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Volume 3 Issue 13
October 28, 2015
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ILLINOIS HOCKEY HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES INDUCTEES FOR
THE CLASS OF 2015!
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The Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame is pleased to announce the 11th class of inductees into its Hall of Fame. The honored inductees this year are:
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PLAYERS' CATEGORY
Chris Chelios
Nikos Tselios
Dennis Vaske |
BUILDERS' CATEGORY
Andrea Hahn
Pete Humann
Tim Matilla
Tom Miller
Bob Saliba |
OFFICIALS' CATEGORY
Derek Martin Matt Nilles
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Illinois hockey has a very long and rich hockey history, due in large part, to the foundation laid down by these inductees. Their tireless dedication in making sure every individual who had a desire to participate in this great sport has had the opportunity to do so.
Please make plans on joining this year's inductees at the IHHF Induction Dinner that will be held in their honour on Sunday, January 24, 2016 at the Belvedere Banquet Hall located at 1170 West Devon Avenue in Elk Grove Village beginning at 5:00 pm. Tickets are available by contacting Norm Spiegel at 847/269-2922 or e-mail Norm at jacole@comcast.net.
On behalf of everyone involved in the game of hockey, we admire and thank each of the inductees into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2015. They truly are in a class of their own.
For more information and a list of past inductees into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame, please click HERE.
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JJ O'CONNOR THANKS EVERYONE FOR MAKING THE "PAY IT FORWARD" CELEBRATION A HUGE SUCCESS!
Over 2,000 people and over 50 volunteers showed up at Seven Bridges Ice Arena on Saturday evening, October 24, 2015, to take part in the JJ O'Connor "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. The celebration was held 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, for disabled individuals in wheelchairs, disabled hockey, for individuals with physical and cognitive disabilities and the Blackhawks Warriors Hockey team for injured veterans. READ MORE>>Click HERE to view all the photos from Saturday evening on AHAI's Facebook Page! Photos courtesy of John Sullivan of photosbysully.com.
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TIME IS RUNNING OUT ~ DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS NOVEMBER 30TH
Time is running out to complete free baseline cognitive testing through the A Step aHead program! The free testing will end this year on November 30th. The association/team that completes the most baseline tests will receive an on-ice clinic with 2013 Blackhawks Stanley Cup Champion, Jamal Mayers. The clinic is free and each participant will receive an autograph and Blackhawks practice jersey. Additionally, every athlete who completes a FREE baseline test this year will be entered to win an official Chicago Blackhawks Hockey Stick signed by a Blackhawks player!
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U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM NEWS & INFORMATION
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The U.S. Women's National Team will be at Seven Bridges Ice Arena October 27-31, in preparation for the Four Nations Cup!
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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28
Meet the players! An autograph session will be held with select members of the Women's National Team at Seven Bridges Ice Arena from 8:25pm to 8:55pm!
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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29
The Women's National Team will scrimmage Benet Academy Boy's Varsity at 7:10pm at Seven Bridges Ice Arena! ADMISSION IS FREE!
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PRACTICE SCHEDULE
You're Invited to watch the Women's National Team practice in preparation for the Four Nations Cup! View flyer for dates & times!
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Click HERE for more information about the U.S. Women's National Team and the Four Nations Cup.
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OCTOBER PHOTO OF THE MONTH ~ TOP 5!
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Your votes have been counted and the Top 5 Photos for October have been selected! Congratulations to our winners! Click HERE to view our 10 Finalists and visit AHAI's Facebook Page to see all photos submitted in October!
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Tom & Tricia Zimmerman
"Bloods Forever!"
Youngbloods ASHL Coed Div.
Send those photos in for November! Click HERE for complete photo contest details.
New Giveaway for November!
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 Sarah Chan"Play Like a Girl1"
Chicago Fury 16U Girls
Patrick Lee (1 year old)
"Pre-Game Pep Talk"
Maulers Pee Wee Black
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TJ Halvorsen
"MVP"
Maulers NIHL Squirt Silver
Riley Pawinski
"Epic Tally"
Chicago Blues CSDHL Squirt
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COACHING & OFFICIATING NEWS & INFORMATION
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REGISTER TODAY FOR THE 16TH ANNUAL BLACKHAWKS/AHAI COACHING CLINIC
The Amateur Hockey Association Illinois, Inc. in their continuing effort of assisting and developing amateur hockey in Illinois, in conjunction with the Chicago Blackhawks, the Amateur Hockey Association Illinois, Inc. will host the 16th Annual Blackhawks/AHAI Coaching Clinic on Tuesday, November 10, 2015 at the United Center, 1901 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60612 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Blackhawks Head Coach Joel Quenneville along with Assistant Coaches Mike Kitchen and Kevin Dineen, Goaltending Coach Jimmy Waite, Strength and Conditioning Coach Paul Goodman and Video Coach Matt Meacham will be on hand to discuss different techniques in coaching, as well as field questions from the AHAI Coaches in attendance. READ MORE>>
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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.
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ASK THE OFFICIAL
QUESTION: Can a goalkeeper playing in the Youth, High School or Girls' age classifications wear a "cats-eye" facemask?
