Volume 10 Issue 8 | August 2022
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
The 22-23 season is starting soon. Good luck at tryouts. We are excited and certain that this will be a great season. 

On Saturday August 14th, your AHAI Board met for a Strategic planning meeting. We spent the entire day planning for the future of Illinois Hockey. We are trying to improve on all levels. 

The focus of the meeting was how to improve the experience for you, our members. We believe we are headed in the right direction and with your participation, Illinois Hockey will grow and thrive. 

Thank you for working with us and supporting us. 

See you at the rinks.

Kevin Bolger
President
REGISTRAR INFORMATION
Registrar Training for the 2022/23 season was held earlier this month. If you are a new registrar or missed the meeting, contact the AHAI Registrar, Laura Johnson, for information on the material presented. Registrar@AHAI2.org or (224) 636-3233.
TIER II CHOICE & TRYOUT INFORMATION
Tier II Substitute Choice Application Process for Youth 2022-23 Season

The Tier II substitute choice application process for youth teams, 10U through 16U/18U will close on September 15th. All applications must be submitted online here.

The Tier II Committee has one remaining in-person appeal hearings for those denied a substitute choice. The date for the appeal is August 31 at 6:30 p.m. at Glenview Ice Arena.

Questions? Please email Gregg Chudacoff, AHAI Tier II Chairman, at gregg.chudacoff@ahai2.org.
HIGH SCHOOL INFORMATION
Goalie Program

We are facing a critical shortage of goalies in high school hockey. The goalie coordinator, Bob Wagner, is requesting that programs that need goalies for the upcoming season and more importantly programs that have extra goalies, boys or girls, contact him A.S.A.P.

These goalies are distributed by ability and location for 1 season to teams that are in need. They return to their home schools for the next season to be evaluated. If a goalie goes to a school that is not part of a high school program, they may request an assignment to a program in need. Allowing a “surplus” goalie to play and develop is great way to develop a strategic resource. Bob may be reached at rwags517@gmail.com or (847) 732-8768.
Lake Forest jumps to the Scholastic Hockey League
Scouts are ready to be ‘playing with the best in the state’
By Ross Forman
Lake Forest is talent-filled this season. In fact, it’s the highest level of talent that head coach Steve Sarauer has had entering his fifth season on the Scouts bench.

Experience also will be a Lake Forest strength as the club will be returning up to 14 players from a team that went 12-5-5 in the IHSHL Champions Division, 27-13-6 overall.

This also will be a pivotal and certainly challenging season for the Scouts, as they move into the Scholastic Hockey League, without question the state’s top league. LF now must face New Trier Green, Loyola Gold, Glenbrook North, Glenbrook South and others in league play. Oh yeah, the SHL also features defending state champion Stevenson. READ MORE<<<
COACHING INFORMATION
Information on Coaching Certifications
By Jim Clare, Illinois Coach-in-Chief

The USA Hockey Coaching Certification process has begun. Continue to check the USA Hockey website for virtual clinics. As with the past year, coaches will be able to attend any virtual clinic posted here. AHAI will begin posting virtual clinics before the end of the month.

The clinic season runs through Dec. 31. AHAI will also run a small number of in-person clinics, dates to be determined, for Level 1,2, and 3 only. USA Hockey staff will run the virtual clinics for all Level 4's. This year as we post Level 1,2, and 3 clinics we will be able to keep those private for a short period of time so only Central District coaches can sign-up before we open it to the entire country. Hopefully this makes it easier for coaches to find clinics. Look for more notifications of additional clinics specifically for Central District both on social media and in this newsletter.
STEP aHEAD PROGRAM
Through the A Step aHead program, we offer baseline concussion testing, as well as educational programs to youth hockey players and members of Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois - AHAI. To find an Athletico location near you to schedule your athlete's baseline test, visit - http://ow.ly/wPit50K6kpK
USA HOCKEY NEWS
U.S. Roster Announced for 2022 IIHF Women’s World Championship
By USA Hockey

