IN THIS ISSUE
Volume 6 Issue 8 |  August 29, 2018
A STEP aHEAD PRESENTS..."THE NEXT STEP"
AHAI, Chicago Blackhawks, NorthShore University HealthSystem & Athletico Physical Therapy Announce a One-of-a-Kind Hockey Safety Symposium

By  Elizabeth M. Pieroth, PsyD, ABPP We all love the sport of hockey but understand that concussions and other injuries do happen in the sport. Over the past 8 years, a dedicated group of individuals from four organizations (Chicago Blackhawks, AHAI, Athletico and NorthShore University HealthSystem) have devoted themselves to educating the hockey community about concussions in hockey through our A Step aHead program. We know that educating players, coaches, parents and officials on how to recognize and properly manage a concussion is one of the most important steps in keeping our kids safe.

While concussions are a very important topic in sports safety, there are other issues that are also relevant to the health and well-being of youth athletes. Recently we have asked you what else you wanted to know more about and we listened!

To address your concerns, the Step aHead committee is proud to announce our "The Next Step" initiative. On September 29, 2018, from 9:00am - 1:00pm, we will offer a free hockey safety symposium at the United Center atrium. We have gathered local and national experts on a wide variety of safety topics that are important for youth hockey players. Paul Goodman, the strength and conditioning coach for the Chicago Blackhawks, will be our keynote speaker and is sure to provide invaluable information to your players.
 
Come listen to these experts, ask questions, and meet other hockey families. This symposium is available to players and their parents, coaches, administrators, officials and anyone else involved in youth hockey. Bring a friend or a teammate! If you or someone you know is considering trying hockey, we have information for you as well.

Registration will open soon and will be limited for this free event. We will send out the official registration page soon so watch your email and social media sites for further information.
 
We look forward to meeting you all at this exciting event and to continuing our discussion about safety in youth hockey!
THANK YOU SPONSORS!

AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
AHAI's College Night set for Monday, October 8th
AHAI is proud to present the 29th annual series of Seminars on the opportunities in ice hockey on  Monday, October 8, 2018, at the Woodfield Hyatt in Schaumburg . We'll talk about Men's and Women's NCAA Division I and Division III, ACHA club hockey, Junior College, Prep Schools and Junior Programs. A wide array of topics will be discussed that will include: Making a College Hockey Team, Financial Aid, How to Pick the Right School for You, Making the Grade and much more! Additionally, there will be an Open House with more than 20 colleges and Junior teams present. Attendance is a must for all players (male & female) born in 2002 through 2005. Parents are also invited and encouraged to attend. Registration opens on Monday, September 17th. COMPLETE DETAILS>>
Thank You for Helping Make the 22nd Annual AHAI Foundation Golf Outing a Success!
By Don Allord, Golf Outing Chairman - Rain threatened the golf outing in the early morning, but once again we had a beautiful, sunny day for golf benefiting Hornets Sled Hockey, the Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey, Blind Hockey and Warriors Hockey teams, as well as AHIHA (hearing impaired hockey), Hockey Is For Everyone and the Catastrophic Relief Fund. Thanks to Sweet Baby Rays for providing everyone with their signature BBQ sauce and Dueces Wild BBQ sauce. A very special thank you to the Chicago Blackhawks for providing our golfers with gifts, Kevin Mann of 200x85 for donating CCM duffle bags for every golfer,  Kathy Jecmen for all her efforts securing items for raffle and sale and last, but not least, all the volunteers and players for their continued support year after year. We will hold the golf outing a week earlier next year so as to not conflict with 16U/18U tryouts at the same location, the Schaumburg Golf Club. The golf was great, and the dinner even better!



ILLINOIS HOCKEY HALL OF FAME
Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame Seeking Nominations for Class of 2018
Illinois hockey has a very long and rich hockey history, in large part due to the tireless dedication and commitment of individuals who have helped make sure every individual who has had a desire to participate in this great sport has had the opportunity to do so. The Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding players, organizers, coaches, managers, supporters and officials. 

Click  HERE  for Nomination Qualifications & Procedures. If you know of someone who you believe should be a candidate to enter the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2018, you are encouraged to click  HERE  for Nomination Form; please submit all assisting documentation by October 1, 2018. Click  HERE  to view a list of past IHHF Inductees. The 2017 IHHF Induction Dinner will be held in their honour on Sunday, January 27, 2019 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  jacole@comcast.net .
A STEP aHEAD REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!
Fact vs. Fiction: Concussion and Youth Athletes
Playing a sport, whether contact or not, puts your children at increased risk for injury. This includes many of the activities and sports kids and teens participate in during or after school. With any injury, especially head injuries, it's important to know the difference between fact and fiction. Elizabeth Pieroth, PsyD, ABPP, the Associate Director of NorthShore Sports Concussion Program, helps parents distinguish fact from fiction when it comes to concussion. READ MORE>>
Be A Step aHead - Register Today!
AHAI is excited to announce the 8th Year of the A Step aHead Program in conjunction with the Chicago Blackhawks, Athletico Physical Therapy and NorthShore University HeathSystem.  The goal of the A Step aHead Program is to educate the youth hockey community on concussion awareness, prevention and treatment as well as to provide FREE baseline neurocognitive testing to AHAI members ages 11-18.  Click HERE to learn more about the A Step aHead Program and to REGISTER NOW

Please note that registration is online only; do not call Athletico directly to register.
COACHING & OFFICIATING INFORMATION
Please click the buttons below for the 2018 Coaching Education Program Clinic schedule and the 2018 IHOA Seminar schedule.
Ask the Official by Dave Zednik
QUESTION: Are electronic devices permitted on the bench? What is the infraction and is the device removed?   
 
