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Volume 4 Issue 2
May 25, 2016
2016 AHAI ANNUAL MEETING
The 2016 Annual Meeting of the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois, Inc. (AHAI) will take place on Saturday, June 25, 2016, at 8:30 a.m. at the Woodfield Hyatt Hotel located in Shaumburg, Illinois.

Any individual who wishes to submit their name as a candidate for the position as a Board of Director of AHAI must submit their name, in writing, to the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee, Ken Michel (8150 West 111th Street, Palos Hills, Illinois 60465) no later than Wednesday, May 25, 2016. A short biography stating the individual's background, hockey experience, etc. should be included.

The Nominating Committee will then send to each team a list of all the candidates and their biographies prior to the AHAI Annual Meeting in accordance with the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations.

Any individual who wishes to submit a new By-Law proposal or change to an existing By-Law must submit their proposal(s), in writing, to the President of AHAI, John Dunne (2 S 713 Grove, Warrenville, Illinois 60655), no later than Thursday, May 26, 2016.

Thank you, in advance, for all of you help and cooperation in the furtherance of youth hockey in Illinois ~ AHAI Board of Directors
2016 AHAI ANNUAL REGISTRATION & MEETING SEMINARS
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE
2016 AHAI ANNUAL MEETING SEMINAR SCHEDULE

TIME
SEMINAR TITLE
SEMINAR TOPIC
8:30am - 9:30amOpening SessionUSA Hockey's Club Excellence
9:40am - 10:45amMembership CommunicationsNewsletters, Social Media & Websites
9:40am - 10:45amClub R&E ResponsibilitiesSetting up R&E Committee; Running an Investigation/Hearing
9:40am - 10:45amPlayer SafetyScreening/SafeSport: Locker Rooms &Supervision
11:00am - 12:00pmAssociation By-Laws/Rules & RegulationsThe Importance of Having & Following By-Laws
11:00am - 12:00pmClub Excellence Follow-Up & Growing the GameUSA Hockey's Club Excellence Discussion &
Q&A Session
11:00am - 12:00pmClubs' Player DevelopmentDeveloping a Club Player Advancement Program
12:00pm -12:45pm
LUNCH
LUNCH
12:45pm - 1:45pmTier II & Tier IIINew Tier II & Tier III Information; Q&A Session
12:45pm - 1:45pmHigh SchoolNew High School Information; Q&A Session
12:45pm - 1:45pmGirlsGrowing Girls Hockey
2:00pm - 3:00pmGeneral MeetingGeneral Meeting

***IMPORTANT REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR THE 
2016 AHAI ANNUAL MEETING***
In order that we may best facilitate the Annual Meeting Seminar Sessions, PLEASE REGISTER by emailing Paul Jakubowski at pjakubowski@ahai2.org with the name of each/every person from your club/organization that will attend and which SEMINAR(S) they wish to attend.
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
THE AHAI FOUNDATION GOLF OUTING IS CELEBRATING 20 YEARS!
The 20th Annual AHAI Foundation Golf Outing will be held at the Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort, Friday, August 12, 2016. The purpose of this event is twofold. First, it creates an opportunity for coaches, referees, administrators, parents and supporters of amateur hockey in Illinois to come together for a day of fun and relaxation to kick off the beginning of the new season. Secondly, and most importantly, the revenues generated from this event will be donated each season to specific charities as established annually by the AHAI Foundation. READ MORE>>
PLAYER DEVELOPMENT NEWS
ILLINOIS PLAYERS GRAB 27 OF 55 SPOTS ALLOCATED FOR CENTRAL DISTRICT SELECT 15, 16 & 17 PLAYERS TO ATTEND THE USAH NATIONAL CAMPS!
By Doug Becht, AHAI Player Development ChairpersonThe USA Hockey Central District is comprised of six (6) states, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin (Iowa, Kansas and Nebraska are called the Midwest States). Mr. Mike Conner is the USA Hockey Central District Player Development Coordinator who oversees the Central District Camp. Mike took the time to explain to all the players that they would ONLY be evaluated on their on ice efforts and the skills shown during this camp. He also explained that the allocations to move players on to the USA Hockey National Camp held in Amherst, Williamsville, New York is very limited. Of course, he also had the same discussion with all of the evaluators. READ MORE>>
USAH NATIONAL GIRLS' PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CAMP INVITEES AS OF MAY 16; INCLUDES 26 ILLINOIS PLAYERS
By Mary Ann Robinson, USA Hockey Central District Girls' Representative ~ At this time, any player who has been selected to attend (or who is still in consideration for) one of the three National Girls' Player Development Camps has been notified of her status. Only players who have been cleared to attend one of the three National Girls' Player Development camps as of May 16 are listed here.  READ MORE>>

