Volume 7 Issue 2 | June 19 , 2019
2019 AHAI AFFILIATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
New Format, New Experience For Affiliate Leadership Conference Attendees
By Greg Bates - AHAI has found a winning formula for its yearly conference.  After years of run-of-the-mill meetings, this marked the third time the AHAI Association Leadership Conference (AALC) has used a different format. It was successful once again for all the club presidents, board members, registrars and hockey directors who attended.

"Everybody probably took away something different depending on what they were there looking for," said Jim Clare, who is the AALC committee chairman and Illinois coach-in-chief. "We try to give them a little bit of everything." READ MORE>>
Tier II Tryout By-Law Passed at AHAI Annual Meeting
The Following Tier II tryout by-law was passed by the AHAI membership at the AHAI Annual leadership conference on June 1, 2019:  Article VIII, Section 8.3.5 Tier II Member Association Tryouts. Tryouts and team selection process for levels 8U (Mites) through 14U (Bantams) may not begin  more than eight (8) days prior to the date of the nationally recognized Labor Day holiday of the current playing season Tryouts and team selection process for levels 16U and 18U may not begin prior to August 15th of the current playing season. It shall be the responsibility of the Tier II Member Association to verify and maintain records of all players who are playing or have played for the Tier II Member Association.

AHAI Board of Directors Election
The Following individuals were elected by the AHAI membership for three (3) year terms to serve on the AHAI Board of Directors at the AHAI Affiliate Leadership Conference on June 1, 2019: Jack Weinberg, Chuck Smith, Jim Clare, Paul Jakubowski and Bill Crowley.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR 2019-20 SEASON
Important Information For Players That Are Currently 17 Or Older, Or Will Be On Or Before December 31st
By Laura Johnson, AHAI Registrar - As you may know, the United States government enacted the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and SafeSport Authorization Act of 2017 on February 14th, 2018. USA Hockey has been working on addressing the changes necessary for the USA Hockey SafeSport Program based on this Act.  Click HERE for a memorandum from Casey Jorgensen, USA Hockey General Council, which provides details about these changes.

The changes approved at the USA Hockey Annual Congress last week to comply with the government requirements will directly impact players in Illinois.  To comply with the government requirement, USA Hockey does not want players or officials turning 18 to become ineligible in the middle of a season.  Therefore, USA Hockey is requiring all players 17 years of age or older on or before December 31st of that playing season and who play on a team in a classification that allows minor aged players, to complete SafeSport Training before being added to a team and prior to participation with the team (on-ice or off-ice). This requirement applies to all teams in the age classifications Youth, Girls, High School, Junior Hockey, Flex Hockey and Disabled Hockey programs that allow both minor age and adult age players (anyone over 18 years). READ MORE>>
2019 AHAI & USA HOCKEY AWARDS AND HONORS
Congratulations to the 2019 AHAI & USA Hockey Award Recipients
The continued growth and development of AHAI would not be possible without the contributions of dedicated volunteers. These individuals share in AHAI's success and accomplishments year after year. Their selfless work and commitment continue to make a difference in the sport of hockey and in the lives of those who play the game. Congratulations to the individuals (pictured below) who were recognized at the 2019 AHAI Affiliate Leadership Conference on June 1st.
Judy Neville
AHAI Lifetime Achievement Award
Carl Sassolino, Eric Cowsill 
& Jim Clare
AHAI Service Awards
Kathy Monahan, Stallions
USA Hockey New Leader Award
Jim McKeague, Ned Forsberg 
& Lynne Bournazos
AHAI Volunteer of the Year Award
Glenview Stars
AHAI Girls Program Award
Kendall Coyne
Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year Award

