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Volume 5 Issue 6 | August 2, 2017
CONCUSSION Q&A: WAYS TO KEEP YOUR SKATER SAFE THIS SEASON
Kids across the country will soon be heading back to school and sports. It's important to be educated on the ways to keep your kids safe when they play the sports they love. In particular, parents, coaches and young athletes should all be aware of the signs and symptoms of concussion. We spoke with Dr. Elizabeth M. Pieroth, a Board Certified Neuropsychologist at NorthShore University HealthSystem and consultant to professional sports teams including the Chicago Blackhawks, about this important topic.

QUESTION: What is a concussion? 
ANSWER:  A concussion can occur with any blow or force to the head that causes mental status changes; disorientation, confusion, memory loss, slowness in thinking. Concussions occur in both boys and girls and can occur in all sports.

QUESTION: What are the signs and symptoms?
ANSWER:   The signs are those things that are observed by others - such as coaches, parents or teammates. The symptoms are those things reported by an athlete. Click HERE for list of signs and symptoms.

QUESTION: What can parents and coaches do to prevent concussions? 
ANSWER: It's impossible to completely prevent concussions, but there are steps parents can take to keep their children safer while playing sports. First, talk to your child's coach about how he/she handles safety issues. Has the coach been trained in concussion prevention? Does he/she know how to spot and respond to a concussion? If not encourage him/her to take the free, online  Heads Up Course offered by the CDC. Additionally, make sure your child's equipment fits properly and that he/she wears the right equipment for every practice and game.


A SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS




AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
ASK AHAI: AAA GAME COUNTS
QUESTION: We have a question regarding State Tournament eligibility as it relates to AAA game counts. As I'm sure you know, Nashville and AIC (formally Affton) are Tier 1 teams participating this season in the CSDHL. Would CSDHL league games against these opponents count against the AAA game limit? We are working on entering our CSDHL teams into tournaments for the upcoming season and we want to be mindful of the State Tournament requirements during our selection process. Thanks for your assistance.
ANSWER:  The short answer is yes - if the team is registered as AAA it is a game played. Click HERE to view complete rule.
2017 REGISTRAR TRAINING SESSIONS
 TIER II SUBSTITUTE CHOICE PROCESS
Dates are set for the Registrar Training Sessions for the 2017-18 Season. These training sessions are intended for those individuals that are the Registrars for their respective AHAI Affiliate Organizations. It is mandatory that Registrars attend  one  of the sessions. Other administrative members of your organization are welcome to attend. All sessions, with the exception of Bloomington, will begin at 7 PM, and will last less than 2 hours. All sessions will provide the same information. Registrars do not need to register to attend a session. More information as well as copies of the training materials will be sent to Registrars prior to the training. Questions? Contact AHAI Registrar, Laura Johnson. VIEW SCHEDULE>>
The Tier ll Substitute Choice Application Process, Squirt through 16U/18U will begin on July 20, 2017. The Tier ll Committee will  ONLY  have (3) three appeal hearings this year for those denied a substitute choice.  The dates for the appeals are August 10, August 30 and September 7, 2017 . Appeal hearings will be held at 6:30pm on the aforementioned dates at the North Shore Ice Arena. If denied please email Gregg Chudacoff, AHAI Tier II Chairman,  with your preferred appeal hearing date (listed above). Deadline for applying for a substitute choice will be September 15, 2017. 

