Volume 13 Issue 8 | August 2025

It’s that time of the year! Tryouts are underway. Work hard, do your best and hopefully everything will fall in place. In life, we don’t always land where we think we should, but sometimes it is for the best. 

I remember many times my guys would be on the second team. Sometimes it made sense, sometimes not, but it made them better players and better men. They learned to work harder and persevere. It has served them well in adult life as well. Sometimes the team they didn’t make didn’t turn out to be as good an experience as the team they did make.

The most important thing is to enjoy yourself, your teammates and have fun. It goes by fast for the kids and the parents.

I miss the car rides, the practices, the games and the road trips. We made many friends and still get together to this day. My grandson is one year old, and I hope he decides to follow his dad and uncle and play this wonderful game. Until then, I will enjoy watching our Illinois teams.

Good luck!

Kevin Bolger

AHAI President

1616 Foundation

For the past 8 months, Ladd Foundation has been working behind the scenes, strengthening what 1616 has the power to be. Our mission hasn’t changed, but how we show up for our herd has. 

We’ve refreshed our look and launched a new website that makes it easier to understand how 1616 works, who it’s for, and why it matters. I'm excited to invite you to check out the new 1616.org today! And one more thing: Registration is now open for our 2025 season, the puck drops October 12th!

This year, we’ve reworked how participants engage with our platform, making it easier than ever for Players, Coaches, & Hockey Parents to experience 1616 in a way that fits their season, their schedule, & their lives. From a more streamlined registration, to the ability to start your season whenever your team is ready, the new 1616 is built for you. CLICK HERE to register your team or family for the 2025 season of 1616.

Thanks for being a part of our herd.

Bison and CIGHA Celebrate a Powerful Season Together

In their inaugural season in Bloomington, the Bloomington Bison made more than just an impression on the ice, they made a difference in the community. One of the strongest examples of that commitment was their incredible partnership with the Central Illinois Girls Hockey Association (CIGHA). From game day experiences to player mentorship, the Bison quickly became one of CIGHA’s biggest supporters helping elevate girls’ hockey and create unforgettable moments both on and off the ice.

During the CIGHA March Meltdown Tournament, the Bison provided professional sound and production for the championship games, transforming the event into a high-energy, pro-level experience for the players and their families. Throughout the season, the Bison’s mascot Abe was a visitor at Try Hockey for Free events and Jamborees, bringing fun, photos, and fanfare to the youngest players just starting their journey in hockey. But it wasn’t just about appearances. Bison players took time to visit every CIGHA team, with one to two players attending practices to skate, chat, and inspire. For the girls, it was a chance to meet their local hockey heroes face-to-face. “It’s one thing to watch them play,” said one CIGHA parent, “but to have a Bison player talk

to your daughter, encourage her, and say ‘you’ve got this’ that means everything.” READ MORE<<<

Welcome Back to Another Season of High School Hockey

We hope that everyone had a great summer, it’s hard to believe that school is back in session already. Tryouts have concluded or are under way for all teams. Once the stress of tryouts is over teams will start practicing and playing preseason tournaments, and we look forward to another great season of competitive hockey at all levels.

Important dates for the upcoming season:

January 26th – Boys All State Game at West Meadows

February 22nd – Girls All State Game at Fifth Third Arena

March 6th – Boys Varsity State Championship games at the Allstate Arena

March 15th – Girls Varsity State Championship games at the Allstate Arena

Dates and Location for the JV State Championship games will be finalized soon

TBD – Downstate State Championship at Grossinger Arena in Bloomington

March 18th-22nd - USA Hockey High School Nationals in Plymouth Minnesota

Glenn Jauch

High School Committee Chair

25/26 Officials Seminars

• USA Hockey Registration opened May 1^st
• Online Seminars Started In June and will go through Dec 15^th.
• Register for your Online Seminar on USA Hockey under the learning Center
• You do not need to take an Illinois seminar you just need to take the proper level
• IHOA Dues directions will come out after the new site is ready to start collection of dues.
• In addition to your online seminar:
• Officials turning 17 this season and above will need to complete Safesport
• Have a valid screening
• Rules exercise – It is not pass/fail – It keeps going until you get enough correct
• Online Modules

Any questions reach out to the IHOA Registrar.

It's an exciting time for the League as we prepare for our inaugural launch of the Prospects division. Applications have been received and the Board and our Prospects committee are busy analyzing the data to determine the best matchups for the declaration rounds. Prospects divisions will be announced on September 1st, and scheduling grids will be released on September 5th.  The season begins on September 19th for all levels, including Major and Minor. All CSDHL league games will be scored in Gamesheet.

We can't wait to see our players wearing the CSDHL patch! Visit our website for more details on the season, including an FAQ on the Prospects divisions.  www.csdhl.org. Enjoy the last few days of Summer, and then let's get back to it!

Chicago Reapers Center Jacob Borzecki Driven ‘To Be The Best We Can’ This Season

By: Ross Forman

Jacob Borzecki made the jump to Tier 1 hockey a few years ago – and what a first year it was. A right-handed shooting forward for the Chicago Mission that season, he skated to the national championship, and they won.

“Playing on home ice was a huge thrill (and) being able to say that on my first year on a triple-A team I got to play and win the national tournament with a great group of guys,” was very memorable, he said. “And knowing that we were the team that everyone wanted to beat gave me and the team that extra motivation to play our hearts out till the end,” for the 2022 title. READ MORE<<<

Three-sport Athlete Nick Seaman Has Hockey National Champion On This Resume

By: Ross Forman

Nick Seaman scored the overtime game-winning goal against the Chesterfield (Mo.) Falcons during his 16U season in a much-anticipated game between the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams, which he tagged as “one of the best hockey games I’ve been a part of,” adding that his goal, “was a great moment for me.”

This past season, Seaman tallied another against Chesterfield. “They got it out of the zone and I quickly turned it back up the ice and went through four guys, then finished with my backhand,” he said. READ MORE<<<

Senior Madison Strockis Set For Season with Fenwick, North Shore Warhawks

By: Ross Forman

Madison Strockis, a senior forward who has played for the Franklin Park Panthers since she was 5, has new loyalty this season.

She has two teams to call home.

First, Strockis is a member of the North Shore Warhawks 19U GAA1 (Green) team in Tier II girls’ hockey, which will participate in national tournaments and championships against top-tier competition from across the country. READ MORE<<<

Deeside Dragons Sign American Forward #14 Colin Cromie

By: Deeside Dragonsj



The Deeside Dragons are proud to announce the signing of American forward Colin Cromie for the 2025–26 season. A versatile and hard-working addition to the roster, Cromie brings experience from NCAA, Canadian Junior leagues, and most recently, Finland’s Suomi-sarja.

A native of Schomberg, Illinois, the 25-year-old forward stands 5’9” and weighs in at 175 pounds. He shoots right and is recognised for his high compete level, relentless work ethic, and deep commitment to team play. READ MORE<<<

Blackhawks amateur hockey is excited to offer the Little Blackhawks LTP program at several rinks this fall season! Little Blackhawks provides first time participants, between 4-9 years of age, head-to-toe equipment, age-appropriate instruction, and certified coaching at your local rink! It is highly recommended a Learn to Skate program is completed before enrolling in Little Blackhawks, and if you have previously participated in Little Blackhawks or if you already play on a team, you cannot enroll for this program.

The Little Blackhawks program includes 6-8 weeks of lessons at your local ice rink and a full set of hockey equipment! Weekly sessions are run by ice rink staff and local coaches. Registration is currently live at select rinks! CLICK HERE for more information on Little Blackhawks and for a list of current location offerings. 

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