IN THIS ISSUE
Volume 5 Issue 13 |  November 8, 2017
ARE YOU A STEP aHEAD?
AHAI Encourages Players to Get Baseline Test for Brain Health
By Greg Bates, Special to AHAI ~ Concussions can happen to any athlete at any age.  That is why the Amateur Hockey Association Illinois (AHAI) is trying to educate players and athletes about this common injury. AHAI, in partnership with NorthShore University HealthSystem, Athletico Physical Therapy and the Chicago Blackhawks, is encouraging its members to register for a free neurocognitive ImPACT baseline test through the A Step aHead program.  These four groups came together in 2011 to educate the Illinois youth hockey community on the importance of concussion management and to be proactive with implementing baseline testing.

Through A Step aHead, these four entities offer free baseline concussion testing, educational programs such as the annual Moms' Night and Dads' Night at the United Center, and concussion and player safety presentations to youth hockey coaches at AHAI's Level 1 Coaching Education Program (CEP) clinics and affiliate clubs' boards of directors at AHAI's Annual Meeting.

Dr. Elizabeth Pieroth, Associate Director of the Sports Concussion Program at NorthShore University HealthSystem, was instrumental in creating the A Step aHead program. Pieroth, who is also the Concussion Specialist for the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bears, Chicago Fire, and Chicago White Sox, said having hockey players go through the test is important for a couple reasons.   READ MORE>>
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
Reserve Your Seat at the IHHF Induction Dinner!
Please make plans on joining this year's  inductees at the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame Induction Dinner that will be held in their honor on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at the Belvedere Banquet Hall in Elk Grove Village beginning at 5:00 pm. Tickets are available by contacting Norm Spiegel at  [email protected]. For more information and a list of this year's inductees into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame, please click  HERE.
Tier II Illinois State Tournament Dates, Locations & Information
Just as last season the Tier II State Tournament Committee will NOT have all the clubs come in for an information night, but rather we will set up a conference call with clubs on Wednesday, January 17 at 6:30pm, to discuss the rules, dates and any other information necessary for the 2018 Tier II State Tournament. Rankings will be announced no later than Wednesday, January 17, 2018. The exemption process will begin on Saturday, December 2, 2017. Tier II State Tournament registration will open on Saturday, December 9, 2017 and close on Sunday, January 7, 2018. Click on the State Tournament logo below for dates and locations.
Ask the Official By Dave Zednik
Question: During a game the net was dislodged (about 12 in.). Our goalie tried to get the attention of the refs while play continued. About 10 seconds later, with the net still off, the other team scored. I immediately pointed out the net being dislodged. Although they didn't notice the net was off until then, both officials acknowledged the net was off before the goal was scored, yet still allowed the goal. One ref said the net being off didn't affect play. The other said he couldn't wave off a goal after it's been signaled. ANSWER>>
OCTOBER PHOTO OF THE MONTH ~ TOP 5
Your votes have been counted and the Top 5 Photos for October have been selected! Congratulations to our winners! Click HERE to view our 15 Finalists and visit AHAI's Facebook Page to see all photos submitted in October! Can't wait to see the photos submitted in November!
Zach Kill
Naperville Central - Varsity
"He SCORES!"
Sabre Hockey Association
Squirt Major CSDHL
"Sabre Teamwork"
Sierra Brann
St. Jude Girls 14U
"Sibling Hockey Love"
Alex Borisionok
Chicago Blues - Squirt 4
"Alex says, 'No!'"

TIME TO SEND IN THOSE PHOTOS FOR NOVEMBER!
 
Deadline for the November Photo of the Month contest is Monday, November 27th. Send photos to [email protected]
 
Conor Bediz
Evanston Wildkits - Squirt 1
"Total Concentration"
COACHING CLINICS & OFFICIATING SEMINARS
USA Hockey Announces the Goalie Coach & Coaches High Performance Clinic
There will be a Goalie Coach and Coaches High Performance Clinic on Sunday, November 12, 2017 from 10:00am to 5:00pm at the Compton Family Ice Center in South Bend, IN. Coaches attending  this clinic can earn their Level 2 or Level 3 certification, or re-certify Level 3 certification. No Level 1 or Level 4 certification will be given for this clinic. Cost for the clinic is $70. Click HERE to register. When searching for clinic, select "CEP High Performance" from the Course Level drop down menu to narrow down options.  For more information, please contact Phil Osaer at [email protected].
DISABLED HOCKEY NEWS
2018 Disabled Hockey Festival Series: Part I ~ Blind Hockey
By Michael Svac, USA Hockey Central District Representative for Disabled Hockey
The 14th annual Disabled Hockey Festival will be hosted in Chicago in April of 2018 with disabled athletes from all over the United States and Canada competing in Sled, Special, Blind, Warrior, Standing/Amputee, and Deaf/Hard of Hearing Hockey.  Over the next several months we will introduce each disabled discipline as well as some of our local hockey players who compete in each disabled category.  This month's spotlight will focus on Blind Hockey.