USA Hockey named the 23 players set to represent the U.S. at the 2022 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship from August 25 – September 4 in Herning and Frederikshavn, Denmark. The team returns 18 players from the 2022 U.S. Olympic Women’s Hockey Team that took home silver in February, including Cayla Barnes (Eastvale, Calif.), Hannah Brandt (Vadnis Heights, Minn.), Alex Carpenter (North Reading, Mass.), Jesse Compher (Northbrook, Ill.), Kendall Coyne Schofield (Palos Heights, Ill.), Jincy Dunne (O’Fallon, Mo.), Savannah Harmon (Downers Grove, Ill.), Caroline Harvey (Salem, N.H.), Nicole Hensley (Lakewood, Colo.), Megan Keller (Farmington Hills, Mich.), Amanda Kessel (Madison, Wis.), Hilary Knight (Sun Valley, Idaho), Kelly Pannek (Plymouth, Minn.), Maddie Rooney (Andover, Minn.), Abby Roque (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.), Hayley Scamurra (Getzville, N.Y.), Lee Stecklein (Roseville, Minn.) and Grace Zumwinkle (Excelsior, Minn.). READ MORE<<<
2022 Collegiate Select and Under-18 Select Teams Announced
Teams Set For Three-Game Series With Canada
Congratulations to Illinois' players Nicole LaMantia (Wayne), Tessa Janecke (Orangeville), and Abbey Murphy (Evergreen Park) on being selected to the Collegiate Select team. Rosie Klein (Chicago) was selected for the Under-18 Select team.

The teams are set to compete in a three-game series with Canada on August 17, 18 and 20. READ MORE<<<
MACCABIAH GAMES
Most hockey players take July to play a different sport, spend time with family, or maybe work with a skills coach to get ready for the upcoming season. However, several local athletes and one coach took part in the hottest event of the 21st Maccabiah during July in Israel.
Sometimes described as the “Jewish Olympics” the Maccabiah is the third largest sporting event in the world with over 10,000 athletes representing 80 countries. The United States competed against Canada, Israel, and Team Europe in four divisions: men’s, women’s, men’s u18, and men’s masters (40 and older). This was the fourth time hockey was played at the Maccabiah and the second time it was held at the Pais Arena in Jerusalem, home of the Hapoel Jerusalem professional basketball team.
There was great hockey played in front of big crowds, including the opening game, and closing game that were sold out with nearly 10,000 excited fans. The tournament concluded with the United States beating Canada for the gold in the men’s division, while Canada won gold in the other three divisions and the United States winning silver including an exciting 5-4 win in OT in the U18 division. READ MORE<<<
IHOA NEWS & INFORMATION
2022-2023 IHOA Registration Update
By: Anthony Fiorito, IHOA Registrar

All IHOA Seminars are currently open for registration and will run now until the beginning of October. We may add some additional seminars if needed, but as of right now we do not have any additional planned. All of our seminars can be found on both USAhockey.com & IHOA.com.

Please follow the below steps to get registered for a seminar.
  1. Register as a Referee with USA hockey - this is different than the player registration, will need to register both as an referee and as a player(if applicable). - https://membership.usahockey.com/
  2. Register with IHOA and select a seminar - https://secure.offserv.com/ihoa/members/reg_register.asp (You will need to wait at least 24 hours after registering on USA hockey in order for your information to be transferred over to our system)
  3. Go back into USA hockey and select the same seminar that you have with IHOA (kind of redundant but we have to have it match on both sites in order to get credit) - https://www.usahockey.com/officialseminars
  4. Complete the USA hockey Open Book Test & Online Modules (all through the USA hockey website)
  5. If over 18, Complete SafeSport Training through USA hockey
  6. If over 18, participant must be screened & background checked through USA hockey
  7. Attend the IHOA seminar (virtual or in-person depending on what we are offering for next season)
  8. Once all requirements are complete, USA hockey will send you your Crest for the year and then you can go in and request games 

For any questions or concerns please reach out to our IHOA Registrar, Anthony Fiorito, at Registrar@ihoa.com.

