Volume 13 Issue 1 | January 2025 | |
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Happy New Year!
I hope everyone had a great Holiday Season.
Believe it or not, we are finishing another hockey season. Before we know it the playoffs and finals will be upon us. Good luck with the remainder of your season.
As you probably know, Central States has announced that are expanding its league to have a Red, White, and Blue Division. They have invited every club to participate. This gives your clubs two viable choices: NIHL or Central States. They have said that it is not an all-or-nothing proposition, so your clubs and you can decide which if any, options to choose.
We wish both leagues the best.
Kevin Bolger
AHAI President
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Tier II Youth State Tournament Team Placement and Ranking Process
General Tier II Youth Team Placement:
13.5 TEAM PLACEMENT
All Affiliate Organizations which have the following number of teams at a given age division will be placed in the following divisions:
Three Teams
1st Team will play in the “AA” Division
2nd Team will play in the “A” Division
3rd Team will play in the “B” Division
Four Teams
1st Team will play in the “AA” Division
2nd & 3rd Teams will play in the “A” Division
4th Team will play in the “B” Division
Five or more Teams
1st Team will play in the “AA” Division
2nd & 3rd Teams will play in the “A” Division
4th & 5th and additional Teams will play in the “B” Division
Exemptions:
Teams can request an exemption to play in a different division that their team designation states.
13.5.1 “B Level” Exemption
Affiliate Organizations may apply for an exemption to play in the “B” Division if the Organization has formed only two (2) teams at a level (10U, 12U, 14U) and the team is the 2nd team.
13.5.2 “AA” Requesting to Play “A”
Affiliate Organizations are qualified to apply for an exemption to play in the “A” Division if the team is the only team formed at a level by the organization (10U, 12U,14U).
13.5.3 The judging criteria for all exemption requests will be developed solely by the Tier II Youth State Tournament Sub-Committee.
13.5.4 The Tier II Sub-Committee of the Youth Tournament Committee shall have the final say as to the placement of teams in the divisions.
How rankings are decided:
The Tier II rankings sub committee is made up of the following’:
- Two (2) independent statisticians/ analytics people. They have no affiliation with any current Tier II affiliate.
- A representative from NIHL
- A representative from CSDHL
- Two (2) AHHAI Tier II Committee representatives
Criteria utilized for team placement:
- What League team plays in
- Current League standing on date of ranking
- My Hockey Ranking
- League crossover games
- Affiliate input
Utilizing these criteria has repeatedly shown to be accurate when you look at the teams that advance to the eight (8) team round robins site each season.
Head-to-head competition is also used if available. Due to the multiple leagues and multiple divisions in leagues, often utilizing head-to-head competition is difficult. Utilizing coaches ranking, which has been done I the past, is also difficult for the same reason. Teams of similar levels and abilities do not play each other during the season thus skewing some rankings.
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Round Robin and Championship Information | |
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Tier I Championships
March 1st & 2nd Mt. Prospect Ice Arena
Tier II Youth Round Robins:
February 28th - March 2nd
Fox Valley - U10
West Dundee - U12
Romeoville - U14
Canlan - U16 & U18
Tier II Girls Round Robin:
February 20th - 23rd
Glenview
Tier II Youth and Girls Championships
March 8th & 9th Mt. Prospect Ice Arena
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High School Playoffs
March 1st - 10th
West Meadows Ice Arena
High School Championships
March 16th
United Center
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Hello Hockey Community,
In a previous newsletter, I stated that I would share the injury report with you so you can see the types of injuries that have occurred during this playing season. The report attached is not complete but shows the lack of reporting, especially concussions. It also shows some very serious injuries.
USA Hockey mandates that ALL concussions are reported & the required Return to Play form submitted before a player diagnosed with a concussion takes to the ice or any type of dryland training.
Player Safety & Health – USA Hockey website
Safety & Protection – AHAI website
Parents, please research what concussions & other injuries do to your players not only in the present but the long-lasting effects if they are not treated & cared for properly then return too soon.
When you click on the link to the AHAI website page, you’ll find what information is collected. In the spreadsheet attached here, you’ll find that no personal information or team is shared.
Please report all injuries. We want to use this information not to ‘label’ players as I have heard around the rinks, but more to see what is happening & where we can tighten up & create training methods, practice plans, etc. to prevent injuries. Accidents happen but we can all be better prepared.
To all those players that have sustained injuries this season – GOD speed in your quick & successful recovery.
Thank you,
Anita Lichterman
AHAI Player Safety Coordinator
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USA Hockey Girls Central District Tryout Information
USA Hockey Girls Central District National Camps and Central District Development Camp Tryout
April 11-13, 2025
Cornerstone Community Center Green Bay, WI
USA Hockey Central District Girl’s Tryout for 2025 will be held at Cornerstone Community Center in Green Bay Wisconsin April 11-13, 2025. All USA Hockey registered female skaters that wish to try out for USA Hockey National Select Camps as well as the Central District Development Camp MUST attend this tryout to be evaluated. This is an OPEN tryout; any female residing in the Central District (WI, IL, MO, KS, NE, IA) are eligible to participate. In 2024, over 475 girls participated in the tryout, visit www.centraldistricyhockey.org and register between February 1 (7:00 AM) and February 15 (11:59 PM) to secure a spot.