Beginning Thursday, July 20th, click HERE for the online application.
A STEP aHEAD REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
AHAI, the Chicago Blackhawks, Athletico and NorthShore University HealthSystem are proud to announce that we are in our 7th year of the "A Step aHead" program, which provides FREE baseline neurocognitive testing and education on concussions to the youth hockey community. Registration is now open through November 30, 2017. All AHAI players aged 11-18 years old are eligible for free baseline testing. Please note that registration will be online only, do not call Athletico directly. REGISTER NOW>>
COACHING NEWS & INFORMATION
GREAT SEATS STILL AVAILABLE!
REGISTER TODAY FOR UPCOMING AUGUST CEP CLINICS!
Coaches, register today for upcoming August CEP Clinics! Registration is limited in all CEP clinics. Advanced online registration is required; no one will be admitted at the door.  Check the  USA Hockey website  for CEP Registration and details about USA Hockey CEP Clinics, online age specific modules and Coaching Certification process.
AUGUST CEP CLINIC SCHEDULE
LEVEL 1
Sunday, August 13
8:30am to 4:00pm
Woodfield Hyatt
LEVEL 2
Saturday, August 12
8:30am to 4:00pm
Woodfield Hyatt
LEVEL 3
Saturday, August 12
8:30am to 4:00pm
Woodfield Hyatt

If you have any questions, please contact Paul Jakubowski at [email protected] . Can't make the August clinics? Click HERE to download/print the complete 2017-18 CEP Clinic Schedule.
WORLD-LEADING COACHING PROGRAM TAKES NEXT STEPS
Nothing is more critical to the long-term development of American players than quality coaching. That's why USA Hockey strives to be a world-leading provider of coaching education resources, providing the highest level of education for coaches so they can provide the best learning environment possible for players.

A central piece of USA Hockey's vast coaching education resource library is the age-specific online training platform, which includes modules loaded with actionable insights to help coaches develop players' full athletic potential and ensure a fun, safe learning experience. FULL ARTICLE>>
ATTENTION COACHES/MANAGERS: NEW RULES FOR THE 2017-18 SEASON
Age-Specific Modules:  Coaches will not be able to be added to a Youth/Girls/HS Roster until the required Age-Specific Coaching Module has been completed. Coaches will not be allowed to participate with their teams until this requirement is met and processed through the USAH Registry. It can take a few days for USAH to process the information and the member will be able to be added to the team roster. We encourage you to plan accordingly.

SafeSport Training: Coaches and Managers will not be able to be added to a Youth/Girls/HS Roster until their SafeSport training has been completed. USA Hockey has an extensive SafeSport program that provides resources to ensure the safety of all involved in the game both on and off the ice. COMPLETE RULE>>

Consent to Treat Form: The Consent to Treat form is no longer a required form. Managers will no longer have each team participant complete a Consent to Treat form.

For information or clarification of these rules please contact Laura Johnson, AHAI Registrar at [email protected] or 224 636 3233.
OFFICIATING NEWS & INFORMATION
2017 IHOA SEMINAR SCHEDULE
USA Hockey has various requirements for each certification level. Please visit USA Hockey's website for information. To be completely registered, you must meet both IHOA and USA Hockey requirements. Registration opens August 1, 2017. Contact IHOA Registrar, Jameson Gronert at [email protected] with any questions. SEMINAR SCHEDULE>>
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS
INTERMISSION & JUNIORHAWKS PREGAME REGISTRATION FOR THE 2017-18 BLACKHAWKS SEASON IS NOW OPEN
The Chicago Blackhawks have opened the Intermission Skate and JuniorHawks Pregame registration for the 2017-18 Chicago Blackhawks regular season. Please fill out a form as soon as possible if you are interested in entering your team into the selection process.  All youth hockey teams are selected at random to participate in the events. All teams will be notified by the end of November if they have been selected for one of the ice slots.

