IN THIS ISSUE
Volume 6 Issue 4 |  July 4, 2018
52 AMERICANS SELECTED IN THE 2018 NHL DRAFT
7 Chicago Mission Alums among 52 Chosen

Fifty-two Americans were selected in the 2018 NHL Draft at American Airlines Center, home of the Dallas Stars.

A total of 5 Illinois natives were selected. Jack Drury (Winnetka, Ill.) was selected in Round 2 [42nd overall] by the Carolina Hurricanes.  Joey Keane (Chicago, Ill.) was selected in Round 3 [88th overall], by the New York Rangers. Jacob Pivonka (Woodridge, Ill.) was picked by the New York Islanders in Round 4 [103rd overall]. Alexander Green (Chicago, Ill.) was also selected in Round 4 [121st overall] by the Tampa Bay Lightning and Hugh McGing (Chicago, Ill.) was chosen by the St. Louis Blues in the 5th Round [138th overall]. All 5 Illinois players are alums of the Chicago Mission.

Two additional Chicago Mission alums were also chosen in the 2018 NHL Draft. Bode Wilde (Birmingham, Mich.) was selected in Round 2 [41st overall] by the New York Islanders and Spencer Statsney (Mequon, Wis.) was picked in the 5th Round [131st overall] by the Nashville Predators. READ MORE>>
THANK YOU SPONSORS!

A STEP aHEAD REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
AHAI is excited to announce the 8th Year of the A Step aHead Program in conjunction with the Chicago Blackhawks, Athletico Physical Therapy and NorthShore University HeathSystem.
  • The goal of the A Step aHead Program is to educate the youth hockey community on concussion awareness, prevention and treatment as well as to provide FREE baseline neurocognitive testing to AHAI members.
  • A Step aHead testing is available for AHAI members ages 11-18 (12U through 18U/High School).
  • Click HERE to learn more about the A Step aHead Program and to REGISTER NOW!
Save the Date: A Step aHead Hockey Safety Symposium
We are excited to announce our very first "A Step aHead Hockey Safety Symposium" on Saturday, September 29 from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the United Center. This free event will include local and national speakers on a variety of topics that impact the health and safety of youth hockey players. Stay tuned to the AHAI Newsletter for more information.
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
Ask AHAI by Mike Mullally
QUESTION: I have heard that AHAI Committees dictate what happens in Illinois hockey. What is the process for rule changes within AHAI?
ANSWER: That is a common misconception. For AHAI bylaws - only the members can vote to change AHAI's bylaws. For AHAI rules - only the AHAI volunteer board can change AHAI's rules. The committees are permitted to change their procedures only. The chair of any committee or any member can only recommend to the AHAI Board to change a rule. READ MORE>>
Only a Few Foursomes Remain for the 22nd Annual AHAI Foundation Golf Outing!
The 22nd Annual AHAI Foundation Golf Outing will be held at the Schaumburg Golf Club in Schaumburg on Friday, August 17, 2018 with  a shotgun tee off scramble at 10:30 a.m. followed by dinner at 5:00 p.m.  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, r evenues generated from this event are donated each season to specific charities as established annually by the AHAI Foundation. Click HERE for this year's recipients. We hope you will join us for this fun-filled event! Please click buttons below for more information on sponsorship and registration. See you in August!
Tier II Substitute Choice Application Process for 2018-19 Season
By Gregg Chudacoff, Tier II Committee Chairman - The Tier II substitute choice application process, Squirt 10U through Midget 16U/18U will begin on July 20,2018. All applications will be submitted online. The Tier II Committee will only have (3) three appeal hearings this year for those denied a substitute choice. The dates for the appeals are August 9, August 29, and September 6, 2018 at 6:30pm at the North Shore Ice Arena. If denied, please email Gregg Chudacoff, AHAI Tier II Chairman, at  gregg@generaltruckparts.com with your preferred appeal hearing date. The deadline for applying for a substitute choice will be September 15th, 2018.
COACHING NEWS & INFORMATION
2018 National Hockey Coaches Symposium
The 2018 National Hockey Coaches Symposium is fast approaching. The event will be held Aug. 23-26 in Lake Placid, NY. In addition to a great slate of speakers, attendees will participate in on-ice sessions on the two most hallowed ice sheets in USA Hockey history: the Herb Brooks Arena (1980 Rink) and the Jack Shea Arena (1932 Rink). To register, and for more information, click on the appropriate button below. Cost is $550 when you register online. For specific questions about the event, please contact Alison Raines at alisonr@usahockey.org.






