Volume 13 Issue 9 | September 2025

Congrats to all on the start of the new season. I always felt excited this time of the year. New faces new coaches and an opportunity to start fresh, improve your game and make new friends. 

Hopefully you will have a great year. Remember players and parents, you are creating memories that will last a life time. Who knows you may even wind up with a championship trophy.

Enjoy!

Kevin Bolger

President

AHAI Announces Upcoming IT System; Officiating Assignments Transition to HorizonWebRef Already Underway

The Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) is excited to announce the upcoming launch of a new, comprehensive IT system designed to modernize operations and better serve the hockey community across the state. This new system—set to roll out soon—will include a robust backend platform for organizations, a fully integrated email system, and an updated website. These tools are being designed to improve communication, streamline operations, and provide a stronger digital foundation for the future of Illinois hockey.

While the AHAI system prepares for its official launch, the officiating component of this initiative has already gone live. This season, Mid-Coast Hockey Officials (MCHO) became the new officiating assignment entity within Illinois, following AHAI’s decision to exit the assignment business. MCHO was formed to bring all area assignors together on a single platform, creating efficiencies for officials, clubs, and the broader hockey community.

As part of this transition, MCHO is implementing an immediate platform change. Although ZebraWeb was originally selected, repeated delays in critical upgrades prevented it from meeting the needs of officials, league administrators, and assignors. Effective immediately, all officiating assignments will be managed through HorizonWebRef. The transfer of data is currently underway, and new user information will be communicated in the coming week. HorizonWebRef provides streamlined access for officials and enhanced scheduling tools for clubs, ensuring a more reliable and user-friendly experience this season.

For clubs scheduling non-league games, requests and changes should be directed to assignor@mchofficials.com. Business and billing inquiries may be sent to Craig@mchofficials.com, and operational feedback can be directed to brett@mchofficials.com. 

The launch of AHAI’s new IT system—coming soon—combined with the already-live officiating solution, represents a major step forward in strengthening communication, improving operations, and supporting hockey development across Illinois. For questions about the AHAI system, contact Jana Krausfeldt, AHAI's Communications Manager, at communications@ahai.org.

Welcome, Hockey Community, to the 2025-26 season!

With the season underway, this is the perfect time to go through some reminders to help keep our athletes safe.

How many potential injuries can you predict in the following scenario?

Youth High School game – on the bench - 4 coaches, 2 injured players with no helmets, 2 photographers. In the penalty box - goalie and 2 non-penalized players watching the game.

Reminders:

• Players MUST always have helmets while on the bench...this includes the goalie(s).
• No one other than those on the USA Hockey/AHAI approved roster should ever be on the bench except for an injury where an Athletic Trainer or other Medical Professional is attending to the immediate care of a player. The player should be removed from the bench and assisted to the locker room as quickly as possible and dependent on the injury.
• No players are to be in the penalty box unless they are serving time for a penalty.
• The scorebox and penalty box areas are to be covered by adults only and only for the purpose of scorekeeping or operating the penalty box doors.
• Neck laceration protectors are mandatory. Please be sure players are fully equipped with properly sized equipment head to toe.
• Reporting of concussions or possible concussions are mandatory per USA Hockey. https://www.usahockey.com/playersafety
• Review the ‘Player Safety’ pages on the AHAI website for additional information on injury reporting, cardiac arrest response, etc. There is a player safety guide PDF. https://www.ahai.org/page/show/255821-safety-and-protection
• If something looks off with a player, it probably is.
• Be aware at all times……this is a youth sport at high speeds and intensity. Let’s all do our part to give our athletes (boys & girls) a safe, fun, and developing environment to grow.
• Become CPR/AED Certified.

Thank you & good luck to all this season!

Anita Lichterman

AHAI Player Safety Coordinator

playersafety@ahai.org

847.414.5737

The CSDHL season is officially underway! Major and Minor teams have started regular season play, and the Prospects teams have begun their declaration rounds. We are looking forward to the season taking shape with all our new Clubs and teams.  

