Volume 10 Issue 11 | November 2022

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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hi everyone. It’s hard to believe it's already Thanksgiving. Hopefully all of you are playing in local tournaments. My family and I always looked forward to these times. Have fun and enjoy, it’s over before you know it. 


I was asked by USA Hockey to attend an Affiliate President’s Meetings last month. It was a power packed meeting for two days. We were able to get to know each other and our respective programs. It seems we all have very similar ups and downs. We were able to form alliances so we can work together to promote youth hockey. 


It was attended by Mike Trumboli, USA Hockey President, Pat Kelleher, USA Hockey Executive Director, and other USA Hockey representatives. It was a very informative time and we hope to follow-up at the USA Hockey winter meeting. 


One issue for us is bringing the mites back to AHAI. We are still working on this so keep your fingers crossed for next season. 


I thank you for supporting us and our efforts. We are all volunteers and can’t succeed without you. Please take time to be thankful that we can all participate in the greatest sport of hockey. 


Please remember St. Ignatius JV Team in your prayers.


Happy Thanksgiving!


Kevin Bolger

President


ILLINOIS HOCKEY HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES INDUCTEES

The Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame recently announced the 18th class of inductees into its Hall of Fame. The honored inductees this year are:

Players Category


Kevin McKee

Erica Mitchell-McKee


Coaches Category



Ken Klein

Tom Kurzawski

Wally Naumenko

Jim Philbin

Builders Category


Mike Schmitt

Eric Schneider

Gary Wells

Jim Wood


Referee Category


Bill Green

Geoff Schlender


Illinois hockey has a very long and rich hockey history, due in large part, to the foundation laid down by these inductees. 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.


The IHHF Induction Dinner will be held in their honour on Sunday, January 29, 2022 at the Belvedere Banquet Hall located at 1170 West Devon Avenue in Elk Grove Village beginning at 5:00 pm. Tickets are available by contacting John Dunne at 224/636-3215 or e-mail John at executive.director@ahai2.org. READ MORE<<<

STATE CHAMPIONSHIP INFO - SAVE THE DATE

Save the following important dates for State Championships:

Tier I

Round Robin: Begins February 1st



Championship Weekend: Saturday, February 25th - Sunday, February 26th


Tier II Youth

Exemption Process: Thursday, December 1st - Sunday, December 11th


Registration: Thursday, December 8th - Sunday, January 8th


Elimination Rounds: 1st round Monday, February 6th - Sunday February 12th

2nd round Monday, February 13th - Sunday, February 19th


Round Robin: Thursday, February 23rd - Sunday, February 26th


Championship Weekend:  Friday, March 3rd - Sunday, March 5th

Tier II Girls

Girls Match-ups Announced: Sunday, January 15th


Round Robin: Saturday, February 25th - Sunday, February 26th



Championship Games: Sunday, March 5th


High School

Elimination Rounds: Friday, February 24th - Monday, February 27th


Quarter-Final Rounds: Saturday, March 4th - Sunday, March 5th


Semi-Final Rounds: Tuesday, March 7th - Friday, March 10th


Championship Games: Sunday, March 12th - Monday, March 13th

HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS

IHSHL North-Central Division ‘caters to all levels of play’

By Ross Forman

 

Champions League features such state powers as PREP, New Trier Blue, Evanston & Deerfield


Co-op PREP has been near-perfect this season in the Champions League of the IHSHL North-Central Division, most recently skating past New Trier White 4-2 on Saturday, Nov. 12, in Mount Prospect.


PREP trailed 1-0 after the first period but answered with four straight goals. William Behls led PREP with one goal and two assists, while Nicholas Lamberg chipped in a goal and an assist, including the game-winner.


PREP has been a dominant force in the 15-team Champions League, with a league-high 65 goals scored (in 15 games) and 22 goals-against, which ranks second behind New Trier Blue (20) in goals-allowed, and the Trevians have played three fewer games so far.

“The season is already a success … we have over 1,000 playing our great game,” said first-year North-Central commissioner Jack Raslawski.


North-Central is a powerhouse in Illinois, with 24 varsity teams and 36 JV teams – both totals are the most of any Division in the state. There are about 390 varsity players in North-Central and about 615 at the JV level.


“The (IHSHL Hayes) Suburban League folded (after last season) and between the West and our league we were able to accept all their teams. I know there are a few that don’t believe in the combined team concept, but this allows many players to play the game from schools that can’t field pure teams,” Raslawski said. “Thankfully we have many individuals who run the 29 organizations, allowing these players a team to play for. READ MORE<<<

High School Rankings

By Ross Forman

Landon Douthit scored a late second period goal on Saturday night, November 12 in Lincolnwood, assisted by Henry Miller, and it proved to be the game-winner for New Trier Green.


