Volume 7 Issue 18 | January 29, 2020
ILLINOIS HOCKEY HALL OF FAME - CLASS OF 2019
Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame Inducts Twelve New Members into the Class of 2019!
A record number of people were present as the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame (IHHF) recently inducted its 15th class of inductees into its Hall of Fame. The inductees who were honored on Sunday, January 26, 2020, at the Belvedere Banquet Hall in Elk Grove were (pictured above from top left) Steve Drews, John Conenna, Don Granato (Tony Granato pictured), Tim Gabel, Kenny McCudden, Tim Stapleton, Randy Krawiec, Jim Friberg, Lynne Bournazos, Chuck Linkenheld, Rich Jecmen and Sylvain Turcotte.
 
Illinois hockey has a very long and rich hockey history, due in large part, to the foundation laid down by these inductees, as well as their tireless dedication in making sure every individual who had a desire to participate in this great sport has had the opportunity to do so.  Click HERE to learn more about the long hockey history each of these individuals has contributed to Illinois hockey.  On behalf of everyone involved in the game of hockey, we admire and thank each of the inductees into the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2019. They truly are in a class all their own!
COUNTDOWN TO STATE
 
Our Countdown to State Newsletter is coming to your email inbox on Friday, February 14th!
  • Click HERE to view the schedule for the 2020 Tier I Illinois State Hockey Championships Round Robins. 
  • The rankings for the Girls Tier II/III "A" and 14U "B" divisions have been announced. Please click HERE to view. 
  • Please click HERE to view the 2020 Illinois High School State Championships Central Illinois Division bracket and schedule.
Tickets On Sale Now for the 2020 High School State Championships  at the United Center!
In conjunction with the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI), the Chicago Blackhawks will host the 2020 Illinois State High School Hockey Championships, presented by Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers, at the United Center on Saturday, March 21.

The event will feature a full evening of action with the Illinois Girls' State Championship (3:00 p.m.), the Boys' Red Division State Championship (6:00 p.m.) and the Boys' Combined Division State Championship (8:00 p.m.). The first 10,00 fans in attendance will receive a Bluetooth speaker, also presented by Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana Chevy Dealers. COMPLETE DETAILS>>
 
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
Mindset Matters When It Comes to Preparing for the Playoffs
By Greg Bates, Special to AHAI - As playoff time nears, players and coaches are reminded of the most important aspects of postseason play: have fun and make sure the kids continue to develop in the right direction.  "It's bonus hockey, but it shouldn't be any different than the regular season," USA Hockey American Development Model (ADM) Regional Manager Dan Jablonic said. "You're focusing on the fundamentals, making sure you're allowing each kid an experience they're hoping they're going to remember for a long time." READ MORE>>
Nominate Your Coach for AHAI's Coach of the Year Award!
AHAI recognizes that Illinois Hockey is comprised not only of incredible players, but also of dedicated and talented High School, Youth, Girls and Disabled Hockey coaches who guide our teams both on and off the ice. Candidates for AHAI's Coach of the Year Awards should embody good sportsmanship and respect toward teams, parents and officials while providing a positive experience for their players. Candidates should also teach positive life skills while demonstrating dedication, passion and commitment to community. Deadline to nominate is Friday, February 7, 2020. NOMINATE NOW>>
Explaining USA Hockey Insurance: Part I - Participant Accident (Excess) Coverage
Did you know that by registering as a member of USA Hockey you are automatically enrolled in the USA Hockey insurance program? Your participation and registration with USAH afford you insurance coverage in 5 different areas: Excess Accident, Catastrophic, Liability, Directors & Officers Liability and Crime. In this 5-part series, Central District Risk Manager, Don Allord takes an in depth look at each of the areas of coverage. Part I of our series focuses on Participant Accident (Excess) Coverage.