Attention Coaches: Level 4 CEP Clinic at MB Ice Arena Announced
We are pleased to announce that there will be a Level 4 Coaching Education Program (CEP) Clinic on Saturday, August 18th at MB Ice Arena , home of the Chicago Blackhawks practice facility. The clinic will run from 8:45am on Saturday, August 18 through 1pm on Sunday, August 19. Coaches must attend both days to receive their Level 4 certification. Lunch will be provided on Saturday, and all coaches will also receive a tour of the Chicago Blackhawks practice facility. Please note that Sunday's clinic will include both on- and off-ice components. Click HERE for more information/registration. Questions? Contact USAH Central District Coach-in-Chief, Doug Dietz at dougdietz04@gmail.com.
IHOA NEWS & INFORMATION
2018-2019 IHOA Officiating Seminar Schedule Announced
Online registration for both IHOA and USA Hockey will commence on August 1st. ALL officials must be registered with IHOA to attend a seminar and it is highly recommended that officials register with USA Hockey and complete the open book test and online modules BEFORE attending their seminar. Please note:  USA Hockey has various requirements for each certification level. Please visit the USA Hockey and IHOA websites for information. To be completely registered, you must meet both IHOA and USA Hockey requirements. SEMINAR SCHEDULE>>
Ask the Official by Dave Zednik
QUESTION:  What is the proper procedure for Officials to follow if a regularly scheduled On-Ice Official either does not show up for a game or becomes incapacitated and cannot finish the game?

ANSWER: Arrangements should be made, whenever possible, to be able to start or continue the game in a reasonable time frame while following the guidelines outlined in the rule. Rule Reference 501(d). The first step is to attempt to locate USA Hockey registered officials who are either in the arena, or live close by, that may be able to step in and work the game. READ MORE>>
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS & MB ICE ARENA NEWS
Olympic Gold Medalists Kendall Coyne, Hilary Knight and Alex Rigsby will be at the Blackhawks Girls Hockey Camp at MB Ice Arena July 23-27! Sign up today to secure your spot! Camp is open to girls ages 5-16 years old. There will be two on-ice sessions per day, off-ice training with TPD and rapid shot, and a jersey, t-shirt, lunch bag and giveaways for every camper. NEW THIS YEAR: Friday is gameday! Morning session will feature small area and cross-ice games, the afternoon session will be a full-ice game. REGISTER NOW>>

Can't make it to camp? Click HERE to check out MBIA's Blackhawks Girls Summer Clinics.
MB Ice Arena Stick & Puck Sessions
Come to MB Ice Arena any day of the week this off-season to work on your game at one of our Stick & Puck sessions while utilizing our on-ice equipment such as the give-and-go rebounders, stickhandling tripods, shooter tutors and shot screens. Visit  mbicearena.com  for more info!

HOCKEY HEADLINES
2018 U.S. Under-18 Men's Select Team Roster Unveiled; Includes Illinois' Luke Reid 
Twenty-one players, including Illinois'  Luke Reid  (Geneva, Ill.), who participated at the USA Hockey Boys Select 17 Player Development Camp have been chosen for the 2018 U.S. Under-18 Men's Select Team that will compete Aug. 6-11 at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in Red Deer and Edmonton, Alberta. READ MORE>>
Illinois West Goalie Clinic This Month
Illinois West High School Hockey League will again host a pre-season goalie clinic for all West goalies at All Seasons Ice Arena. The clinic will be held for four evenings starting Monday, July 23rd through Thursday, July 26th from 6:40pm - 8:40pm each evening.  All Illinois West goalies are welcome. Non-Illinois West high school age goalies may attend at a cost of $200.  Contact Brian Meek at  bkmeek@usermail.com  for details and to sign up.
Keeping Your Hockey Player Healthy in the Off Season
By Bradley Dunlap, MD - Summer is fast approaching. How do we keep our hockey players healthy throughout the "off-season" and get them ready for next fall? I put "off-season" in quotation marks because we know as hockey parents that the season where there is no hockey is becoming ever more elusive! There is concern about the increasing professionalization of youth sports which can contribute to players never having time away from their sport . READ MORE>>
Be the 1st Team to Secure Your Spot for the IceHogs Dream Team for the 2018-19 Season!
Be the first hockey team to secure your spot for the Rockford IceHogs Dream Team for the upcoming 2018-19 season! Skate out on the ice with your team in front of a packed BMO Harris Bank Center and then stand on the blue line with the future stars of the NHL. Lock in your team's spot now for a special ticket offer for the following dates: Sat., October 13, Sat. December 8, Fri., February 1, Sat., February 16, Sat., March 2, or Sat., March 16. Contact McKenna at 815-847-6386 or ryanm@icehogs.com to become the IceHogs Dream Team today!
Hockey Night at the Ballpark
It's time to trade in your twigs for bats! The Chicago White Sox are hosting Hockey Night at the Ballpark on Monday, August 6th, vs. the New York Yankees, and they are offering a discounted price for Youth and Adult Team members, as well as their families and friends. Click HERE for more information.