In This Issue
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Volume 3 Issue 17
December 23, 2015
TO ALL ILLINOIS HOCKEY PARENTS...
Dear AHAI Families,
Every now and then, a story comes across my desk that makes me pause and reflect on the state of our great sport. Recently, one such article appeared and I am compelled to share it with our entire membership. Not because I think the issue is prominent in our area, but rather to encourage our parents and coaches to take a minute and think about why we are all involved in youth hockey. For the kids...so that they can learn to play, love and excel - not just on the ice, but off of it as well.

The story, Black & Blue, is a raw and eye-opening tale of one player's difficult (to put it mildly) journey from mites to the NHL. Clearly the story told is at the extreme end of what takes place in and around our rinks. But it would also be naïve to think that there are not versions of this behavior that take place at times.

Click HERE to read "Black & Blue"

AHAI and USA Hockey, in conjunction with the United States Olympic Committee, have implemented the SafeSport Program to assist whenever there are concerns about inappropriate behavior in and around our sport. The program is in place to protect our players from all types of abuse. Coaches are all required to take an online course and become familiar with the program. If you ever sense that there are abuse issues taking place within your program, please don't hesitate to file a report. In addition, there is also a parent-specific online course that is available for any parents interested in viewing it. There is some great information available in these modules.

Again, I want to thank you for being a part of Illinois Hockey and providing your kids with access to one of the best youth sports experiences around. Despite the nature of this story, there is far more good taking place in our rinks than bad and we should be sure to celebrate that every now and then.

Best wishes for a great youth hockey season!

John Dunne, AHAI President
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
ILLINOIS HOCKEY COMMUNITY MOURNS THE LOSS OF CHICAGO FIREFIGHTER, DAN CAPUANO
It is with great sadness we share the news that one of St. Jude's coaches passed away on Monday, December 14, 2015, in the line of duty as a Chicago Firefighter. Dan Capuano was involved with the St. Jude Hockey club for many years. Please keep the Capuano family in your thoughts during this difficult time. If you would like to help the Capuano Family, please click HERE to be directed to the Capuano Memorial Fund website.
2016 HOCKEY IS FOR EVERYONE SESSION ANNOUNCED
The Hockey Is For Everyone (HIFE) program is an AHAI supported vehicle providing young athletes from socio and economically diverse backgrounds the opportunity to use the sport of ice hockey to promote academic achievement, responsibility, respect, teamwork and good character. We provide 200+ young athletes per year the opportunity to learn to play this great sport. The Program provides each athlete with full equipment, ice time, USA Hockey registration and a premier volunteer coaching staff, at no charge to them or their families. Registration for the 2016 HIFE Program is Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at the Oak Lawn Park District Ice Arena. Please click HERE for complete program and registration information.
ADULT STATE TOURNAMENT
AHAI is proud to present the 2016 Adult Illinois State Championship Tournament hosted by the AHAI Adult Committee and the Seven Bridges Ice Arena. The Adult State Tournament will take place April 28 - May 1, 2016 with all Championship Games taking place on Sunday May 3, 2016 at the Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, IL. READ MORE>>
ENTER TO WIN HAWKS TICKETS!
Enter to win two (2) tickets to the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. (Section 311, Row 12, Seats 4 & 5). Winner will also receive two (2) AHAI T-shirts and two (2) AHAI Winter Hats! Deadline to enter is Thursday, December 31, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. Winners will be contacted via email and announced in the January 6 edition of  SNAPSHOT. ENTER TO WIN NOW>>
ASK AHAI
QUESTION: Why does AHAI not allow team sponsorships? We see teams from out of state all the time with sponsor names and/or logos on their uniforms, and I know they have considerably lower fees- I check!

ANSWER: AHAI does not prohibit team sponsorships. A club (or team with their club's consent) can obtain whatever sponsors it wishes. AHAI would encourage sponsorships for all clubs to offset the costs of playing our sport. But all sponsorships must be to the club or the team itself and not directly to the player. The latter would have a negative affect on the corporate status of the club (501c3 Not for Profit) and the player's amateur status. READ MORE>>
QUESTION: I have heard that if you play a player who is not listed on the score sheet it counts as a forfeit. Is this true? If so, are there are other penalties? Last night High School "A" played High School "B" and High School "A" played the "Doe" brothers. The older brother was listed on the score sheet, but the younger brother was not (he played the earlier JV game and was on that score sheet).

