Volume 2 Issue 1 | August 2019
NEW SEASON, NEW CHALLENGES
By Jack Weinberg, AHAI High School Chairman - The new High School season is here even though it seems that summer just began. We are all looking forward to a new chance to compete and prove that all the work in the off season will make it a great year.

Success is setting goals and working hard as a team to achieve those goals. Be a complete player, both on and off the ice. Colleges are looking for good grades and good people. How you act on the ice tells a lot about the person you are off the ice. Support your teammates, celebrate each other's achievements and help each other improve on your shortcomings.
How you treat your competition tells the world who and what you are. Try and put someone down, injure them or harass them and you look small and mean-spirited. Nobody, not a school, employer or even family enjoys being around that person.

I have had the good fortune to know hundreds of High School athletes and the ones that stand out in my mind are those that cared more for their team and their teammates than for themselves. Not surprisingly, they were often the most successful in sports, academics and later, in their adult lives. They give back to their families and their communities. A title is one goal to strive for, but put it in perspective and you will find that the friends that you worked so hard with to achieve that goal were worth more than a plaque or trophy that eventually sits in the basement collecting dust. 

Play hard, play fair, respect your competition and most of all enjoy this time in your life... it will never come again! 
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
Important SafeSport 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 in June 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.
Calling All High School Age Goalies...
By Jack Weinberg, AHAI High School Chairman - If you are a High School age goalie and do not have a team to play on, have been cut from your High School program or your school does not have a team, there is another path. The High School Committee runs a goalie pool for both girls and boys goalies. We have placed over 70 goalies in the last two years. There are also spaces for goalies that are playing for a Tier I or Tier II club and have time to play High School as well. If you are interested please contact Bob Wagner, the High School goalie coordinator at (847) 732-8768 or email him at rwags517@gmail.com.
2019 College Night:
Opportunities for Hockey After High School Seminar
AHAI is proud to present the 30th annual series of Seminars on the opportunities in ice hockey on Monday, September 30, 2019, at the Woodfield Hyatt in Schaumburg. We'll talk about Men's and Women's NCAA DI and DIII hockey, 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 and female) born in 2003 through 2006. Parents are invited and encouraged to attend. Registration opens on Monday, September 17th.
AHAI FALL SHOWCASE TEAM
Fall Showcase Team to Participate in NAPHL Showcase in Minnesota

By Mike Mullally, AHAI Director - AHAI has again formed a Fall High School Showcase team that will participate in the 2019 NAPHL Showcase at the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine, Minnesota. The Fall Showcase Team will be comprised of high school junior and seniors who will compete against some of the best teams in the country at the NAPHL Showcase while being scouted by NA3HL, NAHL, USHL junior coaches as well as scouts from the ACHA and NCAA.
FORMAN'S VARSITY SPOTLIGHTS
Waubonsie Valley Has Some Large Skates to Fill – Their Own
Waubonsie Valley has some large skates to fill – their own.

That’s because the 2018-19 season was truly one to remember for the co-op club, culminating with a 44-10 record and the Combined Division State Championship.
Losing Nine to Graduation, Fenwick Needs Newcomers to Step up to Repeat
One shift from the memorable 2018-2019 Fenwick girls’ hockey season stands out to head coach Mason Strom: the last one.

“We had an empty-net goal waived off that would have sealed the game,” he said. “There was less than a minute remaining in the game. New Trier had called a timeout, and that timeout gave us a moment to settle down and focus on what was standing between us and victory.
New Trier Green Reloads, Looks to Repeat as State Champion
The road to the United Center skates through New Trier Green, as always.

The defending state champion Trevians are reloaded and, perhaps, even more talented than a year ago, when Green skated past arch-rival Loyola Gold at the United Center for the Red Division title and the Illinois High School Hockey State Championship, yet again.
FORMAN'S JV SPOTLIGHT
Spotlight on Reiden Mueller
Winning state is becoming commonplace for Reiden Mueller. Two years ago, he was on the Northern Express (CSDHL) team that won state and last season he was a state champion with Saint Viator’s JV team. “Winning state has a feeling like no other,” said Mueller who, along with teammates Mike Callahan and Ben Wozniak have been back-to-back champs. “For me, this past season was one for the memories. It had some unforgettable moments, including winning the league title and state. This team started off as a lot of kids (who) did not know each other, and then throughout the months, we turned into a family.
LEAGUE REPORTS
Hayes-Suburban Division
By Rob Ince, Hayes-Suburban President - Sharpen those skates and let’s hit the ice for another fun-filled season of high school hockey! The IHSHL Suburban-Hayes Division is proud to kick off our 47th year and begin the pursuit of the heralded Cougar Cup with the start of the 2019-2020 Illinois High School hockey season. Like many of our long time clubs, the Hayes-Suburban Division is growing this fall with the addition of 5 new clubs and 8 additional teams between our Varsity and Junior Varsity tiers. Click button below to read Rob's full article.
Metro Girls League
By Pam Flores - It’s hard believe summer is in the rear view mirror. For hockey families that means: Happy Hockey New Year! Girls, have you checked out the option to play high school hockey in the Metro Girls High School league? Even if your school does not have a girls’ team, there are plenty of options to jump on a team that combines with several schools. The school combinations are set, but many of the current teams are looking for additional players and goalies especially are much sought after by quite a few teams.