Volume 11 Issue 1 | January 2023 |
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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT | |
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Hope you are well and had a great MLK tournament weekend. We just returned from the USA Hockey Winter Congress. It was a grueling 3 1/2 days jammed with meetings but an extremely worthwhile event. Time well spent.
I am happy to report that USA and AHAI have a stronger bond than ever. They are trying to return to the grassroots and work with their NHL partners to improve hockey across the U.S. They are committed to helping local affiliates such as AHAI, grow the game and improve the experience and development of our children.
We had a meeting with the Blackhawks on January 3rd and they are also committed to providing any assistance they can to grow the game and develop our children. We are working with them so the entire hockey experience from minor mites to the pros is better than ever.
This will not happen overnight, but I truly believe we are all moving in the right direction. I feel more positive than ever. Our board members and volunteers are reenergized and ready to go and are always available to help you and your clubs succeed. If you need anything you can always contact me or John Dunne, and we will help you or get you in contact with the correct person to help.
Let’s gear up for the season's end.
Thanks for being part of this great game,
Kevin Bolger
President
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AHAI Coach of the Year Nominations
AHAI recognizes that Illinois Hockey is comprised not only of incredible players, but also of dedicated and talented High School, Youth, Girls and Disabled Hockey coaches who guide our teams both on and off the ice.
The last two seasons have been especially challenging and the role of the coach is even more important than ever. Candidates for AHAI's Coach of the Year Awards should embody good sportsmanship and respect toward teams, parents and officials while providing a positive experience for their players. Candidates should also teach positive life skills while demonstrating dedication, passion, and commitment to community.
Regardless of the teams success this season, we know there are many coaches that have gone above and beyond to provide a positive environment for development, both on and off the ice. Deadline to nominate is Wednesday, February 15, 2023.
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The AHAI 2023 Boys Player Development Process Begins This Month
By: AHAI Player Development Committee
All boys Tier 1, Tier II, Prep and High School Varsity players within the 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 birth years are eligible by invitation only for the 2023 Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) Player Development / Identification Tryout Camp held in Mt. Prospect, IL the weekend of April 14th through the 16th.
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.
READ MORE>>>
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JOG College Showcase
Who: High School sophomores, juniors and seniors
What: The 2023 JOG College Prospects Showcase is an event to educate and create an opportunity for players to showcase their interest and talents in front of top ACHA programs. Players will compete in 1 practice run by college coaches, 3 games, and attend the coaches panel to learn about the ACHA and interact with the 58 college coaches in attendance.
When: May 5 - 7, 2023
Where: Fifth Third Arena, Chicago
How: Registration is open. Visit here for more information.
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It's Almost February and Time for the Best Show in Youth Hockey
By Bob Apter, NIHL President
Late January and February are an exciting time of the year. That's because the NIHL Blackhawks Tournament is right around the corner and teams are starting to look forward to the greatest youth tournament in sports. We have teams battling to lock in a qualifying spot in their division. With twenty-one division brackets from Premier Select thru Bronze, Squirts thru Midgets, and Youth and Girls there'll be a ton of great tournament action all over Chicagoland. This year's show will be the best one ever. Don't forget that the NIHL Premier Select divisions play a double-elimination tournament format that raises the level of excitement even higher. Good luck to all players involved and we hope to see you at the Championship games during the February 17-19 and February 24-26 weekends at Inwood in Joliet.
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Going for Gold
Three Players with Illinois Ties Skate for Team USA In The 2023 World University Games
By Ross Forman
Matt Hanewell, a forward who mostly plays left wing, was a 2015 Illinois State Champion for the Chicago Bruins in a local career that also included time skating for the Glen Ellyn Flames and Chicago Young Americans before graduating from Glenbard East High School in 2016.
Now 24, Hanewell is a senior playing for the Milwaukee School of Engineering, pushing toward a leadership role for a construction firm after graduation. He also thinks purchasing real estate around the U.S. and eventually build a large portfolio.
Hockey always will be part of his life, including the biggest on-ice moment of his career. He will represent Illinois, one of three with ties to the Land of Lincoln, on Team USA in the 31st FISU World University Games, which will be held in Lake Placid, N.Y. in January.