PART I: Participant Accident (Excess) Coverage
This coverage is provided for registered members participating on all USA Hockey registered ice hockey teams and registered officials. Covered medical and dental expenses are payable, secondary to any valid and collectible insurance the registered member has in force at the time of the accident. The member must meet a $1,000 out of pocket expense obligation, per accident, before this coverage begins. If the registered member has no valid and collectible insurance in force at the time of the accident, a deductible of $3,500, per accident, will apply. READ MORE>>
USA HOCKEY HEADLINES
USA Hockey Winter Meeting Covers Wide Range of Topics
By USA Hockey - USA Hockey's top volunteer leaders gathered for the organization's annual Winter Meeting last week in Orlando with a wide variety of topics discussed, including an update to the strategic plan that will provide the guiding principles for USA Hockey over the next four years.  "It was a very productive three-plus days," said Jim Smith, president of USA Hockey. "We have so many positive things happening across the board and that's exciting as we continue to look ahead. It's evident we have some work to do on retention of our officials and that will be a focal point as move through the rest of this season and into next year. We're also continuing work on efforts to welcome more diverse groups and improve our culture." READ MORE>>
JANUARY TOP 5 PHOTO WINNERS
Your votes have been counted and the Top 5 Photos for January have been selected! Congratulations to our five (5) winners! Click HERE to view the 15 finalists and visit AHAI's Facebook Page to see all the photos submitted in January!
"Baby It's Cold Outside "
Nolan Hull
Plainfield H.S.Varsity
"Pardon Me I Have Somewhere  to Be"
Kellen Zack,
Chicago Hawks 10U
"Compassion"
Landon Hale & Aaron Mukushina
Sabres 10U
"Here Pucky, Pucky, Puck"
Madison Meyers, Sabre Girls 12U
"In Edges We Trust"
Wesley Baier, Sabres 10U
We can't wait to see your February photos! Send us pics of your awesome backyard rinks, outdoor pond hockey games, hockey-themed snowmen, or of your AHAI player's cellys, saves, slapshots, dekes and dangles. Click HERE for contest details.
2019 ILLINOIS HOCKEY HALL OF FAME BIO SERIES
Jim Friberg - Coaches' Category
Jim was born in St. Paul, Minnesota in the year 1944. Growing up in Maplewood, Minnesota, he learned to skate and play hockey on a pond in his neighborhood. He graduated from North St. Paul High School in 1962 and was a 3-year hockey letterman; he played in the 1961 Minnesota High School Boys' Hockey Tournament. Jim graduated in 1969 with a bachelor's degree in Group Work and Recreation at George Williams College in Downers Grove, Illinois, and played on their club hockey team. While at George Williams College he met Jim Campbell at Elmhurst Ice Rink. Jim Campbell developed the first Illinois residential hockey school, aptly named the "Jim Campbell Hockey School" at the Wagon Wheel in Rockton, Illinois. READ MORE>>
Chuck Linkenheld - Coaches' Category
Chuck is one of five siblings, including a special needs brother, who grew up in Schaumburg, Illinois. He began skating when he was just 5 years old on Turner Pond in Roselle. Turner Pond became a speed skating event run by the Schaumburg Jaycees where Chuck won a few races and moved on to an indoor rink soon thereafter.  Later, a baseball teammate invited Chuck to a Friday night hockey camp run by Jim Allen at the Polar Dome rink in Dundee. He loved it and quickly joined the Dundee Demons hockey club at 7 years old. The following year he was invited to the Minor Hawks Hockey camp and was later extended an invitation to try out for the Chicago Minor Hawks. He made the team and was a Minor Hawk his entire youth hockey career. READ MORE>>
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS HEADLINES
Congratulations to the January BMO Harris Bank Youth Hockey Award Winners!
The Chicago Blackhawks and BMO Harris Bank are proud to honor members of the hockey community. Each month during the regular season they recognize the excellence of a youth hockey player, coach and volunteer. AHAI congratulates January's Award Winners - Player:  Talon Joynt  of the West Dundee Leafs, Volunteer:  Ian Essling  of Chicago Blackhawks Blind Hockey, and Coach:  Stephan Polus  of the Rolling Meadows Renegades. January's youth hockey award winners were recognized at the Chicago Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets game on Sunday, January 19th.

Want to nominate a deserving player, coach or volunteer? Click HERE for complete details and nomination form.
Registration is Now Open for the Little Blackhawks Learn to Play Program!
The Chicago Blackhawks are excited to announce another year of the Little Blackhawks Learn to Play program! Learning to play hockey is more than just learning a game. More than skating, passing and stick-handling, hockey is about responsibility, respect and teamwork. The Little Blackhawks Learn to Play program offers participants, between 5-9 years of age, free head-to-toe equipment, age appropriate instruction and certified coaching, led by NHL Alumni. MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION>>
ASK THE OFFICIAL BY DAVE ZEDNIK
Question: Team A, losing late in the game, substitutes its goalkeeper for an extra attacker. Before the change is completed, Team B gains possession of the puck and carries it into Team A's Defending Zone. The substitute player for the goalkeeper goes onto the ice before the goalkeeper is at the players' bench and out of play (noted by the back Linesman). A Team A player gains possession of the puck behind his own goal and the whistle stops play. Are any penalties to be assessed and where is the ensuing face-off to take place? 

