Volume 7 Issue 22 | March 25, 2020
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A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
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Dear Illinois Hockey Community:
Our sport, along with every other professional and amateur sport association and the rest of the world, is facing an unprecedented situation. The coronavirus pandemic is affecting every one of us.
The AHAI Board of Directors had to make the extremely difficult and heart-wrenching decision to terminate the ongoing state playoffs. Progressing into the end of the season and the beginning of spring, our decision-making is guided not only by USA Hockey, but also by the very best medical professionals in the world.
Please know that every AHAI Director considers the directions and advice of these health professionals, USA Hockey directives, and government officials regarding whether to proceed with or cancel an event. We know that each Illinois hockey organization also takes these factors into consideration when deciding whether events should happen.
While these decisions are difficult, AHAI will continue to always prioritize the safety and well-being of its players, officials, coaches, administrators, and fans above all else.
Eventually and hopefully, the hockey world will return to normal and we will look back and discover we garnered a better understanding of the hockey community and the ways people came together to solve problems big and small.
Let's always remember that while we may play for different organizations and compete against each other on the ice, in the end, we all share the same goals in life: family, friends, and hockey.
Between now and the time we gather together to watch the next puck drop, stay healthy and safe, and remember to look in on your family, friends, teammates, opponents, and neighbors.
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Michael B. Barrett
President
Amateur Hockey Association Illinois, Inc.
president@ahai2.org
224.246.5760
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2020 ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS - FINAL FOUR
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In recognition of their achievements this season, AHAI will be sending banners to Final Four teams in all Illinois High School State Championship divisions. - Jack Weinberg, AHAI High School Chairman
Red Varsity Division
New Trier Green
Barrington
Glenbrook North
Glenbrook South
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Combined Varsity Division
Maine Township
Glenbard
Lincoln Way
Waubonsie
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Girls Varsity Division
New Trier Girls
Fenwick
Loyola Academy
Upper Fox Valley |
Junior Varsity Division
York
St. Viator #1
Glenbrook North
Stevenson
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JV Combined Division
PREP Black #1
Maine Township Black #1
Wheaton West #1
Glenbard #1
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2020 HIGH SCHOOL STATE TOURNAMENT OFFICIALS RECOGNIZED
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During these uncertain times and with the cancellation of all AHAI games, AHAI and IHOA would like to take a moment to recognize and congratulate those officials who earned the opportunity to work the 2020 Illinois High School State Championship games that were to be held at the United Center on Saturday, March 21st. -
Eric Cowsill, IHOA President
High School Girls Varsity Game
Referees: Erika Greenen & Samantha Cebulski
Linesmen: Haley Yates & Heather Ruchim
High School Combined Varsity Game
Referees: Sean Molina & Jack Raslawski
Linesmen: James Ugone & Shaun Conley
High School Red Varsity Game
Referees: Nick West & Andres Cruz
Linesmen: Matt Schaben & Mark Bialko
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2020 AHAI COACH & PLAYER OF THE YEAR RECIPIENTS
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AHAI congratulates the following individuals on their achievement during the 2019-2020 hockey season. All awards that were to be presented on Saturday, March 21st at the United Center during the Illinois High School State Championships will be mailed to the recipients.
JJ O'Connor Male High School
Player
of the Year
Matthew Dahlke -
Glenbrook North
Cammi Granato Female High School
Player of the Year
Kennedy Stein -
Lake Forest High School
Disabled Coach of the Year
Derek Daniels -
Shirley Ryan AbilityLab
Chicago Blackhawks Sled Team
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Youth Coach of the Year
Steve Poapst - Chicago Hawks Hockey Club
Girls Coach of the Year
Mike Campbell - Naperville Sabres
Boys High School Coach of the Year
Zak Jedlowski - Cobras
Girls High School Coach of the Year
Mason Strom - Fenwick
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2020 Adult State Championships Cancelled Due to COVID-19
By Robert Fiorio, Adult State Tournament Chairman -
Due to the worldwide coronavirus pandemic and the recommendation from the Governor of Illinois and public health officials, the 2020 AHAI Adult State Championship Tournament has been cancelled. We are very disappointed that we will not be able to crown a champion in the various Adult divisions this year, but the health and safety of all players, officials and volunteers must come first. The sold-out Adult State Championship Tournament will return to The Edge in April of 2021 better than ever!
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24th Annual AHAI Foundation Golf Outing is August 14th
By Don Allord, AHAI Foundation Golf Chairman -
Join us for a fun-filled day!
The 24th Annual AHAI Foundation Golf Outing will be held at the Schaumburg Golf Club on Friday, August 14, 2020.
The outing will be a shotgun tee off scramble at 10:30 a.m. followed by dinner at 5:00 p.m., and a
ll golfers will receive a starting package filled with special items designed just for this outing.