We hope to see you at our upcoming seminars.
Shane Gustafson Reflects on His 15-Year Career As Hockey Official
Former Crystal Lake South Player Is Now A Linesman in the ECHL and AHL
By Ross Forman
He was a two-time all-star centerman, team captain for Crystal Lake South’s hockey team and finished top 10 in league scoring before graduating in 2014.

Shane Gustafson also was a local official, starting in stripes even before entering CLS.

“I started officiating when I was 12 (years-old) and for the first few years it was nothing more than a way for me to make some extra money,” he said. “I never saw myself making a career of officiating, let alone moving across the country to work full-time as a linesman. Growing up, everyone wants to be a player; you never really think about officiating until the opportunity begins to present itself.” READ MORE<<<
Ask the Official
By Dave Zednik

QUESTION: What is the rationale behind USA Hockey’s rule that requires a bench minor penalty to be assessed to a team for banging the boards on the bench?

ANSWER: Preferably, good judgment that holds players/coaches accountable for these types of actions. Rule References 601(a.2, b.1, c.2 and e.3).
 
There is no easy answer as individual people deem different things to be offensive. Most people will know an obscene gesture when they see it or hateful or discriminatory language when heard. These situations must be penalized according to the rule.

There are certainly other areas where offensive language may also be used and should be appropriately penalized. Officials are reminded that other penalties exist for these types of 
actions, including unsportsmanlike conduct (taunting or inciting an opponent), or bench minor/misconduct for obscene, profane or abusive language. In each instance, the official should use their best judgment in assessing the proper penalty.

And, if in doubt, assess the proper penalty and report the actions to the Proper Authorities to review under supplementary discipline.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS EVENTS
Blackhawks Rookie Camp

The Fifth Third Arena is excited to host the Blackhawks Rookies as they begin their camp on September 14th. This year’s Rookie camp will include exhibition games versus the Minnesota Wild Rookies on September 16th at 7pm and September 18th at 1pm. The Rookie camp will be followed by the Blackhawk’s main camp Sept 22nd – 30th. Watch all the action free of charge at Fifth Third Arena. All spectators seating will be filled on a first come first serve basis, to reserve your spot free of charge, register here. For the Training Camp Schedule, click here.
 
 
Blackhawks High School Holiday Hawkey Tournament
 
The Chicago Blackhawks are excited to announce they will be hosting a varsity HS Hockey Tournament over the Holidays at Fifth Third Arena. To register your team or find out more details click here.
AHAI FOUNDATION GOLF OUTING
25th AHAI Golf Outing A Hole in One!
By Jim Smith

The 25th annual AHAI Golf Outing was held on Friday, August 12, 2022 at the Schaumburg Golf Course with over 130 golfers participating.
 
The objective of the annual outing is to raise funds for Hearing Impaired Hockey, Diversity Hockey, Sled Hockey, Special Hockey, IHOA Memorial Fund and the AHAI Catastrophic Relief Fund. The goal was met due to the generosity and support from the Illinois hockey community. 
 
The golfers enjoyed a beautiful day of golf with many contests on the course and were then treated to a delicious pig roast in the clubhouse. After dinner a raffle and silent/live auction was held with literally hundreds of prizes on the raffle table for the lucky winning numbers to choose from. Most golfers left with an armload of prizes and a special day of memories.
 
Once again, on behalf of the entire membership of AHAI, thanks to all those who participated in golfing, sponsored a hole, donated as a patron or gave a prize to be raffled off. We’re quite confident each of these groups listed above will be able to utilize this funding for the upcoming season.

Please mark your calendars now for the 26th annual AHAI Golf Outing to be conducted August 11, 2023 at the Schaumburg Golf Course in Schaumburg, Illinois.
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