Volume 10 Issue 2 | February 2022 |
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT |
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Congratulations on a great season. I hope all of you have had a great experience. Now we are beginning the playoffs. It is a super exciting time for everyone. I know you will enjoy the experience.
Remember to play hard and enjoy the experience. Be thankful for the refs and treat them with courtesy, they too are trying their best.
The most important thing is to try your best and have fun.
We at AHAI are working hard to bring this season to a great conclusion. We have great plans for next year as well.
Kevin Bolger
President
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Player Development Process Begins This Month
All Tier 1, Tier II, Prep and High School Varsity players within the 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 birth years are eligible by invitation only for the 2021 Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) Player Development / Identification Tryout Camp held in Bensenville, IL the weekend of March 18th through the 20th.
The process will start this month with an online ranking of each of the age appropriate players. AHAI has developed a web tool that allows ALL the IL Head Coaches, from each of the above divisions, to go on line to rank ONLY those players they saw play during this season. The due date for these rankings will be early February. These Head Coaches will be ranking the “best” player’s from this State, NOT JUST THEIR OWN PLAYERS, within a specific birth year, by position, starting with number 1 as the best and so on down the line.
After these online rankings are compiled by the web tool software (in a weighted average verses the number of votes a player receives) the AHAI Player Development Committee conducts a Web Tool Ranking Evaluation Meeting. This meeting will be held in February and will be broken into four different groups, for the four eligible birth years. During this meeting, which consists of the Player Development Committee members, along with select Head Coaches from Tier I, Tier II, Prep and High School Varsity, will review the web tool rankings of the players. All nominated players are reviewed, in each birth year, in the order they were ranked, in an unbiased manner, regardless of what club/association the different Head Coaches are affiliated with. This process determines the final selection of players who are to receive an invitation to the AHAI Player Development / Identification Tryout Camp. The invitation goes out to 36 forwards, 24 defensemen and 8 goalies within each of the eligible birth years. READ MORE >>
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The Importance of Playing Time
By Ross Forman
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Senior Adam Pelinkovic, a first-year left wing for Hinsdale Central, had 2 goals and 3 assists in 21 Illinois West High School Hockey League regular-season games this season. The team finished 13-9-0-2, seventh place in the 13-team league, ultimately won by the near-perfect Waubonsie/Metea Warriors.
Pelinkovic is content playing for his school’s varsity, wearing the team uniform, with the brilliant logo emblazed on the front. He just doesn’t get as much playing time as he, no doubt, would like or want.
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Jim Swoyer, hockey director and varsity head coach at Hinsdale Central High School, coaching Micheal Mersch of the Buffalo Sabres.
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STATE TOURNAMENT INFORMATION |
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Our Countdown to State Newsletter is coming to your email inbox on THIS Friday! |
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2022 Central Illinois High School Champions |
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Congratulations to Champions Springfield High School Senators! |
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The Central Illinois High School State Tournament came to a close last weekend in Bloomington with Springfield facing Decatur. The Senators hockey club won the Central Illinois State championship. This is the first time in Senator hockey club history the team made it to the final 4. This season’s club is composed of players from Athens, Southeast, Rochester and Springfield High Schools.
Congratulations to all on a great season!
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State Tournament Rules Reminder!
All players are required to wear full gear, including mouth guards and neck guards, when playing in state tournament games. Referee's will be checking players and they will be removed from the ice if they don't have the proper equipment.
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Men's & Women's 2022 AHAI Adult State Championship Tournament
By Robert Fiorio, Adult State Tournament Director
The Amateur Hockey Association Illinois, Inc. is proud to present the 2022 AHAI Adult State Championship Tournament hosted by the AHAI Adult Committee and The Edge Ice Arena. The Adult State Tournament will take place April 28 - May 1, 2022 with all Championship Games taking place on Sunday, May 1 st at The Edge. For more information and/or registration please click here or contact Robert Fiorio, Tournament Director at rfiorio4@yahoo.com. |
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GIRLS HOCKEY NEWS & INFORMATION |
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It’s great to be back with the State Tournament atmosphere!
A big thank you to the Glenview Stars & the Glenview Community Ice Center for hosting the round robin weekend, February 24th thru February 27th! Play-in games are winding down & the Round Robin brackets will be updated to show the correct match-ups for each day by February 20th.
The Offensive Zone Pro-Shop will be our apparel connection offering hoodies, long & short sleeve t-shirts. We are working on baseball hats, knit hats & headbands but supply chain issues & availability may be very difficult.
