IN THIS ISSUE
Volume 4 Issue 21 | March 1, 2017
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CHICAGO BLACKHAWK ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED!
LINDGREN, SCIANNA & SORNSON NAMED 2017 CHICAGO BLACKHAWK ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Congratulations go out to Anders Lindgren of Moment High School, Trevor Scianna of St. Rita of Cascia High School and Nolan Sornson of Deerfield High School on being named the recipients of the 2017 Blackhawk Alumni Association Scholarship. The Blackhawk Alumni Association (BHAA) distributes college scholarships annually to the three most deserving high school hockey players in Illinois. Awards are determined from a candidate's level of community service, volunteerism, good citizenship, academic performance as well as the hockey talent of the individual who receives an annual $7,500.00 scholarship over four years. READ MORE>>
Anders Lindgren
Trevor Scianna
Nolan Sornson
WE WANT YOUR FEEDBACK!
Over the past six years the "A Step aHead" program has been focused on educating the Illinois Youth Hockey community about concussion awareness and treatment. The four organizations that make up "A Step aHead", the Chicago Blackhawks, AHAI, Athletico, and NorthShore University HealthSystem, would like to offer a free seminar on a broader range of health and safety topics, as well as other issues important to youth hockey. We would very much like to know about the specific needs of players, coaches, parents and others involved in youth hockey. Please complete this very brief survey so we can tailor the meeting to these needs. Additional information, including date, location and presenters will be announced when available.
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
EXPLAINING USAH INSURANCE COVERAGE SERIES: PART II - PARTICIPANT CLAIM FILING TIPS UNDER USAH EXCESS MEDICAL PLAN
Recently we informed you that by registering as a member of USA Hockey you are automatically enrolled in the USA Hockey insurance program. In this 5-part series, Central District Risk Manager, Don Allord takes an in depth look at each of the areas of coverage. Part II of our series focuses on Participant Claim Filing Tips Under USA Hockey's Excess Medical Plan.

If you are a registered USA Hockey member and you are injured while participating in a USA Hockey sanctioned event, follow these procedures:
  • At the hospital or doctors office always provide them with you individual, employer (or other) health plan as your primary plan.
  • The USAH plan requires that treatment following an injury must occur within 30 days from the injury date. READ FULL ARTICLE>>
2017 AMERICA'S SHOWCASE
"TEAM ILLINOIS" ROSTER
AHAI congratulates those players selected for the 2017 "Team Illinois" America's Showcase roster. These players will complete against teams from across the United States in the America's Showcase April 20-24, 2017 at the Robert Morris Island Sports Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Good luck, Team Illinois! VIEW ROSTER>>
BOYS' INVITEES TO 2017 AHAI PLAYER DEVELOPMENT TRYOUT CAMP
Congratulations to the following players who have been nominated and selected to participate in the 2017 AHAI Player Development Tryout Camp for Midget and Bantam age players at the AHAI Hockey Center in Bensenville, Illinois to be conducted the weekend of March 24th - 26th, 2017. VIEW INVITEES>>
2017 ILLINOIS STATE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIPS
TIER I STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The match-ups for the Tier I Illinois State Hockey Championship finals at West Meadows Ice Arena (March 4th, 5th and 7th, if needed) have been decided. Good luck to all our teams in their quest for the State Championship Title!  VIEW TIER I FINAL MATCH-UPS>>
TIER II STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Tier II Illinois State Hockey Championships are firmly underway with the Final 8 teams set in each of the 11 divisions. This season over 300 Tier II teams registered to compete for the coveted State Championship title. State playoff action so far has been exciting with many close contests as well as several unexpected upsets! VIEW TIER II FINAL 8 MATCH-UPS>>
MEET & GREET OPPORTUNITY AT THE ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS! GET YOUR TICKETS TODAY!
The Chicago Blackhawks will host the 2017 Illinois State High School Hockey Championships, presented by Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers, at the United Center on  Friday, March 17. Tickets for the event, which features three contests, are on sale now. For the seventh consecutive year, the Boys' State Championship tilt will be broadcast in high-definition on Comcast SportsNet Chicago. GAME SCHEDULE & COMPLETE DETAILS>>
FEBRUARY PHOTO OF THE MONTH ~ TOP 5!
Your votes have been counted and the Top 5 Photos for February have been selected! Congratulations to our winners! Click HERE to view our 19 Finalists and visit AHAI's Facebook Page to see all photos submitted in February! Can't wait to see the photos submitted for March!
Justin Savage, Plainfield H.S. Varsity
"Cutting Edge"
Anthony DaSilva, NW Chargers Pee Wee 2
"Rise Up"
Alexandria Shea & Kiara Bucholtz, Vipers 14U
"Celebrating with a Hug"
Glenview Stars
14U Girls
"Championship Selfies"
James Gorman
Leafs Pee Wee Major CSDHL
"Still Playing the Puck"

