In This Issue
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RED ARMY CONTEST WINNERS

Michael Sennett
Red Army Blu-Ray DVD

Daniel Heckle
Red Army Movie Poster Signed by Gabe Polsky
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Volume 3 Issue 6
July 22, 2015
A STEP aHEAD REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

The Chicago Blackhawks, AHAI, Athletico Physical Therapy and NorthShore University Health System are proud to announce the 5th year of our "A Step aHead" program!

  • The goal of our program is to educate the youth hockey community on concussion awareness, prevention and treatment as well as to provide FREE baseline neurocognitive testing to AHAI members.
  • To address some previous concerns, this year the age for testing has been lowered. We will now be able to offer free testing from PeeWee to Midget/High School players (ages 11-18).
  • Additional information is available on the AHAI, AHAIeNews and Athletico Physical Therapy websites.
  • Registration is NOW OPEN; testing is available from July 1, 2015 through November 30, 2015.
  • This year's program will also offer new educational opportunities for both Moms and Dads, Coaches and Players. Stay tuned for additional information.
RULE CHANGE: GIRLS HOCKEY

This season AHAI has passed a new rule concerning Girls Hockey. To help our associations field teams at 10U more consistently, AHAI is allowing 8 year old girls to play up at the 10U level. However, no more than 50% of the roster can be made up of 8 year old players. While we realize this is counter to the ADM, we also realize that the number of girls players is far below that of boys. The lack of numbers at times puts in jeopardy a club's ability to field a team at 10U. For instance, if a club has only 8 or 9 true 10U girls they are forced to go back and play with the boys or leave a club in search of a 10U team. This rule will help stabilize that issue and hopefully grow the game at the girls' level.
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
TIER II 2 CHOICE SUBSTITUTION APPLICATION PROCESS NOW OPEN!
The application process for Tier II Two Choice Substitutions is now open through October 5, 2015. 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. Click HERE for examples of situations that may lead to the rare substitute choice. Questions? Contact AHAI Tier II Chairman, Gregg Chudacoff, at gregg@generaltruckparts.com.
2015 AHAI CEP CLINIC SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
 
Registration for all AHAI CEP Clinics must be done ONLINE at usahockey.com. Registration for all AHAI CEP Clinics will begin on July 13, 2015. Please check the USA Hockey website for details about USAH CEP Clinics, online age specific modules and Coaching Certification process. All Coaches MUST BE CERTIFIED by December 31, 2015. If you have any questions, please contact Paul Jakubowski at pjakubowski@ahai2.org. VIEW CEP CLINIC SCHEDULE>>
ATTENTION CLUB PRESIDENTS & RINK DIRECTORS
AHAI CAN HELP PROMOTE YOUR FALL PROGRAM!

In order to better help our Tier I, Tier II, Tier III, Girls, High School and Adult Clubs, as well as our Learn-to-Skate programs promote their fall hockey programs, AHAI has created a new tab on the AHAIeNews.com website: "Affiliate Club Hockey Programs". When AHAI families mouse over this tab they will be able to choose a program(s) to view. With nearly 70,000 people visiting AHAIeNews.com on a monthly basis, this is a great opportunity to promote your hockey programs. This tab will be promoted to our membership via AHAI's e-newsletter, SNAPSHOT, ahai.org, Facebook and Twitter. The Affiliate Club Hockey Program Tab will take the place of direct zip code emails to our members through the AHAI Registrar, Laura Johnson.

 

If you would like your club's information included on the Affiliate Club Hockey Program Tab, email your program flyer (PDF format please) to Gretchen Cockey, AHAI Communication Manager at gretchen@ahai2.org.
HELP GROW THE GAME! HOST A TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE EVENT!
USA Hockey has announced that associations and rinks can begin registering NOW to host Try Hockey For Free Days, presented by Kraft, scheduled for the 2015-16 season.The first nationwide Try Hockey For Free Day will be Saturday, Nov. 7, 2015, as part of Come Play Hockey Month. The second opportunity will occur Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016, during Hockey Weekend Across America.
HASSLE-FREE FUNDRAISING WITH SCHWAN'S CARES
Schwan's Cares has no upfront costs; you pay nothing to set up and run your fundraising campaign. Hands free - you never have to touch money or product and you will receive up to 40% of sale during your 30-45 day campaign and 5% for the next 90 days! Raise more money faster! Schwan's Cares fundraising network is the official fundraising partner of USA Hockey.


