The 2014 Tier II State Tournament promises to be very competitive this year as 236 teams will vie for the coveted title of State Champion. Twenty-one additional teams registered over last year's number of 215. Team Managers are reminded that a copy of the scoresheet as well as the final score of all elimination games should be faxed or emailed to Gregg Chudacoff. First round elimination games need to be played by February 15 and second round elimination games by February 23. To accommodate our hockey families wishing to attend the Hawks vs. Penguins outdoor game at Soldier Field on March 1, all games will begin no later than 4 p.m. We wish all our players and teams the best of luck at State!

AHAI is very concerned about the health and well-being of our players. As in 2013, AHAI has retained AthletiCo to provide licensed trainers at State Tournament games for all "checking divisions". Trainers will provide player evaluation and recommendation for all potential injury and head trauma incidents. They will be available for consult on any physical or head trauma issue. Expect to see a trainer at all the Bantam, Midget and High School State Tournament games. (Due to their arbitrary, short notice nature coverage cannot be provided for State "elimination games").

 

Be mindful, any player removed from a game for a concussion or head trauma will be subject to standard concussion protocols. The player must be cleared for play by the AthletiCo trainer on site, or have a written confirmation from a doctor or certified trainer before he can return to play. This is of course for the players own safety. Good luck to you and your team in State! - AHAI Board of Directors

Mike Lebarre started playing hockey in 1965 at Michael Kirby Park, an outdoor rink on South Loomis Avenue. He spent his youth playing in ice rinks around the Chicago area; Oak Park, Glenwood, Saints Spectrum, and Willow Springs. As a senior in high school, Mike, his brother Joe, and several friends started the first ever hockey team at Bogan High School.

 

After starting a family, Mike returned to hockey in the 1980's, back to Saints Spectrum in Bridgeview. He started as a referee, and then turned to coaching a Squirt House League Team for the Chicago Hawks. It was there that he met Bob Arturo, the Learn to Skate director. Bob was quick to recruit Mike as a coach for the Hawks Learn to Skate program. Soon after, Mike was appointed to the Chicago Hawks Board of Directors and was elected President. Under Mike's direction, the Hawks became one of the largest hockey clubs in Illinois.

 

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Mary Ann Robinson, the Central District's Girls'/Women's Section Director, was recently awarded the 2014 Joe Burke Award. This award is presented annually to the person who has given outstanding contribution, support, and dedication to women's ice hockey." It is named in honor of a girls' and women's hockey "superfan". Robinson has been involved with and dedicated to girls' hockey development for over 20 years. With Robinson at the helm, the Central District's Girls' Player Development Program has been instrumental in the development of many collegians, USA National Team and Olympic players such as Illinois players Kendall Coyne and Megan Bozek (2014 U.S. Women's Olympic hopefuls) and Grace Zarzecki and Sophie Skarzynski (U.S. Women's National U-18 Team). Additionally, she has served USA Hockey in numerous capacities from USA National Tournament Director (2006-2009), Camp Director for Girls' USA Hockey National Player Development Camp (2001-2009) in Lake Placid and St. Cloud, USA Hockey Team Host for Team Sweden in 2004 during the Four Nations Tournament in Lake Placid, NY, Team Host for Team Canada in 2005 during US Tour and was in charge of the 7 team hosts for the IIHF U-18 Worlds, April 2010 in Chicago. Robinson's non-hockey activities include serving as a part-time reading teacher to developmentally disabled 7th and 8th grade students. She worked with the Service League of Manitowoc County (Wisconsin), was President from 1994-1998, receiving their highest award for volunteerism.

Chicago Wolves skating and skills coach, Kenny McCudden, who has served in the same role for the United States Women's hockey team for the last two-and-a-half years, will continue to aid the team's pursuit of the gold medal at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. McCudden, who departs on Thursday morning stated, "I'm there to do a job. I'm honored. I'm privileged. It took a lot of hard work to get to this point, to be part of the program and to keep moving on within the program." McCudden's primary role during the Olympics will be as the team's advance scout. He will provide reports on every other team for USA coach, Katey Stone and the Olympians.

The Opening Ceremonies of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, are only 2 days away - Friday, February 7. But, in the eyes of the Illinois hockey community, the games don't really begin until that first puck drop. See links below for full Women's and Men's Olympic hockey schedules. AHAI gives a special shout-out to our Illinois Olympians, Megan Bozek, Kendall Coyne and Molly Schaus...GO TEAM USA!

AHAI recognizes that Illinois Hockey is comprised not only of incredible players, but also of great High School and Youth Hockey Coaches that guide our teams both on and off the ice.

Candidates for AHAI's High School and Youth Hockey Coach of the Year Awards should embody good sportsmanship and respect towards team, parents and officials while providing a positive High School or Youth Hockey experience. Candidates should also teach positive life skills while demonstrating dedication, passion and commitment to community.

 

The High School and Youth Hockey Coach of the Year Award Recipients will be announced during the High School State Championships at the United Center on March 20, 2014. Deadline to nominate is Saturday, March 1, 2014.

 

NOMINATION FORM

On Saturday, January 26 hundreds of Breast Cancer supporters gathered at Seven Bridges Ice Arena for the Mission U19 Team's Annual Pink in the Rink Fundraiser. When U19 team member, Paige Gorecki was asked what she most loved about this annual event she stated, "Coach Cachey always told us to give back, and I think there is no better way than to do something that affects so many women in our society today". Sophie Skarzynski, one of the event coordinators, noted "that we have raised $8,800 so far this year, but donations are still coming in. In the past two years we have raised over $35,000 to help with research, wigs for women undergoing chemotherapy and transportation to and from doctor's appointments". Although the Mission U19 coordinates Pink in the Rink, all the younger team members volunteer throughout the day selling T-shirts, bracelets, baked goods, and raffle tickets. All four teams don bright pink jerseys for their games which culminates in a very touching luminary ceremony between the 2nd and 3rd periods of the U19 game to honor those who have been affected by or lost their battle to breast cancer. All proceeds from Pink in the Rink go to American Cancer Society's "Making Strides for Breast Cancer".