In This Issue
    Like us on Facebook  Follow us on Twitter  View our videos on YouTube 
Volume 3 Issue 14
November 11, 2015
MID-SEASON CLASSIC
GIRLS CROSS-ICE TOURNAMENT
Sponsored by USA Hockey, Chicago Blackhawks and the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois
On January 2nd, USA Hockey and AHAI will take over the United Center for a Mid-Season Girls Cross-Ice Classic. AHAI Girls teams will participate in a cross-ice tournament that will include a minimum of 3 games, a championship, lots of giveaways, awards for the winners.
 
The United Center ice will be transformed into three ice surfaces with teams competing in three divisions; 8U, 10U, and 12U. The concourse will be hopping, concession stands open, activities for between games, among other things.
 
There will be a maximum of 8 teams at each level due to the amount of ice we are able to secure. Registration will be open soon and will be announced on social media and in the next newsletter. If part of your team is not available due to the holidays, you can create a tournament team from your organization. If you do not have an 8U all-girls team, you can create one from your mite program. Details will be sent to each girls' teams once finalized.
 
This promises to be a can't miss event! With the support of USA Hockey and the Blackhawks there is no doubt it will be a great day for girls' hockey at the United Center. Stay tuned for more information.
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
WIN BLACKHAWKS TICKETS!
Enter to win two (2) tickets to the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators on Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. (Section 311, Row 12, Seats 3&4). Winner will also receive two (2) AHAI/Howies Hockey Tape T-shirts and two (2) AHAI Winter Hats! Deadline to enter is Wednesday, November 18 at 7:00 p.m. Good luck!
NOVEMBER PHOTO OF THE MONTH
Please send photos to Gretchen Cockey at gretchen@ahai2.org. Photos should include a brief caption along with player's name, their organization or club, and playing level. ALL photos will be posted on AHAI's Facebook Page, but 5 lucky photos will be featured in SNAPSHOT and receive an awesome AHAI Winter Hat or AHAI/Howies Hockey Tape T-shirt. Deadline to submit photos is Sunday, November 15. AHAI will select 10 finalists; YOUR votes will select the Top 5! Voting will be conducted November 17-21; winners will be contacted via email and announced in the November 25th issue of SNAPSHOT!
RESERVE YOUR SEAT AT THE IHHF INDUCTION DINNER
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.
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! REGISTER NOW>>
2016 ILLINOIS STATE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS
TIER II STATE TOURNAMENT DATES & LOCATIONS

SQUIRT DIVISION
Darien Sportsplex

PEE WEE DIVISION
Canlan Ice Arena

BANTAM DIVISION
Addison Ice Arena

MIDGET DIVISION
Leafs Ice Centre
LIAISON MEETING & RANKINGS
Wednesday, January 20, 2016
Hyatt Regency, Shaumburg

PLAY-IN GAMES
1st Round
February 12-19, 2016

2nd Round
February 20-28, 2016
ROUND ROBIN DATES
March 3-6, 2016
  
3RD & 4TH PLACE GAMES
(Squirt, Pee Wee, Bantam)
March 7-8, 2016

~SUPER WEEKEND~
March 12-13, 2016
AHAI Rink - Bensenville
GIRLS STATE TOURNAMENT DATES & LOCATIONS

ROUND ROBIN DATES
February 24-28, 2016
Hoffman Estates
CHAMPIONSHIP DAY
March 5, 2016
West Meadows

2016 ILLINOIS STATE HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Save the date! The 2016 Illinois State High School Hockey Championships for Red Varsity, Girls Varsity and Combined Varsity will be held on Friday, March 18, 2016 at the United Center. A HUGE thank you to the Chicago Blackhawks for their continued support of the Illinois State High School Hockey Championships!
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.


OFFICIATING SEMINAR ADDED
IHOA has added a new Level 1 class as well as a Level 2/3 class for Tuesday, November 24, 2015, at the Leafs Center in West Dundee. These officiating seminars were added to accommodate additional demand for Level 1 spots as well as make another date available for returning officials who may have missed a prior seminar. The seats available for the November 24 seminar are limited in number and will fill on a first registered basis. If you know anyone who is interested in attending a Level 1 seminar, or anyone who may be a returning official who missed his/her seminar prior to today, please let them know about this added seminar. Click HERE to register.
ASK THE OFFICIAL
QUESTION: Just prior to the puck being received by an attacking player, the defensive player chops down on top of the stick and prevents him from being able to play the puck. Should this be penalized under the Standard of Play guidelines? Does it make any difference as to the angle of the stick blade when done?