Additionally, USA Hockey honored dedicated volunteers and affiliate leaders at its Annual Night of Tribute Dinner (June 5) and President's Award Dinner (June 7) at the 2019 USA Hockey Annual Congress in Colorado Springs, CO. AHAI congratulates Kendall Coyne (Bob Allen Women's Player of the Year) and Kathy Monahan, President of the Chicago Stallions (USA Hockey New Leader Award) on being honored during these prestigious annual dinners.  READ MORE>>
USA HOCKEY ANNUAL CONGRESS
USA Hockey Board Ratifies Declaration of Safety, Fair Play and Respect
The USA Hockey Board of Directors unanimously ratified the Declaration of Player Safety, Fair Play and Respect at its Board of Directors meeting last Saturday (June 8) in a significant move focused on improving the game at the youth level, particularly related to player safety. The Board meeting was the culmination of the organization's four-day Annual Congress here that included meetings among USA Hockey's various committees, sections and councils.   READ MORE>>
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
Tier II Substitute Choice Application Process for 2019-2020 Season
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.
Save the Date for the AHAI Foundation Golf Outing!
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. We hope to see you on the links!
A STEP aHEAD REGISTRATION OPENS JULY 1ST
IHOA HEADLINES
2019-20 IHOA Registration Opens July 1st
2019-20 IHOA seminar registration will open July 1, 2019. For step-by-step seminar registration instructions, please click HERE. Please check the FAQs page for questions about seminars or the registration process (name changes, registration account mistake, etc...). If your question is not answered there, then please contact Dave Zednik, IHOA Registrar, at registrar@ihoa.com. Seminar registration is on a "first come, first served basis" and registration for each seminar will be closed when the seminar reaches capacity. Please note that these seminars often fill up quickly. IF space is available, walk-ins are allowed. VIEW SEMINAR SCHEDULE>>
Ask the Official: Illegal Body Checking
Question: What is the USA Hockey interpretation of illegal body checking to a player who is no longer in possession and control of the puck?

Answer: Any avoidable check delivered to a player who is no longer in possession and control of the puck.  A player is considered to still be in possession of the puck after he releases it up until the point the puck is next played by another player. An avoidable check delivered to a player after he has released the puck must be penalized under this rule.  An avoidable check is when the player delivering the check has an opportunity to avoid contact once it is realized the opponent no longer has possession and control of the puck.  The concept of "finishing the check" is one that is meant to intimidate or punish the opponent and has no place in youth hockey. Provided this check is avoidable, it must be penalized in every instance.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS HEADLINES
Blackhawks and United Center to Host First U.S.-Based HockeyFest on June 22-23
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.
ILLINOIS HEADLINES
2019 Southwest Spring League Champions Crowned
By Jim Arhontas, SWSL President - On June 8th the Southwest Spring League played their league championships at the Darien Sportsplex. The league crowned 14 division winners. The Jaguars led the way with 5 SWSL championship titles. The Blues had 3 Champions at the 10U level, while the Blackbirds, Bruins and Sabres had 2 Champions each. Congratulations to all our SWSL teams and players on an outstanding season! VIEW CHAMPIONS>>
Remembering Illinois High School Hockey History-Makers 
By Ross Forman - The first-ever Illinois High School Hockey State Championship Team, from the 1973-74 season, was the Proviso Pacers, representing Proviso West High School.  "At times I cannot believe it's been 45 years, (yet) other times it seems like yesterday," said Marc Arturi, 61, who lives in Elmhurst and is a driver for Meal Village, Inc. He grew up in Westchester, played on Westchester Park District teams, for the Elmhurst Huskies, and then the Pacers. Arturi, who wore jersey No. 10, started out as a left wing, then dropped back to left defense because he was one of the few guys who could skate backwards exceptionally well. He graduated from Proviso West in 1975, then attended Triton College in River Grove. READ MORE>>
10 Illinois Players Selected in 2019 NAHL Entry Draft
Congratulations to the 10 Illinois players drafted by the NAHL on June 4th! Click HERE to view Illinois players selected, or click HERE for full 2019 NAHL Entry Draft Results.  

OUR HOCKEY PARTNERS
What Defines An Intelligent Hockey Player?
State Championship-winning hockey coach Sean Goldsworthy has been around the game since he was in the womb.  Son of Minnesota North Stars legend Bill Goldsworthy, Sean has long called the ice his second home. As a player, Sean led his senior high school team to state tournament finals and went on to have a rewarding hockey career at St. Olaf College. He has extensive experience working with USA Hockey, Minnesota Hockey, and as a board member, coach, and clinician. As a coach, his team recently won a state championship. It's safe to say he knows a thing or two about hockey. READ MORE>>