By Mike Mullally, AHAI Director - On Monday, September 30, AHAI hosted its 30th Annual College Night: Opportunities After High School event. College Night featured three speakers for the boys; Bill Moore, who served for 24 years as head coach of St. Mary's College, Craig Barnett of the North American Hockey League (NAHL) and the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), and speaking to the issue of concussions in youth sports, Dr. Elizabeth Pieroth, PsyD, ABPP, Associate Director of the Sports Concussion Program for NorthShore University HealthSystem. Our speakers imparted invaluable information about NCAA, ACHA and Junior hockey, as well as safely navigating a concussion.

An open house followed the series of seminars and featured many colleges and universities in the area as well as junior hockey teams, which afforded parents and players the opportunity to talk directly to the program of their choice or interest.  Videos of each speaker are available on the AHAI website , ahaienews.com or AHAI's YouTube page . Should you have any questions you are encouraged to email or call any of the AHAI board members; all contact information is located on the AHAI website.

The AHAI Affiliate Presidents' Council meetings are designed for Affiliate Leadership to discuss grassroots programs. There will be open discussions on policies, rules and other short and long range strategies that affect the day in and day out administration of a local affiliate. Please note that all meetings will be held at 7:00 p.m. at Darien SportsPlex in Darien, Illinois.

By Anita Lichterman, AHAI Girls Committee Chair - AHAI held it's 30th Annual AHAI College Night on Monday, September 30th. For our female players, we held a panel discussion featuring past hockey players who all shared their college experience and what it takes to achieve the next level: playing college hockey. Our panel of speakers have all taken different paths, but are still giving back to the sport they love so much.

Jennifer Wilson, Lake Forest College Women's Head Coach, NCAA DIII discussed the recruiting process and what players can do now for their future. Laurie Markowski, Chicago Bruins Girls' Hockey Director shared her knowledge about the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), a path for which many of our female players aren't aware, including the numerous schools that have teams in this league. Michelle Lichterman, ATC, Director of Hockey Operations for Robert Morris University, spoke on the importance of listening to your body - everything from fueling your body through proper diet and hydration to injury prevention and rehabilitation.  Amanda DiNella, 2x All-American at Gustavus Adolphus College, currently serves as both the Assistant Coach and Goalie Coach for Lake Forest College Women's NCAA DIII team. She informed the players in attendance what she did during her high school years to get ready for the college selection process, the mistakes she made trying to find the right college, and how she juggled hockey and her classes to graduate. Questions and answers were in abundance as everyone was truly focused on the night.

In partnership with AHAI, the Chicago Blackhawks sponsored a first-of-its-kind event between IHOA and high school captains from the Chicago Catholic Hockey League (CCHL) and the Scholastic Hockey League (SHL).  The seminar took place on the evening of Sunday, September 29th at Fifth Third Ice Arena. The purpose of this event was to bring together officials and high school captains to strengthen the high school game and promote a culture of safety, fair play and respect. Emphasis was placed on USA Hockey's new changes in rule enforcement as it relates to body checking (namely, eliminating hits to the head, hits from behind and late hits). READ MORE>>

By Ross Forman - It's been a rough start for co-op LZMW, winless in their first three games.  But head coach Mark Adler knew it might not be a September sprint when the season started. He's more focused on wins in January and February games. Plus, the program had 16 seniors graduate from last season.  "We have a great pool of underclassmen that will help the program grow in future years," he said. "We have some good (varsity) talent from top to bottom. They will develop as they bond and continue to work hard, and will be a strong team in their division. READ MORE>>

By Michael Svac, USAH Central District Disabled Hockey Rep. - When the weather starts to cool off in Chicago, we all know it's time for some hockey. But in Dallas, Texas, the heat in the kitchen can sometimes be very hot and this past weekend it was 98 degrees. The good news - it is still time to play some hockey and the ice is not melting.  Recently, two coaches from the Chicago Blackhawks Blind Hockey team relocated to the Dallas suburbs. They are now helping a team of local volunteers start a new Blind Hockey Program in Dallas. READ MORE>>

By Ross Forman - The Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey team is celebrating 20 years this season, having grown from 5 players at one rink to about 140 players at five different area rinks - with countless memories and millions of smiles along the way.  Special Hockey now operates out of Arctic Ice in Orland Park, Center Ice in Glen Ellyn, Fifth Third Ice Arena in Chicago, Carlson Ice Rink in Rockford and Rink Side Ice Arena in Gurnee. READ MORE>>

By USA Hockey - USA Hockey and Terry Fator hosted the 4th annual  USA Hockey Warrior Classic in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 3-6, 2019.  Warrior Hockey teams from around the country were invited to come together for a weekend of hockey and camaraderie. There were 16 teams total participating (up from 8 last year), which included our own Chicago Blackhawks Warriors and Central Illinois Warriors. READ MORE>>

The Chicago Charity Hockey Challenge will provide a unique opportunity to skate at the United Center on the afternoon of a Blackhawks / Vancouver Canucks game. We will take the ice on Thursday, November 7th at 3 pm. As part of our thank you for participating in the event, each player will receive a ticket to watch the Blackhawks take on the Canucks from a private suite at the United Center.

Complimentary food and beverages will be provided. Players will receive NHL-style jersey and other gifts. Our goal for this fundraiser is to bring together the hockey family in Chicago to support the Travis Roy Foundation and its mission to help spinal cord injury survivors to live more independent and hopeful lives. COMPLETE DETAILS & REGISTRATION>>

Ever imagined skating alongside Blackhawks legends? Scoring an overtime winner to capture the cup? Drawing up a game saving play with Denis Savard? Now is your chance!  On March 19-22, the Chicago Blackhawks will be hosting the second annual Blackhawks Legends Cup ! The Legends Cup is an opportunity for adult hockey players to compete alongside Blackhawks Alumni including Denis Savard, Chris Chelios, Eddie Olczyk, Jamal Mayers, Brian Campbell, Ben Eager, Scott Foster and many more! DETAILS & REGISTRATION>>