A few housekeeping reminders:

• Home Teams must supply warm up pucks for the visiting team!
• Coaches, for your own safety, please do not participate in the handshake line following the game
• Please do not forget to upload your home games on Gamesheet at the conclusion of the games
• If you need to change a game time, date, or location, please email csdhlvp@gmail.com and INCLUDE THE GAME NUMBER from GameSheet so that we can locate the game easily

Each week, CSDHL will feature a "Game of the Week" with live streaming courtesy of Stream Sports Midwest. You can find the link to all games on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StreamSportsMidwest--CSDHL. See our website for the schedules as well as scores and standings for all levels csdhl.org

Give us a follow on Facebook and Instagram and tag us in your social media posts!

IceHogs Present Grant to Rockford Hockey Club

The IceHogs Community Fund was proud to present a $20,000 grant to Rockford Hockey Club for continuing efforts to grow the game of hockey in the Rockford region. The grant will specifically help reduce season fees for 8U players with the goal of increasing participation at all levels, plus continue to fund outreach and subsidize fees for an all girls program at RHC. This brings the total donated by the IceHogs Community Fund to RHC to over $58,000 over the last four years. 

Windy City Storm Forward Matthew Vaccaro, A Leader On & Off The Ice

By: Ross Forman

In the second home game of his first-ever season skating for the Windy City Storm, Matthew Vaccaro scored on the penalty kill, leading to a come-from-behind victory – one of his lasting memories from his Tier 1 journey.

Jump ahead to the last game of the 2024-25 season, a loss in the state tournament. Still, “it will stick with me because of all the emotions I had knowing it would be the last game playing with most of those guys,” he said.

Hockey often scores lifelong memories. READ MORE<<<

Junior Center Violet Fortino Brings ‘One Of The Hardest Shots’ To The Chicago Hawks

By: Ross Forman

Violet Fortino was playing in a state tournament game against the Leafs and her team was losing, 3-1. The right-handed shooting center took the puck into the attacking zone and, just past the blue line, shot it between the defenseman’s legs and scored top left corner on the goalie.

“This goal changed the momentum of the game and we ended up coming back and winning,” she said.

Fortino, 16, who lives in LaGrange, is a junior at Lyons Township High School. She plays this season for the Chicago Hawks and the co-op Grizzlies in Metro Girls.

Her career has included time skating for the Grizzlies, Hawks and Chicago Bruins. She played in the 2025 AHAI All-State Game and a NIHL championship game at the United Center. READ MORE<<<

Defenseman Jackson Jasper Is Dedicated, Driven On, Off The Ice

By: Ross Forman

Jackson Jasper has not forgotten a tournament his squirt Timberwolves played in in Nashville, Tennessee. He scored the game-winning goal in sudden-death overtime and the tally was featured on the local news.

Even years later, Jasper remembers that career highlight.

“I play with a lot of hockey IQ which elevates my game,” said Jasper, now 17, a senior at Barrington High School who lives in Inverness.

A left-handed shooting defenseman in uniform No. 2, Jackson is playing his final season for the U18 Timberwolves and Barrington High School. READ MORE<<<

Blackhawks amateur hockey is excited to offer the Little Blackhawks LTP program at several rinks this fall season! Little Blackhawks provides first time participants, between 4-9 years of age, head-to-toe equipment, age-appropriate instruction, and certified coaching at your local rink! It is highly recommended a Learn to Skate program is completed before enrolling in Little Blackhawks, and if you have previously participated in Little Blackhawks or if you already play on a team, you cannot enroll for this program.

The Little Blackhawks program includes 6-8 weeks of lessons at your local ice rink and a full set of hockey equipment! Weekly sessions are run by ice rink staff and local coaches. Registration is currently live at select rinks! CLICK HERE for more information on Little Blackhawks and for a list of current location offerings. 

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