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Volume 3 Issue 19
January 20, 2016
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BLIND HOCKEY MAKES ITS DEBUT IN ILLINOIS!
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Blind Hockey is the same exhilarating, fast-paced game that gets spectators out of their seats with only one main difference - all of the players are legally blind! The sport features an adapted puck that makes noise, and is both bigger and slower than a traditional puck. Players' levels of vision range from legally blind - approximately 10% vision or less - to totally blind, with the lowest vision athletes playing defense or goal.
"We are very proud that Illinois was first to host a Blind Try Hockey For Free Event (on November 14, 2015)," said Amy LaPoe, Central District's Disabled Hockey Representative. "Eighteen players for our first ever Blind Hockey event in Chicago is a tremendous success."
JJ O'Connor, USA Hockey's Disabled Section Chairperson agrees, "It's wonderful to see the success in Chicago. USA Hockey is working with people around the country to develop our Blind Hockey discipline. We have many disabled disciplines within USA Hockey. Our motto is - no matter what your disability is, if you want to play hockey, we will find a way to make it happen." READ MORE>>
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2016 PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PROCESS BEGINS THIS MONTH
All Tier I, Tier II, Prep and High School Varsity players within the 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 birth years are eligible by invitation only for the 2016 AHAI Player Development /Identification Tryout Camp held in Bensenville, Illinois, the weekend of April 8-10, 2016.
The process began last week with an online ranking of each of the age appropriate players.
AHAI has developed a web tool that allows ALL the Illinois Head Coaches, from each of the above divisions, to go online to rank ONLY those players they saw play during this season. The due date for these rankings to be completed is by early February. These Head Coaches will be ranking the "best" players 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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2016 AHAI COACH OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS BEING ACCEPTED
AHAI recognizes that Illinois Hockey is comprised not only of incredible players, but also of great Boys'/Girls' High School and Youth/Girls' Hockey Coaches that guide our teams both on and off the ice. Candidates for AHAI's Boys'/Girls' High School and Youth/Girls' Hockey Coach of the Year Awards should embody good sportsmanship and respect toward teams, parents and officials while providing a positive High School or Youth/Girls' Hockey experience. Candidates should also teach positive life skills while demonstrating dedication, passion and commitment to community. Deadline to nominate is Saturday, February 20, 2016.
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 BLACKHAWKS TV CAPTURES GIRLS CROSS-ICE EVENT
Chicago Blackhawks TV captured the fun and festive atmosphere at the United Center, as well as some great hockey at our recent Mid-Season Classic Girls Cross-Ice Tournament. Check out their great video; you will probably see someone you know!
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 2016 HOCKEY IS FOR EVERYONE PROGRAM
The Hockey Is For Everyone (HIFE) program is an AHAI supported vehicle providing young athletes from socio and economically diverse backgrounds the opportunity to use the sport of ice hockey to promote academic achievement, responsibility, respect, teamwork and good character. We provide 200+ young athletes per year the opportunity to learn to play this great sport. The Program provides each athlete with full equipment, ice time, USA Hockey registration and a premier volunteer coaching staff, at no charge to them or their families.
Registration (in person only) for the 2016 HIFE Program is Tuesday, February 9, 2016 at the Oak Lawn Park District Ice Arena. Please click
HERE
for complete program and registration information.
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2016 HIGH SCHOOL, YOUTH, GIRLS & ADULT STATE TOURNAMENT
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HIGH SCHOOL, YOUTH & GIRLS
STATE TOURNAMENT
Click State Tournament logo above to view important dates & information for all Divisions of the 2016 Illinois State Hockey Championships.
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ADULT STATE TOURNAMENT
AHAI is proud to present the 2016 Adult Illinois State Championship Tournament hosted by the AHAI Adult Committee and Seven Bridges Ice Arena. The Adult State Tournament will take place April 28 - May 1, 2016.
REGISTER TODAY>>
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COACHING & OFFICIATING INFORMATION
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ASK THE OFFICIAL
BY DAVE ZEDNIK
QUESTION: Can a goalie skate the puck past the center red line?
ANSWER: No, a goaltender cannot play the puck beyond the center line. Rule reference 407(c) - if a goalkeeper deliberately participates in the play in any manner when he is beyond the center red line, a minor penalty shall be assessed.
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GIRLS'/WOMEN'S COACHING SYMPOSIUM
Coaches, register today for the High Performance Workshop Girls'/Women's Coaching Symposium. This specialized clinic for coaching the female player ages 8U-19U will be held March 19-20, 2016 at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord, NH.
