In This Issue
Every athlete who completes a FREE baseline test this year will be entered to win an official Chicago Blackhawks Hockey Stick signed by Marian Hossa! Deadline to register is November 30, 2015.
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Volume 3 Issue 10
September 16, 2015
LETTER FROM AHAI PRESIDENT JOHN DUNNE
Welcome to another season of Youth and Girls' Hockey in Illinois. As always it's a very busy time of year as teams are forming and everyone is getting to know teammates, coaches and other parents. Again this season, the focus for AHAI is player safety, member conduct and communication of information with our AHAI membership.

This season will bring a renewed focus on spectator conduct. Last season saw the high water mark for reported inappropriate conduct. With that, the AHAI Parent/Spectator Suspension Rule has been put in place. Please see article below for complete rule.

There was also an increased report of internal club issues last season that did not happen at a game, but within the club structure.  These types of issues, including issues that parents or players have with clubs, need to be reported to the AHAI R&E committee. The AHAI R&E committee tracks trends, suspensions, and how the issues are handled to make sure the proper processes are followed such as hearings, etc.

The AHAI e-newsletter, SNAPSHOT, has been, and will continue to be a great source of information on current topics. Please take the time to open the newsletter and read the article that might impact your family.  If you have questions about the Tier II two choice rule, there are many articles that describe the rule, how it's applied and why it's in place. You can check out ahaienews.com for past articles that have appeared in SNAPSHOT. Ahaienews.com also has many other relevant articles, tips and advice from trusted sources like USA Hockey. AHAI will continue to put out information on all of our programs and highlight the successes of our clubs, teams and players throughout the season. Our goal is to provide timely and accurate information to all of AHAI's members. SNAPSHOT, along with AHAI's social media sites (Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube) and AHAI's official website, www.ahai.org, are the main sources of communication with AHAI members. Please continue to send in your questions to "Ask AHAI" and your ideas and suggestions for articles you'd like to see in upcoming issues of SNAPSHOT. READ MORE>>
WHO IS AHAI? WATCH OUR INFORMATIVE
PARENT VIDEO!
Did you know that the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) is the 5th largest amateur ice hockey association in the United States? Founded in 1975 we consist of over 2500 member teams from pre-mite learn-to-skate programs, youth house and travel teams, high school teams, girls' and women's teams to adult and Junior teams. To help our membership better understand the benefits offered by USA Hockey and AHAI, we have produced an informative video explaining the many programs and benefits we have to offer.  READ MORE>>
AHAI PARENT/SPECTATOR SUSPENSION RULE
ParentA game will be stopped by on-ice officials when the parents/spectators displaying inappropriate or disruptive behavior interfere with other parents/spectators or the game. The on-ice officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the parents'/spectators' viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume. 
Lost time will not be replaced. Violators will incur a minimum mandatory 3-game suspension from that team's games and may be subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body.

The reasons for this necessary minimum 3-game suspension rule are simple; last season there was a marked increase in parents'/spectators' behavior being out of control. These behaviors included verbal and physical altercations with officials, players and other spectators. Additionally clubs/teams that have a responsibility to help control and penalize these behaviors were asking for guidance from AHAI.

No matter why a spectator is asked to leave, the minimum suspension is 3 games. There is emphasis on a minimum of 3 games.

Here is how the reporting system works: An official will file an electronic "Incident Report" detailing the official's version of the occurrence with the AHAI R&E Committee. The Committee sends the report to the spectator's club in order for the club to conduct an investigation. Upon completion of the spectator's club investigation (that should include talking to the accused spectator) the investigating club will report back to the AHAI R&E Committee for final approval of the minimum 3-game suspension or any additional imposed suspension.