CONCUSSION Q & A: WAYS TO KEEP YOUR SKATER SAFE THIS SEASON
By Elizabeth Pieroth, PsyD, ABPP

Kids across the country are back in school and back to sports. It's important to be educated on the ways to keep your kids safe when they play the sports they love. In particular, parents, coaches and young athletes should all be aware of the signs and symptoms of concussion. We spoke with Dr. Elizabeth M. Pieroth, a Board Certified Neuropsychologist at NorthShore University HealthSystem and consultant to professional sports teams including the Chicago Blackhawks, about this important topic.

 

Q. What is a concussion?  A concussion can occur with any blow or force to the head that causes mental status changes; disorientation, confusion, memory loss, slowness in thinking. Concussions occur in both boys and girls and can occur in all sports.
 
Q. What are the signs and symptoms?  The signs are those things that are observed by others - such as coaches, parents or teammates. The symptoms are those things reported by an athlete. Click HERE for list of signs and symptoms.
  

Q. What can parents and coaches do to prevent concussions? It's impossible to completely prevent concussions, but there are steps parents can take to keep their children safer while playing sports. First, talk to your child's coach about how he/she handles safety issues. Has the coach been trained in concussion prevention? Does he/she know how to spot and respond to a concussion? If not encourage him/her to take the free, online Heads Up Course offered by the CDC. Additionally, make sure your child's equipment fits properly and that he/she wears the right equipment for every practice and game. READ MORE>>>

 

IHOA NEWS & INFORMATION


IHOA ADDS "GIRLS ONLY" OFFICIATING SEMINARS
Girls, did you know that officiating is a great way to improve your skills as a hockey player? Officiating improves your rule knowledge, overall awareness of the game, skating ability AND allows you to make money while doing what you LOVE! IHOA is pleased to announce that they will be hosting two All Girls Seminars this summer. Click HERE for more information and girls' seminar schedule. Questions? Contact Erin Blair or Nicole Davis at girlsjustwannaref@gmail.com!
IHOA SEMINAR REGISTRATION OPENS AUGUST 3RD
Letter from Michael Barrett, Illinois Referee-in-Chief & Supervisor of Officials

Referee registration for the coming season is around the corner! I am sending this out to all Illinois officials so they may prepare for the registration which will commence on August 3, 2015. At the USA Hockey Annual Meeting conducted in June, a few requirements were put in place for the upcoming seminar/registration period. READ MORE>>

 

2015 OFFICIATING SEMINAR SCHEDULE
ASK THE OFFICIAL BY DAVE ZEDNIK

QUESTION: A player has been properly listed on the scoresheet but is not present at the start of the game and his name was crossed off. Does this situation require a bench minor penalty in order to make the player eligible to participate when he arrives?

 

ANSWER: No. Rule Reference 203(a). If the player was eligible to play in the game, his name should not be crossed off the scoresheet just because he is not present for the start of the game. Names should only be crossed off the scoresheet at the conclusion of the game once it has been confirmed the player did not participate.

JUNIOR HOCKEY NEWS
JUNIOR HOCKEY: A HIDDEN GEM FOR ILLINOIS HOCKEY FANS

Illinois hockey fans are already counting down the days until major league hockey returns to the Madhouse on Madison. Die hard fans know the 6-time Stanley Cup winning Chicago Blackhawks will take on the New York Rangers on October 7th (77 days from now for those who are counting) and the true hockey fanatic knows that there are 62 days until the Hawks take on the Redwings in their first pre-season game.

 

Most hockey fans know that Illinois is fortunate to also have 2 minor league teams to cheer, the Rockford IceHogs and the Chicago Wolves. However, hockey aficionados may be surprised to learn that there are more options than the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Wolves and Rockford IceHogs when it comes to getting their hockey fix.
Illinois is home to 7 Junior Hockey teams - the Tier I Chicago Steel and Bloomington Thunder who play in the USHL, the Tier II Springfield Jr. Blues of the NAHL and the Tier III Peoria Mustangs (NA3HL), Chicago Bulldogs (NA3HL), Decatur Blaze (USPHL) and newcomer, Chicago Cougars (USPHL).