To avoid long lines & congestion in the Pro-Shop we have created the link below so that you may pre-order, pay then just pick-up during the weekend. Order apparel here.
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Ask the Official
Question: A Team A player commits a penalty infraction while Team B has possession of the puck in Team B’s Defending Zone. During the delayed calling of the penalty , Team B advances the puck into its Attacking Zone whereupon a Team B player commits a major penalty infraction. Play is stopped immediately and both penalties are assessed. Where is the ensuing face-off?
Answer: At a Defending Zone face-off spot of Team B. Rule References 612(b and c) and 409(a). Even though play will resume with four skaters for each team, the more severe infraction committed by the Team B player warrants the ensuing face-off taking place in team B's defending zone.
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Following The Path Of A Goldfish May Keep Our Game Afloat
"You know what the happiest animal in the world is? It's a goldfish. It's got a 10 second memory."
While the world may have fallen in love with fish-out-of-water football coach Ted Lasso over the past year, it's a lot easier to smile or chuckle at his maxims than to actually live them.
Especially in the stands at a youth hockey rink when a particular call goes against our little ones it can seem easier to hurl insults at refs than follow the path of Coach Lasso's goldfish.
So it should be no surprise that referees are hanging up their whistles in growing numbers, which is having a devastating effect on all youth sports.
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A Call To Arms
A Mass Exodus Of Young Officials Threatens The Future Of The Game
Like so many pioneers in the game, Kevin Collins is proud of the past.
So as the keynote speaker at the inaugural USA Hockey Advanced Officiating Symposium, the hall of fame official spent the first half of his speech paying homage to those who helped usher in the early days of officiating education.
But suddenly the legendary NHL linesman shifted gears and challenged those in attendance to look to the future by protecting the next generation of officials from the verbal and physical abuse from parents and coaches. READ MORE >>
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HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS & INFORMATION |
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JOG College Showcase
The 2022 JOG College Showcase will take place at Fifth Third Arena, Chicago IL, April 29th- May 1st. This showcase highlights the talent of local and regional players ranging for both Men and Women. The goal of this event is to educate and create an opportunity for players to showcase their talents in front of top College programs from across the country.
On the ice, players will compete in one practice led by NCAA D3 and ACHA coaches and three games to showcase their skill and gain exposure. Off the ice, players and parents are encouraged to attend our one of a kind recruiting & coaching panel. This panel is a great platform for individuals to learn about the attending school’s programs and admission requirements, as well as what it takes to be a successful student athlete.
Registration for the event is now open. Please click on the link below to register for the Men’s or Women’s Showcase. The cost for the showcase is $300.
For registration and information on the showcase:
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Player Profile: Emiliano Arana
By: Ross Forman
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Emiliano Arana was in goal for the Joliet Jaguars years ago in his first-ever travel game as a first-year mite. They won that day, which was something his team did not do too much that season.
My how hockey has changed for Nano, as he is now known among his Providence Catholic teammates. Now 17, Arana is in his third season skating for the school’s varsity – and he’s the one scoring goals, not the one stopping the opponent’s scorers.
Arana, a senior who lives in Joliet, leads PC in scoring. The left-handed shooting forward has 19 league goals this season, which is third-most in the Chicago Catholic Hockey League. Overall, he has 22 points in 22 league games, with 3 assists – and he was named a Catholic League All-Star this season. READ MORE >>
Slapshots With … Providence Catholic Forward Emiliano Arana
Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite NHL Players: Patrick Kane, Matt Barzal and Nathan MacKinnon
Favorite Sports-themed Movie: “It’d be a crime if I didn’t say Miracle.”
Favorite Pre-game Meal: Chipotle Bowl
Celebrity You’d Like To Meet: Kanye West
Favorite Hockey-playing Memory: “The atmosphere of the 2020 Kennedy Cup
Finals.”
Uniform Number: 28
Off The Ice: “I spend most of my time with family and friends, and when I’m not doing that, I am working or lifting.”
Also Off The Ice: “I used to run track, and that seriously helped with my quickness on the ice because of the short bursts that I had to train for in track season.”
Little-Known Fact: “I used to play the cello.”
