The 2018 Annual Meeting of the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois, Inc. (AHAI) will take place on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at 8:30 a.m. at the Woodfield Hyatt Hotel located at 1800 East Golf Road in Schaumburg, Illinois.

Any individual who wishes to submit their name as a candidate for the position as a Board of Director of AHAI must submit their name, in writing, to the Chairperson of the Nominating Committee, Ken Michel (kmichel@ahai2.org) no later than Saturday, April 21, 2018. A short biography stating the individual's background, hockey experience, etc. should be included.  The Nominating Committee will then send to each team a list of all the candidates and their biographies prior to the AHAI Annual Meeting in accordance with the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations.  Any individual who wishes to submit a new By-Law proposal or change to an existing By-Law must submit their proposal(s), in writing, to the President of AHAI, John Dunne (president@ahai2.org), no later than Thursday, May 3, 2018.  Thank you, in advance, for all of you help and cooperation in the furtherance of youth hockey in Illinois. ~  AHAI Board of Directors

By Gregg Chudacoff, Tier II Committee Chairman ~ The Tier II substitute choice application process, Squirt 10U through Midget 16U/18U will begin on July 20,2018. All applications will be submitted online. The Tier II Committee will only have (3) three appeal hearings this year for those denied a substitute choice. The dates for the appeals are August 9, August 29, and September 6, 2018 at 6:30pm at the North Shore Ice Arena. If denied, please email Gregg Chudacoff, AHAI Tier II Chairman, at  gregg@generaltruckparts.com with your preferred appeal hearing date. The deadline for applying for a substitute choice will be September 15th, 2018.  You will find helpful articles regarding the Two Choice Rule, Choice Substitutions and what you should consider before making that second choice as well as information regarding the Midget Third Choice in the articles below. 

• Tier II Two Choice Rule: Clearing Up the Confusion
• What About My Second Choice: What Should I Consider?
• What is the Midget Third Choice?

By Jon J. Kerr, Pioneer Press ~  Lilly Bianchi wanted to be involved with hockey as much as possible.  She was a team captain at Lake Forest High School and was a runner-up in a USA Hockey essay contest in 2014.  Bianchi also took the ice as a referee.  "Officiating is another way to show your love for hockey," said Bianchi, now a 20-year-old attending St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. She is a sophomore on the varsity rowing team and plays club hockey at St. Lawrence.  But Bianchi's love of the game was tested when she was 15 years old. A coach of a Lake County youth team vociferously questioned a call she made during a neutral-site game at MacKenzie Ice Arena on the campus of Lake Forest Academy. READ MORE>>

By Brian Meek ~ Illinois West High School Hockey has completed another successful season. All twenty-eight teams competed well, and eleven players were recognized as "All State". Illinois West had two teams advance to the State finals, Waubonsie in the Combined Varsity bracket and Wheaton West in the Combined Junior Varsity bracket. Wheaton West Combined Junior Varsity produced a State Champion effort. Congratulations to Wheaton West! In addition to the many accolades the players received for their on-ice efforts, West awarded over sixty four percent of all players Academic Achievement awards. READ MORE>>

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>>

For The Lawyers Hockey Team, it's not a joke; it's just another game

By Greg Bates, Special to AHAI ~ As the guys lace up their skates, the discussions intensify.  It is not uncommon for The Lawyers Hockey Team to be late getting on the ice for the start of their weekly adult hockey game because they are engaged in riveting dialogue.  The team, which plays in the Masters Hockey League out of the McFetridge Sports Center in Chicago, is comprised of 17 players: 14 of whom are lawyers, along with two local television personalities and a CEO of a technology company. READ MORE>>

Former Local Forward Captures NOJHL Scoring Title

By Ross Forman ~ Kyle Herbster had a breakout season in the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League - with a lot of credit going to his off-the-ice dedication last summer here in his native northwest suburbs.  Herbster, a right wing who lives in Cary, spent last summer in the suburbs skating at least three times a week with longtime friends who also are playing juniors. Plus, they were focused during their gym workouts. Herbster added about 10 pounds of muscle to his 5-foot-11,185-pound build.  READ MORE>>

By Martin Foley ~ The inaugural CPD Memorial Hockey Jamboree held on Saturday, April 7, 2018, at the MB Ice Arena was a huge success! We were able to raise nearly $5000 for our Gold Star families and it's because of your support!  Thank you to everyone who volunteered, donated and participated to honor our CPD Memorial Gold Star families. It was an amazing day. We had over 80 skaters and 12 goalies compete for this very important cause. READ MORE>>