Volume 9 Issue 11 | December 2021
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
We are approaching the halfway mark in our season and I am happy to report that all is well. Thanks to your vigilance, we have kept the rinks open and the games going.

We are looking forward to the remainder of the season, the playoffs and the State Championships. We at AHAI thank all of you for your hard work and dedication to the game. Without you, there is no hockey.

On behalf of the AHAI Board, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas, a Happy and Healthy New Year and Happy Holidays.

Kevin Bolger
President
COACHING NEWS & INFORMATION
REMINDER! Coaching Education Program (CEP) Clinic Deadline December 31st  

Coaches in need of certification must have it done by December 31st or risk being removed from your teams roster. If you are a current Level 1, 2, or 3 coach from last season you need to certify at the next level before the end of the year. If you are new to coaching you need to attend a Level 1 clinic. Clinics are held virtually and can be located on the USA Hockey website here.

If you have any issues, reach out to Jim Clare, AHAI Coach-in-Chief at jim.clare@ahai2.org
ASK THE OFFICIAL

QUESTION: I am a defensive player that is responsible for patrolling the front of my goal. What am I allowed and not allowed to do in playing the attacking player before the puck arrives?

ANSWER: Establishing a favorable body position is probably the key and this may involve considerable competitive contact, especially when the attacking player may be trying to establish the same advantageous body position. To do so, you can use size, strength and balance to lean on your opponent and put yourself in better position. The stick, or forearm, can also be used to steer the opponent as long as the arm(s) are not extended. Finally, a stick lift or stick press is a good defensive play when the puck is in the vicinity. What you can’t do is fairly clear. You cannot use a free arm to grab onto or impede your opponent. You cannot use the stick or arm(s) in an extended manner that “pushes off” the opponent and creates space between you. And, you cannot place your stick in an area that impedes the opponent’s ability to move in a desired direction.
The Impact of a Coach
By Ross Forman
Matthew Boeing was the York JV assistant coach a few years ago when Anthony Trankina was one of the team’s natural goal-scorers, a skilled player who was liked on and off the ice. Trankina ultimately played three JV seasons before landing on the Dukes’ varsity.
He used skating JV as a junior to motivate himself for his senior season.
“When he finally made the varsity (team), he was able to produce, like I knew he would and could,” Boeing said.
Trankina credits Boeing, then and still today.
Boeing simply did what all coaches should do, at all levels: he coached, guided, motivated, inspired and got Trankina ready for the next level. READ MORE >>
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
2022 Tier I State Hockey Championship Timing
By Mike Mullally, AHAI Tier I Chairman

The Tier 1 State tournament round robin will begin February 5th through the 23rd. The full schedule will be released in the coming weeks.

The Tier 1 Championship series will be at Mt. Prospect Ice arena on the Center and North rinks Saturday, February 26th and Sunday, February 27th. Any 3rd games, if necessary, will be on Tuesday, March 1st and Wednesday, March 2nd.

Central District Championships will be held March 11th through the 13th with the
USA Hockey National Championships taking place March 30th through April 4th.
GIRLS HOCKEY NEWS & INFORMATION
Hello Girls’ Community & welcome to the last edition of the AHAI newsletter for 2021.

Hockey is in full swing, the holiday season is upon us, and we should all stay positive for a great New Year!
 
Registration for the State Tournament is underway & we look forward to seeing the high level of competition we saw back in early 2020. I mean, who can forget that all the State Championship Girls’ Tier II games went into overtime. 😊
 
Some other events that will be coming up quickly as we ring in 2022 are the Girls Central District Tryout Camp & America’s Showcase.
 
Registration for the 2022 Central District Tryout Camp will open February 1st and will be held at Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park. Look for detailed information on the Girls’ page of the AHAI website or on the Girls Calendar of Events in January under the registration link.
 
America’s Showcase registration opens January 3rd, but you can always register early by accepting the invitation. Click the link below for more information:
America’s Showcase is a great venue for high school-aged players who may not have the chance to be seen by college coaches or scouts during the regular season to get an opportunity to showcase their talents. The Girls’ team will have a roster of mainly Juniors & Seniors who have not yet committed to a college or university. Sophomores are also welcome to register, but space is limited.
 
More details on the above events will be in January’s edition of the Girls SnapShot newsletter. Important dates & deadlines are always available on the AHAI website under the Girls’ Calendar of Events.
 
Thank you.
Have a very blessed & safe Holiday Season & let’s ALL make 2022 a GREAT YEAR!
 
Anita Lichterman
AHAI Girls Committee Chair
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS & INFORMATION
December High School Rankings
By Ross Forman

Saint Ignatius built a 2-0 lead over Loyola Gold on Sunday, November 28, in the championship game of the 50th O’Grady Thanksgiving Tournament, played in Wilmette.