ANSWER: Yes, as long as it is HECC approved. Rule References 303(b) and 304 (c & d). There are some HECC approved goalkeeper facemasks that do have the look of a "cat's-eye" shape. READ MORE>>
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ROSS FORMAN'S HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY
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NICHOLSON BRINGS WITH HIM A DEEP HISTORY IN ILLINOIS HOCKEY TO LYONS TOWNSHIP
Sean Nicholson is the new head coach at Lyons Township, bringing with him a deep history in Illinois hockey.
He started skating at age 3 on a backyard rink in 1987, which his dad built. By age 8, he was winning state championships with the Hawks. In fact, he was the captain of the team that went 35-0.
His playing career also included time skating for Team Illinois, often playing with and against older players. He was the TI team captain for his peewee major season, winning the Bell Cup Championship in Toronto against Rick Nash and the Toronto Marlies, becoming first Illinois Team and fifth American team to win Peewee World Championships in Quebec in the same year. READ MORE>>
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PLAYERS & CLUBS IN THE NEWS
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 OVERCOMING OBSTACLES: GLENVIEW GOALIE BATTLING BACK FROM SERIOUS SUMMER INJURY
By Ross Forman ~ Joey Kasch was ready to take a swing on the 9th hole of a surprise Father's Day round of golf for his dad, Mark. Joey was joined at Billy Caldwell Golf Course on Chicago's north side by his brothers Tommy, Danny and Jimmy. "I was on the fairway, hoping to hit the ball on the green," Joey recalled. "As I looked down to focus on the ball, (I) just heard a 'Boom' and the force knocked me down to the ground right away." Joey, 13, had been struck in the face by another golfer's errant shot. "My whole face felt numb; my eye was stinging, throbbing and bleeding; and my heart was freaking out a lot more than I was," he said. READ MORE>>
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DYLAN CZERLANIS
In life we have 3 choices - give up, give in or give it all you got.
Dylan Czerlanis, a midget goaltender for the Maulers Hockey Association. Dylan lost his father several years ago, and his mother, Colleen Mars, unexpectedly passed away on Friday, September 4, 2015. She was his only surviving relative. A person of less character may have simply given up at this point. His mother Colleen didn't raise him that way. READ MORE>>
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NEW TRIER HOCKEY FIGHTS PEDIATRIC CANCER
Once again, New Trier Hockey players took their competitive spirit off the ice and into the local communities to support kids battling cancer. On October 3rd, nearly 140 players from the boys' and girls' hockey teams spread out in Winnetka, Glencoe, Northfield and Wilmette came together to collect donations for the Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation. READ MORE>>
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36 ILLINOIS PLAYERS ROSTERED TO USHL TEAMS FOR 2015-16 SEASON!
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51 ILLINOIS PLAYERS ROSTERED TO NAHL TEAMS FOR 2015-16 SEASON!
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CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS & INFORMATION
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 REFEREE SPOTLIGHT: OSIPOV & BELLIVEAU
The Youth Hockey Referee Spotlight highlights two amateur hockey referees from Illinois per month and gives them the opportunity to attend a Blackhawks game and meet the NHL refs prior to puck drop. The impact and contribution of youth referees in hockey is as important as the players, and this is a great opportunity to reward them for their contributions. Featured in the first spotlight are Max Osipov and Eddie Belliveau . They attended the game vs. the Columbus Blue Jackets on October 17, 2015. READ MORE>>
(pictured from left to right) Shane Heyer, Max Osipov, Brad Kovachik, Eddie Belliveau, Brad Meier, Francis Charron
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CLUB BLACKHAWKS MOBILE APP
Check out our new mobile app, Club Blackhawks, made just for you! This app allows young Blackhawks fans to get exclusive access and features, connect with the Blackhawks, fellow fans and Tommy Hawk! You can earn badges by completing challenges, play trivia games and share photos with your friends. The app is free so be sure to ask your parents and sign up today!
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TOMMY'S CREW
Join Tommy's Crew today and get your chance to skate on the United Center ice on November 14th! Click HERE for more information.
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BMO HARRIS BANK OCTOBER PLAYER, COACH & VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
Player of the Month
Basil Stamatopoulos - Admirals
Coach of the Month
Nick Panos - PREP
Volunteer of the Month
Stacy Margolis - Rolling Meadows Renegades
The Chicago Blackhawks and BMO Harris Bank are committed to honoring our hockey community by congratulating each month during the season, a Youth Hockey Player, Amateur Hockey Coach and a Hockey Volunteer. Criteria is based on hockey accomplishments, volunteer activities in the nominee's community and a demonstrated passion, dedication and spirit through commitment to community. In determining the Youth Hockey Player of the Month, the judges will also consider the nominee's academic accomplishments and involvement with his/her school. Click HERE for Nomination Form.
Left to Right: Spencer Montgomery, Chicago Blackhawks Youth Hockey Coordinator, BMO Harris Bank CFO, Steve Taylor, Stacy Margolis - Volunteer, Basil Stamatopoulos - Player, Nick Panos - Coach
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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.
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BLIND HOCKEY IS COMING...
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>>
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DYHA CHARITY ALUMNI GAME
DHYA is pleased to announce our Inaugural Charity Alumni Game. Players from DYHA's past will once again be lacing up their skates, but this event will do a lot more than bring old hockey gear out of the closet! The money raised will be donated to the St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks NHL for Cancer Funds. Click HERE for more information and event details.
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Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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