MORE INFORMATION>>
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IHHF BIO SERIES: BOB SALIBA - BUILDERS CATEGORY
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In 1970, Bob Saliba began his organized hockey career with the Deerfield Falcons at Trinity College's outdoor rink. Bob was part of the volunteer group responsible for installing the cover to the rink lending itself to the nickname, the "Bubble". The "Bubble" was a large factor in the expansion of hockey in the northern Chicago suburbs. In 1972, The Highland Park Leafs were formed and played out of Centennial Ice area. Bob played for the Leafs and assisted Wally Kormylo, Director of Hockey, in managing the clock, scoring games and helping children learn to skate.
READ MORE>>
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ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS
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RIVALS CLASH, YET GAME IS IN PERSPECTIVE
By Ross Forman ~ Shortly before the puck dropped on Saturday night, January 9, for the battle between bitter rivals New Trier Green and Loyola Gold, the starters for both teams stood on the blue lines, each player holding his helmet. The rest of the players from both teams stood on their respective benches. The three referees for the game were at center ice. The boisterous crowd at Heartland Ice Arena in Lincolnwood, filled with an abundance of Loyola students for their home game, went quiet.
Hockey crossed into real-life.
Loyola asked for a moment of silence in tribute to four young men who died in a canoe accident in Wisconsin in early January. Each had been a New Trier student for all or part of high school, and three of the four families directly impacted by this tragedy had direct hockey ties.
READ MORE>>
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2016 HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY ALL-STATE GAMES
For the past 26 years, AHAI has been conducting a High School All-State game for the boys and girls varsity divisions statewide. This year will mark the 27th year of this very special event. The 2016 Boys High School All-State game and the Girls High School All-State game will be played on Monday, February 8, 2016 at the Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville, Illinois. The Girls game will start at 6:40 p.m. and the Boys' game will begin at 8:35 p.m. We are also pleased to announce the inaugural
Terry Stasica MVP Award given to one player from the Boys' game and one player from the Girls' game.
Admission to the High School Hockey All-State Games is FREE. The players will be selected by the High School Varsity coaches throughout the State of Illinois. Mark your calendars now for you and your family to come watch the best play the best in both the girls and the boys divisions.
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METRO GIRLS LEAGUE NEWS
By Pam Flores ~ The second half of the season has kicked off with teams in the Scholastic Cup and Founders Cup battling for a top position to advance to the league playoffs that wrap up the Metro season. Click
HERE
for team and player stats. Additionally, Over the holidays the Fenwick Girls team held its annual alumni game and Christmas party, bringing back several years of former skaters and goaltenders that played both under the Fenwick banner and the Oak Park River Forest flag.
READ MORE>>
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IHSHL - ILLINI WEST DIVISION
By Brian Meek ~ The Illinois West High School Hockey League completed both the Junior Varsity and Varsity All Star games on Monday January 11th at the Canlan Ice Arena. Forty skaters and six goalies participated at each level. For each game a skater was selected by the opposing coaches as the MVP for that team. The league selected a 'Goalie of the Game' at each level. At the Junior Varsity level for the winning visitors team, Joshua Weisz of Glenbard won the MVP and for the home club, Zach Stobart of Waubonsie Valley was awarded MVP honors.
READ MORE>>
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IHSHL - HAYES-SUBURBAN DIVISION NEWS
By Ron Abels ~ On January 9th the Hayes-Suburban Division took a break from regular season action to host their annual All Star games at the Darien Sportsplex. Despite the challenging weather conditions that night both the Junior Varsity and Varsity games were well attended by family, friends, and teammates of the players. Teams were comprised of skaters that were chosen by the coaching staffs and board members from their clubs. The league selects the goaltenders that will play in the event. In addition the league chooses the coaches that were honored to work the benches.
READ MORE>>
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PLAYERS, LEADERS & CLUBS IN THE NEWS
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CYA 2003 PEEWEE ELITE TEAM
By
Stacy Babich ~ The Chicago Young Americans Hockey Club are very proud to announce that their 2003 Peewee AAA Elite team has been invited to participate in the 57th edition of Le Tournoi International de Hockey Pee-Wee de Québec (Peewee International Tournament). This prestigious event will be held in Québec City, Canada February 10th through the 21st. The tournament, frequently referred to as The "Q" is the equivalent to the "Peewee World Championships." The "Q" is attended annually by more than 2,250 competitors from 16 different countries.
