AHAI's May Newsletter

Volume 10 Issue 5 | May 2022

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

As the 21-22 season is winding down, we must begin to plan for and launch the 22-23 season. This is only accomplished with your help and the help of your affiliates.

People always ask, how do I get involved? First of all, get involved at the local level. Coach, manage a team, be a score keeper and get on your local board as a board member or volunteer. Volunteer for one of AHAI’s many committees. Check out our annual guide book. Most of the committee members are not board members. We are always looking for help.

AHAI is comprised of 15 board members who serve for staggered 3 year terms. Most are originally appointed to the board from the AHAI Committees or from their service on their local boards. This allows them to better understand and adapt to the work expected as an AHAI board member.

Occasionally people run in opposition to board members and displace them. This year 5 people are opposing the incumbents. Many of the incumbents chair significant committees. Their services are almost impossible to replace without years of training. I hope the presidents of your clubs appreciate this when they vote at the annual meeting.

I strongly recommend that you get involved at some level, hopefully at the local and state levels. We need your help and welcome it. The work is hard, there is no pay, but the satisfaction of growing this wonderful game is priceless.

See you at the rinks.

Kevin Bolger

President

AHAI ANNUAL MEETING & LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE

Attention Affiliate Club and League Leadership: 2022 AHAI Annual Meeting Reminder

The 2022 Annual Meeting of the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois, Inc. (AHAI) will take place on Saturday, June 4, 2022 at 8:30 a.m. The event will be held at the The Westin Chicago Northwest, 400 Park Blvd., Itasca, IL 60143. A registration link will be sent out within the next few days. We ask that all those planning to attend register ahead of time. Club Leadership, Hockey Directors/Coaches, and League Leadership are all welcomed to attend. Further information regarding the Annual Meeting schedule will be distributed to Affiliate and League Presidents. The schedule for the day is to the right, we look forward to seeing everyone as we get back in-person once again. It is important that all attend as we have 9 candidates for board positions and we need a quorum for voting.

IHOA ANNUAL MEETING

The IHOA board of directors annual membership meeting took place on Monday, May 9^th. Every year five (5) of fifteen (15) Board of Director positions are up for election. IHOA incumbents, Dave Zednik, Sam Celbuski, and Eric Cowsill choose not to re-run. This year, there were 6 candidates for the 5 annual IHOA Board positions. New IHOA Board members are Scott Gaffney, Dan Zaloudek, and Todd Permut. Anthony Fiorito and John Dunne remain in their past positions on the board as voted by the IHOA membership.

Thank you to all the past board members, current board members, and the new board members.

The IHOA election results were in no particular order:

Todd Permut
Scott Gaffney
Anthony Fiorito
Dan Zaloudek
John Dunne

Jeff Pachocha was not elected to this term but his dedication and enthusiasm to dedicate his time is appreciated.

The IHOA Executive Board of Directors are as follows:

Brad Baumruck- Referee in Chief
Steven Rickard- IHOA President
Carl Sassolino- IHOA Vice president
Geoff Schlender- Treasurer
Erika Greenen- Secretary

Committee Chairs are as follows:

Joe Guzzardi- Rules and Ethics
Brian Fisher- Seminars
Anthony Fiorito- Registrar
Brett Straley- PED

IHOA awarded 4 scholarships this year as well, the scholarships are awarded on officiating status, student status, and recommendations. Congratulations to the following:

Marissa Lyons
Luke Ballentyne
Alexander Eilert
Matthew Ligeski

We all hope they do well in their goals of knowledge in the future in officiating and in their academic growth.

IHOA also awarded a presidential award for an official going above and beyond the duties of officiating. We had an official during a game give CPR to a fan incapacitated and still complete his assignments. Steven Rickard has graciously awarded the first presidential award to Mr. Todd Permut.

USAH registration opens June 1. IHOA plans on being open by July 1 and seminars will start in August. Please watch IHOA.COM for updates. The entire board thanks you all for what you do, and we hope your summer is relaxing. We all look forward to seeing you around the rinks soon. If anyone has questions, please contact ADP@IHOA.COM

All the best to you and your families,

Brad Baumruck Steven Rickard

Referee in Chief IHOA President

TIER II SUBSTITUTE CHOICE INFORMATION

Tier II Substitute Choice Application Process for 2022-23 Season

The Tier II substitute choice application process, 10U through 16U/18U will begin on July 15, 2022. All applications will be submitted online. The Tier II Committee will have (3) three in-person appeal hearings for those denied a substitute choice. Questions? Please email Gregg Chudacoff, AHAI Tier II Chairman, at gregg.chudacoff@ahai2.org.

