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Volume 3 Issue 18
January 6, 2016
AHAI COACH OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED
2016 BOYS' & GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL AND YOUTH & GIRLS' COACH OF THE YEAR AWARDS
AHAI recognizes that Illinois Hockey is comprised not only of incredible players, but also of great Boys'/Girls' High School and Youth/Girls' Hockey Coaches that guide our teams both on and off the ice. Candidates for AHAI's Boys'/Girls' High School and Youth/Girls' Hockey Coach of the Year Awards should embody good sportsmanship and respect toward teams, parents and officials while providing a positive High School or Youth/Girls' Hockey experience. Candidates should also teach positive life skills while demonstrating dedication, passion and commitment to community. Deadline to nominate is Saturday, February 20, 2016.
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
MID-SEASON CLASSIC CROSS-ICE TOURNAMENT CELEBRATES GIRLS' HOCKEY
By Dave Royse, Special to USA Hockey ~ The atmosphere was festive. Players got pictures with members of the U.S. Women's National Team, and fist bumps and pucks from NHL stars. They got their faces painted. They also got tons of puck touches during a day-long 3-on-3 cross-ice tournament this past Saturday at the United Center in Chicago, home of the NHL's Blackhawks. But maybe most importantly, says tournament organizer Jim Clare, they got to play - and hang out all day - with other girls.
 
This year's AHAI Mid-Season Classic Cross-Ice Tournament was an all-girls event for the first time, part of an effort in Illinois and across the country to provide more opportunities for young girls to play hockey. It brought more than 20 all-girl teams from 15 associations - about 400 10U and 12U players - to the Madhouse on Madison for an event that was not just big on hockey, but also on the kind of team bonding that can make youth sports so enjoyable. READ MORE>>
Misfits - Champions
10 & Under Bozek Division
Saddle & Cycle - Champions
10 & Under Coyne Division
St. Jude - Champions
12 & Under Rigsby Division
Skokie #1 - Runners-Up
10 & Under Bozek Division

Skokie #2 - Runners-Up
10 & Under Coyne Division
Admirals - Runners-Up
12 & Under Rigsby Division
AMERICA'S SHOWCASE POSTHUMOUSLY HONORS TEAM ILLINOIS GENERAL MANAGER, TERRY STASICA
AMERICA'S SHOWCASE 'TERRY STASICA OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AWARD'
By Ross Forman ~ His passion for high school hockey ran from Chicago's northwest suburbs to the national stage, dating back decades. Terry Stasica was the president of the Conant High School Hockey Club and the president of the Metro Northwest High School Hockey League. He also was an AHAI Director from 2006-2010 and the AHAI High School Committee Chairman. Plus, Stasica was on the AHAI High School All-State Selection Committee from 2008-2012 and was the AHAI Showcase Team General Manager from 2004-2015. Stasica was ever-present on the local high school hockey scene. READ MORE>>
2016 HIGH SCHOOL, YOUTH, GIRLS & ADULT STATE TOURNAMENT
HIGH SCHOOL, YOUTH & GIRLS
STATE TOURNAMENT
Click State Tournament logo above to view important dates & information for all Divisions of the 2016 Illinois State Hockey Championships. Please note that registration deadline for Tier II State Tournament is Thursday, January 7th!
ADULT STATE TOURNAMENT
AHAI is proud to present the 2016 Adult Illinois State Championship Tournament hosted by the AHAI Adult Committee and 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. REGISTER TODAY>>
HIGH PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP
GIRLS'/WOMEN'S COACHING SYMPOSIUM
Coaches, register today for the High Performance Workshop Girls'/Women's Coaching Symposium. This specialized clinic for coaching the female player ages 8U-19U will be held March 19-20, 2016 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH. MORE INFORMATION>>
CONTESTS & GIVEAWAYS
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to Karl Zettlemoyer of Hoffman Estates Wolf Pack! Karl won two (2) tickets to the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Nashville Predators on Tuesday, January 12, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. He also received two (2) AHAI T-shirts and two (2) AHAI Winter Hats!
SEND YOUR PICS TODAY!
Submit photos of your AHAI players' wicked slapshots, dekes, dangles and great saves...or of your kids just plain having fun playing hockey! Send photos to Gretchen Cockey at gretchen@ahai2.org with a brief caption along with player's name, their organization, 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. Deadline to submit photos is January 23rd. FULL DETAILS>>
ASK THE OFFICIAL BY DAVE ZEDNIK
QUESTION: When can an attacking player make contact with a goalie (not including times when he/she is pushed into the goalie by a defender)?
 
