Volume 2 Issue 3
May 28, 2014
In This Issue
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ASK AHAI
QUESTION:
Why doesn't AHAI allow earlier tryouts for CSDHL teams? The clubs in other states seem to hold their tryouts right after AAA tryouts, then start practicing as early as June. That puts Illinois clubs at a disadvantage as they can't start tryouts until September 1st.

ANSWER:

This question came from a parent of a Central States player on an Illinois roster.

 

The CSDHL, or Central States Developmental Hockey League, is a league that operates independent of AHAI. As long as they adhere to their league by-laws and are not "doing anything detrimental to the sport of hockey", there is little AHAI can say about the member teams starting dates. In Illinois we have a positive start date for Tier II and Tier III teams of September 1st, no exceptions. Other affiliates can determine their own starting dates for their various levels and age divisions. That means they can differ from those of Illinois teams. 

 

If you look to Missouri, they do in fact start earlier. If you look north to Minnesota, they typically do not start until much later in the fall, like October.

 

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

In the month of June there are two annual meetings that take place, the AHAI Annual meeting and the National USA Hockey Congress. The AHAI Annual Meeting is open to all Members and is held on June 1, 2014 at the Hyatt Woodfield at 9AM. The USA Hockey Congress is June 4-7 in Colorado Springs, Colorado (home of USA Hockey). It is at both of these meetings that rule changes, initiatives, and vital information is brought forth. At The Annual AHAI meeting this year the agenda includes:

  • Growing the game by the Chicago Blackhawks, USA Hockey and AHAI
  • A recap of the SafeSport program directed at education on providing and implementing a safe environment for our players, mostly off the ice
  • A Step aHead, a concussion awareness and baseline testing program
  • AHAI Committee reports, including rule changes and any other initiatives each committee might have
  • Election of AHAI Board of Directors. Each year five of the fifteen Directors are up for election

The USA Hockey Congress is a national meeting that includes all the representatives from each Affiliate (state or area) and the national USA Hockey staff. It is at this meeting that rules and guidelines are discussed and voted on. Click HERE if you would like to see additional information on the USA Hockey Congress.

               

This AHAI newsletter will continue to be your source of information regarding the changes and initiatives that will be presented at these meetings. Also I encourage you to send your questions to Ask AHAI and see the reply in future newsletters. Additionally, don't forget to send your club or skater news, pictures and story ideas to Gretchen Cockey, Communications Director.

 

Sincerely,


 
John Dunne
AHAI President
REGISTRATION BEGINS JUNE 1!
TONY ROSSI TO RECEIVE USA HOCKEY PRESIDENT'S AWARD
USA Hockey will host its 2014 Annual Congress June 4-7, at the Hotel Elegante in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The four-day event provides USA Hockey's various councils, committees and affiliates the opportunity to conduct the business of the national governing body and celebrate the year's accomplishments. In addition, two dinners will be staged to honor those who have contributed to the success of USA Hockey and celebrate the 2013-14 season. USA Hockey will honor its service award recipients and various players of the year on June 4 at its annual Night of Tribute Awards Dinner, while the other top awards will be presented June 6 during the President's Awards Dinner.

 

With nearly five decades of experience that included roles in virtually every area of the organization, Tony Rossi ranks among the premier architects of USA Hockey. His vision, dedication, acumen and energy have been instrumental in the ascent of American hockey. Under his watch, the U.S. became a consistent force on the international scene, earning the country's first-ever gold medal in the World Junior Championship in 2004 and becoming a regular in medal games at all levels of competition. The IIHF took notice of Rossi's significant contributions in 2008, naming him to the 14-member IIHF Council and re-electing him in 2012.

 

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FACEBOOK FAN CONTEST WINNER!
CONGRATULATIONS!
AHAI congratulates Pat Coyle of Franklin Park. Pat, who grew up playing youth hockey at the Franklin Park Ice Arena, is the winner of the pair of tickets to the Chicago Blackhawks 2014-15 Opening Night Game!
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
AHAI TIER 1 MITE ADM PROGRAM


On May 31, 2014, Chicago Mission, in conjunction with AHAI and USA Hockey, will host an open house for those interested in learning more about the AHAI Mite Tier I ADM Program. Bob Mancini from USA Hockey will be there to speak with the Tier I coaches that will be running the program at the four Tier I clubs. He will assist for the on-ice portion for those kids that have registered for the Open House skate. This is a great opportunity for parents to watch the free ADM clinic and see firsthand what this new program has to offer. The Mission's Gino Cavallini will direct this clinic at Seven Bridges Ice Arena. Even if you don't have a skater registered, come by and watch!

LATEST ISSUE NOW ONLINE

Did you know AHAI has an e-newsletter Just for Mites? The latest issue is now online with great videos from USA Hockey's ADM Regional Manager, Bob Mancini and the U.S. Men's Olympic Team, Ryan Kesler. Just for Mites also has great articles from USA Hockey affiliates around the country as well as on- and off-ice practice plans for coaches. And of course Just for Mites has the latest Mite news and programs from Illinois. Click HERE for the latest issue.