GIRLS TIER II TRYOUT INFORMATION

2022-2023 HOCKEY SEASON

GIRLS TIER II NATIONAL BOUND AGE LEVELS

BE IN THE KNOW BEFORE YOU GO TO TRYOUTS

A reference tool for Parents, Players, Coaches, and Tier II Girls Organizations

This article is a quick guide for the Tier II Girls Community.

The article has been designed to give you a look into the new early tryouts for the National Bound age levels (14u, 16u, 19u).

TRYOUTS WILL BE JUNE 15 – 22, 2022

Know the rules:

AHAI Rules & Regulations -- Article 17 is the location that specifically talks about Girls Hockey in Illinois.

The rules to familiarize yourself with are:

⇒ 17.8 – Intent of Girls Tier II Hockey

⇒ 17.9 – Affiliate Organization Playing Restriction

⇒ 17.10 – Girls Tier II Playing Season

⇒ 17.11 – Girls Tier II Early Tryouts

⇒ 17.15 – Coach(es) Movement

⇒ 17.16 – Player Movement

⇒ 17.17 – Girls’ Two Choice

⇒ 17.19 – Choice Substitution

AHAI Rules & Regulations

Too often we have heard parents say they didn’t know. The Article 17 Sections above will give you the knowledge needed to help your player make the best decision for herself.

Key points to keep in mind:

All Girls’ Organizations must notify the AHAI Girls’ Chair of their intent to hold early tryouts for the National Bound age levels
All Girls’ Organizations will only be allowed to select 1 team at each National Age Bound Level during the early tryouts June 15-22, 2022 (A Girls’ Organization may have a potential for an additional team at a specific age level. For the potential 2nd team, Tryouts may NOT be held NOR may spots be ‘reserved’ for players until the regular tryout period beginning August 15th)
All Girls Tier II Organizations must adhere to the Coach(es) Movement & Player Movement rules
All players must adhere to the Two-Choice rule & follow the appropriate guidelines to request a Choice Substitution if applicable
The application link to apply for a Choice Substitution will open on May 22, 2022 & will be located on the home page of the AHAI website. This is only applicable for the National Bound Age Levels (14u, 16u, 19u). 10u, & 12u aged players seeking to apply for a choice substitution must wait until the normal application opening date of July 15^th
Players who make a team during the early tryouts will be required to sign a player card & are then locked onto said team for the upcoming season

Here is the list of AHAI Affiliate Girls’ Organizations that will be holding tryouts & for which level:

Bruins 16U & 19U

Evanston 14U & 16U

Franklin Park 14U

Glenview 14U, 16U & 19U

Hawks 14U, 16U & 19U

Hoffman 14U

Leafs 14U

Sabres 14U, 16U & 19U

St. Jude 14U, 16U & 19U

Warhawks 14U, 16U & 19U

Good luck to ALL GIRLS!!

HAVE A FUN & SAFE SUMMER!

Anita Lichterman AHAI Girls Director 847.414.5737

girls@ahai2.org

AMERICA'S SHOWCASE RECAP

2022 America's Showcase - Illinois' Championship Teams

By Ross Forman

Illinois had its best showing ever in the prestigious America’s Showcase St. Louis, a national high school tournament that was founded – in Chicago – in 1985 to provide the nation’s premier high school players an opportunity to be scouted by high-level programs, including prep schools, juniors, colleges, and more.

Illinois captured first-place in both the boys’ and girls’ events, the first time that representatives of AHAI have both won the multi-day event.

In fact, it was the first-ever title for an Illinois girls’ team in the tournament.

READ MORE<<<

Boy's Champions

Illinois Team Black

Girl's Champions

Illinois Team Black

AHAI ANNUAL AWARD WINNERS

Amateur Hockey Association Illinois, Inc. Annual Awards

AHAI Lifetime Achievement Award

Tom Gullen

Steve Glickman

AHAI Service Award

(service above and beyond benefiting the AHAI Membership)

Michelle Lichterman

Rob Klein

AHAI New Leader Award

(a volunteer who is leading by example at the Affiliate club level.)

