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Volume 4 Issue 14 | November 23, 2016
BLACKHAWK ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP
ATTENTION ALL HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
Apply Now for the 2016-17 Blackhawk Alumni Scholarship!

The Blackhawk Alumni Association (BHAA) distributes college scholarships annually to the three most deserving high school hockey players. Awards are determined from a candidate's level of community service, volunteerism, good citizenship, academic performance as well as the hockey talent of the individual. Recipients will receive an annual $7,500.00 scholarship over four years for a total of $30,000.

Starting December 1st of each year, scholarship applications are available for online entry at  www.blackhawkalumni.com. Fully completed applications including letter of recommendations, and scholar essays are due no later than February 1st of each year. Original school transcripts may be requested. A selection committee from the Blackhawk Alumni Association (BHAA) will review all of the candidates and then select the three recipients.
Thank you to all of the High School players who take the time to submit applications. Thank you also to the coaches, managers and team/league presidents who promote and support this effort. The players really deserve it!
  • All applications must be done online by going to www.blackhhawkalumni.com.
  • All applications must be by complete by Feb. 1, at 11:59PM.
We encourage all seniors in high school to take advantage of this exciting opportunity!
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
OVER 500 KIDS TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE IN ILLINOIS!
By Jim Clare ~ Five hundred plus new skaters hit the ice on Saturday, November 12th for USA Hockey's Try Hockey for Free Day in Illinois. Fourteen host sites across the state had 510 kids on the ice learning about our great game. Leading the way was Firewagon Hockey in Crystal Lake with 67 skaters, followed by the Admirals with 65, and Hoffman Estates with 46. The remaining sites included Leafs Hockey Club (45), Evanston Youth Hockey (44), Northbrook Hockey (44), Pekin Amateur Hockey (40), Mount Prospect Ice Arena (39), Rolling Meadows Renegades (36), Sabre Girls Hockey (28), Franklin Park Ice Arena (26), Cyclones Amateur Hockey (16), Glacier Ice House (8), and Decatur Youth Hockey (6). AHAI would like to thank all our host sites for the tremendous effort in growing the great game of hockey. FULL ARTICLE>>
USA HOCKEY ANNOUNCES 2017 GIRLS PLAYER DEVELOPMENT CAMPS
USA Hockey has announced the 2017 Girls Player Development Camp dates. For dates and more information on player eligibility, please click HERE. Players will receive an email directly from USA Hockey in December explaining each districts' tryouts/camps.

RESERVE YOUR SEAT AT THE IHHF INDUCTION DINNER
Please make plans on joining this year's  inductees at the IHHF Induction Dinner that will be held in their honour on Sunday, January 24, 2016 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 past inductees into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame, please click  HERE .
FINAL WEEK TO REGISTER! DEADLINE IS NOV. 30TH!
All AHAI players aged 11-18 years old are eligible for  FREE  baseline neurocognitive testing now through November 30, 2016. 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.  Please note that registration will be online ONLY, do not call Athletico directly.  Make sure to tweet a picture of your skater wearing their A Step aHead baseball hat to  @AHAI_1  with the hashtag  #AStepAHead ! You could win a signed Jonathan Toews photo! Not on twitter? No problem, just email your photo to AHAI Communications Manager, Gretchen Cockey at  [email protected]  and we will tweet for you! REGISTER NOW>>
ANNUAL AHAI HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
Now that we're almost into December, it's time to focus on the Holiday Season. But what do you give the hockey player, coach or fan who has everything? Read on for our list of great gift ideas! Happy Shopping!