ANSWER: The use of the stick to check an opponent's stick, or press the opponent's stick to the ice or the boards, is a good defensive play as long as it is done on the lower portion of the stick shaft and the intended purpose is to dislodge the puck or prevent the opponent from playing the puck. READ MORE>>
ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS
ROSS FORMAN'S H.S. HOCKEY
Junior forward Jake Hummel has netted 10 goals, including a game-winner and 2 assists, in the first 5 league games for the Fox Valley Hawks, a true title contender in the IHSHL Suburban Division. Senior forward Trevor Kurtzhals also has 12 points through 5 league games for the Hawks, with 7 goals and 5 assists. Junior forward Josh Gadow, meanwhile, has 3 goals and 5 assists, including a game-winning goal of his own through 5 games. The Hawks are the only team in the Suburban Division with 3 players in the league's top 12 scorers. READ MORE>>
ROSS FORMAN'S TOP 20

1. New Trier Green
2. Benet Academy
3. Providence Catholic
4. Glenbrook North
5. Loyola Gold
6. Rockford
7. Barrington
8. Notre Dame
9. Stevenson
10. Carmel
IHSHL - NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION UPDATE
By Greg Mrofcza - The pre-season is over and the divisions have been set. The Champions Division of the IHSHL - North Central Division will be comprised of 11 teams this season with a 20 game regular season with each team playing a home and away game.  Click HERE for the teams in the top tier. League play opened October 20th and while some teams have only played 1 league game Carmel Catholic is looking to make a name for themselves in the top IHSHL - North Central Division this season as they're off to a 2-1-1 start and currently sit in second place. READ MORE>>
PLAYERS & CLUBS IN THE NEWS
HUSKIES, FALCONS & CYA CLAIM BAUER TITLES!
Three Illinois teams claimed Bauer World Invite Championship titles this past weekend: Huskies, Falcons and Chicago Young Americans. Over 960 games were played in 27 rinks throughout the Chicagoland area by 430 teams and 7,740 players. Illinois also had 4 second place finishes, 7 teams through to the semi finals and 10 teams advanced to the quarter finals. Click HERE for a complete list. Congratulations to all our Illinois teams for their excellent showing at the 2015 World Bauer Invite.
CENTRAL DISTRICT RECOGNIZES THE 21 PLAYERS THAT PARTICIPATED IN U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM EVENTS 
The Central District would like to thank USA Hockey for the opportunity to host the U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT) during their training camp at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in preparation for the 2015 Four Nations Cup in Sundsvall, Sweden. We would also like to thank the Central District Hockey Community for their overwhelming support by packing the stands during the USWNT vs. Benet Academy Boys' Varsity scrimmage game on Thursday, October 29 at Seven Bridges.

The U.S. Women's National Team culture is built around the following mantra, "WE are a part of something bigger than ourselves; WE are TEAM USA; WE are TEAM FIRST".

Team USA embodied this mantra during last week's training camp through a number of community events with youth hockey players from the Central District. Click HERE to view the twenty female players who participated in a variety of events during the USWNT scrimmage against Benet Academy as well as Sydney Weiland of Marathon County. Sidney sat with the U.S. Women's National Team during the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Anaheim Ducks game on Monday, October 26.
6 ILLINOIS LOCATIONS INTRODUCED HOCKEY TO NEARLY 200 KIDS WITH TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE EVENTS
On Saturday, November 7, Evanston (pictured right), Franklin Park, Pekin, Decatur, Danville and Northbrook hosted Try Hockey For Free events as part of Come Play Hockey Month. Try Hockey For Free is a program designed to provide youth hockey associations and local ice hockey rinks a national platform to introduce new kids to hockey.

Find out how your association and/or local rink can participate in Hockey Weekend Across America, presented by CCM, which will be highlighted by a Try Hockey For Free Day on Saturday, February 20, 2016. Participating host locations will receive jerseys, promotional items, marketing tools, USA Hockey sanctioning and online registration to maximize participation. MORE INFORMATION>>
 USA HOCKEY NEWS & INFORMATION
U.S. WOMEN'S NATIONAL TEAM WINS FOUR NATIONS CUP TOURNAMENT
Hilary Knight scored in overtime as the U.S. Women's National Team, which included Illinois natives, Kendall Coyne (Palos Heights) and Megan Bozek (Buffalo Grove), came from behind to claim its sixth Four Nations Cup Championship with a 3-2 victory over rival Canada on Sunday, November 8. READ MORE>>
Kendall Coyne
USWNT
USWNT
2015 Four Nations Champions
Megan Bozek
USWNT
U.S. UNDER-18 NATIONAL TEAM CLAIMS FIVE NATIONS TITLE & U.S. UNDER-17 PLACES 6TH IN WORLD UNDER-17 HOCKEY CHALLENGE
The U.S. Under-18 National Team, which included Illinois natives, Clayton Keller (Swansea) and James Sanchez (Northbrook), captured the 2015 Five Nations Tournament title on Sunday, November 8. The U.S. National Under-18 Team has now won eight of the last nine international events held each November.

