IN THIS ISSUE
Volume 5 Issue 12 |  October 25, 2017
ILLINOIS HOCKEY HALL OF FAME
AHAI Foundation Announces Inductees into the 13th Class of the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame

The Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame today announced the 13th class of inductees into its Hall of Fame. The honored inductees this year are:

Players' Category
Gino Cavallini
Steve Poapst
Builders' Category
Rafe Aybar
Jerry Ballard
Rich Blight
Terry Juliar
Jim Neville
Shari Wolfe
Officials' Category
Dave Edwards
Peter Moffat

The IHHF Induction Dinner will be held in their honour on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at the Belvedere Banquet Hall located at 1170 West Devon Avenue in Elk Grove Village beginning at 5:00 pm. Tickets are available by contacting Norm Spiegel at 847/269-2922 or email Norm at  jacole@comcast.net.

Joining in honoring this special group of inductees will be several of the past inductees into the Hall of Fame. This year's inductees, and all of the past inductees have demonstrated, through their actions over the years, their personal commitment in making a difference in the lives of thousands of Illinois youth and the Illinois hockey community. FULL ARTICLE>>
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

STATE, DISTRICT & NATIONAL TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
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.
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
7 Associations to Host Try Hockey For Free Day Events
On Saturday, November 4th and Sunday, November 5th, 7 local associations and/or rinks across Illinois will host Try Hockey For Free Day events! Participating locations (see below) encourage kids, ages 4 to 9, to come try youth hockey as part of Come Play Hockey Month. All locations will have limited equipment available for use. COMPLETE DETAILS>

Decatur Amateur Hockey Association * Peoria Amateur Hockey Association * Leafs Hockey Club
Northbrook Bluehawks * Pekin Amateur Hockey * Firewagon Hockey * Admirals Hockey Club
Be Part of Something HUGE...2018 Disabled Hockey Festival in Chicago!
Sponsorship Opportunities: The Disabled Hockey Festival is only five months away and the Festival Planning Committee is asking for your help in identifying and securing sponsorship opportunities to support the financial needs for this USA Hockey National Event for hockey players with disabilities.  The Sponsorship Committee is looking to raise $100,000 and we need your help to achieve our goal. This request is open to corporate sponsors, individual sponsors and our local hockey clubs throughout Illinois.  All proceeds will go to the 14th Annual Disabled Hockey Festival and will directly benefit ALL Hockey Players with a disability in Illinois.

Volunteer Opportunities: The Festival Program Committee is looking for volunteers to assist in running the 2018 Disabled Hockey Festival which  will be hosted in Chicago over two weekends in April. This is projected to be the largest disabled hockey festival event in the past 14 years bringing over 1000 players to the Chicago area for this exciting annual event.

If you would like to become a sponsor or make a personal donation, or if you would like to become a volunteer, please contact Michael Svac, USA Hockey Central District Representative for Disabled Hockey, at msvac4@icloud.com.
ASK AHAI
QUESTION: There is an AHAI rule (16.3.9) that states, "All youth team players shall play at the age appropriate USA Hockey Age Classification with the exceptions for Midget Major which may roster no more than three 16U age youth players." However, there is a Tier I club that definitely has more than three 16U players on their current roster. Isn't this in violation of the current rule?

ANSWER: You are right - that Tier I club is in violation of the rule we have in Illinois (not a USA Hockey rule). AHAI inquired of all 4 Tier I clubs and not one of them cares about enforcement this rule. Though none of the other clubs are in violation, none wants to enforce this rule against the other Tier I club. All felt it was an old rule that had outlived its time or usefulness. FULL ANSWER>>
BE A STEP aHEAD OF CONCUSSION
We are proud to announce that we are in our 7th 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, 2017. All AHAI players aged 11-18 years old are eligible for free baseline testing. Please note that registration will be online only; do not call Athletico directly. 