32 ILLINOIS PLAYERS INVITED TO ATTEND THE 2016 USA HOCKEY CENTRAL DISTRICT SELECT 14 CAMP
Congratulations to the 32 Illinois players invited to attend the 2016 USA Hockey Central District Select 14 Camp to be held at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, on June 19-24, 2016. This program is specifically designed for the experienced and highly motivated hockey player. Intensive on-ice instruction emphasizing advanced skating techniques, individual and team skills as well as games will be included in the three hours of ice per day plus specialized off-ice classroom sessions. READ MORE>>
IHOA NEWS & INFORMATION
ASK THE OFFICIAL BY DAVE ZEDNIK
QUESTION: Is a photographer allowed in the penalty box or players' bench area?

ANSWER: Rule 201(b) in the USA Hockey Playing Rules states, "Only players in uniform and properly rostered Team Officials may occupy the players' bench." That being stated, if a professional photographer needs to step onto a Team Bench or Penalty Bench to take a few pictures this could be permitted. However, due to the fact that there is no guarantee that any photographer is screened (background check) they should not be given access to Team Benches and players. READ MORE>>
2016 IHOA ANNUAL MEETING &
BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION
IHOA recently conducted its Annual Meeting to recap the past year's activities and conduct the membership election of 5 Board Members to the IHOA Board of Directors. The membership elected the following 5 people, including 2 new Board members, to the Board and congratulations go out to: Michael Barrett, Eric Cowsill, Nicole Davis, Don Mrozik and David Zednik. Each of these members will serve a three year term on the IHOA Board. READ MORE>>
IHOA ANNOUNCES 2016 SEMINAR DATES
The Illinois Hockey Officials' Association (IHOA) is pleased to announce the release of its officiating seminars for the coming season. If you are unsure of the requirements, please read Register with IHOA. Registration opens on Monday, August 1, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. Questions? Contact Jameson Gronert, IHOA Registrar or any of the IHOA Board members.

