|
USA HOCKEY & AHAI LOSE 2 GREAT LEADERS
|
By John Dunne, AHAI President ~ In the past few months, USA Hockey and AHAI have lost two of its most influential leaders, Rich Butera and Rich Becker; both passed away after lengthy health battles.
 Rich Butera held positions as the USA Hockey and Central District Risk Manager. Rich donated his professional knowledge in the Insurance industry to advance, educate and protect the rinks, clubs and most importantly the players for many years. Rich and his family have all been a part of the Illinois hockey family through playing, coaching or administration. Rich's passion for hockey is still running strong with his grand-kids now taking the ice and carrying on Rich's traditions.  Rich Becker held USA Hockey positions as a Central District Representative, USA Hockey Executive Committee member and USA Hockey legal council member. Rich was an AHAI Volunteer and Board member for 30+ years. He was Chair of the AHAI R&E and Coaching Committees, running these Committees for many years. Additionally, he established the Tier II President's Council. Rich was also President of the Glenview Stars Hockey Club. Rich's legal expertise and guidance, guided AHAI for many years. FULL ARTICLE>>
|
RULE CHANGE PROPOSALS SOUGHT
Please click HERE to download a playing rule change proposal form for use by you or your council, committee, section and affiliate association members. If you have rule change proposals that you wish to have considered for the next four seasons, please fill out one form per proposal and return the form(s) No later than November 1, 2016. FULL ARTICLE>>
|
|
|
|
MITE TWO CHOICE CLARIFICATION
In an effort to clarify the AHAI Tier II choice rule as it applies to 8U/Mites, AHAI releases the following: ANY USA Hockey registered 8U/Mite players for the playing seasons (2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17) will be assessed with a choice exception toward the AHAI rule; Article 2.7. READ MORE>>
|
SUBSTITUTE CHOICE APPLICATIONS
The deadline for Tier ll Substitute Choice Application Process, for Bantam age divisions and below is September 15, 2016. All applications will be submitted online. Remaining dates for appeal hearings for those denied a substitute choice are August 24 and September 8, 2016. If denied, please email Gregg Chudacoff, AHAI Tier II Chairman with your preferred appeal hearing date.
|
|
 EAU CLAIRE TO HOST 2017 USAH/CENTRAL DISTRICT GIRLS DEVELOPMENT CAMP TRYOUTS The Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association (WAHA) is pleased to announce that Eau Claire Youth Hockey and Hobbs Ice Center will be the hosts for the USA Hockey/Central District Girls Development Camp tryouts held March 24-26, 2017. FULL ARTICLE>> |
 20TH ANNUAL AHAI GOLF OUTING A HUGE SUCCESS By Don Allord, AHAI Foundation Golf Outing Chairman ~ The 20th Annual AHAI Foundation Golf Outing went off without a hitch this past Friday, August 12th at the Indian Lakes Golf Resort in Bloomingdale. The rain stopped at 11:00am and we teed off at noon. Golfers all managed to finish their games safe and dry and get into the banquet hall by 5:00pm just before the rain began again. Prizes were distributed to everyone thanks to the vast number of donations made to support the cause. FULL ARTICLE & PICTURES>> |
ASK AHAI Q&A: NAVIGATING JUNIOR HOCKEY - ARE MIDGETS & H.S. PLAYERS ALLOWED TO SKATE WITH A JUNIOR TEAM?
Recently "Ask AHAI" was approached about whether or not a Youth Midget (or High School) player is allowed to skate with a Junior team and still retain their Youth eligibility. Before we delve into the answer, what exactly is Junior Hockey? Look at it as the bridge between Youth/High School hockey and College hockey. In today's hockey environment, players rarely move straight to college hockey without spending some time in Juniors. READ FULL ARTICLE WITH Q & A>> |
ASK AHAI: HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER ATTENDING PRIVATE SCHOOL
QUESTION: I would like clarification on a recently published "Ask AHAI" regarding a player attending a private school and playing for the public high school in their district. I was under the impression that both private and home schooled students could play for the high school in their district. You stated that a private school player could not; is this accurate?