ANSWER: Yes, except to challenge or dispute a game official ' s decision while the game is in progress. The penalty for this violation is a Bench Minor. Two-way radio and diagram plays are permitted. It would not be practical to expect the officials to confiscate an expensive electronic device that is the personal property of the coach. As long as the equipment is turned off and either removed from the bench, or set to the side, the requirement of the rule has been met and play should be allowed to continue. However, if the device were to be used illegally at a later time, the team would be subject to additional penalties according to the rules. 308(b,c). READ MORE>>
GIRLS HEADLINES
Reminder of the Latest USAH & AHAI Updates on 12U Girls Playing Up on 14U Teams
By Anita Lichterman, AHAI Girls Committee Chair - Tryouts are winding down and Clubs are finalizing their rosters. AHAI would like to take the opportunity to remind you of the USA Hockey rule and AHAI's adoption of up to three (3) 12 year olds playing on a 14U National Bound level team. Please click HERE to review both. Good luck to all our Girls' teams with the upcoming scheduling of league games.
Ask AHAI by Mike Mullally
QUESTION:  Our daughter is a 2004 birth year playing Tier II, and we are considering moving to another club. Our concern is if an additional change would still be possible. ANSWER>>

QUESTION:  What are the dates for AAA Girls? ANSWER>>
HIGH SCHOOL HEADLINES
First-ever Illinois Fall Showcase Team To Compete Sept. 20-23 in Minnesota
By Ross Forman - Some of the top Illinois high school hockey players will participate in a September "showcase" event sponsored by the NAPHL.  The Illinois High School leagues will select a team from a 40-player tryout held Sept. 5 in Northbrook to comprise a 20-member Fall Showcase team (18 skaters, 2 goalies) for a tournament held Sept. 20-23 in Blaine, Minn. READ MORE>>
Wheaton West Hosts 16-Team Preseason High School Hockey Tournament
By Ross Forman - Game On, with some of the top teams in the state ready to begin play Sept. 6-9 at Center Ice of DuPage in Glen Ellyn.  But with an asterisk, as it's just preseason.  Wheaton West is hosting the annual 2018 Illinois Pre-Season Invite, with one of the event's best-ever field of teams, including New Trier Green, Glenbrook North, Glenbard, Providence and Fenwick. READ MORE>>
ILLINOIS HEADLINES
Roster for 2018 AAPG Includes 4 Illinois Players
USA Hockey announced the  42 players  who will compete in the seventh annual  USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game  set for Sept. 19 at Xcel Energy Center, home of the NHL's Minnesota Wild. Of the 42 players, 10 hail from the state of Minnesota. The roster also includes Illinois'  Cameron Rowe  (Wilmette),  Alex Turcotte  (Island Lake),  Alex Vlasic  (Wilmette) and  Owen Lindmark  (Naperville). READ MORE>>
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS NEWS
Registration is Now Open for the Beko Home Appliances 1-on-1 Challenge
In partnership with AHAI and Beko Home Appliances, the Beko Home Appliances 1-on-1 Challenge 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 MB Ice Arena on October 13, 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 November 27, 2018! The winning team (player and goalie) will accompany the Chicago Blackhawks Fan Development staff to the 2019 NHL® All-Star Game in San Jose from January 25-26, 2019 to compete against other Squirt-age winners from around the NHL. REGISTER NOW>>
Registration Now Open for Blackhawks Intermission Relay Races & JuniorHawks Ice Slots!
The Chicago Blackhawks have opened registration for the 2018-19 Intermission Relay Races and Pregame JuniorHawks ice slots during all home games. Due to popular demand, teams will be selected at random to participate. If you have questions, feel free to contact Matt Brooks at mbrooks@chicagoblackhawks.com Please CLICK HERE for complete details, including registration information, for the Blackhawks Intermission Relay Races and JuniorHawks Pregame Ice Slots.
ROCKFORD ICEHOGS NEWS
Rockford IceHogs VIP Hat Trick Experience Available Now!
Have your team get the VIP Hat Trick experience with the Rockford IceHogs during October, November or December of 2018. Lock in your team's spot now within these 3 months and receive special discounted tickets! The VIP Hat Trick experience includes sitting on the IceHogs bench during warm ups, standing on the blue line during the National Anthem and then scrimmaging on the ice during intermission all with team recognition! To get availability and more information contact McKenna at 815-847-6386 or  ryanm@icehogs.com  today.