Time to send in those photos for March! Photos should include a brief caption along with player's name, their organization or club, and playing level. Submission deadline for the March Photo of the Month contest is Saturday, March 18th. Send photos to [email protected]. Good luck!
2016 IHHF BIO SERIES: STEVE KONROYD
Fifty years ago, Steve Konroyd played his first ever hockey game as a 5 year old at the East York arena near downtown Toronto. He wasn't very good, but he loved the smell of the rink and the guys he was playing with. The game of hockey has had a firm hold on him ever since. The son of immigrant parents, a British mom and a Polish dad, he spent his hours as a kid playing hockey whenever he could, whether it was on the streets or at the rink. After playing Junior A hockey with the Oshawa Generals, he was drafted in the 2nd round of the NHL draft by the Calgary Flames. After 5 years in Calgary, he was traded to the New York Islanders. READ FULL BIO>>
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS
STATE TIME IS A GREAT TIME AS
SEASON WINDS DOWN
By Ross Forman ~ March Madness isn't just a basketball craze.  The local high school hockey scene has swiped that slogan this year, as well.  The Sweet-16 round of the Illinois High School Hockey Tournament (Red Division) kicks off March 1 at The Edge Ice Arena in Bensenville. Many of the expected teams are still skating, yet two others have hung up their skates, surprisingly, for the season.  New Trier Blue, the No. 8 seed, couldn't get past No. 25 Evanston, losing 3-2 on Feb. 22 in Winnetka. READ MORE>>
ANZELMO ANCHORS DREAMS TO REPEAT AS STATE CHAMPS FOR BG/H/W
By Ross Forman  ~ The sanity of a goalie is often called into question. After all, who wants a blistering slapshot heading straight at you, regardless of how much equipment you're wearing.  For Tyler Anzelmo, he brings the smarts into goal too as the netminder for the BG/H/W Stampede, the defending Combined Division State Champion and the No. 1 seed in the 2017 tournament.  Anzelmo, 17, who lives in Wheeling and is a senior at Buffalo Grove High School, boasts a 4.89 GPA out of 5.0. READ MORE>>
METRO GIRLS LEAGUE & STATE PLAYOFF EXCITEMENT CONTINUES
By Pam Flores ~ What an exciting season this has proved to be! In the Scholastic Cup Division, it came down to the very last game - played the night before the Metro League playoffs - to decide the final team to enter the playoffs!  In the end it was Glenbrook versus Latin and Loyola versus New Trier Varsity. Glenbrook emerged victorious with a 5-2 win over Latin, while Loyola beat New Trier Varsity 6-2. READ MORE>>
NIHL NEWS & INFORMATION
NIHL WOLVES CUP CHAMPIONSHIPS
Follow NIHL on Twitter and Facebook for the latest pictures and Moms' dance-off videos from the 2016-17 Wolves Cup Championships in Joliet. Be sure to visit the NIHL website for the Champions crowned last weekend and the championship match-ups for this upcoming weekend. Subscribe to the NIHL Newsletter for our special edition Championship Issue to be published in March. Good luck to all our teams, players and coaches this weekend!
PLAYERS, LEADERS & CLUBS IN THE NEWS
CYA GIRLS HOCKEY ~ SCHOOL FIRST
In just the last four years, the CYA's girls program has graduated over 35 players into the NCAA, an achievement the program is very proud of. "All of our athletes work hard to play NCAA college hockey," commented John Cimba, CYA Girls Director. "When going through the recruiting process, we try to emphasize to all of our players that their overall love for the school they choose should eclipse the hockey program.   FULL ARTICLE>>
NAHL'S 2017 TOP PROSPECTS ROSTER INCLUDES 10 IL PLAYERS
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has announced the rosters for the 2017 NAHL Top Prospects Tournament, which will be held from February 27-28, 2017 at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Michigan. The NAHL Top Prospects Tournament is one of the most highly-scouted events in junior hockey. READ MORE>>
OVER 130 IL PLAYERS ROSTERED TO TIER III JUNIOR TEAMS
Recently AHAI highlighted the Illinois players that have gone on to play college hockey (NCAA Division I and Division III and ACHA) as well as those playing Tier I and Tier II Junior Hockey. The final place that our skaters can take advantage of after their youth or high school career is over is Tier III Junior Hockey. READ MORE>>
BLUES PEE WEE MAJORS TO TAKE ON THE BLACKHAWKS WARRIORS IN FUNDRAISER GAME MARCH 19TH
The Chicago Blues Hockey Club is closing out its 20th anniversary season with a fundraiser game between the Chicago Blues Pee Wee Major CSDHL team and the Chicago Blackhawks Warriors on Sunday, March 19 at 3pm at the Edge Ice Area in Bensenville. Admission is $5 at the door. The Blues set a fund-raising goal of $10,000, and got things going by donating the first $2,500! Click HERE if you would like to donate. All proceeds will be given to the Warriors to ensure they make it to the USA Hockey Disabled Festival in April. Any remaining funds will be distributed to the Hornets Sled Hockey Team. Corporate sponsors are greatly appreciated. COMPLETE DETAILS>>
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS & INFORMATION
JANUARY CAPTAINS SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations the Chicago Blackhawks January Captains: Jack Thoms (Lyons Township), Caitlin Moran (Warren Blue Devils), and Luke Phillips (Lincoln-Way)! MEET THE CAPTAINS>>
JANUARY REFEREE SPOTLIGHT
Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks January Youth Hockey Referees: Chris Lubera and Josh Baggett! MEET THE REFEREES>>

LITTLE BLACKHAWKS LEARN TO PLAY PROGRAM
The Little Blackhawks Learn to Play program changes the way youth hockey is offered by providing first time participants, between 4-8 years of age, free head-to-toe equipment, age appropriate instruction and certified coaching, led by NHL Alumni!  MORE INFORMATION>>
Which family has the best hockey skills in your neighborhood? Challenge your neighbors to film a #familybreakaway video! Film your family passing the puck or ball to each other as you drive to the net together. Then score a goal and finish it off with a family cheer! Upload the video to #Clubblackhawks! 

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