This is a very simple rule. Any spectator asked to leave a rink by an official or by the rink personnel will automatically miss a minimum of 3 games. No questions asked.
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
COLLEGE NIGHT: A ROAD MAP TO HOCKEY AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
AHAI is proud to present the 25th annual series of Seminars on the opportunities in ice hockey after high school. Mark Monday, October 12, 2015 on your calendar for AHAI's Annual College Night: A Road Map to Hockey after High School. This yearly event is a must for all High School Juniors (of course Sophomores and Seniors are welcome too). Don't miss this great opportunity to begin planning YOUR road to hockey after High School. Registration opens Tuesday, September 21, 2015. READ MORE>>
Monday, October 12, 2015 at 7:00pm
Woodfield Hyatt Hotel
1800 East Golf Road, Shaumburg

Online Registration Begins Tuesday, September 21, 2015
THE AHAI FOUNDATION GOLF OUTING COMMITTEE
IS LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
 
August of 2016 will mark the 20th anniversary that the Illinois Hockey Community has come together to raise money for specific charitable causes.

Over the years, the AHAI Foundation Golf Outing has raised money to support such charitable causes as Special Needs Hockey, Sled Hockey, Wounded Warriors, Deaf/Hard of Hearing Hockey, Diversity Hockey and the Catastrophic Relief Fund. 100% of the proceeds from the annual AHAI Foundation Golf Outing go directly to these causes.

The AHAI Foundation Golf Outing Committee is looking for a few volunteers to solicit raffle items and prizes, such as hotel overnight stays, weekend getaways, dining discount coupons, sports and event tickets, corporate logo giveaways, etc. If you would like to help, please contact Don Allord at 630.464.5910 or donallordtravel@gmail.com.

Don't forget to mark your calendar for August 12, 2016 for the 20th Annual AHAI Foundation Golf Outing at Indian Lakes. You don't have to be a golfer, no one appears to be, just someone who wants to make a difference in someone's life. It's a great time to golf with your son or daughter, spend a day in the sun and have their undivided attention for 4 hours! - Don Allord, AHAI Foundation Golf Outing Chairman
ILLINOIS HOCKEY HALL OF FAME SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR CLASS OF 2015
Illinois hockey has a very long and rich hockey history, in large part due to the tireless dedication and commitment of individuals who have helped make sure every individual who has had a desire to participate in this great sport has had the opportunity to do so. The Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding players, organizers, coaches, managers, supporters and officials. Click HERE for Nomination Qualifications & Procedures. If you know of someone who you believe should be a candidate to enter the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2015, you are encouraged to click HERE for Nomination Form; please submit all assisting documentation by October 1, 2015. Click HERE to view a list of past IHHF Inductees.

"To honor the excellence of those individuals who, through their exceptional endeavors both on and off the ice, have contributed in an extraordinary way to enhance the sport and image of hockey in Illinois."
COACHING & OFFICIATING NEWS & INFORMATION
ASK THE COACH
QUESTION: I registered for an AHAI CEP Clinic, but now due to a family emergency I must transfer to another clinic date. How do I get this done?

ANSWER: Please click HERE to view USA Hockey's refund/transfer policy for CEP clinics, or click HERE for USA Hockey's Coaching Clinic Refund Form.
ASK THE OFFICIAL
QUESTION: Team A's Head Coach is assessed a bench minor penalty for Abuse of Officials. While that penalty is still being served, the Assistant Coach now starts verbally abusing the Referee. What penalty should the Referee assess? 

ANSWER: Game Misconduct Penalty. Rule Reference 601(e.1). Provided the abuse is a continuation of the original action causing the bench minor penalty to be assessed, the game misconduct shall be assessed even though it is a different Team Official. READ MORE>>
ROSS FORMAN'S HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY
SEASON-OPENING TOP 20
Providence Catholic has skated alongside the elite high school teams in Illinois for years. Now it's those same elite teams who are skating alongside, or, behind Providence Catholic.
 
