Hockey Week Across America, will be highlighted by Try Hockey For Free Day on Saturday, February 25, 2017. Associations will introduce new kids between the ages of 4 and 9 to youth hockey for this season as well as capture interested families for the following season. February is a great opportunity to attract new families who are thinking hockey because it's winter. This will give you an advantage with your spring programs and identifying new families for next fall. The FIRST 300 associations to register will receive jerseys, giveaway items, marketing tools and much more. Join the Leafs Hockey Club, Franklin Park Ice Arena, Sabre Girls Hockey, Park District of Oak Park, Pekin, Admirals and Rolling Meadows Renegades who have already registered! But, don't delay...registration closes on Friday, January 11, 2017! MORE INFORMATION>>

Please click on the logos below to view State Tournament rules and information for each division. Click HERE to view dates and locations for ALL State Tournament Divisions.

Tier II Coaches and Managers, please note that the Tier II Youth State Tournament registration is now open online. Last day to register is Saturday, January 7, 2017.

QUESTION: Does a goal count if the puck goes into the net off an attacking players skate, whether there was a kicking motion or not? 

QUESTION: When officiating a game, in the second period there was an injured player and when he was down the opposing goalkeeper skated over the red line to his bench without asking permission. My partner and I gave the coach his options and he chose to skate 6 on 5 until the next stoppage of play. The coach did not complain and said he never heard of the rule. At the next stoppage of play the goalie returned to his goal. Later in the period when I was at the blue line I saw the coach put his phone away and he told me that we made the correct call. I informed him after the game that if he had disputed the call while using his phone he would have received a bench minor under Rule 308. He brought up a good point - what would be the difference if he was using a hard copy of the rule book instead of the mobile rule book? Would this be a violation of rule 308? I have asked several other officials and we all have different opinions.  VIEW ANSWER>>

As the end of the regular season approaches, we receive numerous questions regarding seeding for the State Tournament, as well as All State and Showcase team selections. There are many misconceptions that exist regarding the above and AHAI's role. Click on "full article" for a synopsis of the process in place. FULL ARTICLE>>

By Ross Forman ~ Will this finally be Loyola Gold's season?  Will the Ramblers finally break out of their decades-old slump?  Finally, finally, finally.  Yep, it's 20-year slump for the 'Golden' Ramblers.  It sure has been a rough skate for the top-tiered club from Loyola Academy in north suburban Wilmette, which has an overall school record of 2-10 in the state championship game - and Gold has lost its last 7 times in the championship game.  Talk about a curse.  Then again, the Cubs broke their 108-year curse in November...so will the Ramblers role in March, too?  Quite possibly. This is a good team, a very good team, anchored by five returning defensemen. FULL ARTICLE>>

By Ross Forman ~  Tom Wendlandt, a patriarch in local hockey - first in the high school ranks and for the past 17 years in the college game - died in his sleep at his home in Palatine on Tuesday, Dec. 6. He was 62.  Wendlandt and his wife, Lynne, founded the Prospect High School Hockey Team in the 1990s, which he coached for six seasons as the team competed in Metro Northwest. Their son, Geoff, played on the team.  In the late-1990, Wendlandt replied to an ad that he saw in a local hockey newspaper from Robert Morris College, as it was known at the time, which was seeking its first-ever hockey head coach. Wendlandt applied, was one of three finalists, and ultimately was offered and accepted the position.  FULL ARTICLE>>