COACHING CLINICS & OFFICIATING SEMINARS
Coaching Education Program
(CEP) Clinic Schedule
Illinois Hockey Officials Association
(IHOA) Seminar Schedule
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 phil.osaer@usahockey.org.
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS
Remember the Titans: Glenbrook South Looks for More Wins in Scholastic League
By Ross Forman ~ New Trier Green jumped out to a 2-0 first-period lead over Glenbrook South when the teams battled Oct. 10 in a Scholastic League game played in Wilmette, and it was 3-0 at 11:35 of the second period when Robert Soudan tallied for the Trevians off an assist from John Robinson.  The Titans didn't cave. In fact, they came to life, scoring three goals in a seven-minute span of the second period to tie the game, 3-3. Colin Garrett, Joseph Young and John Radler each scored for the Titans. It stayed tied through the end of regulation-time. Benjamin Thomas ultimately scored the overtime game-winner - for the Titans. Yep, GBS upset the season-opening No. 1-ranked Trevians. READ MORE>>
Metro Girls High School Hockey News
By Pam Flores ~The tiering round in the Metro Girls High School season is well underway.  Many games are yet to be played, but this season is shaping up to be highly competitive.  All of the teams in the league have grown and added depth. And it is great to have Naper Valley back in the mix!  So far two teams - New Trier Varsity (4-0-0) and Fenwick (2-0-1) - remain undefeated in the young season. Naper Valley, Glenbrook, Barrington and Lake Forest round out the current top six spots so far. It is clear this will be interesting to watch! READ MORE>>
ILLINOIS HOCKEY HEADLINES
Good luck to the 27 Illinois Players Rostered to USHL Teams this Season!
Good luck to the 36 Illinois Players Rostered to NAHL Teams this Season!
Opportunities Abound for College Players in ACHA
Over 650 Illinois Men & Women Rostered to ACHA teams for the 2017-18 Season!
By Mike Scandura, Special to AHAI ~ If there is one word to describe the essence of what the  American Collegiate Hockey Association provides to student-athletes around the country, it's opportunity.  "A lot of folks coming through the ranks of youth and high school hockey don't know that opportunities exist," said Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois Coaching Chair Jim Clare, who is also a board member. "They don't understand many colleges offer club opportunities.  The hidden gem is men and women have the ability to play beyond high school and don't have to get a scholarship to a Division I college. Even schools that have Division I teams have club teams." READ MORE>>
*The lists above were compiled from the ACHA website rosters. In some instances, hometowns/states were not listed on a team's roster. If you or someone you know plays on an ACHA team and was not listed, please contact AHAI Communications Manager, Gretchen Cockey at gretchen@ahai2.org to be added to list.

Stay tuned...we will highlight our NCAA Division I & Division III players in the next issue of Snapshot!
3-Sport Athlete Jack Mullen Excels in the Classroom, Too
By Ross Forman ~ Jack Mullen was 6 years-old when his best friend showed him how to shoot while in his basement, and they soon turned it into a game, trying to break plastic bins that they were shooting at.  "It was awesome," Mullen recalls, years later.  At 7, he learned how to skate and started shooting on the ice.  "I loved everything about the game from the beginning - from the sound of skates crunching the ice to the icy smell of the rink," Mullen said. "My first (hockey) game, I was much smaller than anyone. I probably fell down way too many times and took shifts that were way too long." READ MORE>>
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS
Chicago Blackhawks October Captain 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. AHAI congratulates Connor Kelly (BG/H/W), Christian DiBenedetto (Deerfield Warriors), Chloe Carroll (Glenbrook) and Hunter Veller (Chiefs).
Chicago Blackhawks Referee Spotlight
The Youth Hockey Referee Spotlight highlights two amateur hockey referees from Illinois per month and gives them the opportunity to attend a Blackhawks game and meet the NHL refs prior to puck drop. The impact and contribution of youth referees in hockey is as important as the players, and the Chicago Blackhawks feel this is a great opportunity to reward them for their contributions. AHAI congratulates Logan Kap and Andres Cruz!
ROCKFORD ICEHOGS NEWS
Bond with Your Team at a Rockford IceHogs Game!
Looking for a fun way to do some team bonding and enjoy some hockey? Bring your team, family and friends to a Rockford IceHogs game! Discount group tickets are now available along with blocked seating for your entire team and group. Reserve your game now and be a part of the Tunnel Team! Your team will stand with the future Chicago Blackhawks before a period begins and high five the players as they take the ice! For information and to get your team out to a game contact McKenna Ryan at  815-847-6386  or  ryanm@icehogs.com .
UPCOMING EVENTS
RMU - Illinois to Host ACHA Showcase & High School Seminar
Robert Morris University will be hosting their annual ACHA Showcase and High School seminar and skate on Saturday, November 11, 2017 at The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, IL. The on-ice session will feature coaching and direction from the RMU coaching staff to let players experience the pace and feel of an ACHA Division 1 practice.  Before the skate, registered skaters will be able to attend an informational seminar that will feature details about college hockey, the ACHA, and the next steps for high school student-athletes. All teams participating in the showcase will have the opportunity to speak about their programs at the seminar as well. COMPLETE DETAILS>>
CCM World Invite Opening Night & Fan Festival
524 Teams, 9,956 Players, 1,162 Games...
The  200 X 85 Opening Night and Fan Festival for the CCM World Hockey Invite is Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 3:00-10:00pm. Seven Bridges Ice Arena will be the epicenter for the CCM World Invite Fan Festival with something exciting for everyone. The free festival will feature a diverse mix of offerings designed for tournament players, parents, coaches and hockey fans. The family-friendly festival will occupy every inch of Seven Bridges including the "Hockey Shot" Big Top Tent located directly in front of the building. COMPLETE DETAILS>>