IN THIS ISSUE
Volume 5 Issue 15 |  December 6, 2017
MOMS' NIGHT AT THE UNITED CENTER
AHAI, in conjunction with our A Step aHead partners, the Chicago Blackhawks, Athletico Physical Therapy and NorthShore University HealthSystem, recently held our 4th Annual Moms' Night at the beautiful new United Center Atrium.

Prior to the evening's seminars on concussion education, injury prevention, and proper equipment fitting, AHAI Moms had the opportunity to explore fun, interactive and informative stations and exhibits from our A Step aHead partners as well as from the Blackhawks Street Crew, SportFuel and B&R Sports. Moms were also treated to a 25% discount in the Madhouse Team Store and a chance to meet Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Champion and Community Liaison, Jamal Mayers. A Q&A session with Dr. Elizabeth Pieroth, (Associate Director of the Sports Concussion Program and concussion specialist for the Chicago Blackhawks, Bears, White Sox, and Chicago Fire), Julie Burns (SportFuel), John Merola (B&R Sports), Steve Chmielewski (Athletico) and Scott Paluch (USA Hockey ADM Regional Manager) capped off the evening.

AHAI would like to thank Annie Camins, Spencer Montgomery, Laura Jordan, Sam Ratty and the rest of the Chicago Blackhawks Fan Development Staff for all their hard work to make Moms' Night a success. We would also like to thank our A Step aHead partners Athletico Physical Therapy and NorthShore University HealthSystem. An extra special thank you is extended to Dr. Elizabeth Pieroth without whom this evening would not be possible. And of course, thank you to all the AHAI Moms who attended this year's event!
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

NOVEMBER PHOTO OF THE MONTH ~ TOP 5!
Your votes have been counted and the Top 5 Photos for November have been selected! Congratulations to our winners! Click HERE to view our 20 Finalists and visit AHAI's Facebook Page to see all photos submitted in November! 
"Looking up to His Biggest Fan"
Ryan Sustek
West Dundee Leafs Squirt
 "Biggest Fan" 
McCarthy Clark
NW Chargers Bantam Elite
"Team Brotherhood"
Mason Young (#12)
Rockford Hockey Pee Wee AA
"Glove Save"
River Grady #00
Chicago Bruins Squirt
Click HERE for details on the December Photo of the Month Contest! Deadline to enter is Saturday, December 23rd.
"5-Hole or Top Shelf?"
Emma Soukup
St. Jude Knights 12U Girls
STATE, DISTRICT & NATIONAL TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
Tier II Illinois State Tournament Dates, Locations & Information
Just as last season the Tier II State Tournament Committee will NOT have all the clubs come in for an information night, but rather we will set up a conference call with clubs on Wednesday, January 17 at 6:30pm, to discuss the rules, dates and any other information necessary for the 2018 Tier II State Tournament. Rankings will be announced no later than Wednesday, January 17, 2018. The exemption process will begin on Saturday, December 2, 2017. Tier II State Tournament registration will open on Saturday, December 9, 2017 and close on Sunday, January 7, 2018. Click on the State Tournament logo below for dates and locations.
Men's & Women's 2018 AHAI Adult State Championship Tournament
By Robert Fiorio ~ The Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois Adult Committee is proud to present the 2018 Adult Illinois State Championship Tournament hosted by the AHAI Adult Committee and The Edge Ice Arena. The Adult State Tournament will take place April 25 - April 29, 2018 with all Championship Games taking place on Sunday, April 29, 2018 at The Edge.  MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION>>
2017 IHHF BIO SERIES
Meet Peter Moffat ~ Class of 2017 Officials' Category
In 1959 Peter Moffat traveled to Chicago, Illinois, to visit some friends and he ended up staying for ten years. As a young man who grew up loving the game of hockey in North Bay, Ontario, Canada, the city had captivated him and the local arena would obviously be one of the first places he would go. It was there, at Rainbo Arena, that Peter met Alan Carvell Jr., the owner of Rainbo, who with his wife June opened Chicago's first indoor ice surface a few years earlier in 1956. Mr. Carvell was looking for someone to start running hockey programs and officiating clinics and Peter was looking for work. It was a perfect match. FULL BIO>>

The IHHF Induction Dinner will be held on Sunday, January 28, 2018 at the Belvedere Banquet Hall in Elk Grove Village beginning at 5:00 pm. Tickets are available by contacting Norm Spiegel at 847/269-2922 or e-mail Norm at jacole@comcast.net.
ASK THE OFFICIAL
By Dave Zednik, IHOA VP of Rules & Ethics
Question: Whose job is it to shut the penalty box doors in an adult league game with no penalty bench attendants? ANSWER>>
 