Blind Hockey has been played throughout Canada for many years, but several years ago hockey players with visual impairments from the United States were invited to Canada to participate in a Blind Hockey event. From there, the foundation of blind hockey in the United States began and several cities throughout the country started programs that provided individuals with visual impairments an opportunity to play hockey.  READ MORE>>
COLLEGE HOCKEY NEWS
Nearly 300 Illinois Players on NCAA Rosters this Season!
It's a testament to our Illinois players, coaches, and associations that so many of our young men and women from Illinois were able to realize their dream of playing NCAA College Hockey. There are nearly 300 Illinois men and women rostered to NCAA teams.  Whether at Division I or III, each player is continuing their hockey careers along with obtaining the ever important college degree. Please click on the buttons below to view lists of Illinois players. Congratulations and good luck this season!
PLEASE NOTE: Information was obtained from rosters posted on USCHO.com and college websites. As of this publication the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) had not posted all rosters. We will add Illinois players from colleges in the NESCAC when those rosters become available. If you or someone you know was inadvertently left off the lists above, please contact AHAI Communications Manager, Gretchen Cockey at [email protected].
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS
Loyola Gold Starts Strong in Scholastic League with 'A Nice Balance'
By Ross Forman ~ This might be the best Loyola Gold team in years - and there certainly have been some great ones in the past.  Will Gold finally be golden at the end of the season?  Will Gold finally erase the heartache of decades without a state championship?  Will Gold finally shine at the United Center next March, not their arch-rival, New Trier Green?  Things certainly are looking good, so far, for the Ramblers.  Really good, in fact. READ MORE>>
Metro Girls High School Hockey Update
Play in the tiering round continues and one thing is clear - all of the teams in the league are highly talented and come ready to play! New Trier Varsity continues to top the leader board with 5 wins and remains undefeated. Glenbrook, Lake Forest, Naper Valley, Fenwick and Barrington round out the current top six spots so far. Stay tuned - there is a lot of action left to wrap up the first half! Click HERE for the complete Metro Girls Update.
ILLINOIS HOCKEY HEADLINES
U.S. Roster Set for 2017 World Under-17 Challenge
USA Hockey announced the 23-player roster for its 2017 U.S. National Under-17 Team, which is currently competing at the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge through Nov. 11 in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. The roster includes Illinois' Owen Lindmark (Naperville), Alex Turcotte (Island Lake), Alex Vlasic (Wilmette) and Cameron Rowe (Wilmette). READ MORE>>
Turcotte
Lindmark
Vlasic
Rowe
Mor
Pivonka
Lapointe
U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team Set for Five Nations Tournament
The U.S. Men's National Under-18 Team is set to compete in the 2017 Under-18 Five Nations Tournament beginning Wednesday, Nov. 8 in Hämeenlinna, Finland. The roster includes Illinois' Jake Pivonka (Naperville), Philippe Lapointe (Hinsdale) and Jonathan Mor (Highland Park).  READ MORE>>
Easton Williams' Passion for Hockey Keeps Autism and Tourette's in Check 
By Ross Forman ~ Even before he celebrated his 3rd birthday, Easton Williams was registered for a "Learn to Play Hockey" program with the Kenosha (Wisc.) Komets. And at age 3, he was able to skate by himself.  But he was not instantly hooked on hockey, though his parents would joke that, based on his first name, he has to like hockey.  Personal struggles impacted his ability to play.  He was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (AS) at age 6 and with Tourette's Syndrome (TS) at 13. READ MORE>>
Illinois Boasts 8 Champions & 4 Finalists in the 2017 CCM World Invite
Eight Illinois teams claimed CCM World Invite Championship titles this past weekend. We also had four 2nd place finishes and numerous teams advanced through to the quarter final and semi final rounds (click HERE for a complete listing). Congratulations to all our Illinois teams for their excellent showing at the 2017 CCM World Invite in Chicago!
2003 AAA Champions
Falcons
2003 Elite Champions
Mission
2004 Elite Champions
CYA
2005 Elite Champions
Mission
2006 Elite Champions
Team Illinois
2007 Elite Champions
Mission
2008 AAA Champions
Jets
18U AAA Champions
Bruins
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS
BMO Harris Bank October Player, Coach & Volunteer
The Chicago Blackhawks and BMO Harris Bank are proud to honor members of the hockey community. Each month during the regular season they recognize the excellence of a youth hockey player, coach and volunteer.  AHAI congratulates October's Award Winners: Erin Danz (Volunteer) - Cyclones, Mike Theiler (Coach) - Washington County and Jens Bratt (Player) - Evanston Wildkits. Want to nominate a deserving player, coach or volunteer? Click HERE for complete details.
Blackhawks New Youth Volunteer Program: ServICE Crew 
The Chicago Blackhawks ServICE Crew is designed to encourage youth ages 8-18 to take an active role in their community by volunteering and giving back. Participants of the program will be encouraged to spend their free time doing community service projects of their choosing. Top monthly groups and individuals will be featured on the Blackhawks website and become eligible to win prizes! The group with the most volunteer hours by the end of the program will be invited to participate in a group service project with the help of a Blackhawks player. DETAILS>>
ROCKFORD ICEHOGS NEWS
Easterseals Youth Hockey Player of the Game Nominations
Would you like to nominate a hockey player under the age of 17 that shows their passion for their game on and off the ice? Nominate them now to be our "Easterseals Youth Hockey Player of the Game", each winner will be  recognized during the game, r eceive 4 tickets, a hat and a commemorative certificate, and b e a part of the countdown of the for players take the ice.  To submit a nomination, please send an email to  [email protected]

Plan an outing to see the IceHogs in November or December!
Come check out the Central Division first place Rockford IceHogs this month with your hockey team, family and friends! Plan an outing in November or December and receive these benefits: reserved group seating, discounted group tickets, video board message, and Tunnel Team action Click HERE for complete details.