The revenues generated from this event will be donated to Special Hockey, Hockey Is For Everyone, AHIHA (deaf/hard of hearing hockey), the Hornets Sled Hockey program, the IHOA Memorial Fund, the Blackhawks Warriors, Blind Hockey and the Catastrophic Relief Fund for players who have been catastrophically injured playing the sport we all love. We hope you can join us for this great event! INFORMATION & REGISTRATION>>
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MARCH TOP 5 PHOTO WINNERS
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Your votes have been counted and the Top 5 Photos for March have been selected! Congratulations to our five (5) winners! Click
HERE to view the 21 finalists and visit AHAI's
Facebook Page to see all the photos submitted in March!
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"Always Stand Strong & Proud"
Patrick Dattulo, St. Jude 10U A1
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"The Long View
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Nate Schaele, Renegades '09 Plus
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"Outdoor Fun"
Chicago Jets 14U vs. St. Jude 14U
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"Brother vs. Brother"
Liam Karge, Sabre 16U & Rowan Karge, Hornets
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"Dangling in Mid-Air"
Matthew Lutz, Leafs 12U
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This was our last contest before we take our Spring/Summer hiatus, but don't worry we will be back again in October with all new prizes! Stay safe and healthy!
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ILLINOIS HOCKEY HEADLINES
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Chicago Bruins & Chicago Bulldogs Capture 8U Illinois State Hockey Championship Titles
The 8U Division of the Illinois State Hockey Championships began Feb 8th and 9th with teams from the Admirals, Chicago Bruins, Chicago Bulldogs, Joliet Jaguars, Pekin Dragons and St. Jude Knights competing to advance to the 8U Illinois State Hockey Championship finals in downtown Chicago on March 8th.
In the 8U AA Division the teams that battled through the playoffs to reach the final game were the Chicago Bruins AA1 and the Chicago Bulldogs AA1 teams and in the 8U A Division the teams that won their playoff games to lock up a spot in the final tilt were the Chicago Bulldogs A1 and the St. Jude Knights A1 teams. READ MORE>>
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Illinois' Dryden McKay Named Top 10 Finalist for 2020 Hobey Baker Award
College hockey fans can cast their vote here from the field of 10 nominees for the 2020 Hobey Baker Award. Nominated players were submitted by the athletic departments of the Division I men's hockey schools with a maximum of three candidates from any one school and voted on by College Coaches and the Vote for Hobey Fan Vote. Cast your vote for CYA alum, Dryden McKay today through March 29th at noon!
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Talking to Kids about Coronavirus
By
Rachel Ehmke, Child Mind Institute - News of the coronavirus COVID-19 is everywhere, from the front page of all the papers to the playground at school. Many parents are wondering how to bring up the epidemic in a way that will be reassuring and not make kids more worried than they already may be. Here is some advice from the experts at the Child Mind Institute. READ MORE>>
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Positive Coaching Alliance on Dealing with Disappointment during Coronavirus Cancellations, Postponements
Question: The recent cancellations of playoffs, championships, games, tournaments, and meets at every level are disappointing, but I also am aware they are necessary to prevent further spread of disease. While cancellations and precautionary measures continue, how can I (as an athletic director, coach, or parent) talk to my athlete about this disappointment?
Answer: Coronavirus has already made a massive impact on the world of professional sports, canceling nearly every major sporting event for the next 30 days, or at the very least, disallowing fans from attending. While it is a disappointment for all involved, it is especially devastating for all the student-athletes who were forced to end their season prematurely. The sacrifices they will make during this crisis ask them to draw on the very lessons they've learned through sports: to be resilient, have a growth mindset and become leaders in and out of sports. READ MORE>>
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USA HOCKEY NEWS & INFORMATION
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USA Hockey Revises 2020 Player Development Plans
USA Hockey recently announced the revision of its national player development plans for 2020 due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic as detailed below. Please click
HERE for a complete list of revisions.
USA Hockey will continue to post updates related to the coronavirus situation at
USAHockey.com
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Recapping our 5-part series: USA Hockey Insurance Coverage FAQs
By Don Allord, Central District Risk Manager - There are five areas of coverage: General Liability, Excess Accident, Catastrophic, Directors and Officers (D&O) and Crime Coverage. The details can be found on the USA Hockey website under
Membership.
Let's look at some frequently asked questions.
Question: What kind of coverage does USA Hockey offer me as an administrator? What about my board of directors?
Answer: Provided the local association follows the team and member registration procedures of USA Hockey and plays in sanctioned events, members are covered under the general liability coverage claims for bodily injury, property damage, and personal (liable, slander, defamation) injury. The same coverage protects the board of directors.
READ MORE>>
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Copyright © 2020. All Rights Reserved.
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