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS & INFORMATION
ATTENTION SQUIRTS! REGISTER TODAY FOR THE BLACKHAWKS MINI 1V1!
In partnership with AHAI, the Chicago Blackhawks Mini 1v1 shootout competition allows participants to showcase their skills while contending to become the top shooter or goalie in the Squirt-age division. The competition will take place at the United Center on December 22, 2016. The top two goalies and top two skaters will battle for the championship in front of a sellout crowd at the United Center during the intermission of the Chicago Blackhawks home game on January 8, 2017! The winning team (player and goalie) will accompany the Chicago Blackhawks Fan Development staff to the 2017 NHL ®  All-Star Game in Los Angeles from January 27-29, 2017 to compete against other Squirt-age winners from around the NHL. COMPLETE DETAILS & REGISTRATION>>
VOTE FOR TOMMY HAWK!
The National Mascot Hall of Fame will be opening its doors in 2017 in   Whiting, Indiana . The 25,000 square foot, multi-million dollar facility will be a state-of-the-art, interactive, family fun zone, with a wide range of exhibits, activities and events that celebrate mascot fun. Voting has begun for the next mascot to be inducted into the Hall of Fame! Help Tommy Hawk become the first NHL Mascot inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame!
SEE THE BLACKHAWKS LIVE!
As part of our ongoing partnership with AHAI, the Blackhawks are pleased to offer AHAI members the opportunity to purchase Blackhawks tickets to select games during the second half of the 2016-17 season. Tickets purchased in the 300 level include a $5 discount.  There is a 4 ticket limit (4 tickets to one game or 2 tickets to 2 games).  Tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, November 29th at 10 a.m.  To purchase tickets,  Click HERE  and enter the promo code AHAI2017. The deadline to purchase is Friday, December 9th, or while supplies last. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Brooks at   [email protected] .
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS
HINSDALE CENTRAL PUSHING TO ELITE OF IHSHL WEST DIVISION
By Ross Forman ~ Hinsdale Central seems to know all about playing nail-biting hockey.  In a 10-game span over five-weeks of West Division play, the Red Devils had four overtime games. It started with a 4-3 win over Naperville North on Oct. 8, and also included a 5-4 win over Lincoln Way, a 6-5 loss to Waubonsie, and a 7-6 win over Lincoln Way.  The Red Devils are 5-8-0-1 through 14 West games.  Neuqua Valley is a perfect 12-0 in the  IHSHL West Division , having out-scored its opponents 90-20 so far.  Naperville Central (10-3) is in second-place, followed by Maine Township, OPRF and Glenbard - all of whom carry an 8-3 record. Wheaton West is 7-4-0-1, followed by Waubonsie (7-3-0-1) and then Hinsdale Central.  The remaining West teams are Lincoln Way, Sandburg, Naperville North, Lake Park, Lyons Township and Plainfield. FULL ARTICLE>>

METRO GIRLS UPDATE
By Pam Flores ~ Glenbrook South High School is currently in first place with an 8-0 record. Evanston is currently in the second spot, followed by Loyola Academy and New Trier Varsity. READ MORE>>
CCHL UPDATE
By Evan Poulakidas ~ New Trier Green survived a furious comeback by Loyola Gold in the annual "Quad Game" on Saturday, November 19, in Wilmette before a sold out crowd. READ MORE>>
SHL UPDATE
By Nick IaciancioThe Chicago Catholic Hockey League (CCHL) is proud to present its October Player of the Month award to Providence Catholic's senior Ryan Iaciancio. READ MORE>>
NORTHERN ILLINOIS HOCKEY LEAGUE (NIHL) NEWS
RE-TIERING: WHAT IS IT & DOES IT WORK?
By Ruben Medina, NIHL Statistician  ~ Every year in October, the leaves change color, the thermometer starts to drop, and the NIHL Executive Board meets to re-tier the 300+ teams that play Seeding Rounds in our league. It is a ritual of Fall. It is a procedure that makes the NIHL Regular Season more competitive, more entertaining and more meaningful for players, coaches and parents. Do the math and you'll see we are talking about making November thru February more exciting for approximately 4,500 hockey playing kids from all over Chicagoland. FULL ARTICLE>>
PLAYERS, LEADERS, OFFICIALS & CLUBS IN THE NEWS
UNPRECEDENTED 13 MISSION GIRLS SIGN LETTERS OF INTENT
An unprecedented 13 Girls of the Chicago Mission Girls 19U team signed letters of intent with their respective schools. Congratulations to all the girls and their families, as well as Tony Cachey, Girls Hockey Director and 19U coach, and his coaching staff on this great accomplishment. VIEW COMMITMENTS>>
LINCOLN WAY, ST. JUDE GIRLS & NEUQUA VALLEY COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
  • Neuqua Valley Hockey Club, with Help from the Chicago Blackhawks, Host Floor Hockey Event for Best Buddies READ ARTICLE>>
  • St. Jude 10U Girls Raise Nearly $1500 for Goalie, Eva Kolman's Brother READ ARTICLE>>
  • Lincoln Way Played Host to the Chicago Blackhawks Warriors READ ARTICLE>>
Lincoln Way vs. Warriors
St. Jude 10U Girls
Neuqua Valley & Best Buddies
KENDALL COYNE WINS "BEST FEMALE ATHLETE" IN THE GLOBIES
Northeastern women's hockey alumna and Palos Heights' native, Kendall Coyne was named Best Female Athlete in The Globies, the Boston Globe's annual award show honoring the top athletes and teams in New England. Coyne was also nominated for the Top College Athlete category. FULL ARTICLE>>

MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS!
  • Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey vs. Northern Illinois University VIEW FLYER>
  • Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey Fundraiser at the Thanksgiving Shoot Out VIEW FLYER>>
  • DYHA Hosts 2nd Annual Charity Alumni Game to Benefit American Cancer Society & Salvation Army's Toys for Tots Program VIEW FLYER>>
  • Josh Strutz Hockey is Life Fund: Annual Memorial Game & Silent Auction VIEW FLYER>>
  • 3rd Annual Bonnie V. Memorial All Girls Skate VIEW FLYER>>