All Tier I, Tier II, Prep and High School Varsity players within the 1998, 1999, 2000 and 2001 birth years are eligible by invitation only for the 2015 Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) Player Development/ Identification Tryout Camp held in Bensenville, Illinois, the weekend of March 20 - 22, 2015. The process began last week with an online ranking of each of the age appropriate players. AHAI has developed a web tool that allows ALL the Illinois Head Coaches, from each of the above divisions, to go online to rank ONLY those players they saw play during this season. The due date for these rankings to be completed is by early February. These Head Coaches will be ranking the "best" players 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>>

AHAI recognizes that Illinois Hockey is comprised not only of incredible players, but also of great Boys' and Girls' High School and Youth/Girls' Hockey Coaches that guide our teams both on and off the ice. Candidates for AHAI's Boys' and Girls' High School and Youth/Girls' 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/Girls' Hockey experience. Candidates should also teach positive life skills while demonstrating dedication, passion and commitment to community. Click HERE for nomination form. Deadline to nominate is Friday, February 20, 2015.

AHAI announces that the 2015 Men's and Women's State Tournament at various adult levels (Multiple Men's and Women's Divisions for all skill levels, Novice/Rec, CII, CI, B, A) will take place at the Darien Sportsplex from April 23-26, 2015. The Adult State Tournament is open to Adult (21+) Men & Women USA Hockey registered players and teams who played at least 8 games together in the 2014-2015 season, or non-USA league teams and players that wish to become USA Hockey members before the Tournament. Players may play on only one team in the Tournament. READ MORE>>

As a bantam playing for the Northbrook Bluehawks, Garrett Cohen was in goal for a three-overtime win over Rockford to advance to the state tournament. It was, without question, "one of the longest games I have ever played in," he said. A lasting memory, even years later, as Cohen is now set to end his local career in two months or so. Hopefully not less, he says, knowing the Illinois State Championship will be decided for the Red Division on Sunday, March 22, at the United Center. Cohen wants another lasting memory - definitely a better one than last season, when the Spartans lost 2-1 to New Trier Green, as the Trevians won their second title in a row. "I think we have a very good chance to go all the way this year. We have great team chemistry and have been playing great hockey recently," said Cohen, 17, a senior who lives in Northbrook and is in his second season on the Spartans' varsity. The left-handed goalie who sports jersey No. 30 and a distinctive butterfly style of play is one of the main reasons GBN appears on cruise control bound for the United Center. READ MORE>>

At this time of the year inquiries are made regarding playing rules and their implications regarding player eligibility. I will try to identify some key items for coaches, players and administrators to be aware of as the season winds down and playoffs approach.

The USA Hockey playing rules vary regarding the amount of time associated with a particular infraction. Infractions may result in a player receiving something as "small" as a minor penalty; some require a minor penalty and misconduct; some allow for a major penalty; some require a major penalty and game misconduct; some require an automatic major and game misconduct; and others include the possibility or mandates of a match penalty. There is no simple rule of thumb to replace the required knowledge of which infraction carries which assessed "time". However, the USA Hockey playing rules mandate that any time an infraction results in an injury to the non-offending player, a major penalty and a game misconduct (or a match penalty) are required. In this regard, the official has no discretion but to impose the major/game or a match. READ MORE>>

The Chicago Blackhawks Youth Hockey Department has created a new program called the Youth Hockey Referee Spotlight. The spotlight highlights two amateur hockey referees from Illinois per month and gives them the opportunity to come to a Blackhawks game and meet the NHL refs prior to puck drop. A photo of the youth referees with the NHL refs will be featured on the Blackhawks website. The impact and contribution of youth referees in hockey is as important as players, and this is a great opportunity to highlight them making a difference. Featured in the first spotlight are Karch Weyermuller and Shane Gustafson. They attended the game vs the Colorado Avalanche on January 6th. READ MORE>>

Sunday, October 5, 2014 is a day no one in the tight knit hockey community in Oak Park will ever forget. OPRF Huskies varsity hockey player Grey Small collapsed before his game against Sandburg. Luckily, a group of first responders acted quickly to save a young life at the rink that day.The OPRF Hockey Club honored the first responders who saved Grey's life with a special ceremony at the Paul Hruby Ice Arena on Thursday, January 8. Huskies Hockey, Sandburg Hockey and Illinois West also raised over $4,000 for the Saving Tiny Hearts Society in honor of Emily Petersen, the nurse who performed CPR on Grey until paramedics arrived at the rink. Saving Tiny Hearts raises funds for research into the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects. READ MORE>>

Registration for the Central District/USA Hockey National Camps will open on February 15 and close March 1. Any player interested in an opportunity to attend the National Camp and/or the Central District Camp MUST attend the tryout on April 17-19, 2015 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.  All players will be emailed a registration link the week of February 8.  The registration fee for this tryout will be $125.00.  Please email Mary Ann Robinson if you have additional questions/concerns.