TIER II CHOICE SUBSTITUTION APPLICATION PROCESS: DATES & INFORMATION

On July 15, 2014, the application process for Tier II Two Choice Substitutions will begin. You will find links to helpful articles regarding the Two Choice Rule, Choice Substitutions and what you should consider before making that second choice as well as information regarding the Midget Third Choice in the articles below. Should you have any further questions, please contact the AHAI Tier II Committee Chairman, Gregg Chudacoff at gregg@generaltruckparts.com.

 

ILLINOIS NEWS
ROSS K. MACNEILL MEMORIAL TOUGH HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

The 2014 Ross K. MacNeill Memorial TOUGH Hockey Tournament supports The Ross K. MacNeill Foundation to end pediatric brain cancer, and is dedicated to fighting pediatric brain cancer in the memory of 11-year-old Ross K. MacNeill. Ross was a devoted Admirals hockey player (#33) and an avid Chicago Blackhawks fan that lived his life with joy, strength, courage and selflessness. He died of a malignant brain tumor in 2013. 100% of donations from the Tournament will go to the Foundation (R33M.org) and its mission to end pediatric brain cancer by 2023. The Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 7, from 10:00am-5:00pm at Center Ice of DuPage, 1N450 Highland Ave, Glen Ellyn. Click HERE for more information.

ANCO FUTURE HOCKEY STARS CONTEST!

Introducing the ANCO Future Hockey Stars Contest! We're looking to sponsor teams for the 2014-15 hockey season and want to hear about your teams story and inspiration for the game! The process is simple: create a 2:00 video entry, share it with your friends and family, and let the votes roll in. We'll be giving away five $1,000 sponsorships and an additional $5,000 Grand Prize Sponsorship to one of the five finalists.

The ANCO Future Hockey Stars contest begins accepting entries on June 10, 2014, so start videoing your team now to plan for entry. One entry per team is permitted and each player must be under 20 years old. Click HERE to read up on all contest requirements!

JUNIOR HOCKEY NEWS
NAHL ENTRY DRAFT SET FOR JUNE 3RD

On June 3 the North American Hockey League will hold its annual entry draft. The NAHL is the only Tier 2 Junior league in the country and is home to over 40 players from Illinois last year. The draft can be followed live online at nahl.com at 1pm central time.  Follow along and see what talented Illinois skaters get selected.

 

The NAHL is a non-pay to play league with 24 teams as far west as Fairbanks, Alaska, as far south as McAllen, Texas and as far east as Johnstown, Pennsylvania.  Along with the USHL, it is one of the key steps in a hockey player's pursuit of playing Division 1 or 3 college hockey.

 
CENTRAL DISTRICT GIRLS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CAMP
GIRLS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CAMP: LETTER TO PARENTS/PLAYERS & CAMP SCHEDULE
Congratulations to those skaters invited to the 2014 Girls Central District Player Development Camp! This year's camp is being held in Green Bay, Wisconsin, June 22 through June 27. Parents and players, please see links below for important information from Mary Ann Robinson, Central District Girls'/Women's Representative, regarding this year's Girls Central District Player Development Camp. Team rosters will be emailed the week of June 18.

FROM USA HOCKEY
TRENT KLATT: "GO PLAY BALL"

Fourteen-year NHL veteran and New York Islanders head amateur scout Trent Klatt has a message for coaches and parents this off-season: "Put the hockey equipment in the rafters and go play ball." Klatt, a product of the Brooklyn Park youth hockey system and Osseo High School in Minnesota, played just about every sport as a child. It helped him develop into a premier, well-rounded athlete who enjoyed each passing season. Now, as an NHL scout, he looks for that same type of athleticism. Klatt sat down with USA Hockey and explained why the off-season should be spent off the ice.

 

USA Hockey: The culture seems to have moved away from the three-sport athlete. What other sports did you play? 
 

 

FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
THE PROBLEM FOR SPORTS PARENTS: OVERSPENDING
When sports psychologist Travis Dorsch set about studying the effect of parental spending on young athletes, he expected to find a positive correlation. After all, recent research suggests that young athletes benefit from parental support.

 

But his study, just completed, found that greater parental spending is associated with lower levels of young-athlete enjoyment and motivation. "When parental sports spending goes up, it increases the likelihood either that the child will feel pressure or that the parent will exert it," says Dr. Dorsch, a Utah State University professor and former professional football player.

 

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HELP WANTED
Hello! My name is Kelly McCormick and I am a graduate student at John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, CA studying for my masters in Sport Psychology. I am currently doing a thesis in which I am studying athletes who have discontinued at least one sport when they were between the ages of 13 and 17 for any reason at all and have discontinued within the past three years. I am reaching out to see if there are any parents who may have children who have discontinued playing a sport. The participants may still be involved in sport; they would have just had to quit at least one sport. For my study a parent would first need to agree to a parental consent form about confidentiality and the participant's rights. If there are any parents who have children who would like to participate please click the survey link at the bottom of this letter. Once a parent has agreed to the consent information I will email a link to the survey for the youth participant. The questions in my survey cover current sport involvement and sport history. Also, if there is anyone else that you may feel would be helpful to contact for this information that would be greatly appreciated as well. Thank you so much for your time and I look forward to hearing from you!
 
Click HERE for Parent Consent Survey 

 

Thank you,

Kelly McCormick

Sport Psychology Master's Candidate

John F. Kennedy University

Kmccormick@email.jfku.edu


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