Tim Kinsman - Vipers Hockey Club

AHAI Volunteer of the Year Award

(service above and beyond benefiting the AHAI Membership or Affiliate)

Caroline Jagadeesh - Current Registrar for Falcons Hockey Association, GLASA Falcons Sled & Reapers Hockey Association

AHAI Girls Program Award

Chicago Hawks Girls

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT

The following players have been selected to participate in the 2022 National Player Development Camp in Amherst New York.

2005

Jiri Duda

Elliott Gulley

Jacob Jastrzebski

Declan Burns

Zachery Sharp

2006

Charles Arend

Eero Butella

John Delaney

Joseph Hyten

Evan Leden

Ryker Lee

Jake Merens

Justin Bartley

Connor Bewick

Jacob Ingstrup

Michael Phelan

2007

Bjorn Bronas

Ethan Baker

Jacob Borzecki

Jacob Eilers

Jacob Hutchen

Nicholas Knutson

Cameron McKinney Cameron Aucion

Asher Barnett

Andrew Horn

ILLINOIS HOCKEY HEADLINES

Max Roth: The Road to Hockey

By Jana Krausfeldt

If you’re lucky the road in your hockey career will be long. There will most certainly be ups and downs and bumps along the way, but if you are lucky, hardworking, or maybe a little of both, you will have the opportunity to keep playing. Max Roth has been lucky.

As a kid growing up in Wilmette, Max’s hockey career began as a Mite playing for the Wilmette Braves. He started in their house league program and through time moved up to their travel program. He played with the Braves throughout his youth until he started high school.

Max was lucky enough to attend New Trier, a high school known not only for its strong academics, but also for its successful sports teams – hockey being one of them. Max joined the New Trier hockey team and continued to grow his game. During his junior year Max broke his collarbone and wasn’t able to play much. It was a bump in the road, but during that time he got a call from the coach at the Wenatchee Wolves, a NAPHL Tier 1 team in Washington. When the opportunity to play for the Wolves presented itself, Max continued down the hockey road and headed to Washington, enrolled in a new high school, and joined the Wolves team. Playing two seasons with the Wolves led to Max moving on to play junior hockey in the EHL for the Vermont Lumberjacks. After two years of continuing to work hard with the Lumberjacks, Max committed to playing Division III hockey at Worcester State University in Worcester, MA.

Max has come a long since his days at Wilmette, but those early years are where his love for the game started and grew. Max just completed his senior year at Worcester State, but he will play a graduate year due to missing a season during the pandemic. He had a great season and was named to the MASCAC All Conference team, earning one of two defenseman spots on the First Team, which was voted on by coaches from across the conference. He was also named MVP of his team and was the top scoring defenseman. While he has had many successes on the ice, what is equally impressive are his accomplishments outside of the rink. Max was awarded the Margaret “Peg” Nugent Scholar Athlete award, given for outstanding performance by a senior student-athlete in the classroom as well as in athletic competition. Max maintained a 4.0 GPA and was an active Student Mentor for athletes on campus and an active volunteer for the Special Olympics. Max has had a lot of support through the years, but his current coach at Worcester, Bob Deraney, has made a huge impact on Max as a person and a player, which is why Max chose to return for his fifth season at Worcester.

And still the road continues. Max will skate with Team USA this summer in the 2022 Maccabi Games. Lucky? Many would say yes, but anyone who has played hockey knows how much hard work it takes to continue to improve your game and compete at a high level. The saying goes, “the harder you work, the luckier you get” for good reason. Hopefully the road leads Max back home someday, Illinois hockey would be lucky to have him.

ADULT STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Men's & Women's 2022 AHAI Adult State Championship Tournament

By Robert Fiorio, Adult State Tournament Director

The AHAI Adult State Championship Tournament returned in 2022 after being cancelled since 2020 due to the pandemic. Although we had a few less teams, we had very competitive Divisions! Teams were from many different Leagues including Canlan South, Mt Prospect, Orbit, Addison, Seven Bridges and others! All action was at the host rink The Edge in Bensenville.