Answer:  No penalties are to be assessed, as this is a "premature substitution for the goalkeeper" violation. The ensuing face-off must take place at the nearest end zone face-off spot. Rule Reference 205(c). READ MORE>>
GIRLS' HOCKEY HEADLINES
Be a Part of the 2020 America's Showcase Team!
Attention all sophomore, junior or senior high school age girls! If you have not yet committed to a college/university, America's Showcase could be exactly what you need to help you reach the next chapter of your life.  If you're wanting to play hockey in college, please consider registering for the 2020 Illinois Girls' Showcase Team. Many NCAA DIII and ACHA coaches and scouts will be on hand in St. Louis looking for players to round out their teams. It's never too early to register. Please  click here to review the invitation and Showcase information. If you have any questions, please contact Anita Lichterman, Illinois Girls' Showcase Team Manager at girls@ahai2.org or 847.414.5737.
2020 USA Hockey's Central District Girls Tryout Information
USA Hockey's Central District Girls Tryout for 2020 will be held at Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park, Illinois, March 20-22, 2020. All USA Hockey registered female skaters that wish to try out for USA Hockey National Select Camps as well as the Central District Development Camp MUST attend this tryout to be evaluated.  This is an OPEN camp; any female residing in the Central District (WI, IL, MO, KS, NE, IA) is eligible to participate. Last year, over 395 girls participated in the tryout. Registration opens at www.centraldistricthockey.org on February 1, 2020 and closes on February 15, 2020. NOTE: If interested, please register early! Tryout spots are limited and spaces fill up very, very quickly. Please click HERE for more information.
DISABLED HOCKEY HEADLINES
Brad Roethlisberger Recognized by Central District for Outstanding Leadership in Supporting Disabled Hockey
By Michael Svac  - USA Hockey Disabled Referee-in-Chief, Brad Roethlisberger, was recognized by Doris Donley, USA Hockey Blind Hockey Representative and Michael Svac, USA Hockey Representative for the Central District, for his outstanding leadership in supporting Disabled Hockey in the Central District and his work for helping to grow Blind Hockey throughout the United States at the USA Hockey Winter Meeting in Orlando, Florida, on January 18, 2020. READ MORE>>
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY HEADLINES
Marist Builds for the Future, Competes in Catholic League & Hayes-Suburban Division
By Ross Forman - Jack Molenhouse is having quite the season for Marist in the Hayes-Suburban Division: 16 goals, 18 assists in 21 games played. He has 1 hat trick, 5 multi-goal games and only been held point-less in 6 games.The RedHawks are 14-6-1 (29 points), only trailing league leading AWFM (38 points) and MidValley (33). "Marist is one of the stronger teams in the league," said Homewood Flossmoor head coach Wayne Perry, whose team has lost 2 of the 3 games it has played this season against Marist. READ MORE>>
TIER II HOCKEY HEADLINES
2020 Central States Developmental Hockey League Playoff Dates Set 
The Central States Developmental Hockey League (CSDHL) is pleased to announce that the 2020 Playoffs will be held February 6-9, 2020.  Pee Wees and Bantam levels will compete at the Canlan Ice Sports (Leafs Center) in West Dundee and the Squirts and Midgets playoff games will be held at Canlan Ice Sports in Romeoville. More information can be found on the CSDHL website. Good luck, teams!
ILLINOIS HOCKEY HEADLINES
2020 Hobey Baker Memorial Award Nominees Include 8 Illinois Players
The Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois is proud to share that Jack Drury , Matt Jurusik , Brennan Kapcheck , Tanner Laczynski , Stefanos Lekkas , Hugh McGing , Dryden McKay and James Sanchez are part of the distinguished list of nominees for the 2020 Hobey Baker Memorial Award. Click HERE to cast your vote today!

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