I NTERMISSION SKATE
  • 12 Mite or Squirt Players (10 skaters and 2 goalies) participate in a relay race during the 1st intermission of the game.
  • 50 tickets purchased in 300 Level Tier 3 location.
  • Click HERE to register.
JUNIORHAWKS PREGAME SKATE
  • Two teams, max of 20 players per team
  • 80 minute ice slot at the United Center 3 hours prior to the Blackhawks Game (Can be used for scrimmage, clinic, or practice)
  • Each player receives a Blackhawks Jersey to wear during their ice slot.
  • 200 tickets purchased in 300 Level Tier 3 location
  • Click HERE to register.
ROCKFORD ICEHOGS NEWS
YOUR TEAM COULD SKATE ON THE ROCKFORD ICEHOGS' HOME ICE!
The Rockford IceHogs have plenty of opportunities for your team to skate on the IceHogs' home ice at the BMO Harris Bank Center during pre-game and intermission! For more information please contact McKenna Ryan at  815.847.6386 or  [email protected].
ILLINOIS HOCKEY HEADLINES
BLOOMER & MURPHY INVITED TO 2017 USAH U18 NATIONAL FESTIVAL
USA Hockey announced the 31 players that have been invited to the 2017 USA Hockey Women's U18 National Festival, which will take place Aug. 8-14 at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York. The list of invitees includes Illinois' Anne Bloomer of Chicago and Abbey Murphy of Evergreen Park. READ MORE>>
ROYBAL, MCKEE, DODSON & MISIEWICZ ROSTERED TO 2017-18 NATIONAL SLED HOCKEY TEAM
USA Hockey announced the roster for the 2017-18 U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. The roster includes Illinois' Brody Roybal, Kevin McKee, Travis Dodson and Josh Misiewicz. READ MORE>>
PEORIA MUSTANGS...CHOICES IN JUNIOR HOCKEY
Peoria Mustangs are now the only Junior Tier III USA Hockey sanctioned team in Illiniois
By Paul Wayvon ~ Choices in Junior Hockey sometimes appear complex. Following are some details to help explain the choices and structure that the Peoria Mustangs have chosen for the benefit of its players, parents, coaches, referees and fans.

The Peoria Mustangs are proud members of the NA3HL , a top Tier III Hockey league in the USA. And, along with the other 46 teams in the NA3HL, we are fully sanctioned by  USA Hockey , the governing body for the sport of hockey in the USA.  There are five USA Hockey sanctioned Junior Hockey Leagues in the USA: North American 3 Hockey League (NA3HL - Tier III), United States Hockey League (USHL - Tier I), North American Hockey League (NAHL - Tier II and affiliated with the NA3HL), Eastern Hockey League (EHL - Tier III) and Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League (RMJHL - Tier III). FULL ARTICLE>>
USAH HIRES IN PLYMOUTH INCLUDE CONNOR SMALL & KEVIN LIND
Connor Small (Normal, Ill.) has been named manager of marketing operations for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program and USA Hockey Arena.  Kevin Lind  (Homer Glen, Ill.) will serve as intern assistant coach for USA Hockey's National Team Development Program in 2017-18.  READ MORE>>
U.S. UNDER-18 TEAM ROSTER INCLUDES ILLINOIS' FERRANDINO, RANDL, DRURY & LAPOINTE
The United States Under-18 Men's Select Team will begin preparation for the 2017 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup with an opening practice Tuesday (Aug. 1) in Budapest, Hungary as they begin their quest for a 2nd Hlinka Cup title. READ MORE>>
ILLINOIS WEST HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY LEAGUE COMPLETES 9TH ANNUAL GOALIE CLINIC
By Brian Meek ~ Illinois West High School Hockey League held its ninth annual Goalie Clinic during the last week of July. The clinic was held at All Seasons Ice Rinks Monday through  Thursday for two hours each evening. All goalies from Illinois West were invited to participate. The clinic is provided by the League at no cost to the participants. FULL ARTICLE>>
UPCOMING EVENTS
Don't forget to check the " EVENTS " tab on www.ahaienews.com  for the all the hockey happenings around Illinois like the JT Compher & Family Northbrook Hockey League Scholarship 3 on 3 Tournament, the "Play with the Pros" kickoff for the Brent Sopel Foundation, and the Women & Girls Day of Hockey...just to name a few!

Want to have your event included on AHAI's events tab? Send a one-page PDF flyer to AHAI Communications Manager, Gretchen Cockey, at [email protected].

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