Registration will be limited to the following birth years: 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008
Cost is $180. Late registrations after February 15 will be placed on a waitlist and will only be accepted if spots become available. Contact Andy Bradford at abradford@depere.k12.wi.us
Key Dates:
February 1, 2025 – Tryout Registration Opens 7:00 AM
February 15, 2025 – Tryout Registration Closes 11:59 PM
March 15, 2025 – Complete Tryout Schedule Released Tentative schedule can be found here https://www.centraldistricthockey.org/girlsschedule
April 7, 2025 – Tryout Roster Assignments Released
April 11-13, 2025 Tryout Green Bay, WI
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Evanston Girls Anchor On Brownlee Family – With a Forward, Goalie and Head Coach
By: Ross Forman
It’s a family affair on the Evanston girls co-op team with head coach Pat Brownlee, senior forward Katelyn Brownlee and freshman goalie Lela Brownlee, marking the first time the sisters have been teammates.
“It has been a lot of fun watching them play together and compete against each other in practice,” said Coach Brownlee. “Lela always seems to be a bit more prepared when Katelyn is shooting on her at practice, and Katelyn is sure to point out when she scores on her little sister.”
Katelyn, 17, a right-handed shooting right wing and team captain in uniform No. 22, is in her fourth season on the Evanston varsity team. She formerly skated for the Flying Cats and Evanston Wildkits.
Katelyn is a defensive specialist, a team player who supports her linemates. She credits her dad with helping her game: “My dad played professionally, so he inspired me as I grew up and influenced me to begin hockey as a little kid,” she said.
“It has been a good season; the team works well together and the new players have been developing well and been a great addition. Personally, I have loved making new connections with my teammates and getting a goal and an assist in our game against (arch-rival) New Trier.”
Lela, 14, is double-rostered this season for the Mammoth Hockey Club Girls U14 team. She is a team player who is supportive, relaxed and focused. “I play goalie because my mini mite team needed goalies, so my dad convinced me to play goalie and I’ve loved it. READ MORE<<<
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Skating Sisters: Gorbatenko Trio Building Their Game Playing In Illinois
Nicole, Rachel & Kelly Gorbatenko Will Be Teammates Starting Next Fall At The University of Wisconsin
By: Ross Forman
The Gorbatenko sisters are heading north in the fall, where Rachel and Nicole, both now 17, will skate with Kelly, 20, for the University of Wisconsin.
“I can’t wait to play with both my sisters on the same team,” said Rachel, a left-handed shooting defenseman. “Even though we will not be wearing green for (the Chicago) Mission like we have in the past, we are ready to play and use each other in a similar way.
“I have always been teammates with my sister Nicole, but being teammates with Kelly isn’t something I’ve gotten to do very often due to our ages. I can’t wait to play with both my sisters and strengthen the strong bonds between us.”
Added Kelly, “I can’t wait until my sisters step on campus the first day of their freshman year. Growing up, we never got to play on the same team but always had chemistry when we skated together. Playing with Rachel and Nicole makes the game so much easier because we know where each other is and we are all on the same page. Our bond as sisters will translate to a unique dynamic on the ice and we will bring out the best in each other.”
Nicole said the Gorbatenko sisters as teammates will be “a dream come true.” READ MORE<<<
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Brush With Blackhawks Greatness Motivates David Oancea
IceDogs Left Wing Oancea Set to Skate in Slovenia This Summer
By: Ross Forman
David Oancea, a left wing for the IceDogs PSL Squirt U10 Team, wears uniform No. 29 for his birthday on June 29th and to replicate a favorite NHL player, Nathan MacKinnon of the Colorado Avalanche, who wears the same number.
“I admire his speed, skill and determination … wearing No. 29 motivates me to work hard and improve, just like him,” said Oancea, 10, who lives in Buffalo Grove.
“I play left wing and really enjoy that it allows me to be offensive and defensive, which (is) exciting. As a left wing, I love being in a position where I can help create scoring opportunities while also being responsible for backchecking and supporting my defense. I enjoy the speed and agility required to make plays along the boards and the challenge of trying to get around the opposing defense.
“What I like most about the position is that it lets me be creative with my plays while also working with my teammates to set up goals. I can use my speed to get to the net or set up passes and I always try to help my team in every part of the game, offense or defense. READ MORE<<<
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Offensive Superstar Hudson Schlie Overcomes Obstacles To Record-Setting Career
Benet Academy Star Endured Hip Injury, Now One of the Top Forwards
By: Ross Forman
Hudson Schlie, a four-year varsity center at Benet Academy and one of the best forwards in the state this season, knows quite a bit about perseverance, especially in his drive to be the top scorer in school history.
Earlier this season, for instance, Schlie scored in overtime against Saint Ignatius – while battling a 101-degree fever.