Question: When does the penalty box door open? Does it open the moment when the penalty clock reads zero? Or does it open a moment before the penalty clock reads zero so the offender can get his skate on the ice just as the penalty clock reads zero? ANSWER>>
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS
Attention Girls: Want to be part of the 2018 Illinois Girls America's Showcase Team?
By Anita Lichterman ~ 2018 will mark the 3rd year that Illinois has fielded a Girls' team for the America's Showcase. After 8 years in Pittsburgh, the Showcase is now coming back into the Central District and will be held in St. Louis, Missouri April 19-22, 2018.  AHAI would like to take this opportunity to invite all female players (Tier I, Tier II and High School) who are interested in trying out for the 2018 Illinois team to let us know.  COMPLETE DETAILS & REGISTRATION>>
Ross Forman's Top 20 ~ As of November 27th
1. Loyola Gold
2. Glenbrook North
3. Stevenson
4. New Trier Green
5. St. Viator
6. Providence Catholic
7. St. Ignatius
8. Glenbard
9. Glenbrook South
10. Fenwick
11. OPRF
12. Benet Academy
13. New Trier White
14. Brother Rice
15. Barrington
 16. BG/H/W
17. Notre Dame
18. York
19. St. Rita
20. Highland Park
Stevenson, Glenbrook North Celebrate Thanksgiving Tournament Championships
By Ross Forman ~ The host Stevenson Patriots needed third-period heroics to secure victory and capture the championship of their annual Thanksgiving Tournament, defeating co-op Glenbard 4-1 in the finals, played Sunday afternoon, Nov. 26 at Twin Rinks Ice Pavilion in Buffalo Grove.  Seth Cohen scored the game-winner at 2:10 of the second period, assisted by Brett Stokes and Trevor Hilt. READ MORE>>
Despite Slow Start, Optimism Remains High at York
By Ross Forman ~ Sophomore Harrison Proud is one of the main reasons York should stand tall in the Scholastic Hockey League and, perhaps, secure some state tournament victories.  He is a smart, skilled two-way winger with great vision, playing alongside juniors Billy Paschen and Chris Lee. Their line has the potential to play with any top line in the state. READ MORE>>
New Trier, Glenbrook, Fenwick, Loyola, Barrington & Lake Forest Round Out Top Six in Metro League for Week of 12/4
By Pam Flores ~ The first half of the Metro Girls High School League season is coming along, but there are still quite a few games to be played in December. Play will wrap up for the first half of the season just before the holiday break, with the final few games deciding where the teams will fall within the Scholastic or Founders divisions and where they will compete during the second half of the season. As of this week, the teams in the top six are New Trier Varsity, Glenbrook, Fenwick, Loyola, Barrington and Lake Forest High School. READ MORE>>
Attention High School Seniors: The Blackhawk Alumni Association Scholarship Application Process Begins December 1st
The Blackhawk Alumni Association (BHAA) distributes college scholarships annually to the three most deserving high school hockey players. 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. Recipients will receive an annual $7,500.00 scholarship over four years for a total of $30,000.  Fully completed applications including letter of recommendations, and scholar essays are due no later than February 1st of each year. APPLY NOW>>
Chicago Blackhawks Charities High School Hockey "Ho Ho" Classic
The 24th Annual Chicago Blackhawks Charities High School Hockey Classic, presented by the Chicago Blackhawks Charities, will take place at the Edge Ice Arena located  from Tuesday, December 26, 2017 through Friday, December 29, 2017. All Tournament proceeds benefit Chicago Blackhawks Charities which supports amateur hockey as well as underprivileged and abused children. We invite you to bring the family out to watch some exciting high school hockey action during this holiday season. SCHEDULE & BRACKETS>>
ILLINOIS HOCKEY HEADLINES
2018 U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team Unveiled: Includes Illinois' Anne Bloomer & Abbey Murphy
USA Hockey announced the  23-player roster  for its U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team that will compete at the 2018 International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Women's World Championship, set for Jan. 6-13 in Dmitrov, Russia. The roster includes Illinois' Anne Bloomer  (Chicago) and Abbey Murphy  (Evergreen Park). READ MORE>>
Chris Chelios Named to IIHF Hall of Fame Class of 2018
Chris Chelios (Downers Grove, Ill.) has been named to the International Ice Hockey Federation Hall of Fame Class of 2018 it was announced today by the IIHF.  "Chris is one of the greatest players to ever wear a Team USA jersey" said Pat Kelleher, executive director of USA Hockey. "His remarkable skill, tenacity, and leadership shined for our teams for four decades, and he is tremendously deserving to be included in the IIHF Hall of Fame." READ MORE>>
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS
Blackhawks' Learn to Play Program an Easy Way for Kids to Try Hockey
By Greg Bates, Special to AHAI ~ For any tri-state kid aged 5 to 9 that has ever wanted to try hockey, there's a forthcoming opportunity almost too good to pass up.  The Chicago Blackhawks, in a joint effort with the National Hockey League (NHL) and the NHL Players' Association (NHLPA), are offering a Learn to Play initiative.
 