The World University Games have not been held since 2019 in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, as the 2021 edition in Lucerne, Switzerland were canceled due to COVID-19. This year’s USA team, for the first time, is comprised of Division III players. In the past, college club players represented the USA at the World University Games – and Nick Fabbrini was a USA coach for two World University Games teams (2017 in Kazakhstan, 2019 in Russia) when he led the University of Illinois. Fabbrini is now the head coach at Fenwick. READ MORE<<<
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Brotherly Love: Noah & Josh Becker Leads Deerfield’s Resurgence, Explosive Offense
By Ross Forman
Deerfield was trailing in the third period of an IHSHL North-Central Division game in early-December against the co-op Chicago Central Romans. Senior captain Noah Becker dished the puck to his younger brother and linemate Josh Becker, who tallied to tie the game with 7:38 left in regulation time.
The elder Becker scored the game-winner 23 seconds later, assisted by his brother.
That shift was, “my favorite on-ice moment,” so far this season, the elder Becker said.
The Warriors are 16-5-3 in the top-tiered North-Central Champions League. With 35 points, Deerfield only trails co-op PREP (44 points).
The Warriors finished their 2022 league slate with a 9-0-1 record in their last 10 games, including wins over arch-rival Highland Park (twice) and New Trier White, among others.
“From a team perspective, the season has been going well. We have some great players and we know we have the skill to make it far in state,” Becker said. “We are currently in second place so, as of now, we are meeting one of our goals, which is to finish in the top 3 in our league. READ MORE<<<
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COACHING & OFFICIATING INFORMATION | |
Ask the Official
By Dave Zednik
QUESTION: The Referee hears a coach instructing their player to “get” an opponent, interpreted as intentionally fouling the opponent for purposes of intimidation or physical harm. May the Referee assess a match penalty?
ANSWER: Yes. Rule References 601(e.2).
This may be interpreted as threatening the opponent, even though there is no threat made directly to the opponent. Note that this applies only if directed toward an opponent. There is no provision under this rule for a coach who threatens their own player.
In either case, a written report to the Proper Authorities is a must.
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USA Hockey Recognizes Bob Mathson for Dedication and Service to High School Hockey | |
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USA Hockey recognized Bob Mathson at the 2023 USAH Winter meeting for 20 years of service as the USA Hockey High School Section Director.
The continued growth and development of USAH High School, would not be possible without the contributions of Bob. Bob's selfless work and commitment continue to have an impact on the direction of USAH High School.
At the USAH National level, Bob was instrumental in developing the USAH High School Nationals and drove the continued success of the High School Showcase event. Under Bob's leadership, USAH High School participation grew each year.
Locally, Bob was the president of the Schaumburg Kings youth organization and is a past president of AHAI. Bob also served on various AHAI committees and was an AHAI board member for over 25 years.
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USA Hockey Nationals Dates & Locations | |
| DIVISION | LOCATION | DATES | | High School | Plymouth, MN | March 23 - 27 | | Youth Tier I 14U | Plymouth, MI | March 29 - April 3 | | Youth Tier I 15O | Wayne,NJ | March 29 - April 3 | | Youth Tier I 16U | San Jose, CA | March 29 - April 3 | | Youth Tier I 18U | San Jose, CA | March 29 - April 3 | | Youth Tier II 14U | Denver, CO | March 30 - April 3 | | Youth Tier II 16U | Amherst, NY | March 30 - April 3 | | Youth Tier II 18U | Maple Grove, MN | March 30 - April 3 | | Girls Tier I 14U, 16U & 19U | Dallas,TX | March 30 - April 3 | | Girls Tier II 14U, 16U & 19U | Irvine, CA | March 30 - April 3 | | |
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The "A Step aHead" program is looking forward to starting its 13th year in the fall 2023. Look to this space for some exciting changes to the program and new educational opportunities.
Additionally, each month we will be offering a brief article on various health & safety topics relevant to the youth hockey community.
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High School Rivalry Series
The 2022-2023 Chicago Blackhawks High School Rivalry Series comes to a close this month with the final matchups of Chicago North vs Highland Park on January 28th at 7:30pm and Stevenson vs St. Viator on January 29th at 5:00pm!
Following the Rivalry Series, the Blackhawks are excited to once again host the Illinois High School Hockey State Championships at the United Center on March 19th. Stay tuned to www.blackhawks.com for more information!
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Blackhawks 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! We are happy to announce that the Blackhawks Legends Cup returns for another year, running from March 24-26th! You don't want to miss this unforgettable weekend. Head over to www.blackhawks.com/legendscup for full details on this one of a kind experience!
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