On Friday, November 6, the U.S. Under-17 Team, which included Illinois natives Sean Dhooghe (Aurora) and Tyler Inamoto (Barrington) fell to Finland 5-4 in OT to place 6th in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Clayton Keller
U-18 National Team
James Sanchez
 U-18 National Team

Sean Dhooghe
U-17 National Team
Tyler Inamoto
U-17 National Team
 CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS & INFORMATION
2015-16 CAPTAIN SPOTLIGHT
The Captain Spotlight is a new youth hockey initiative that features four local high school hockey captains per month. These captains are invited to a Blackhawks game and are interviewed on the defining characteristics of what makes a good leader. With the Illinois High School Hockey Championships coming up in March, Blackhawks Youth Hockey wanted to take a closer look at what it takes to be captain of a high school hockey team.

Congratulations to the Captains highlighted in October: Drake Danzer - Conant High School (CHFS), Cameron Dean - Carmel Catholic High School, Emma Wright - Loyola Academy, Kieran "Jiggy" Jagadeesh - Highland Park High School!



BLACKHAWKS BREAKAWAY SCHOLARSHIP
Break away from the pack by completing your degree. In partnership with the Blackhawks, University of Phoenix is offering three full-tuition University of Phoenix scholarships to Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin residents. Applications are being accepted now through Jan. 12, 2016. MORE INFORMATION>>
NOMINATE THE TOP SHELF TEACHER IN YOUR LIFE
Know a teacher who is top shelf? The Chicago Blackhawks and University of Phoenix have partnered for Top-Shelf Teachers, a program that recognizes and rewards hardworking educators in the states of Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin. At 21 home games this season, we'll select one teacher to win the following prizes: one (1) Blackhawks replica jersey, six (6) 300-Level tickets to a regular-season Blackhawks game and one (1) $100 gift card to spend on classroom supplies at DonorsChoose.org. OFFICIAL RULES>>
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!
JOIN TOMMY'S CREW
Chicago hockey fans are invited to join Tommy's Crew. Tommy's Crewmembers will receive a monthly E-Newsletter, a birthday card from Tommy, a gift bag, have the chance to attend exclusive events and much more! Don't miss out on this all-access pass featuring Tommy Hawk and the Chicago Blackhawks! SIGN UP TODAY>>

 HOCKEY TRAINING TIP: OFF-ICE BALANCE TRAINING
By Steve Chmielewski, DPT, PT ~ With 25 different muscles in the lower leg and foot one may wonder, "How can I strengthen my ankles to better myself on the ice?" Simple single leg balance activities on the ground are a great place to start. When standing on one leg it is important to focus on keep 3 points of contact with the foot: (1) the big toe, (2) the little toe and (3) the heel. The athlete is expected to be able to hold this position for 30 seconds, 4 times, prior to adding tasks or changing the surface (couch cushion, pillow). FULL BLOG & MORE TRAINING TIPS>>
 UPCOMING 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.
HEADS UP!
A PANEL DISCUSSION ABOUT THE BRAIN & CONCUSSIONS IN SPORTS
How is the brain affected by concussion? What should parents be aware of when their student participates in a high-contact sport? Join Lake Forest College student organizations Synapse and Athletic Council for HEADS UP! on Tuesday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m. at the Lily Reid Holt Memorial Chapel. This program is free and open to the public. FEATURING: Student members of Synapse and Athletic Council - The neuroscience student organization of Lake Forest College and the College's Athletic Council, Dr. Dorothy Kozlowski - professor of biology and specialist in the study of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) at DePaul University. Her lab focuses on neural plasticity and the effects of physical rehabilitation on post-TBI brain recovery, and Dr. Elizabeth Pieroth - neuropsychologist and head injury concussion specialist for the Chicago Bears, Blackhawks, White Sox and Fire; associate director of the NorthShore University HealthSystem Sports Concussion Program. Click HERE to download flyer or click HERE to reserve your seat.
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>>
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.

Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.