It wasn’t enough, though, as the Ramblers rebounded behind powerplay goals from Nicholas Malaniuk and William Schrieber, and then the game-winner from Jack Gustafson with 8:08 remaining in the third period to capture the championship, 3-2.
Top 20 Rankings of Illinois High School Hockey Teams
(As of December 1)

  1. Loyola Gold
  2. Stevenson
  3. Saint Ignatius
  4. York
  5. New Trier Green
  6. Glenbrook South
  7. Benet Academy
  8. Glenbrook North
  9. Providence Catholic
  10. Saint Viator
  11. Carmel Catholic
  12. PREP
  13. New Trier White
  14. St. Rita
  15. Maine Township
  16. Waubonsie/Metea
  17. Lake Forest
  18. Warren
  19. Wheaton West
  20. OPRF

Others to Watch: Naperville North, Highland Park, BG/H/W, Glenbard, Neuqua Valley
Player Profile: Sebastian Wigfield
By Ross Forman
As a Saint Ignatius freshman, Sebastian Wigfield turned in a 62-save performance against perennial power Stevenson in the JV state tournament and though the Wolfpack lost, 1-0, the game gave Wigfield the needed confidence and knowledge that he can control the pace of a game.

Now a senior, Wigfield is still stopping pucks for Ignatius – and one of the main reasons that the Wolfpack is poised for a run at the Kennedy Cup and the state tournament.
Stopping Slapshots with … Sebastian Wigfield
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite NHL Player: Marian Hossa
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: Goal! The Dream Begins
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Pesto with Parmesan Chicken
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: 14th Dalai Lama
Best Hockey Tip: “Everybody wants to be a beast until it’s time to be a beast.” – Saint Ignatius assistant coach Spencer Montgomery
Off-Ice: “I golf, listen to records, and grow bonsai trees.”
Calming: “Working out and taking walks with my dogs let me get some peace of mind. I play best when I have no anxiety or wasted headspace on irrelevant details of the game. These activities let me enjoy the moment and give me a break from the rink, which subsequently helps my performances on the ice.”
Little-Known Fact: “I’m a dual citizen, lived in Wisconsin, and have two giant bonsais in my room.”
Teammate Who You Could See As A Hockey Coach: Will Karnick
Hardest Slapshot On Your Team: Bobby Eber
Most Accurate Shot: Tyler Pan
Fastest Skater: Joey Velarde
Best High School Uniform (other than Ignatius): New Trier
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY RIVALRY SERIES
High School Hockey Fans, keep an eye out for the remaining three High School Hockey Rivalry Series Games presented by the Chicago Blackhawks.
DISABLED HOCKEY NEWS
Chicago disabled hockey teams were excited to kick off another hockey season in September and no better way to celebrate than traveling across the country to compete against some good competition. Several events took place in St Louis, Ohio and New Jersey where players with a disability participated in the Blind Hockey Classic, Sled Hockey Classic, and Special Hockey Classic Tournaments.
The Blind Hockey Classic was hosted by the St. Louis Blind Hockey Team and 100 players that are blind or visually impaired were in attendance during a three-day event.
The 11th annual USA Hockey Sled Classic, presented by the NHL, took in Wayne, New Jersey. The New Jersey Devils hosted this year's event at the Ice Vault Arena and 27 teams participated. The Chicago Blackhawks Sled Hockey team advanced to the final round to bring home the Tier 1 Championship banner.   
And finally, the Special Hockey Classic was hosted by the Columbus Chill Youth Hockey Association's (CCYHA) Blue Jackets Special Hockey program at the Ohio Health Chiller North Ice Rink in Columbus, Ohio. Thirteen teams from all over the country participated in the 3rd annual Special Hockey event.
For more information on all of USA Hockey's Disabled Hockey Programs visit here. Or visit one of the links below for specific program information.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS HOLIDAY CAMP
The Blackhawks are hosting a one-day Hockey Holiday Camp at Fifth Third Arena on December 21st! The camp is for players aged 6-13 and is open to all skill levels. Come join Eddie Olczyk and Kendall Coyne for a day of hockey fun! For more information and to register click here.
ANNUAL HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
The holidays are just around the corner and that means it's time to start thinking about selecting the perfect hockey gifts for your family, friends, coaches and managers! If you are stumped for ideas for the hockey fan in your life, these hockey-themed gift ideas are sure to be a big hit. Click HERE to download/print the 2021 Holiday Gift Guide.
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Happy Holidays from our Families to Yours!
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