The second annual Little Blackhawks Learn to Play program will be an eight- to 10-week course starting in March. It will give kids a shot at trying the sport for a reasonable price.  "The whole purpose behind it is to try to grow the game without the financial aspect of it being cost-effective for families that just want to try the sport that may not want to be fully vested in it," said Annie Camins, Blackhawks Senior Director, Fan Development/Youth Hockey.

There will be 26 rinks throughout Illinois, including the Blackhawks' new practice facility, MB Ice Arena, as well as Wisconsin and Indiana that will be participating in the program. Each individual rink will decide the length of the course, although eight weeks is the minimum number. Also, each rink will set the cost for each player. Camins said the price will range from $85 to $195. If cost is an issue for any families, they should contact Laura Jordan with the Blackhawks at ljordan@chicagoblackhawks.com. READ MORE>>
Chicago Blackhawks Holiday Hockey Camp
Join us at MB Ice Arena, the new Chicago Blackhawks Community Ice Rink, for a two-day Holiday Hockey Camp! The camp will provide a fun, skill-oriented experience for local youth hockey players and feature Blackhawks alumni coaches. Proceeds from the Chicago Blackhawks Holiday Hockey Camp will go to the Eddie Olczyk Youth Hockey Award. CAMP DETAILS & REGISTRATION>>

Girls Rule! 2-Day Holiday Clinic at the new MB Ice Arena
Join us at MB Ice Arena on Wednesday, December 27th and Thursday, December 28th for a two-day girls only holiday clinic at the new MB Ice Arena. Girls will improve their individual skills in a fun and challenging environment. We will end the day with a private Blackhawks locker room tour and a Q&A session with our coaches. CAMP DETAILS & REGISTRATION>>
The Chicago Blackhawks are looking for part-time employees for their First Stride Team. Individuals should have a passion for hockey, energetic personality and the ability to work well in a team environment.  Team members will be responsible for teaching basic learn-to-skate skills to local middle schools as part of the First Stride program and are expected to help facilitate each school trip to the MB Ice Arena. MORE INFORMATION>>
Beko Home Appliances 1-on-1 Challenge
In partnership with AHAI  and Beko Home Appliances , the Chicago Blackhawks shootout competition allows participants to showcase their skills while contending to become the top shooter or goalie in the Squirt-age division. The competition will take place at the MB Ice Arena on  January 3, 2018 . The top two goalies and top two skaters will battle for the championship in front of a sellout crowd at the United Center during the intermission of the Chicago Blackhawks home game on  January 7, 2018 ! The winning team (player and goalie) will accompany the Chicago Blackhawks Fan Development staff to the 2018 NHL® All-Star Game in Tampa Bay from  January 27-28, 2018  to compete against other Squirt-age winners from around the NHL. REGISTER NOW>>
ROCKFORD ICEHOGS NEWS
IceHogs Youth Hockey Weekend is December 22-23!
Come join the Rockford IceHogs for their Youth Hockey Weekend at the BMO Harris Bank Center Friday, December 22nd and Saturday, December 23rd! Come with your team or your family. Every team that comes out will be recognized. You do not want to miss out on this opportunity! For more information on discounted tickets and getting your team out to see the future Chicago Blackhawks contact McKenna at  815-847-6386 or  ryanm@icehogs.com.
UPCOMING EVENTS
  • St. Jude Knights Try Hockey For Free Event (Dec. 9) FLYER>>
  • Annual Bonnie V. Memorial All Girls Skate (Dec. 23) FLYER>>
  • 3rd Annual Girls in the Game Benefit (Jan. 6) FLYER>>
  • Skate with the Greats (Feb. 18) MORE INFO>>
Visit our "Events Tab" on ahaienews.com for a complete listing. Have an event you would like to promote? Contact AHAI Communications Manager, Gretchen Cockey at gretchen@ahai2.org .

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