AHAI: You are correct on the home schooled students, but the private schools are different. They are not governed by the High School or district in which they live. Those students choosing to attend a private school are governed and administered to by the school they have chosen to attend. READ FULL Q & A>>
|
|
A STEP aHEAD REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
|
 AHAI, the Chicago Blackhawks, Athletico and NorthShore University HealthSystem are proud to announce that we are in our 6th year of the "A Step aHead" program, which provides FREE baseline neurocognitive testing and education on concussions to the youth hockey community. Registration is now open through November 30, 2016. All AHAI players aged 11-18 years old are eligible for free baseline testing. The Association/Team that completes the most baseline tests will receive on on-ice clinic with a Chicago Blackhawks Alumni. Additionally, every athlete who completes a FREE baseline test this year will receive a baseball hat featuring the Blackhawks logo while supplies last. REGISTER NOW>>
Please note that registration will be online ONLY, do not call Athletico directly.
|
|
COACHING NEWS & INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
USA HOCKEY LEVEL 4 CEP CLINIC
|
2016-17 AHAI/USAH CEP CLINICS
Online registration is now open for all AHAI/USAH CEP Clinics. SCHEDULE>>
|
|
 SHANE GUSTAFSON NAMED INAUGURAL BEN ALLISON OFFICIATING AWARD-WINNER By Ross Forman ~ Shane Gustafson was walking to class on the campus of Northern Illinois University one afternoon this past April when his phone buzzed that he had a new email. It was from Scott Zelkin, the manager of USA Hockey's Officiating Development Program, and the subject was: ODP Ben Allison Officiating Award. Gustafson opened the email immediately. After all, Gustafson and Allison were close friends, former teammates at Crystal Lake South High School and referee pals. In January, 2015, Allison was hit by an impaired driver while walking across campus at Illinois State University where he was a student. He died days later. FULL ARTICLE>> |
|
ASK THE OFFICIAL BY DAVE ZEDNIK
QUESTION: A player has been assessed a Misconduct Penalty for playing without a required mouthpiece after that team has been issued their warning. After he serves this penalty, may he continue to play without a mouthpiece? ANSWER>>
QUESTION: If a player paints a HECC approved helmet to change the color of the helmet, is the helmet considered to be an altered piece of protective equipment? ANSWER>>
|
2016 IHOA SEMINARS
The Illinois Hockey Officials' Association (IHOA) is pleased to announce the release of its officiating seminars for the coming season, which includes two "Girls Only" seminars. If you are unsure of the requirements, please read Register with IHOA. Registration is now open. Questions? Contact Jameson Gronert, IHOA Registrar or any of the IHOA Board members.
|
|
|
ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS
|
TRYOUT TIPS FOR GETTING NOTICED...AND WHAT NOT TO DO
By Ross Forman ~ Being successful in tryouts is fairly simple. But so too is having a sub-par tryout. Any player at any level who wants to get noticed must showcase hard-work, aggressiveness and discipline. "When the puck is loose, watching to see who is first to jump on it, (or the) first person to jump on the ice for their shift and the player who hustles off to get ready for the next shift is always something we look for," said Sean Freeman, a longtime coach of multiple levels in the northern suburbs. FULL ARTICLE>>
|
|
|
|
IHSHL - IlLINOIS WEST
By Brian Meek ~ Illinois West High School Hockey League held its 7th annual Goalie Clinic the last week of July. FULL ARTICLE>>
|
IHSHL - SCHOLASTIC
By Angie Wiatrowski ~ York Head Coach, Bruce Turpin, talks about joining the SHL and what to expect from his team. FULL ARTICLE>>
|
|
|
PLAYERS, LEADERS & CLUBS IN THE NEWS
|
 CHICAGO MISSION & TEAM ILLINOIS HEADED TO FALL CLASSIC WEST YOUTH TOURNAMENT The USHL announced the full schedule and teams playing in the inaugural Fall Classic West Youth Tournament where 16 of the nation's top youth U16 teams will compete. USHL Central Scouting determined the top teams in the nation, which includes Chicago Mission and Team Illinois, based on projected rosters and club pedigree from previous seasons. FULL ARTICLE>>
