By Ross Forman ~ Benjamin Allison - who played goalie for Crystal Lake South High School and also was a skilled, high-level referee - passed away Tuesday morning, January 27, at Advocate BroMenn Regional Medical Center where he had been transported after he was found lying in the street in Normal on Saturday morning, January 24, after being struck by a car in a hit-and-run. He was a sophomore at Illinois State University. Allison was 20. "Ben was an extraordinary kid. When he walked into a room, he was immediately liked," said Rich Perillo, Crystal Lake South head coach. "He was a genuine kid, very kind, a leader who helped all of the younger kids. I can't think of anybody who didn't like Ben; he was just so well liked by everybody." READ MORE>>

Johnny Gerardi (#44) Garrison Schultz (#39) Geneva Cyclones - PeeWee

Ryan Lopez Sabres - Silver Mite 6 Jamir Wasil Rockford - PeeWee Major

Ian Karas Chicago RiverDogs - Mite Nolan Flores Rinkside Maulers - PeeWee

From Oscar® nominated and Emmy award-winning filmmakers, RED ARMY is a feature documentary about the Soviet Union and the most successful dynasty in sports history: the Red Army hockey team. Told from the perspective of its captain Slava Fetisov, the story portrays his transformation from national hero to political enemy. From the USSR to Russia, the film examines how sport mirrors social and cultural movements and parallels the rise and fall of the Red Army team with the Soviet Union.RED ARMY is an inspiring story about the Cold War played out on the ice rink, and a man who stood up to a powerful system and paved the way for change for generations of Russians. READ MORE>>

The 2015 Tier ll State Tournament promises to be very competitive this year as 255 teams will vie for the coveted title of State Champion. Nineteen additional teams registered over last year's number of 236. Team Managers are reminded that a copy of the score sheet as well as the final score of all elimination games should be emailed to Gregg Chudacoff. First round elimination games need to be played by February 14 and the second round elimination games by February 22. We wish all our players and teams the best of luck at State.

The health and well-being of our players is of the upmost importance to AHAI. As in the previous 2 years, AHAI has retained AthletiCo to provide licensed trainers at State Tournament games. You will see AthletiCo trainers on site at all Girls 14U through 19U State round robin games at Hoffman Estates, Bantam, Midget and High School State round robin game sites, as well as in Bensenville for the State Finals for Tier I, Tier II and Girls. (Due to their arbitrary, short notice nature, coverage cannot be provided for the few High School State "elimination games"). Trainers will provide consultation, player evaluation and recommendations for all potential injury and head trauma incidents READ MORE>>

Moving from Houston, Texas to Oak Park, Illinois in the 1970s, Steve Cromie loved both football and hockey, playing youth hockey with the Oak Park Eagles and joining the varsity squads for both sports at Oak Park River Forest High School. As captain of the hockey team, he was the first player to earn the John C. Cooper Award for outstanding player. In 1983, he accepted an offer from Iowa State University to play Division I collegiate football. During Steve's freshman year, he was recruited by legendary hockey coach Al Murdoch to play hockey at Iowa State University...and the rest is history. After four years playing Big 8 Conference football, and ISU hockey, Steve graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education and a minor in communications. READ MORE>>

The 26th Annual Boys' and Girls' High School All-State games will be played on Monday, February 9, 2015 at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Illinois. The Girls' game will start at 6:40pm and the Boys' game will begin at 8:35pm. Admission is free! AHAI salutes and congratulates each of these fine young student athletes on their accomplishment.

 

2015 Boys' All-State Rosters

2015 Girls' All-State Rosters

At 6 a.m., on Monday, February 2, more than 19 inches of snow had fallen in Chicago, making it the city's fifth-largest snowstorm ever, according to National Weather Service. Moments later, in Punxsutawney, PA the handlers of that state's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, reported with pride that the furry rodent saw his shadow, meaning, they are predicting six more weeks of winter. After all, German legend has it that if a groundhog sees his shadow on February 2, winter will last another six weeks. If not, spring comes early. Regardless of the temperature, or the snowfall, high school hockey is really a hot topic these days. It's the home stretch, crunch time, playoff time. There are less than seven weeks left in the season, as state champions will be crowned Sunday, March 22, at the United Center. Some teams will have their seasons ended before the calendar hits March. READ MORE>> (You don't want to miss Ross' High School State Championship predictions!)

Dear Mom and Dad: Thanks for taking me to my very first "Learn to Skate"; for tying my skates before I knew how to tie my own shoes; for carrying my hockey bag when I was tired; for making ME carry my hockey bag when I was tired; for kneeling in a puddle of cold, dirty slush helping me take my teeny equipment off; for waking up before sunrise to get me to a practice; for staying up way past your bedtime to drive me home from practice or a game; for making sure I did my homework before practice; for giving me those pep talks in the car; for helping me learn that hockey is all about great life lessons...READ MORE>>