The Celtics are off to a strong start in the 2015-16 season, with a 6-0 record, including a 6-4 season-opening win over defending state champion Glenbrook North, a 6-0 thumping of fellow Catholic League power St. Rita, and 6-1 crushing of Loyola Gold on Sunday, September 13, at Center Ice of DuPage in a preseason tournament championship game. The Celtics, in fact, outscored their five tournament foes 35-8 en route to the title...and also en route to the state's first No. 1 ranking. READ MORE>>

Season-opening Top 20 Illinois High School Hockey Rankings as compiled by Ross Forman

1.   Providence Catholic
2.   New Trier Green
3.   Glenbrook North
4.   Loyola Gold
5.   Benet Academy
6.   St. Ignatius
7.   Barrington
8.   Maine Township
9.   St. Rita
10. Rockford
11. Stevenson
12. Kings
13. Hinsdale Central
14. Notre Dame
15. Glenbrook South
16. Naperville Central
17. Sandburg
18. Glenbard
19. BG/H/W
20. Neuqua Valley
JUNIOR HOCKEY NEWS
GOOD LUCK TO THE 45 ILLINOIS PLAYERS PARTICIPATING IN THE 2015 NAHL SHOWCASE!
Celebrating its 13th anniversary this fall, the North American Hockey League (NAHL) Showcase Tournament has evolved into one of hockey's most prestigious and well-attended events of the entire season.

For scouting purposes, the five-day event from September 23-26, 2015, in which all 22 NAHL teams play four regular-season games, is a can't-miss for every NCAA program and NHL team as they get their first look at some of the best and brightest hockey talent North America has to offer. READ MORE>>
PLAYERS IN THE NEWS
THE DYLAN CZERLANIS FUND: THANK YOU NOTE TO THE ILLINOIS HOCKEY COMMUNITY
The Maulers Family is humbled and eternally grateful for the incredible outpouring of support and generosity that the Illinois youth hockey community has shown toward Dylan Czerlanis this week. Dylan lost his father several years ago, and his mother, Colleen Mars, unexpectedly passed away on Friday, September 4.

The Dylan Czerlanis Fund established for Dylan stands at over $25,000 and gets larger every hour and that doesn't include the organizations that have reached out to me because they need to contribute via check rather than credit card. We would love to recognize every organization that has contributed toward this cause but are afraid we would miss too many. So please accept this Thank You to all who've helped; know that although Dylan has many things to deal with, you have helped alleviate short term financial issues as one of them.
 
As generous as the community has been, we are not surprised. There is a lot written about the negative side of youth sports these days - a lot of it warranted. However, it is times like this that make us all realize the real value of being part of a family such as this. The response from the members of AHAI whenever one of its own needs help, over and over, reminds us that hockey is more than just the game here in Illinois. We are proud to be part of it. ~ Craig Bewick, Maulers President and Rodger Sykes, Maulers Hockey Director
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS JUNIORHAWKS & INTERMISSION SKATES

The Chicago Blackhawks have opened the lottery process for the 2015-16 JuniorHawks and Intermission slots. In order to participate in either of these events this season, your team must be playing at the Mite or Squirt level.  Due to the limited quantity of on-ice dates and the overwhelming demand, the Chicago Blackhawks select each youth hockey team at random for every date.

 

To learn more information about both programs or to enter your upcoming youth hockey team into the lottery process, please click on the corresponding program names below. If you have any questions regarding registration, please contact Matt Brooks at mbrooks@chicagoblackhawks.com.

 

 MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE CAN'T MISS EVENTS!
Do you have an event you would like to share with the Illinois Hockey Community? Contact AHAI Communications Manager, Gretchen Cockey at gretchen@ahai2.org for more information. Check out the "EVENT" tab on ahaienews.com for a complete list of upcoming events.
BLIND HOCKEY IS COMING TO ILLINOIS IN NOVEMBER!
Come check out an exciting game of Blind Hockey on Saturday, November 14 at 4:30 p.m. at All Seasons Ice Rinks in Naperville. Blind Hockey is the same exhilarating, fast-paced game that gets spectators out of their seats with only one main difference - all of the players are legally blind! The sport features an adapted puck that makes noise, and is both bigger and slower than a traditional puck. READ MORE>>
HELP JJ O'CONNOR "PAY IT FORWARD" IN OCTOBER
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. 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. READ MORE>>
GIRLS TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE EVENT
Sabre Girls Hockey will be hosting a Girls Try Hockey For Free Day on Saturday, September 26 from 5:20pm to 6:20pm at Rocket Ice Arena in Bolingbrook, IL. USA Hockey ADM Regional Manager, Bob Mancini, will lead the girls in a fun, station-based ADM practice. Click HERE for complete details.

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