No More Toe Picks for Gemma Flaming, Just Slapshots

By: Ross Forman

Gemma Flaming started figure skating at age 4 and soon thereafter was competing. Figure skating quickly became the biggest part of her life, particularly because she was good.

She competed all over the U.S., won a regional championship and placed top ten at nationals.

“However, the better I got, the less I loved it,” Flaming said. “Figure skating is a sport that puts so much pressure on you in every aspect of your life; you must look a certain way, act a certain way, dress a certain way, etc. It’s also an individual sport, so if you don’t do well at a competition, it’s 100 percent on you. All these things made me want to leave the sport, but I was afraid (to quit) because, I thought, it was the only thing at which I was really good.”

Then she happened to read a newspaper story about the co-op Burlington West Grizzlies, founded in 2021 for female players attending high schools in west suburban Chicago.

“I didn’t even know that girls could play hockey,” Flaming said. “I was intrigued; hockey was something new that I could do that wouldn’t throw away all that I had dedicated my life to up until that point. It seemed like the perfect solution. So, I reached out to the team.”

At her first-ever hockey practice, she quickly learned a hockey fact that, well, hits every team, every level, every rink, etc.: “I remember thinking how gross the gear was,” she said.

READ MORE>>>

Team Illinois Defenseman Caleb Hoffman Overcomes Obstacles to Star On The Ice

By: Ross Forman

Caleb Hoffman had a wide range of emotions skating this past April in the annual Jeff Sauer International Deaf Hockey Series, a four-day event, April 11-14 in Amherst, N.Y., showcasing the top deaf/hard of hearing hockey players in the world.

Hosted by the American Hearing-Impaired Hockey Association and the Stan Mikita Hockey School for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, the men’s tournament featured the U.S., Canada, Czechia and Finland. The women’s series had the U.S. and Canada.

Hoffman, then 16 (now 17), who lives in Belvidere, was playing in the event for the first time as you must be 16 to play. The left-handed shooting defenseman scored the game-winning goal in the 6-3 semifinal victory for the U.S. over Finland – a goal that ranks as his career highlight.

The next day, the U.S. fell to Canada, 6-5, in the gold-medal game.

“My goal is, to play NHL, like (it is for) every other kid,” Hoffman said. “If I can’t be a player, I (want) to help other hockey players (as) an orthopedic surgeon, trainer or coach.”

Hockey is Hoffman’s love, his passion – not an obstacle, as he has moderate hearing loss that has remained the same since birth. He was born with sensory-neuron bilateral hearing loss that often is detected on the hospital new-born screen but was missed and Hoffman was diagnosed at 11 months and was aided when he was 1.

“I think (the hearing loss) has affected some of the opportunities (on the ice). Not every coach is willing or able to put in the extra effort to make sure I heard or understood their instruction. I do not fault them; I just need a little extra support,” Hoffman said. “I have to rely on my vision and can’t hear people skating behind me and can’t always hear coaches and players during play.” READ MORE>>>

Former Lake Forest Defenseman Landon Milz Now Designing NASCAR Paint Schemes

By Ross Forman

Landon Milz missed the home opener for the Lake Forest Scouts a year ago, his senior season, as the defenseman was celebrating and working toward his future.

A fan contest from DriveSmart featured a paint scheme competition and the person with the most votes was flown to the Texas Motor Speedway. The design Milz made for the contest won and was wrapped in vinyl and put onto a NASCAR for a race on national TV.

“The grand prize was getting to see your design on a racecar in-person,” Milz said. “I was shocked, excited and optimistic to what the future has in store for me,” after winning the contest.

Milz, 19, who lives in Lake Forest is now attending school at Iowa State University, has stayed involved in NASCAR.

“Once I made one connection (with NASCAR), it led to another and I quickly was able to create my own network and grow myself into making my own business and working with major companies and clients,” said Milz, who has traveled this year to select NASCAR events, working hands-on at the track to capture content and grow his brand with his clients. READ MORE>>>

Saint Viator Preps For SHL Grind, State Championship Goal With International Competition

Lions Join New 6-Team Great Lakes Prep Hockey League (GLPHL)

By Ross Forman

During a weekend showcase in Cleveland last January, Saint Viator played Academie Ste. Cecil of Windsor, Ontario, where Lions head coach Tim Benz talked hockey with his counterpart from the Canadian school, Robb Serviss.

“He informed that they play in the very competitive Midwest Prep Hockey League but are looking to join another league for more meaningful league games and overall structure,” said Benz, aware of the MPHL from his stint on the Loyola Gold bench. “I told him we would be very interested in that as well.” READ MORE>>>

Important Information from IHOA

As we prepare for the new season, I want to remind everyone that there have been significant changes to the USA Hockey registration and certification process this year. Please take note of the following important dates and updates:

Upcoming Important Dates

• October 31st (Halloween), last day to register with USA Hockey.
• November 30th, 2023-24 USA Hockey certification & IHOA membership expires.
• December 31st, 2024-25 USA Hockey certification requirements must be complete.

Updated USA Hockey Registration Process

• Officials can attend ANY USA Hockey seminar nationally at their registered level.
• No USA Hockey video modules this season.
• No open book tests this season.

IHOA 2024-25 Membership Registration

You can complete your IHOA membership registration for the 2024-25 season here by entering your USA Hockey information and paying your annual dues. Please note, if registration is not completed by November 30, 2024, you may lose access to the assignment site.

Ask the Official

By Dave Zednik

QUESTION: Can a player be added to the scoresheet after the game is started under which condition?

ANSWER: There are less than twenty players and less than eighteen skaters on the scoresheet, and the team is assessed a bench minor penalty. Referencing Rule 203 (a).

QUESTION: A coach is assessed a bench minor penalty, who serves the penalty?

ANSWER: Any non-penalized player who was on the ice at the time of the penalty, except the goaltender. Referencing Rule 402(a).

Try Hockey For Free with the Blackhawks - October 12-13, 2024

Join the Blackhawks as we kick off the NHL season with "Try Hockey For Free" events at 27 partner rinks across Illinois and neighboring areas! This initiative aims to introduce kids to the excitement of hockey by lowering the barriers to entry and sparking a lifelong love for the game.

Participants will have the opportunity to experience the joy of hockey in a fun and welcoming environment, with guidance from experienced coaches. Each location will provide information about programs available for those eager to continue their hockey journey. Plus, registrants will receive a jersey, t-shirt, hockey stick, and a ticket to a Blackhawks game for the upcoming 2024-25 season—at no additional cost!

Find a rink near you and register today!