ANSWER: Rule 607(d) in the USA Hockey Playing Rules states, "A goalkeeper is NOT "fair game" because he is outside his privileged area. A penalty for interference or charging should be called in every case where an opposing player makes unnecessary contact with a goalkeeper. Likewise, Referees should be alert to penalize goalkeepers for any infractions they commit in the vicinity of the goal. READ MORE>>
IHHF BIO SERIES: DEREK V. MARTIN ~ OFFICIALS CATEGORY
Derek Martin was born in 1962 in Chicago, Illinois. Derek's officiating career began in 1974 while playing AAA hockey for the Chicago Saints in Bridgeview, Illinois. A longhaired, part-time musician and referee named Bud Monaco recruited Derek with a unique sales pitch. Monaco stated, "If they will let a hippy referee, they'll let a black referee.

At that point, Martin had no idea he would be become the first black referee in professional hockey, and the first black referee in the National Hockey League (NHL) training program. Derek began his officiating career working local youth hockey on the south side of Chicago and the suburbs. Derek became an expert on rules and rules interpretation. READ MORE>>
ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS
ALL STATE SELECTION, SHOWCASE SELECTION & STATE TOURNAMENT SEEDING
By Jim Powers, AHAI High School Committee Chair ~ As the end of the regular season approaches, we receive numerous questions regarding seeding for the State Tournament, as well as All State and Showcase team selections. There are many misconceptions that exist regarding the above and AHAI's role. The following is a synopsis of the process in place.
 