READ MORE>>
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TI U4 BAKE SALE A HUGE SUCCESS!
By Shari Olshansky ~ CYA, Mission and Team Illinois players, parents and fans showed their support by purchasing more than $500 worth of baked goods!! In return they were treated to two great hockey games and the satisfaction of knowing they helped support THE leading girls' health and fitness organization in Chicago,
Girls in the Game. Team Illinois U14 Head Coach Courtney O'Connor has been involved with Girls in the Game for three years and takes great pride in helping to develop the confidence and leadership skills girls need to succeed on and off the field, or ice, as the case may be.
READ MORE>>
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CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS & INFORMATION
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BLACKHAWKS CAPTAINS SPOTLIGHT
The Captain Spotlight is a youth hockey initiative that features four local high school hockey captains per month. These captains are invited to a Blackhawks game and are interviewed on the defining characteristics of what makes a good leader. Please click on Captains' name below to watch their interview with Chicago Blackhawks' Jamal Mayers.
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BLACKHAWKS REFEREE SPOTLIGHT
The Youth Hockey Referee Spotlight highlights two amateur hockey referees from Illinois per month and gives them the opportunity to attend a Blackhawks game and meet the NHL refs prior to puck drop. The impact and contribution of youth referees in hockey is as important as the players, and this is a great opportunity to reward them for their contributions.
Featured in the third spotlight are Matt Coffey and Michael Seery. They attended the game vs. the Vancouver Canucks on December 13, 2015.
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BMO HARRIS BANK PLAYER, COACH & VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH
The Chicago Blackhawks and BMO Harris Bank are committed to honoring our hockey community by congratulating each month during the season, a Youth Hockey Player, Amateur Hockey Coach and a Hockey Volunteer. Click
HERE
for criteria and nomination form. Congratulations to Nicholas and Andrew Capuano (St. Jude Knights), Don Mrozik (Canlan Youth Hockey Program), and Jennifer Finkl (Chiefs Hockey Club).
(Left to right) Lucino Sotelo, Chief Marketing Officer at BMO, Nicholas and Andrew Capuano - Players of the Month, Don Mrozik - Coach of the Month, Jennifer Finkl - Volunteer of the Month, Spencer Montgomery, Blackhawks Youth Hockey Coordinator, Annie Camins, Blackhawks Youth Hockey Director
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SIGN UP TODAY FOR TOMMY'S CREW
Chicago hockey fans are invited to join Tommy's Crew. Tommy's Crewmembers will receive a monthly E-Newsletter, a birthday card from Tommy, a gift bag, have the chance to attend exclusive events and much more! Don't miss out on this all-access pass featuring Tommy Hawk and the Chicago Blackhawks!
SIGN UP TODAY>>
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Do you have an event you would like to share with the Illinois Hockey Community? Contact AHAI Communications Manager, Gretchen Cockey at [email protected] for more information. Check out the "EVENT" tab on ahaienews.com for a complete list of upcoming events.
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CHICAGO MISSION'S PINK IN THE RINK
Every year, the Chicago Mission girls' program, led by the 19U team, hosts a 'Pink In The Rink' fundraiser in order to increase awareness about cancer and raise money for the American Cancer Society. For more information about this great event, sponsorship opportunities or to make a donation, Click
HERE
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A NIGHT OF HEROES
Don't miss this great night of hockey at the Skokie Skatium Ice Arena on Saturday, January 23 at 7:30pm. The Nighthawks Alumni will take on the Blackhawks Warriors and the Nighthawks will take on the Hornets. Doors open at 7:00pm. Adults are $10, Students with ID are $5 and Military in Uniform are FREE.
MORE INFORMATION>>
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NIU HUSKIES AHAI YOUTH HOCKEY NIGHT
All AHAI youth hockey players in their jerseys get free admission to the NIU Huskies vs. University of Iowa Hawkeyes on Friday, January 22 at 7:30pm at the Leafs Ice Centre! The Blackhawks Ice Girls will also be making an appearance.
MORE INFORMATION>>
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HONOR FLIGHT CHICAGO PRESENTS THE 5TH ANNUAL LAW ENFORCEMENT HOCKEY CLASSIC
Mark your calendars for the 5th Annual Honor Flight Chicago Law Enforcement Hockey Classic on Saturday, February 27 from 7:30pm to 10:30pm at The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville.
MORE INFORMATION>>
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Copyright © 2016. All Rights Reserved.
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