ANSWER: Ultimately the roster is the absolute jurisdiction. The score sheet should reflect each player on the ice for a given game. The referee is supposed to check that (by player count usually). Mistakes can be made and I think that is what happened here. READ MORE>>
DECEMBER PHOTO OF THE MONTH TOP 5
Your votes have been counted and the Top 5 Photos for December 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 December! 

Brett Hengesbaugh
"Great Catch"
Marmion Academy

Send those photos in for January! Click HERE for complete photo contest details.
Tristen Rife
"Denied"
Peoria Jr. Rivermen


Matt Espinos
"Peanut Butter!"
Plainfield High School
Lucas Strepek
"True Meaning of Life"
Leafs Hockey Club

Peyton Botich
"The First Stride"
Chicago Jets
CENTRAL DISTRICT GIRLS' INFORMATION
CLICK HERE TO VIEW USA HOCKEY/CENTRAL DISTRICT UPDATES
REGARDING GIRLS' IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2015-16 SEASON
IHOA NEWS & INFORMATION
UNWRITTEN RULES OF HOCKEY
By Dave Zednik ~ Be good to the game and the game will be good to you. Hockey is a special game. Hockey players are special people.  We respect the sport. We shake hands after each game. We form bonds and friendships that are stronger and last longer than any other sport. But there are certain things you just don't do on the ice, and not all of them are etched in stone for all to see. Let's take a look at five unwritten rules of hockey. READ MORE>>
IHHF BIO SERIES: MATT NILLES ~ OFFICIALS CATEGORY
Matt Nilles' involvement in hockey began in 1969 when his father, John, entered him in skating and house league programs at the YMCA outdoor ice rink in Elmhurst. The finer points of the game were learned in summers spent as a camper at the Wagon Wheel Lodge, the home of the Jim Campbell Power Skating Hockey School. But his career reached a crossroads in 1976. At only about 4'10" and maybe 85 pounds, the thought of continuing on and playing for York Community High School seemed like a treacherous option. So, to stay involved in a sport he loved, Matt turned to officiating. READ MORE>>
ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS
ILLINOIS RANKS 2ND IN NUMBER OF USA HOCKEY HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW CHART.
WAUBONSIE WORLD: WARRIORS SHOOT FOR A RETURN TO THE UNITED CENTER
By Ross Forman ~ Waubonsie Valley was cruising along in the championship game of the Stevenson Thanksgiving Tournament, pushing its 1-0 lead over the host Patriots in the first period into a 3-0 advantage in the second. But the road went awry for Waubonsie with 14 seconds left to play in the second period, as Stevenson's Thomas Krebs tallied on assists from Benjamin Moschea and Timothy Fogliatti. Waubonsie wasn't able to silence Stevenson in the third as goals by Michael Dowd and Jason Spector tied the game, 3-3. It stayed tied after the first 10-minute sudden-death overtime period. READ MORE>>
CHICAGO BLACKHAWK ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
Graduating Illinois High School Players are encouraged to apply for the annual Chicago Blackhawk Alumni Association Scholarship. Each year the CBAA awards 3 $7,500 4-year scholarships to the most deserving high school hockey players in the state. READ MORE>>
HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY
HOCKEY CLASSIC
The best high school teams throughout the Midwest will compete in the 22nd Annual Chicago Blackhawks Charities High School Hockey Classic December 25-28, 2015 at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, IL. READ MORE>>
NEW TRIER'S JOHN ROSS ENJOYING HIS 1ST SEASON AS A HOCKEY PLAYER, MOTIVATING OTHERS
John Ross is the epitome of determination and dedication, always focused on improving every single shift, of every single game, and every single practice - and he's motivating a community, not just a team, with every stride he takes on the ice. Ross is a 17 year-old junior, playing left wing for New Trier's second junior varsity team. He's the team captain, one of two, along with three assistants - certainly a selection based on his business-like attitude on the ice and for his maturity among a freshmen-filled roster. READ MORE>>
METRO GIRLS LEAGUE UPDATE
By Pam Flores ~ The first half of the Metro Girls High School league season is coming to a close and it is coming down to the final few games to decide which division - Scholastic or Founders - each team competes in during the second half. Final results to be announced soon! In the meantime, there is lots of fun stuff happening around the league. The Glenbrook Girls will be helping with Commit to the Cure, a charitable event to help raise money for Puck Cancer. The event will be held on December 27 from 4-8 pm during Glenview Ice Center's Winter Carnival. READ MORE>>
IHSHL - NORTH CENTRAL
By Greg Mrofcza ~ Heading into the Holiday break, the Champions Division still remains a close race with all teams having played between 10 and 12 games. Currently Highland Park and Maine sit atop the Champions Division, both with 16 points, Maine having 2 games in hand. READ MORE>>
IHSHL - ILLINOIS WEST
By Brian Meek ~ Illinois West High School Hockey League teams played for Toys for Tots recently. York Hockey Club held its annual "Toys for Tots Night" fundraiser on Friday, December 4th at Addison Ice Arena where the Dukes played host to Oak Park River Forest High School (OPRF). READ MORE>>
PLAYERS, LEADERS & CLUBS IN THE NEWS
PIAZZA, COYNE & BOZEK AMONG 27 PLAYERS INVITED TO
2015 USAH WOMEN'S WINTER TRAINING CAMP

