. Upon graduation from high school, she earned a full scholarship to play Division 1 hockey at The University of New Hampshire. READ MORE >>>

Providence Defeats CBC in OT Nail-Biter to Claim Ho Ho Tourney Title

December 29 ~ The Edge Ice Arena

Providence Catholic High School defeated Christian Brothers College High School in what was "probably the most competitive Blackhawk Charities High School Hockey Tournament ever," according to AHAI Director, Don Allord. Allord further stated, Chuck Fattore, Ho Ho Tournament Chairman, did a great job recruiting teams and making competitive brackets. Most games were decided by 1 or 2 goals, and many games being decided in the last few minutes". In fact, the Championship game went down to the wire with CBC leading Providence 2-1 until Providence pulled their goalie in the last minute and tied it up. For the second straight year, the final match would go to OT. Providence scored the winning goal 4 minutes into OT to win the Ho Ho Tournament 3-2. AHAI thanks all the teams, coaches and fans who participated, and for their outstanding sportsmanship in all the games.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PHOTOS

NOOZEBOX.COM POST-GAME INTERVIEW

Illinois' Bozek, Coyne & Schaus Go for Gold in Sochi, Russia!

At the conclusion of the second period of the Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs on New Year's Day, the 21 members that will make up the women's squad representing the United States at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, walked through the tunnel and carefully circumnavigated the frosty football field and leaped onto a stage at the Big House in front of the largest crowd ever assembled to watch a hockey game. Among the 21 women rostered to the Olympic team are three Illinois natives. Megan Bozek, a Stevenson High School graduate from Buffalo Grove, Kendall Coyne, a Sandburg High School graduate from Palos Heights and Molly Schaus, a former Naperville resident who attended Benet Academy her freshman year. READ MORE >>>

Eddie Olczyk Award

Hurry! Application Deadline is January 10th!

The Chicago Blackhawks and the Blackhawks Charities are excited to name an award after Eddie Olczyk to support young hockey players and teams in Illinois who may not have the means to play at a competitive level. Questions? Please contact Annie Camins at acamins@chicagoblackhawks.com. Click HERE for application form.

The Eddie Olczyk Award will grant:

*Individuals/families in need of assistance for participation in an Illinois sanctioned team or organization

*Sanctioned teams in need of assistance for tournament expenses

*AHAI organizations in need of assistance to run programs which increase the participation in and quality of youth hockey

IL Boasts 5 Native Sons on WJC Roster

By Chris Peters

One look up and down the roster of any U.S. national team typically and you'll see the home states of many players start with the letter M - Minnesota, Michigan or Massachusetts. For the state with the most natives playing for this year's U.S. National Junior Team, however, you have to travel up the alphabet a little ways to the letter I. Five Illinois natives are part of Team USA's roster for the World Junior Championship, four of which played the bulk of their developmental hockey within the state. Defenseman Connor Carrick of Orland Park and forwards Tommy Di Pauli of Woodridge, Ryan Hartman of West Dundee, Vince Hinostroza of Bartlett and Stefan Matteau of Chicago all called Illinois home at one point. READ MORE >>>

Exclusive AHAI Discounted Chicago Blackhawks Tickets

The Chicago Blackhawks are excited to offer all AHAI families the opportunity to purchase discounted tickets to the January 26 vs. Winnipeg Jets home game during the 2013-14 season. All AHAI players will receive a discount off of each single-game ticket. You may purchase up to four tickets to each game. Tickets are subject to availability. To purchase, CLICK HERE and enter promo code: AHAI. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Brooks with the Chicago Blackhawks at (312) 455-7039 or mbrooks@chicagoblackhawks.com.

Blackhawks, Blues Alumni Unite to Benefit Peoria Area Tornado Relief

Peoria Civic Center ~ January 15 at 7:00 p.m.

In response to the overwhelming need by Central Illinois tornado victims, The Peoria Rivermen Alumni Association have scheduled an exhibition game between the Chicago Blackhawks Alumni and the St. Louis Blues Alumni on January 15 at 7pm at the Peoria Civic Center. Organizers are requesting a minimum $10 donation at the door. During the game, fans can get player autographs and purchase 50/50 tickets. Player jerseys will be auctioned immediately after the game. MORE INFORMATION >>>