AHAI has announced the programming for Mite Hockey for the upcoming Fall season. Before I explain, one change that has been made by USA Hockey is the addition of the U6 Mite classification. Mites have been split into two age classifications so keep that in mind as we discuss what was passed by AHAI for Mite Hockey. As many of you know, USA Hockey requires all its State Affiliates to abide by the rules as written in their guidebook. One rule that has received special attention is the mite rule that requires all mites to play on a reduced ice surface (half-ice or cross-ice). They have also allowed State Affiliates to apply for an exception to that rule to allow some full-ice hockey if so desired.

There are 34 USA Hockey Affiliates, of which 18 did not apply for any exception and have gone all half-ice/cross-ice. All Affiliates have gone to cross-ice only for U6. 16 Affiliates have applied for an exception and received it from the review committee at USA hockey, including AHAI. This committee is made up of mainly Affiliate Presidents. However, as most know, AHAI's original exception was for 25 full-ice games and 20 half-ice games for the upcoming season. The Board at AHAI fought for this exception even though they knew it was an uphill battle. For comparison, the closest exception to ours was for 12 full-ice games beginning January 1st, all others were 10 games or less beginning January 1st.

Based on being so far outside the norm, AHAI was presented with a decision, ignore the USA Hockey rule and put Illinois in jeopardy of sanctions for violating it (possible sanctions included no teams allowed at Nationals or player development camps) or submit an exception that is acceptable to the committee. Faced with this, the Board made a decision to not put our players and teams in jeopardy. We compromised with USA Hockey and still received the most liberal exception, 15 full-ice games after December 1st.

Before anyone questions why AHAI had no choice but to compromise, let me ask you this; if you had an organization with 56 teams and one of those teams was willfully breaking the rules of the Club, would you expect the leadership to take action against that team? If you coach a team, and one of your players is violating the rules of the team, shouldn't you take action against that player? Therefore, when 33 of 34 Affiliates are at least trying to abide by USA Hockey rules and 1 of them isn't, the other 33 expect the Governing body to take action. If anyone has any questions on the AHAI Mite policy, please reach out to me directly.

The Chicago Blackhawks, AHAI, Athletico and NorthShore University HealthSystem are proud to announce the fourth year of the A Step aHead program, which provides education on concussion safety to the youth hockey community and free baseline cognitive testing. Testing will be available beginning July 1, 2014 through November 30, 2014 for all AHAI members aged 13-18. Click HERE to register. Keep your eye out for additional information on educational opportunities for coaches, athletes and parents, including our second annual "Mom's Night" at the United Center. 

Congratulations to our two Breakaway Contest Winners! Each winner will receive a signed copy of Michael Betcherman's hockey thriller, Breakaway! Happy Reading!

Paula Catalano ~ Chicago Bruins

Megan Humann ~ Jaguars

Looking for a great summer read for your hockey obsessed high school, bantam or midget player? Check out what the critics have to say about Breakaway. READ MORE.

On July 15, 2014, the application process for Tier II Two Choice Substitutions will begin. You can 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 at ahaienews.com - just type "Tier II Two Choice" in the search bar. Should you have any further questions, please contact the AHAI Tier II Committee Chairman, Gregg Chudacoff. 

USA Hockey will host the 2014 Sled Hockey Player Development Camp at the Northtown Sports Centre in Amherst, N.Y., from July 14-19, 2014. Fifty-six male and female sled hockey players ages 13-32 will take part in the six-day camp, which will include daily practices and games. Among those select 56 players are Illinois' Ethan Burkhart of the GLASA Falcons and Joey Gugliotta of the RIC Blackhawks. The purpose of the camp is to identify, train and educate the top sled hockey athletes in the United States. During the camp, players are evaluated by USA Hockey's national evaluation staff, while competition gives the players the opportunity to measure themselves against others in the same age group, gain knowledge about their development and be exposed to top-level coaches. 

READ MORE

The Chicago Blackhawks, in conjunction with the National Hockey League, announced today that the team has been selected to participate in the 2015 NHL Bridgestone Winter Classic. The game will take place on Jan. 1, 2015, at 12 p.m. CT in Washington, D.C., against the Washington Capitals.

READ MORE

The Chicago Blackhawks announced their 2014-15 regular-season schedule, which begins on the road against Dallas on Thursday, Oct. 9. The Blackhawks return for their home opener on Saturday, Oct. 11, when they host the Buffalo Sabres.

VIEW SCHEDULE