CHICAGO YOUNG AMERICANS & CHICAGO FURY TAPPED FOR FALL CLASSIC EAST YOUTH TOURNAMENT The United States Hockey League announced the full schedule and teams playing in the inaugural Fall Classic East Youth Tournament. Sixteen of the nation's top youth U14 teams will compete in group play, followed by a semifinal and final game to determine a champion. USHL Central Scouting determined the top teams, which includes Chicago Young Americans and Chicago Fury, in the nation based on projected rosters and club pedigree from previous seasons. Once the 16 teams were selected, the department then determined seeding and group placement. FULL ARTICLE>> |
 U.S. HOCKEY HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2016 ANNOUNCEDUSA Hockey announced that Bill Belisle, Craig Janney and the 1996 World Cup of Hockey Team will be inducted into the 2016 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. AHAI congratulates Illinois native and 1996 U.S. World Cup of Hockey Team member, Chris Chelios. He is joined by fellow Chicago Blackhawks and 1996 World Cup teammates, Gary Suter and Tony Amonte. READ MORE>>
|
 U.S. WOMEN'S U18 SELECT TEAM INCLUDES ILLINOIS' ALEX GULSTENE & JESSE COMPHER Twenty-two players who participated at the 2016 USA Hockey Women's National Festival have been chosen for the 2016 U.S. Women's Under-18 Select Team that will compete in a three-game series against Canada from August 18-21 at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta. READ MORE>>
U.S. WOMEN'S U22 SELECT TEAM SET; INCLUDES DARIEN'S CARA PIAZZA Twenty-two players who participated at the 2016 USA Hockey Women's National Festival in Lake Placid, N.Y., have been chosen for the 2016 U.S. Women's Under-22 Select Team that will compete in a three-game series against Canada from August 17-20 at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta. READ MORE>> |
|
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS & INFORMATION
|
 EXCLUSIVE AHAI BLACKHAWKS PRESEASON OFFER
With the 2016-17 season quickly approaching, we would like to offer you an exclusive opportunity to purchase preseason tickets. Receive a framed, autographed locker room photo with the purchase of four or more tickets in the 100 or 200 level, while supplies last.* Each 11×17 framed photo will be signed by one of the following players: Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane, Duncan Keith or Brent Seabrook! This is your opportunity to get an early look at the Blackhawks and see opponents like Pittsburgh, St. Louis and Detroit. To purchase tickets, click HERE and enter the promo code AHAI. If you have any questions, or would like to purchase a group of 10 tickets or more for one of these games, please contact Matt Brooks with the Chicago Blackhawks ticket office at 312-455-7039. Click HERE to view Blackhawks preseason games being offered and details regarding photo pick-up. |
2016 BLACKHAWKS 3v3 SERIES TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS CROWNED
The Chicago Blackhawks held their annual 3v3 Series Tournament at Seven Bridges Ice Arena August 5-6th. PeeWees, Squirts, and Mites from around the Chicago area played in a round robin tournament to prepare for the season ahead. 3v3 hockey allows for fast paced action, increased puck touches, and tight area play. Looking forward to next year already!
|
 BLACKHAWKS INTERMISSION AND PRE-GAME REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
The Chicago Blackhawks have opened their registration process for the 2016-17 JuniorHawks and Intermission slots next season. In order to participate in either event, your youth hockey team must be competing at the Mite or Squirt level. Due to the limited quantity of on-ice dates at the United Center, the Chicago Blackhawks select all hockey teams at random for each home game.
If you would like to enter your upcoming youth hockey team into the lottery process for either event, please fill out the corresponding forms. Teams selected for either event will be contacted with further details by Chicago Blackhawks Account Executive, Matt Brooks.
|
GEAR DRIVE TO BENEFIT HOCKEY IS FOR EVERYONE
Make room for the new season! You can drop your gently used gear in the HIFE bin located in the lobby of Addison Ice Arena. Collection will occur August 15-28, 2016. READ MORE>> |
|