USA Hockey announced the 37 players that have been invited to the USA Hockey Women's Winter Training Camp from Dec. 27, 2015 to Jan.1, 2016 at Schwan's Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota. READ MORE>>
Cara Piazza
Kendall Coyne
Megan Bozek
DHOOGHE NAMED TO U.S. U-17 TEAM
USA Hockey has announced the 22-player roster, which includes Aurora's Sean Dhooghe, for its U.S. National Under-17 Team, which will compete at the 2015 Under-17 Four Nations Tournament in Púchov, Slovakia.  READ MORE>>
USHL/NHL TOP PROSPECTS GAME
The 2016 USHL/NHL Top Prospects Game that will take place on January 12th in Omaha, NE includes former Chicago Mission players Tanner Laczynski and William (Willie) Knierim. READ MORE>>
U.S. NATIONAL JUNIOR TEAM ROSTER TRIMMED TO 24:
INCLUDES DVORAK, KELLER & BELPEDIO

The roster for the 2016 U.S. National Junior Team has been trimmed to 24 players. The U.S. National Junior Team will travel to Finland tomorrow and continue its training camp in Vierumaki, Finland, Dec. 20-24. READ MORE>>
Christian Dvorak
Clayton Keller
Louie Belpedio
 CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS & INFORMATION
MINI HAWKS 1 ON 1 CHAMPIONS: JIRI DUDA & COLIN CARR OF THE ADMIRALS HOCKEY CLUB
The Mini One on One Tournament was recently conducted at the United Center on Saturday, December 19, 2015, and we would like to congratulate the winning team of Jiri Duda and Colin Carr from the Admirals Hockey Club.

All youth organizations were invited to participate by sending one team (one goalkeeper and one shooter) from their Squirt age players. It was left up to each organization as to the method of determining who would represent their association/club, but it was suggested some type of competition be held to determine who would represent them at the Mini One on One competition at the United Center.Fourteen organizations took advantage of this terrific opportunity - Admirals, Blackbirds, Coyotes, Flyers, Kings, Knights, Leafs, Northern Express, Panthers, River Dogs, Stallions, Stars, Vikings, and Wilmette.  READ MORE>>
 UPCOMING EVENTS
CHICAGO MISSION'S PINK IN THE RINK
Every year, the girls program at the Mission hosts a 'Pink In The Rink' fundraiser in order to increase awareness about cancer and raise money for the American Cancer Society. READ MORE>>
SKATE WITH THE GREATS
The Blackhawk Alumni are having the 4th annual Skate with the Greats fundraiser to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities. READ MORE>>
HONOR FLIGHT CHICAGO
Presents the 5th Annual Law Enforcement Hockey Classic on Saturday, January 27 from 7:30-10:30pm at the Edge Ice Arena. READ MORE>>

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