The Trevians slipped past arch-rival Loyola Gold, 1-0, to further establish themselves as the team-to-beat in the IHSHL Scholastic Hockey League.


And the state.


The Trevians stand at 10-1 in league play, 24-3-2 overall – and they move back into the No. 1 spot of the Top 20 Illinois High School Hockey Teams.

Here’s the full Top 20:

 

  1. New Trier Green
  2. Glenbrook North
  3. Stevenson
  4. Glenbrook South
  5. Loyola Gold
  6. Saint Ignatius
  7. PREP
  8. Maine Township
  9. Providence Catholic
  10. York
  11. Saint Viator
  12.  Ice Cats
  13.  New Trier Blue
  14.  Benet Academy
  15.  Hinsdale Central
  16.  Lake Forest
  17.  Evanston
  18.  Waubsonsie
  19.  Deerfield
  20. Cobras

Others To Watch: New Trier White, Carmel Catholic, Fenwick, BG/H/W and St. Rita

COACHING & OFFICIATING INFORMATION

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Coaching Education Update

Level 1-4 Clinics



All coaches who have not yet completed their Level 1-4 CEP have until Dec 31st to do so or they will be removed from rosters. Clinics are filling up. AHAI will be adding several Level 1 virtual clinics for December. Remember, you can attend any virtual clinic posted regardless of who is hosting it. Clinics are listed here https://coursesearch.usahockey.com/

Level 5 Clinic May 4-7, 2023

By USA Hockey



Registration is now open for the 2023 USA Hockey Level 5 Coaches Symposium, where aspiring coaches from across the country will gather in Falmouth, Massachusetts, to attain their level 5 coaching certification, the highest offered by USA Hockey. The event will be held May 4-7 at the Sea Crest Beach Hotel.


Typically held every other year, the Level 5 Coaches Symposium will offer general sessions, as well as the opportunity to explore innovative approaches to coaching in rotating breakout sessions.


“The Level 5 Coaches Symposium is always one of our most highly anticipated events and we’re excited to partner with Mass Hockey in bringing it to Massachusetts,” said Bob Mancini, USA Hockey assistant executive director of hockey development.


“Those attending will have a chance to learn from some of the legendary coaches in our game and also collaborate with both speakers and attendees in building and enhancing their own coaching resume.”


Space is limited and registration is on a first come, first served basis.

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Ask the Official

By Dave Zednik


QUESTION: What judgment should an Official use in assessing a match penalty for a player or coach using language that is deemed to be hateful or discriminatory in nature?


 

ANSWER: If the official hears a comment that they deem to be hateful or discriminatory directed at anyone in the rink at any time, the match penalty must be assessed. Rule Reference 601(e.3).

 

There is no place in the game for this type of action and the officials must strictly enforce this rule. Although there is no easy criteria to establish the type of language that falls into the hateful or discriminatory category, the officials must use their best judgment as to the spirit and intent of the language that is used and if it is deemed to have in anyway been hateful or discriminatory in nature, the match penalty must be assessed.

USA HOCKEY NEWS

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U.S. National Sled Hockey Team Set to Travel to Bridgewater, N.S., for 2022 Para Hockey Cup

By USA Hockey

Game action begins November 27 against Czechia


The U.S. National Sled Hockey Team will compete in the Para Hockey Cup, Nov. 27-Dec. 3, in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia, at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle CenterThe tournament, which was previously known as the World Sled Hockey Challenge from 2007 to 2017, returns after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic for a 14th rendition. The U.S. will take on Canada, Czechia, and Italy with sights set on capturing a seventh consecutive, and ninth overall, Para Hockey Cup title.


The U.S. roster includes 18 players and includes the return of goaltender Jen Lee (San Francisco, Calif.) and defenseman Chris Douglas (Saint Cloud, Fla.). Lee is a three-time Paralympic gold medalist and has helped the U.S to four Para Hockey Cup titles, while Douglas has been part of five previous Para Hockey Cup championship teams. The full roster and staff are available here


“We’re excited to compete in the Para Hockey Cup,” said David Hoff, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. “We have a really good group of players and we look forward to building on the success we had at the IPH Cup in September.” READ MORE<<<

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS INFO & EVENTS

The 2022-2023 Chicago Blackhawks High School Rivalry Series kicks off this month with games featuring Benet vs Providence, Fenwick vs St. Ignatius, and Glenbrook North vs Glenbrook South! To see the full Rivalry Series schedule head over to www.blackhawks.com/youthhockey.

 


HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

USA Hockey Magazine compiled a list of this season's hottest gifts for Hockey lovers!

USA HOCKEY HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

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