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 $7,000.00 scholarship over four years.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic there will not be an in-person Alumni Luncheon this year. The scholarship recipients will be honored at a private ceremony. All of us here in Illinois are proud of their accomplishments in the classroom, in the community and on the ice.

This year marks the 6th anniversary of the Ben Allison Legacy Memorial Scholarship. Ben was a member of the Illinois Hockey Officials Association (IHOA) and USA Hockey's Officiating Development Program. He aspired to officiate in the NHL and was a student at Illinois State University where he studied broadcasting and journalism. Unfortunately, Ben was tragically taken from us in January of 2015, at the age of 20.

Ben was an outstanding official and an even better friend. Anyone that knew Ben would agree that he was the hardest working official both on and off the ice, and he always provided a positive outlook on life and officiating. In his honor and to celebrate his life and legacy, Ben's parents set up a scholarship for officials within the Central District who are either graduating high school or are within their first year of college. If you meet this criteria, we strongly encourage you to apply for this very prestigious scholarship. Application deadline is April 16 at midnight. If you have any other questions please contact [email protected]. 

Question: What action should the referee take if a coach who has already been assessed a game misconduct refuses to move from his/her players bench? Answer>>

By Ross Forman - His hockey career has long been pressure-packed, on and off the ice. Dryden McKay is following the hockey path of his dad, Ross, who grew up in hockey-crazed Canada and boasts a resume that includes a stop in the National Hockey League. Ross also spent three seasons in goal in the minor leagues - in the ECHL, IHL and AHL. And why is he named Dryden? After one of the game's greatest of all-time, Ken Dryden, the Hockey Hall of Fame goalie who played his entire NHL career for the Montreal Canadiens. "I didn't really put it together - my name, my dad and being a goalie - until I was a little older. I first wanted to play hockey to spend time with my dad," said McKay, who was skating with his dad's help at 2 or 3, playing games at 4 or 5, and a full-time goalie with knowledge of his namesake at 8 or 9. READ MORE>>

By Ross Forman - Sylvain Turcotte remembers the determination of Caitlin Schneider, dating back to learn-to-skate lessons he taught her at age 3 or 4. If she fell, for instance, Schneider did everything to make sure she got right back up. Turcotte was then watching Schneider at age 6, skating for a Glenview Stars team, as Turcotte has been the longtime hockey director for the Glenview Park District, including the Stars. As a squirt, shooting to make the Glenview gold team, though, Schneider was cut, landing on the silver team. She was distraught. "Experiences like that shape you as a player, when you (have to) battle adversity. Moments like that really push you to be better," she said. "Those experiences for sure, and others, help guide me to where I am at now." READ MORE>>

By Greg Bates, Special to AHAI - The past year hasn't allowed kids many opportunities to play hockey. With shortened seasons now wrapping up and the fall seemingly a long time away, hockey is still on the minds of athletes. AHAI Coach-in-Chief Jim Clare stressed that young players shouldn't go overboard with hockey in the spring and summer to try and make up for lost time. "Most people are in the same boat," Clare said. "You aren't missing out if you are getting involved with your baseball, lacrosse or taking vacation and staying away from the rink. In fact, it's probably not a bad thing to do, give yourself a little break from all that craziness we went through." READ MORE>>