IN THIS ISSUE
Volume 5 Issue 11 |  October 11, 2017
14TH ANNUAL DISABLED HOCKEY FESTIVAL
Volunteers needed for the 2018 Disabled Hockey Festival in Chicago!

By Michael Svac, USA Hockey Central District
Representative for Disabled Hockey

The 14th annual Disabled Hockey Festival will be hosted in Chicago in April 2018.  This is projected to be the largest disabled hockey festival event in the past 14 years. Athletes from the United States and Canada will be competing at all ages and all skill levels which includes the following Disabled Hockey disciplines:

Sled Hockey
Special Hockey
Blind Hockey
Warrior Hockey
Standing/Amputee Hockey
Deaf/Hard of Hearing Hockey

The event will be hosted at the Leafs Ice Centre in West Dundee, Illinois, over two weekends. All Disabled Hockey disciplines (except Sled) will be held Thursday, April 5 through Sunday, April 8, 2018. The Sled Hockey competition will be held the following week beginning on Thursday, April 12 and running through Sunday, April 15, 2018.

Attendance is projected to bring over 1000 players to the Chicago area for this exciting annual event.  The program committee is looking for volunteers to assist in running the event. If interested in volunteering please contact Michael Svac, USA Hockey Central District Representative for Disabled Hockey, at msvac4@icloud.com.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
AHAI's Annual College Night Explores Playing Opportunities after High School
AHAI conducted its 28th Annual College Night Seminar on Monday, October 9, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg, Illinois. Mike Mullally, AHAI's College Night Chairman, gave the crowd of several hundred parents and players a brief overview of the opportunities available after graduating from high school - from men's NCAA Division I and Division III to ACHA (club) and Junior Hockey before turning the floor over for more in depth discussions from Tony Zasowski, Director of Player Personnel for the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and Mike Perillo, Regional Coordinator (Central) of the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA). FULL ARTICLE>>

ASK AHAI
QUESTION: In a local holiday tournament, i.e. the Thanksgiving Wishbone Tournament, can a team bring a goalie not listed on the official AHAI roster if their rostered goalie and BUG are both out of town for the holiday?

ANSWER: The quick answer is no, no player, goalie or otherwise, can play in any USA Hockey game if they are not on the Official USA Hockey Certified Roster. If there is an issue as you describe, I would contact AHAI's registrar, Laura Johnson so that she can help you determine your options. There is a rule in the AHAI Rules and Regulations for Fall Tournament Teams with specific criteria that must be followed. Have your team's registrar contact Laura Johnson at  registrar@ahai2.org for further details.
BE A STEP aHEAD OF CONCUSSION
We 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. 

AHAI CONTESTS & GIVEAWAYS
AHAI's Photo of the Month Contest is Back & the Prizes are Better than Ever!
AHAI's Photo of the Month Contest is back, and the prizes are better than ever thanks to our sponsor,  Howies Hockey Tape! Submit photos of your AHAI player's awesome hockey Halloween costumes and pumpkins, wicked slapshots, dekes, dangles and great saves...or of your kids just plain having fun playing hockey.  Please email photos to AHAI Communications Manager, Gretchen Cockey at gretchen@ahai2.org. Click HERE for complete details (and prizes!). Good luck!
Congratulations to our #AHAIGameFace Winner
Congratulations to Sabre Hockey's Nathan Mahon (Squirt A2)! Nathan was the winner of our #AHAIGameFace Instagram Contest and received two tickets to see the Chicago Blackhawks in action against the Minnesota Wild on Thursday, October 12 at the United Center. Congrats again, Nathan! Stay tuned to AHAI's Instagram page for our next Blackhawks ticket giveaway.
COACHING CLINICS & OFFICIATING SEMINARS
Coaching Education Program
(CEP) Clinic Schedule
Illinois Hockey Officials Association
(IHOA) Seminar Schedule
GREAT TIPS & ADVICE FROM OUR SPONSORS
What You Need to Know About Regenerative Medicine
By Dr. Trevor Michael Bullock, NorthShore University HealthSystem ~ You may have heard of regenerative medicine as a new, non-invasive way to treat sports or other injuries. But what is it exactly, and how is it being practiced today?  Dr. Trevor Bullock, Primary Care Sports Medicine specialist at NorthShore Orthopaedic Institute, answers some commonly asked questions on the topic and explains how he uses this type of innovative therapy. FULL ARTICLE>>
Core Strength = Better Balance
By Don Lewis, Owner & Founder of Tier 1 Athletic Performance ~ You see a player wobbling on their edges and you can readily see that they lack balance. Most coaches will spend on-ice time doing "Edge Work". Typically, the problem is not in the athlete's inability to balance on his/her edge, it is in the player's lack of core strength. Read more to find out how core strength equals better balance. FULL ARTICLE>>
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS
Ross Forman's Season-Opening Top 20 Rankings for Illinois High School Hockey
1. New Trier Green
2. Glenbrook North
3. Stevenson
4. Loyola Gold
5. Benet Academy