PLAYERS, CLUBS, LEADERS & OFFICIALS IN THE NEWS
EVAN FEAR ATTENDS 9TH ANNUAL WARREN STRELOW NATIONAL GOALTENDING CAMP
By USA Hockey ~ The ninth annual Warren Strelow National Team Goaltending Camp, which featured many of the top U.S. goaltenders eligible for international play within select age groups was recently held in Plymouth, Michigan. The camp is named after the late Warren Strelow, a former National Hockey League goalie coach who served in that same capacity for the 1980 U.S. Olympic Men's Ice Hockey Team. AHAI is proud to announce that Winnetka's Evan Fear was invited to attend this prestigious camp. READ MORE>>
HOLY CROSS NAMES 2016-17 CAPTAINS; INCLUDES ORLAND PARK'S MIKE BARRETT
By GoHolyCross.com ~ The Holy Cross men's hockey program has named junior Brett Mulcahy (Kelowna, British Columbia) captain, and senior Mike Barrett (Orland Park, Ill.) and junior Tommy Muratore (Mendham, N.J.) assistant captains for the 2016-2017 season. "We are pleased to announce Brett, Mike and Tommy as our captains for the 2016-2017 season," said head coach David BerardREAD MORE>>
CHICAGO NATIVE KRONFORST OFFICIATES HIGH-PROFILE GAMES IN 2016; INCLUDES NCAA FROZEN FOUR CHAMPIONSHIP
By Ross Forman ~ His 2015-16 season was one that officials can only dream about - big games, hallowed arenas, and a National Championship. And it all happened in just over three months for Colin Kronforst, 29, who lives in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood and was finishing his 16th season as a referee, his fifth working NCAA action. Jump back to Jan. 30. Kronforst was officiating the Michigan-Penn State game at Madison Square Garden in New York City. "It gives you the chills the moment you walk into MSG, but being escorted to the locker rooms was a surreal experience," he said. "The walls in every hallway are full of photos of the most famous moments in sporting events held at MSG throughout the last 100 years. It really opens your eyes as to how historic and iconic that venue is." READ MORE>>
IHOA ANNOUNCES LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT & "PASS THE TORCH" AWARD &
SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
By Nicole Davis, IHOA Secretary ~ At the IHOA Annual Meeting on May 9, 2016, two awards and the IHOA Scholarships were given out. It was the inaugural year for both The Lifetime Achievement Award and the "Pass the Torch" award. The Lifetime Achievement award was given to Andy McElman and Al Stensland for their dedication to officiating, starting locally in IHOA. The "Pass the Torch" award was given to four up and coming officials by Andy McElman and Al Stensland. This year's recipients were (L to R): Cameron Conner, Justin Pirard, Cameron McCambridge, and Shane Gustafson. The 2016 IHOA Scholarship Awards were also given out. This year's recipients were (L to R): Nick Jones, Max Gruenberg, and Ian McCambridge; Scholarship Chairman Geoff Schlender. READ MORE>>

Al Stensland
Andy McElman
"Pass the Torch" Recipients
Scholarship Recipients
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS & INFORMATION
DON'T MISS OUT! REGISTER TODAY! SPOTS ARE FILLING UP FAST!
Hurry! Spots are filling up quickly for the Chicago Blackhawks 3v3 Youth Hockey Tournament. This year's tournament (Mites, Squirts and Pee Wees) will be held August 5-6 at Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, IL. Please call 312-455-7046 or email Laura Jordan at with any questions regarding registration.
IT'S SUMMER CAMP TIME!
Registration for the 2016 Youth Hockey Summer Camps is NOW OPEN! Camp highlights include 2 on-ice sessions per day which will focus on individual skill development, positional and team play through combination drills, stations and controlled scrimmages, daily off-ice training sessions, high staff-to-player ratio which include Blackhawks Alumni and staff and a jersey for every camper! Please note that Group 2 at Crestwood and Glacier are sold out and the McFetridge camp is completely sold out; however, there are a few spots remaining at other camp locations. Click HERE for more information. Still have questions? Please email youthhockey@chicagoblackhawks.com or call 312-455-7620.

UPCOMING EVENTS
INAUGURAL JOHN JALOWAY MEMORIAL CLASSIC
Join the Cyclones Amateur Hockey Association as they remember and honor one of their own, John Jaloway, at their inaugural "John Jaloway Memorial Classic" on Saturday, June 18th, which will start with an open skate and autograph session and end with a Chicago Blackhawks Alumni v. Chicago Wolves Alumni charity hockey game. John Jaloway passed away from a tragic construction accident in Chicago. John was a dedicated, hard working father, parent and member the Cyclones who left behind his wife Jennifer and their four children. In an effort to help support the Jaloway family, the Cyclones have launched the John Jaloway Memorial Classic charity benefit hockey game. Click HERE for ticket information.
FIRE FIGHTERS FACE OFF FOR MDA
Mark your calendars for July 23-24 for the Fire Fighter Face Off Adult Hockey Tournament, presented by Bolingbrook Fire Fighters Local 3005, at Rocket Ice Arena in Bolingbrook, IL. Proceeds will benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
COUGARS HOCKEY NIGHT!
Lace up your skates and pull on your breezers for a night of hockey fun at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark! Join the Cougars for Hockey Night on Friday, July 29th as they celebrate Winter's greatest game in the Summer!