In the August 5th edition of SNAPSHOT we will take an in depth look at the landscape of Junior Hockey in our state and how these teams benefit our Illinois youth hockey players as well as the communities in which the play.
THERE'S A NEW TEAM IN TOWN! AHAI WELCOMES THE CHICAGO COUGARS TO ILLINOIS!
The Chicago Cougars, a Tier III Junior Hockey team, will play its inaugural season in the USPHL Mid-West Division. Led by Head Coach and General Manager, Brad Stoffer, the Cougars will call the 9,000 seat Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates home while also competing at the Leafs Ice Centre in West Dundee, IL.

Chicago Cougars ownership group, comprised of Joe Dibble, Head Coach/GM of the NAHLs Janesville Jets, Craig Anderson, goaltender for the Ottawa Senators, and John Schwarz, owner of the Dells Ducks and Wisconsin Riverkings. Schwarz's vision of helping young players move on to college hockey has come to fruition as over 60 players from his Dells Ducks (4 years) and Wisconsin Riverkings (1 season) teams have moved on to the next level of hockey. READ MORE>>
PLAYERS & CLUBS IN THE NEWS
CHICAGO'S SCOTT PALUCH TO COACH U.S. YOUTH OLYMPIC BOYS' TEAM 
Scott Paluch (Chicago, Ill.) has been named head coach of the U.S. Youth Olympic Boys' Ice Hockey Team that will compete in the 2016 Winter Youth Olympic Games from Feb. 12-21, 2016, in Lillehammer, Norway, it was announced today by USA Hockey. Additionally, J.D. Forrest (Auburn, N.Y.) has been named assistant coach and TC Lewis (Richmond, Texas) team leader. READ MORE>>
KEANE ROSTERED TO 2015 U.S. UNDER-17 SELECT TEAM

USA Hockey has announced that Homer Glen native, Joey Keane will be part of the 20-man roster for the U.S. Under-17 Select Team that will compete at the Under-17 Five Nations Tournament from Aug. 10-16 in Arosa, Switzerland. All 20 players participated in the USA Hockey's Boys Select 16 Player Development Camp, which took place July 7-13 in Williamsville, New York. READ MORE>>
McGING & KNIERIM ROSTERED TO 2015 U.S. U-18 SELECT TEAM
Twenty-two players who participated at the USA Hockey Boys Select 17 Player Development Camp have been chosen for the 2015 U.S. Under-18 Select Team that will compete Aug. 10-15 at the Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament in Breclav, Czech Republic, and Bratislava, Slovakia. Congratulations to Illinois natives Hugh McGing (Chicago) and William Knierim (Skokie). READ MORE>>
ROYBAL, McKEE & MISIEWICZ ROSTER TO U.S. SLED TEAM
USA Hockey announced the 17-player roster for the 2015-16 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team which will include Illinois' Brody Roybal (Northlake), Kevin McKee (Chicago) and Josh Misiewicz (LaGrange). The group includes 15 returnees from the 2015 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team that claimed gold at the 2015 International Paralympic Committee Sled Hockey World Championship in Buffalo, New York. READ MORE>>
 MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE GREAT EVENTS
Golf ball on green grass, selective focus
AHAI FOUNDATION GOLF OUTING

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, featuring several contest holes, such as "Longest Drive", "Shortest Drive" & "Closest To The Pin".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>>

2015 Golf Reservation Form>>

2015 Golf Sponsorship Form>>

2015 Golf Outing Flyer>>
SAVE THE DATE:
JJ'S PAY IT FORWARD CELEBRATION
JJ O'Connor broke his neck playing in his first hockey game of the season on October 24, 1995 resulting in him becoming an incomplete quadriplegic; meaning he is paralyzed from the neck down. Since his injury 20 years ago, people from all walks of life have rallied to JJ's side to help him overcome this obstacle.

Twenty years later on Saturday, October 24, 2015 from 7pm to midnight at Seven Bridges Ice Arena JJ is having a celebration to bring people together to thank them for helping him through his journey and to PAY IT FORWARD by raising money for three wonderful charities close to his heart - the GLASA Fire Power Soccer team, USA Hockey Disabled Hockey and the Blackhawks Warriors Hockey team for injured veterans.

We invite you to bring your family out to this special evening and enjoy the festival atmosphere as we celebrate JJ's inspirational journey and raise some funds so any individual with a disability can participate in life. There will be plenty of games, rides, events and entertainment for people of all ages - so plan on bringing the entire family. Admission is Free!!!

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