Click HERE to view full Top 20!
Strong Start Has Benet Eyeing Kennedy Cup Glory, Return Trip to the United Center
By Ross Forman ~ There was joy in September for Benet Academy as the Redwings successfully recaptured the Belle Tire Championship in Detroit with a 4-3 win in the championship game against the GRAHA Kings. Benet finished the tournament with a 3-1 record and, after a year away from the tournament, the Redwings have now captured the Belle Tire Championship in their last three visits to Detroit.  But it's two other titles that the Redwings really want. One in particular.  READ MORE>>
Metro Girls High School Hockey League News
By Pam Flores ~ The Metro Girls High School season kicked off on September 29 and we are off and running with lots of hockey action! All of the games so far have been very competitive as the teams come together for the new season. Our teams have also been extremely busy off the ice with various community service projects. Read more for all the latest news from the Metro Girls High School Hockey League. READ MORE>>
ILLINOIS HOCKEY HEADLINES
Steel's Lillibridge Feeling at Home in Final Junior Season
Yale awaits Geneva native after one more go-round on home ice
By Greg Bates, Special to AHAI ~ There's no place like home.  Graham Lillibridge can certainly attest to that. The Illinois native came home last year and played phenomenal defense for the Chicago Steel, helping the program win its first Clark Cup as the United States Hockey League (USHL) champion.  The 18-year-old now enters his third and final season playing junior hockey before heading off to college next fall.  It's been a fun ride on the ice for Lillibridge, who grew up playing hockey in Geneva, Illinois before transitioning to the powerhouse Chicago Mission program. READ MORE>>
27 Illinois Players Rostered to USHL Teams for 2017-18 Season
Good luck this season to the twenty-seven (27) Illinois players rostered to USHL teams across the country!  Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, the USHL is the nation's only Tier I junior hockey league. With 49 active (and 12 alumni) players listed on the NHL Central Scouting's Preliminary list, the USHL leads all junior leagues and continues to establish itself as the world's foremost producer of junior hockey talent. VIEW LIST OF ILLINOIS PLAYERS>>
Chargers Benefit from the Leader of The Cougar Crazies
By Ross Forman ~ Matt Mulvey was in kindergarten when he learned to roller-blade on the driveway at the family's home, along with his older brother.  He ultimately wanted to strictly play roller-hockey, but his brother promised to buy Matt any stick he wanted if I played ice.  "I can't thank him enough for convincing me," Matt said, years later. Now 17, Mulvey is a senior at Conant High School. He lives in Elk Grove Village and plays defense for the Northwest Chargers 18U CSDHL team. This is his fifth season wearing a Chargers' jersey - two years of bantam, one at 16U NIHL, one at 18U NJPHL, and now with his Central States crew. READ MORE>>
Chicago Blackhawks Blind Hockey Participates in the 2017 USA Hockey Blind Hockey Summit in Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Penguins Blind Ice Hockey organization hosted the 4th annual USA Hockey Blind Hockey Summit at the Lemieux Sports Complex in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  With the growth of the sport across the United States this past year, the event set a record for participants at a USA Hockey Blind Hockey Summit. There were 65 players and 21 coaches in attendance from 10 different Blind Hockey teams including the Chicago Blackhawks Blind Hockey program. READ MORE>>
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS
Blackhawks Intermission & JuniorHawks Pregame Skates
The Blackhawks Intermission Skates and JuniorHawks Pregame registration is now open. 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. To register: click  HERE  for JuniorHawks Pregame Skates or  HERE  for Intermission Skates.
Nominations Open for BMO Harris Bank's Player, Coach & Volunteer of the Month!
The Chicago Blackhawks and BMO Harris Bank are proud to honor members of the hockey community. Each month during the regular season we recognize the excellence of a youth hockey player, coach and volunteer. Honorees are selected based on several criteria including: on-ice accomplishments, off-ice community involvement and their passion for the game. Click  HERE  to fill out the form to nominate someone for the 2017-18 season!
ROCKFORD ICEHOGS NEWS
IceHogs Easterseals Youth Hockey Player of the Game
Coaches, Team Managers and Parents do you know a young hockey player who exhibits good sportsmanship, leadership and a love and passion for the game both on and off the ice?  Nominate them NOW to be the Rockford IceHogs "Easterseals Youth Hockey Player of the Game!"  Players can be nominated on  IceHogs.com . The "Easterseals Youth Hockey Player of the Game" will then be recognized at an IceHogs game during the 2017-18 season. The winner will receive four (4) tickets to a game, a commemorative certificate and also be a part of the countdown before the players hit the ice. For more information please contact McKenna Ryan at 815.847.6386 or ryanm@icehogs.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS
CCM World Invite Opening Night & Fan Festival
524 Teams, 9,956 Players, 1,162 Games...
The  200 X 85 Opening Night and Fan Festival for the CCM World Hockey Invite is Thursday, November 2, 2017 from 3:00-10:00pm. Seven Bridges Ice Arena will be the epicenter for the CCM World Invite Fan Festival with something exciting for everyone. The free festival will feature a diverse mix of offerings designed for tournament players, parents, coaches and hockey fans. The family-friendly festival will occupy every inch of Seven Bridges including the "Hockey Shot" Big Top Tent located directly in front of the building. Activities include: 6 feature matches, world famous Chicago Blackhawks reception/check-in for coaches and managers, celebrity appearances including Bobby Hull and the Hanson Brothers, and the opportunity to view the Stanley Cup up close and personal. Mark your calendars now...you don't want to miss this exciting event. Click HERE for complete details. See you there!