In the B Division, Bar Down Benders earned a berth in the Championship Game as the number 1 seed, while Wags and Matthews Roofing Americans went to OT in the Semi-Final with the Americans winning and earning the other Championship Game berth. Wags took home a 3rd Place Finish. The Championship Game was close for 2 periods until Bar Down Benders took over in the 3rd for a 6-1 win and B Division Championship while Matthews Roofing Americans earned Runner Up.

In the C3 Division Top Shelf White earned 1st and won their Semi-Final over the Chicago Tops in a hard-fought match 7-5. In the 2nd vs 3rd Place Semi-Final the Cobras and Shooters had a very competitive game with Cobra getting a late goal for a 4-3 win. So in the Championship Game it was Top Shelf White vs Cobra and it was a wild match! It was 3-2 Cobra late in the 3rd then they scored again with just a couple minutes left to clinch another C3 Championship for Cobra.

We want to thank the Team Captains, players, fans, AHAI, USA Hockey, Labatt/North American Breweries, Jim Smith and Allegra Marketing Print Services, The Edge Ice Arena - Manager Todd Finner and Staff, Buena Vista Lounge Manager Jeannie and Owner Mr. Ray Samlow, the AHAI Adult Committee and AHAI Adult State Tournament Staff, IHOA, our scorekeepers Dan Roney and Jean Fisher and especially AHAI Registrar Laura Johnson for all her time and hard work registering and certifying all the team rosters! Thank you all very, very much!

We had a very fun and exciting 2022 AHAI State Championship Tournament and hope to gain more teams for 2023!

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS SUMMER CAMPS

Introducing Blackhawks Tournaments! Beginning this summer, the Chicago Blackhawks are providing incredible opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate in a fun and competitive environment on the ice, while sharing one-of-a-kind experiences off of it! Each tournament will provide unique opportunities for an NHL-like experience for all participants and their families. From check-in all the way through award presentations, our tournaments are run efficiently, professionally and fairly.

JUNE 10-12

SHOWTIME SUMMER

CLASSIC

Blackhawks Tournaments presents the Showtime Summer Classic! Running from June 10-12, 2022, the Showtime Summer Classic will feature 12U Girls AA-level teams (3 team spots remaining!) -- at Fifth Third Arena, the official practice facility of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chicago Blackhawks Summer Camps are back for 2022! Camps will be held at the Chicago Blackhawks practice facility, Fifth Third Arena, and Mt. Prospect Ice Arena. All of our camps will feature experienced and highly skilled coaches, including Blackhawks alumni, to help your child learn from the very best in the business.

Dates and Locations:

July 11-15 at Mt. Prospect Ice Arena

July 18-22 at Fifth Third Arena

July 25-29 at Fifth Third Arena

August 8-12 at Mt. Prospect Ice Arena

We can’t wait to see you there, click below to learn more and register today!

JUNE 24-26

BREAKING BARRIERS TOURNAMENT

Blackhawks Tournaments presents the Breaking Barriers Tournament! Running from June 24-26, 2022, the Breaking Barriers Tournament has two team slots remaining! Beginner - level 4/5, and Intermediate/Advanced – levels 8+ -- at Fifth Third Arena, the official practice facility of the Chicago Blackhawks.

GOLDEN COYNES

This is a five-week development program designed for female hockey players, as a next step to a learn to play program, designed for ages 6-12. This program is focused on the basic elements of skating and game play.

Dates and Locations:

Tuesdays, May 31 - June 28

at Fifth Third Arena

Mondays, June 13 - July 18

at Oakton Ice Arena

ILLINOIS HOCKEY HALL OF FAME BIO SERIES

Jon Grzbek, Coach's Category

From Downers Grove Illinois, Jon grew up among some great hockey families. Currently, residing in DG with wife Karen, sons AJ (20), Ryan (17), and dog Bauer. Jon is a North American Sales Director for Follett School Solutions. Jon grew up as Huskie playing in the ‘Old Barn’ on Walnut Ave. He graduated from Marist High School, competing for the Chicago Catholic Hockey League’s John F. Kennedy Cup in 1990.

Jon was named to the All-Academic Team senior year and All-State honors junior and senior years. After a short stint in Jr Hockey, Jon decided to play for DePaul University ACHA team, competing for a national championship. He graduated from the Driehaus Business School in 1994.