BOARD OF DIRECTORS CANDIDATES   The AHAI Board of Directors has reviewed all of the candidates and endorses the following five (5) individuals to serve on the AHAI Board of Directors. Please click on individual names below to read each candidate's bio:   Don Angelini Gino Cavallini Gregg Chudacoff John Dunne Bill Gomolinski   Each of the foregoing individuals has demonstrated a commitment to the purposes of AHAI, as well as the core values of USA Hockey (sportsmanship, respect, integrity, pursuit of individual, team and organizational excellence, promotion of all participants' enjoyment of the game, loyalty and teamwork).   These individuals have earned the respect of youth organizations through their leadership efforts at the grass roots level - they have served with local hockey organizations - and have fostered sportsmanship, respect and integrity within the organizations they have served. READ MORE>>

PROPOSED BY-LAW CHANGE SECTION 5.3. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS -  The number of Directors of AHAI shall be fifteen (15) as elected by the voting member teams. Five (5) Directors shall be elected annually. Each such elected Director shall hold office for three (3) years or until his/her successor shall be duly elected or otherwise provided. To be qualified, each candidate must be legally competent and has or will successfully pass the AHAI screening as soon as possible. 5.3.1 In the event of a vacancy by death, resignation, or removal, the President of AHAI shall appoint a Director to fill such unexpired term. 5.3.2 In addition to the 15 elected Directors, the Board shall include the following non-voting directors: immediate past president of AHAI, the AHAI Supervisor of Officials, the AHAI Executive Director and all Illinois Affiliate District Representatives to USA Hockey who are in all ways equal and fully qualified Directors. VIEW CURRENT ARTICLE 5>>

On July 15, 2015, the application process for Tier II Two Choice Substitutions will begin. You will find 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.

Join Us For A Fun Filled Day! The 19th Annual AHAI Foundation Golf Outing will be held at the Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort, Friday, August 14, 2015. The Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort is located in the beautiful Village of Bloomingdale, just 15 minutes west of O'Hare Airport on Schick Road.

 

Our tournament will feature several contest holes, such as "Longest Drive", "Shortest Drive" & "Closest To The Pin", etc. In addition, there will be plenty of other fun filled events during the day. Barbecue Lunch will be provided to every golfer while on the course. Tee Off time is 12:00 p.m. - Shotgun Start. All golfers will receive the "Traditional Goody Bags". Beverage Stations will be available for your refreshment throughout the course. The Bar begins at 4:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 5:30 p.m. followed by an Auction, Presentation of Awards, Raffle Drawing and many wonderful Door Prizes.

 

The purpose of this event is twofold. First, it creates an opportunity for coaches, referees, administrators, parents and supporters of amateur hockey in Illinois to come together for a day of fun and relaxation to kick off the beginning of the new season. READ MORE>>

By Ryan Voyles, Herald & Review Staff Writer ~ Ashton Anderson summed up the feeling of hundreds of people who came to the Children's Museum of Illinois on Saturday afternoon to learn whether Decatur would be named "Hockeyville USA." "I'm happy, and I'm sad, but it's better than nothing," Anderson said. While the city came up short in its bid, it still will receive money to help renovate the Decatur Civic Center.

 

After weeks of anticipation, Decatur finished second in the Kraft Hockeyville USA contest to Johnstown, Pa. The winner of the contest receives $150,000 for renovations to its hockey facility as well as a chance to host a National Hockey League preseason game. Despite the loss, Decatur has already earned $75,000 for renovations by advancing through the first two rounds of voting. READ MORE>>

 

I am very pleased to announce that the District has identified a person who not only possesses the skill sets necessary to fill the District RIC position but also someone who has consistently exhibited tireless efforts to improve the officiating community and work for the officials. Please join me in welcoming the new Central District Referee-in-Chief, our very own Sjoukje Brown.

 

LETTER FROM SJOUKJE BROWN, CENTRAL DISTRICT'S NEW REFEREE-IN-CHIEF>>

ASK THE OFFICIAL BY DAVE ZEDNIK QUESTION:  A player is standing in front of the opponent's goal and has his arms "tied up" with a defending player so that he cannot play the puck in the normal manner. The puck goes out in front of the goal and the attacking player kicks the blade of his stick which knocks the puck into the goal. Is this considered a legal goal?   ANSWER: No. Rule References 624(a) and 614(c). Even though the puck was not directly kicked with the skate, the puck entered the goal as the direct result of the kicking action. READ MORE>>

IHOA ANNUAL MEETING Dear Fellow Official: I hope your spring is turning out nicely and you are enjoying the post season wind-down. There are many items on the IHOA plate and I would like to touch on a few of them with you.   Last night, IHOA conducted its Annual Meeting to recap the past year's activities and conduct the membership election of 5 Board Members to the IHOA Board of Directors.   At the Annual Meeting, the membership was faced with some tough choices among the 11 candidates for the IHOA Board of Directors. Ultimately, the membership elected the following 5 people to the Board and congratulations go out to: Steven Drews, Erin Blair, Jameson Gronert, Craig Welker and Carl Sassolino. Each of these members will serve a three year term on the IHOA Board. READ MORE>>