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,

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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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!

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.