Teammate Who You Could See As A Hockey Coach: Mark Chocola
Hardest Slapshot On Providence: Tom Dukups
Most Accurate Shot: Jack Doogan
Fastest Skater: Carson Burriss
Best High School Uniforms (other than PC): Fenwick
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Blackhawks Legends Cup
Limited spots in remain in the Blackhawks Fantasy Camp, The Legends Cup! Ever imagined skating alongside Blackhawks legends? Scoring an overtime winner to capture the cup? Drawing up a game-saving play with Denis Savard? Now is your chance!
From March 4-6, we will be hosting the second annual Blackhawks Legends Cup! The Legends Cup is an opportunity for adult hockey players to compete alongside Blackhawks Alumni, including Denis Savard, Patrick Sharp, Andrew Shaw, Brian Campbell and many more!”
Click here for more information. |
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Squirt Minor - Chicago Hawks |
Pee Wee Major - Chicago Bulldogs |
Bantam Major - Chicago Jets |
Midget Minor U16 - Chicago Jets |
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Squirt Major - Highland Park Falcons |
Pee Wee Prospects - Chicago Blues |
Bantam Prospects - Naperville Sabres |
Midget U15/U16 - Affton Americans |
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Pee Wee Minor - Highland Park Falcons |
Bantam Minor - St. Louis Eagles |
Midget U15 - Chicago Bulldogs |
Midget Major U18 - West Dundee Leafs |
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NIHL Premier Select League Champions |
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10U Premier Select -
St. Jude Knights AA
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14U Premier Select -
Northbrook Bluehawks AA
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18U Premier Select -
Bloomington Thunder
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12U Premier Select - Timberwolves AA
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16U Premier Select -
Rockford Roadrunners AA
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The 2021-2022 NIHL Presidents Cup Winners |
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10U Premier Select: Glenview AA1
10U Elite: Rockford AA
10U Gold: Skokie AA
10U Silver: Blackbirds AA
10U Bronze: Winnetka A2
12U Premier Select: Timberwolves AA
12U Elite: Chicago Young Americans Girls 12U
12U Gold: Team Illinois Girls 12U
12U Silver: Bloomington AA
12U Bronze: Chargers A3
14U Premier Select: Glenview AA1
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14U Elite: Rockford AA
14U Gold: Firewagon AA
14U Silver: Quad Cities A
14U Bronze: Winter Club AA1
16U Premier Select: Rockford AA
16U Elite: Twolves AA
18U Premier Select: Bloomington AA
Girls 10U: Elmhurst GAA
Girls 12U: Leafs GAA
Girls 14U: Hawks GAA
Girls 16U/19U: Sabres G16AA
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ILLINOIS HOCKEY HALL OF FAME BIO SERIES |
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Paul Jakubowski, Builder's Category
Paul grew up on the far southwest side of Chicago in the Garfield Ridge neighborhood. He attended Byrne & Kinzie elementary schools and John F. Kennedy high school. Hockey was first introduced by Paul’s dad, Jake with a gift of skates from Sears and a hardware store stick for Christmas when he was about 7 years old. Games were played on the flooded playgrounds at the neighborhood parks. There were no boards or nets.Someone’s boots served as goal posts and of course, the puck from any shot or errant pass had to be retrieved from the surrounding snow. In those days there was no organized club hockey in the city.
The only high school hockey in Chicago then was played in the Catholic schools so Paul played in what would now be referred to as high school house leagues at the only two rinks in the city: Rainbo Arena on North Clark Street and Michael Kirby on South Loomis. From there the final step in Paul’s inauspicious hockey career was St. Norbert College where he played for 3 years until graduation in 1973. READ MORE >>
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Registration for 2022 NAHL Combines Now Open!
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has the announced the dates and locations for the 2022 Combines, which are now open for registration. The NAHL Combines are driven by the North American Hockey League and operated by the NAHL's professional staff in order to serve the most valuable asset to hockey... the players.
The goal is to provide the aspiring hockey player to take part in a one-of-a-kind experience that is designed to maximize exposure at grand-scale events that provide a true look and feel of the genuine NAHL Experience. NAHL Combines are carefully designed to provide an Education, Exposure, and Experience for prospects that strive to advance their hockey development at the junior hockey and college level. MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION>>
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SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MONTHLY NEWSLETTER TODAY! |
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Subscribe Today to Our Monthly Newsletters: Coaches, Girls & IHSHL Snapshot
Can't get enough Illinois hockey news? Check out our monthly Coaches, Girls or High School newsletters! Simply click the button below to subscribe to any or all of our monthly newsletters.
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Copyright © 2021. All Rights Reserved. |
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