USA Hockey wants to make you aware of some important updates regarding the U.S. Center for SafeSport. As a national governing body designated by the United States Olympic Committee for the sport of hockey, USA Hockey, including all of its "Participants" (described in more detail later in article), is subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Center for SafeSport. The Center for SafeSport is an independent non-profit committed to ending all forms of abuse in sport, including bullying, harassment, hazing, physical abuse, emotional abuse and sexual misconduct and abuse. 

Please CLICK HERE to read this very important update regarding the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

Question:  I have a question concerning the 2 choice rule. After reading the rule I'm still unclear. My child plays mite hockey for a CUHL team. Does this count toward the 2 choice rule when he becomes a squirt?

Answer: No, it does not count as a choice. This answer is based on Rule 2.7 Tier II Choice/Movement Rules  (The purpose of this rule is to emulate the concept of community based hockey in the State of Illinois).

2) AHAI 8U Two Choice Clarifications: In an effort to clarify the AHAI Tier II Choice Rule as it applies to 8U/ Mites, AHAI releases the following: ANY USA Hockey registered 8U/Mite players for the playing seasons (beginning in the 2014/15 season) will not be assessed with a choice exception toward the AHAI rule; Article 2.7. 2.7.2.

The Tier II substitute choice application process, Squirt 10U through Midget 16U/18U will begin on July 19, 2019. 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 8, August 28, and September 10, 2019 at 6:30pm at the North Shore Ice Arena. If denied, please email Gregg Chudacoff, AHAI Tier II Chairman, at  gregg.chudacoff@ahai2.org with your preferred appeal hearing date. The deadline for applying for a substitute choice will be September 15, 2019.

By Don Allord, AHAI Foundation Golf Chairman - The AHAI Foundation Golf Committee is excited to announce that the 2019 golf outing will be held on Friday, August 9, 2019, at the Schaumburg Golf Club. Mark your calendar and get a group together. We will only take 144 golfers. Click   HERE for more details on the 2019 golf outing, as well as information on existing sponsorship opportunities  and outing registration. See you on the links!

Question:  If at the start of play (a face-off) there are six players and a goalie on the ice for one team. That team wins the draw and plays the puck to the player trying to leave the ice knowing they have too many men. Is that a penalty? I had an official blow it dead and say it's no penalty. He miscounted. To which I also ask. Shouldn't I always put six guys in if at worst it's a dead puck and face-off?  ANSWER>>

Question: If a team elects to change their goalkeeper, are they allowed to take some warm-up shots before play resumes? ANSWER>>

By Anita Lichterman, AHAI Girls Committee Chair - America's Showcase is all about hockey players having an opportunity to be seen by college coaches and scouts. This year's Team ( view roster ) showed just how great these young women really are both on and off the ice. A rocky start against Minnesota White had the team skating hard and not giving up.   READ MORE>>

By Mike Mullally, AHAI Director & Showcase Team General Manager - As in the past 35 years the Illinois Boys Showcase Team was chosen from 120 high school junior and senior players. Of the 120 coach-nominated players who attended the Showcase tryout, a team of 20 was chosen ( view roster ) to represent Illinois at the America's Showcase in St. Louis, Missouri, which was sponsored by Missouri Hockey and the Mid-States Club Hockey Association (MSCHA). READ MORE>>

The Chicago Blackhawks have announced the team will host HockeyFest - Game On!, the world's largest street hockey tournament, on United Center campus parking lots from June 22-23, 2019. This marks the first time ever that this traveling event will be held in the United States. With more than 30 divisions ranging across age, gender and skill level, hockey players of all ages, including adults, are invited to participate. Click HERE for complete details and registration information.

The Chicago Blackhawks and MB Ice Arena are excited to launch Golden Coynes, an all-girls development hockey program created in partnership with 2018 Olympic Gold Medalist, Kendall Coyne Schofield. Golden Coynes aims to create a fun and exciting environment for girls ages 6-12 who have prior experience with a learn to play program and want to continue to grow as a female hockey player. Led by an all-female staff, Golden Coynes will progress through a 3-phase program focusing on skating, stickhandling, shooting, positional concepts, and small area games. Questions? Please email Mary DeBartolo at mdebartolo@chicagoblackhawks.com or call 312-455-7607. REGISTER NOW>>

The Chicago Blackhawks youth hockey camps are summer programs for youth and girls hockey players using qualified coaches and former Blackhawks players. The camps provide both on- and off-ice instruction for hockey players of all skill levels. Click HERE for complete details and registration. See you this summer!

USA Hockey held the Adult Men's Rec National Championships April 11-14 at the Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, Florida. Congratulations to the Elder Jackets and Team Easton for an excellent showing at the Men's Rec Nationals!

The Amateur Hockey Association Illinois, Inc. is proud to present the 2019 AHAI Adult State Championship Tournament hosted by the AHAI Adult Committee and The Edge Ice Arena. The Adult State Tournament will take place April 25 - April 28, 2019 with all Championship Games taking place on Sunday, April 28, 2019 at The Edge. Good luck to all teams participating!