State Tournament Seeding
Each year every High School Club is provided an information packet which contains all information necessary to apply and/or register for the State Tournament online. In this application/registration packet teams are provided information in regards to seeding for the State Tournament. The system in place provides for coaches from each team to vote and/or seed each team. In the information packet provided, it is recommended that each coach seed and/or rank other teams that coach's team has played, or that he or she has seen play. READ MORE>>
ST. IGNATIUS OHIO CAPTURES 22ND ANNUAL CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS CHARITIES HIGH SCHOOL HOLIDAY CLASSIC CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE
The 22nd Annual Chicago Blackhawks Charities High School Hockey Classic, presented by Coca-Cola Zero and supported by Comcast Sportsnet, recently took place at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Illinois from Saturday, December 26-29, 2015. This year's tournament featured twenty (20) high school teams. The semi-final games were very exciting as St. Ignatius OH shutout Rockford 6-0 and Providence edged out New Trier Green 2-1 to set-up a very entertaining Championship game between St. Ignatius OH and Providence. St. Ignatius OH then outlasted Providence 3-1 to become the champions for 2015. READ MORE>>
St. Ignatius Ohio
Champions
Providence Catholic
Runners-Up
OVERCOMING ADVERSITY: EVANSTON'S FRITZ GALLUN
By Ross Forman ~ Fritz Gallun was at a hockey crossroads, questioning whether this season would be his last. He is a 16-year-old Evanston Township High School sophomore who has been skating since he was 5 and now in his second season on the school's junior varsity team. Gallun centers the line with junior left wing Luis Martinez and sophomore right wing Will Robinson. READ MORE>>
ROSS FORMAN'S TOP 20
1.   New Trier Green
2.   Providence Catholic
3.   Benet Academy
4.   Glenbrook North
5.   Loyola Gold
6.   Rockford
7.   Barrington
8.   Waubonsie Valley
METRO GIRLS HOCKEY LEAGUE UPDATE & CAPTAINS' CORNER
By Pam Flores, Nina Wilson, Lily Bianchi & Marissa Garapolo ~ Happy New Year! The first half of the Metro Girls High School league season has come to a close and the divisions are set. The Scholastic Cup will consist of Barrington, Fenwick, Lake Forest High School, Latin School of Chicago, Loyola Academy, New Trier Gold, and Upper Fox Valley, while the Founders Cup will include Evanston, Glenbrook, Lake Forest Academy, Maine Township, Naper Valley, New Trier Silver, Rattlers and Warren. READ MORE>>
ILLINOIS WEST DIVISION
By Brian Meek ~ Illinois West High School Hockey League is in full swing with only 3 weeks left until the end of the season. The races in both Varsity and JV are tight. Waubonsie leads the way in Varsity and York in JV. All teams participate in the playoffs with up to 12 games to make it all the way to the West Cup Championship. The All Star game will be played on January 11 at Canlan beginning at 6:10pm. Click HERE for All Star rosters. READ MORE>>
NORTH CENTRAL DIVISION
By Greg Mrofcza ~ On January 3, 2016, the IHSHL North Central Division held its annual All-Star games. In total 3 games were played. One (1) at the JV division and 2 at the Varsity division. Some of Illinois' strongest high school hockey players were showcased at the Varsity Champions All-Star game. This game was fast-paced and despite the one-sided score remained intense and exciting to watch. READ MORE>>
PLAYERS, LEADERS & CLUBS IN THE NEWS
CYCLONES MOURN THE LOSS OF JOHN JALOWAY
On Saturday, January 2nd, the Cyclones Amateur Hockey Association learned of the tragic passing of a member of their hockey family, John Jaloway. John is survived by his wife Jennifer and their 4 children. The Cyclones ask that the Illinois hockey community offer their support to the Jaloway family during this difficult time. A GoFundMe account has been set up for donations to help the family financially. We express our sincerest and most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the Jaloways.
 CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS & INFORMATION
BLACKHAWKS CAPTAINS SPOTLIGHT
The Captain Spotlight is a 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. Please click on Captains' name below to watch their interview with Chicago Blackhawks' Jamal Mayers.
BMO HARRIS BANK PLAYER, COACH & VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
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. Click HERE for criteria and nomination form. Congratulations to Jake Hardy (Lake Forest Scouts) - Player of the Month, Jeff Schoner (Admirals Hockey Club) - Coach of the Month and Ed Urban (Cobras Hockey Club) - Volunteer of the Month.

(Left to right) Peter McNitt, Vice Chair, BMO Harris Bank, Ed Urban - Volunteer of the Month, Jeff Schoner, Coach of the Month, Jake Hardy, Player of the Month, Spencer Montgomery, Blackhawks Youth Hockey Coordinator, Annie Camins, Blackhawks Youth Hockey Director
SIGN UP TODAY FOR 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>>
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! SIGN UP TODAY>>
KRAFT HOCKEYVILLE USA RETURNS!
The puck officially dropped on Kraft Hockeyville USA 2016 at the 2016 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic featuring the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins. This year's search for America's most passionate hockey community reunites an all-star roster of partners, including the USA Hockey, National Hockey League Players' Association, National Hockey League and NBC Sports Group. Through the program, hockey communities across the U.S. can now vie for the coveted title of "Kraft Hockeyville USA 2016" and enter for a chance to win the grand prize of hosting an NHL Pre-Season game televised live on NBCSN and $150,000 in arena upgrades. READ MORE>>
 UPCOMING EVENTS
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.
NORTHWESTERN VS ILLINOIS
Charity Game to benefit Chicago Firefighter Dan Capuano and Adam Lay of University of Michigan-Flint hockey team. 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>>
CHICAGO MISSION'S PINK IN THE RINK
Every year, the Chicago Mission girls' program, led by the 19U team, hosts a 'Pink In The Rink' fundraiser in order to increase awareness about cancer and raise money for the American Cancer Society. For more information about the event, sponsorship opportunities or to make a donation, Click HERE.

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