Then, in an October 2022 game against Fenwick, Schlie was going to get a puck and was taken down awkwardly. He went feet-first into the boards. “My whole lower body kind of just jammed and I ended up being pretty sore for days and noticed a little swelling at the top of my leg and my hip area, but I didn’t say anything about it because it was just a little bump and I could (still) skate,” Schlie said.
By December 2022, the pain in his left leg continued to get worse, to the point where he was hobbling around on the ice and couldn’t change directions well. After a holiday tournament, he told his dad, Andrew, that something was not right and that the pain had been around for a while, so he wanted to get it looked at.
In early January 2023, Schlie had an x-ray done and doctors reported it was just swelling.
READ MORE<<<
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After 13 Seasons, Brothers Jack & Nick Swiontek End Their Skate As Teammates
By: Ross Forman
They long played street hockey in an alley near their home. Nick Swiontek would rip shots at his twin brother, Jack, often at head-level with an old plastic ball and Jack wore a street hockey goalie set that protected, oh, about 15 percent of his body, if that.
Competition has driven their brotherly love. “We have always competed on the ice and it has made me a better player all-around,” Jack said. “I help him compete, giving him constructive criticism to improve his game and help our team.”
Nick and Jack Swiontek are Leyden teammates – Jack is the goalie; Nick is a forward. The Eagles are 9-8-2 in the Varsity Gold League of the IHSHL North-Central Division, a co-op of players from Leyden, Ridgewood, Elmwood Park, Niles North and Niles West High Schools.
Nick and Jack have been teammates for 13 seasons. READ MORE<<<
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ILLINOIS HOCKEY HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES | |
Coaches Category
Anthony Noreen
Anthony was born in Chicago, IL and attended St Francis Borgia grade school. Anthony started skating at the age of 3 and played on his first hockey team at Franklin Park Ice Arena. His dad Rich taught him to skate while coaching him up until high school. His Mom Toni frequented the local rinks as his older brother Rich played hockey and older sister Gina was a figure skater. Anthony played his youth hockey with the Flames at Centre Ice of Dupage.
Anthony attended Fenwick high school where his brother also played, and dad coached for
several years. He played for Fenwick, the Flames, and Team Illinois during his high school years winning 3 state championships and losing in the national championship game with the Flames his junior year. He was also team captain for both Fenwick and the Flames. After high school Anthony played junior hockey for the Springfield Junior Blues where he was reunited with Nick Pollos,his former Flames coach and served as team captain. He played collegiate hockey at University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point where he was team captain for 3 seasons and won 4 Distinguished Player Awards for player that best represents the organization on and off the ice. READ MORE<<<
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Builders Category
Bob Wagner
Born and raised in Illinois, has been a lifelong advocate for youth sports and community development. Growing up, Bob’s passion for hockey began on the outdoor rinks of Franklin Park at the age of 5. He continued to nurture that love of the game throughout his youth by playing for Franklin Park and Des Plaines Youth Hockey, Maine West High School Hockey, and Triton College before moving on to the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Throughout his professional career, Bob worked in sales, a field that provided him the flexibility
to dedicate much of his time to coaching and community service. His coaching journey began
in 1994 when he became involved with the Glenview Youth Hockey Program coaching his son’s Dynamite teams. At the same time, he was coaching Bills Youth Football, where he also served as President. Bob continued to give back to the next generation of athletes by coaching hockey, football, and baseball. These roles ignited a long commitment to youth sports, primarily hockey, where his passion lies.
When his sons, Christopher and Patrick, attended High School in 2002, Bob took on a
leadership/coaching role with the Buffalo Grove High School Combined Hockey Program. READ MORE<<<
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The Central States Developmental Hockey League is expanding the Prospects division for the 2025/26 season. The expansion will include bringing back the Squirt age group, adding Girls Prospects divisions, and adding multiple divisions within Prospects. This expansion comes after discussion, feedback and overwhelming support from our CSDHL member clubs. As a league we are committed to the continued collaboration within our member clubs to provide their hockey players the opportunity to play in the CSDHL league. More information about this expansion can be found on our website csdhl.org.
CSDHL playoffs begin on February 6th, hosted by the Darien Sportsplex, Canlan West Dundee and Canlan Romeoville. Schedules will be posted at the conclusion of the regular season. Good luck to all teams.
The CSDHL All-Star game will be held on March 16th at the Fox Valley Ice Arena for the Bantam Major, U15, U16 and U18 levels. All-Star rosters will be announced soon to our website and social media, so stay tuned!
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REGISTER HERE for the JOG ATHLETICS ACHA CHICAGO PROSPECT SHOWCASE
Presented by BODY ARMOR
Once again, the Chicago Blackhawks Amateur Hocley Department is hosting the JOG Athletics ACHA Chicago Prospect Showcase presented by Body Armor. This event is taking place May 2-4, 2025, at Fifth Third Arena in Chicago. The Showcase calls for boys players (age 16-21) and girls players (age 14-19) to participate in four games and have the opportunity to network with scouts from roughly 70 different college or university ACHA programs! Event registration and more info can be found through the Fifth Third Arena website linked HERE.
All Showcase questions can be directed to Andy Pape at apape@blackhawks.com or 847-840-3706.
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