Volume 11 Issue 3 | March 2023 |
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LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT | |
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I can’t believe our season is coming to an end. The State Championships were exciting to watch with so many close, exciting games. Congrats to all of the teams that competed and good luck to those going to Nationals.
Take time to savor this moment. Very few get to experience it, so enjoy the moment and proudly represent your club and the State of Illinois. Best of luck.
Sunday was Stadium Day at the UC. The girls, combined and pure high school championships were held and sponsored by the Chicago Blackhawks and Biosteel. The games were exciting and showed how hard work and perseverance pays off.
Thanks to the Blackhawks for creating such a memorable experience. Special shout out to Andrea Hahn for all of her hard work and showing us that it is possible to be in three places at once. Jack Weinberg, the retiring chair of the AHAI high school committee, stepped up for AHAI assuring it was an excellent day.
As the season winds down and spring begins, we are busy planning for your 23-24 hockey season.
See you at the rinks.
Kevin Bolger
President
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COACHES & PLAYERS OF THE YEAR | |
Pictured from left to right: Kevin McSweeny, Disabled Coach of the Year, Warriors; Ryan Cooper, Youth Coach of the Year, West Dundee Leafs; Terry Cappas, Girls Coach of the Year, West Dundee Leafs; Johnny Lenzi, High School Coach of the Year, Deerfield; Jeff Rajski, Girls High School Coach of the Year, Barrington; Owen Just, High School Player of the Year, Glenbrook North; Rosie Klein, Girls High School Player of the Year, Chicago Central Romans | |
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All Tier 1, Tier II, Prep and High School Varsity players within the 06, 07, 08, and 09 birth years were eligible for consideration to attend the 2023 AHAI Player Development Evaluation/Tryout Camp. The evaluation process started in late January with an online ranking of each of the age-appropriate players. All head coaches were asked to rank the “best” players in the state at a particular age group based on the players' performance they saw during this past season.
Following these online rankings, the AHAI Player Development Committee conducted an evaluation meeting on March 1st, and based on these rankings selected 36 forwards, 24 defensemen, and 8 goalies at each eligible birth year to be invited to attend the AHAI Player Development Evaluation/Tryout Camp. The Camp will be held on April 14 - 16 at the Mt. Prospect Ice Arena. Participating players will be evaluated based solely on their performance while on the ice at the Camp. Following the conclusion of the Camp, a select number of players from the 06, 07, and 08 birth years will be invited to attend the Central District Tryout Festival on May 5 - 7 in Maryland Heights, Missouri against other players selected at their respective Affiliate’s Player Development Tryout Camps. The USAH Central District is comprised of six (6) states: Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin. From this Central District Camp players will be selected to attend the USA Hockey National Camp. The players selected at the 09 birth year will be invited to attend a week-long Player Development Camp at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa in June.
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USA HOCKEY NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS | |
Congratulations to the following teams going to Nationals! | | |
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Youth Tier II 16U
Chicago Bulldogs
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Youth Tier II 18U
Chicago Hawks
West Dundee Leafs
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Girls Tier II 14U
Chicago Hawks
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Girls Tier II 16U
Glenview Stars
North Shore Warhawks
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Girls Tier II 19U
Chicago Bruins
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The Youth Tier II 14U National Championships will be held March 30 - April 3 in Denver, CO. The Youth Tier II 16U National Championships will be held March 30 - April 3 in Amherst, NY. The Youth Tier II 18U National Championships will be held March 30 - April 3 in Maple Grove, MN. The Girls Tier II 14U, 16U & 19U National Championships will be held March 30 - April 3 in Irvine, CA. | |
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Youth Tier I 14U
Chicago Mission
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Youth Tier I 15O
Chicago Mission
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Youth Tier I 16U
Chicago Mission
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Girls Tier I 14U
Chicago Mission
Team Illinois
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Girls Tier I 16U
Chicago Mission
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Girls Tier I 19U
Chicago Mission
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The Youth Tier I 14U National Championships will be held March 29 - April 3 in Plymouth, MI. The Youth Tier I 15O National Championships will be held March 29 - April 3 in Wayne, NJ. The Youth Tier I 16U National Championships will be held March 29 - April 3 in San Jose, CA. The Girls Tier I 14U, 16U & 19U National Championships will be held March 30 - April 3 in Dallas, TX. | | |
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Red Varsity
New Trier Green
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The High School National Championships will be held March 23 - March 27 in Plymouth, MN. | |
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The 2023 Girls State Championships Tournament has come to an end.
The 2023 Girls Central District Championships Tournament has come to an end.
We are thrilled to announce, if you haven’t already heard, that Illinois Tier II Girls will be sending 3 teams to Nationals from 3 different organizations and a 4th team from a 4th organization was awarded an At-Large bid!
14U Division
CHICAGO HAWKS GIRLS – 1ST place Central District
16U Division
GLENVIEW STARS GIRLS – 1ST place Central District
NORTH SHORE WARHAWKS – awarded At-Large bid
19U Division
CHICAGO BRUINS GIRLS – 2ND place Central District
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL 4 TEAMS!!
Play GREAT, BELIEVE in yourself and your teammates,
& be PROUD of yourselves & each other!!
This accomplishment is a phenomenal testament to the Girls’ hockey community and Girls’ organizations who have worked tirelessly to promote, develop, and create a positive atmosphere for our young ladies. The fact that 4 different organizations will be representing Illinois shows the growth and competitiveness in Tier II Girls and the dedication of the women and men who are making this happen.
GOOD LUCK AT NATIONALS!!
Thank you,
AHAI Girls Committee & the entire Girls Hockey Community
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No. 1-Ranked Barrington Captures State Title
By Ross Forman
No. 1-ranked Barrington struck early and the Fillies weren’t to be denied Sunday morning, March 19, at the United Center, as Barrington stopped Loyola Academy, 6-0.
The win marks Barrington’s first Illinois High School Girls State Championship since 1997 as the Fillies finished 18-2-5. The Ramblers end 13-8-4 with losses to Barrington in both the state final and the Metro Girls league championship.
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Nicole Gorbatenko scored what proved to be the game-winner :39 seconds into the game, drilling a wrist shot from the left side past Loyola goalie Shira Wein into the upper right corner.
The Fillies pushed their lead to 2-0 about five minutes later when Rachel Gorbatenko scored from the left point through a slew of players. Barrington went ahead 3-0 with 3:50 remaining in the second period when Ella Pukala scored into the left side of the net off a drop pass from Julie Duce. READ MORE<<<
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PREP Wins First-Ever State Championship
By Ross Forman
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No. 1-ranked PREP made its first-ever appearance in the Illinois High School Hockey State Championship Game one to remember, but they needed overtime to survive.
Senior Nick Lamberg (Elk Grove) scored the game-winning goal 80 seconds into OT Sunday afternoon, March 19, at the United Center as PREP defeated Chicago North 4-3 to win its first-ever state championship (Combined Division).
“I picked up the puck (behind the net) and just fired it, and it went in. It was a dream come true; this is unreal,” said Lamberg, named Player Of The Game. “I threw it (toward) the net, which is what we talked about before going on the ice for overtime.
“I can’t describe this feeling; we’ve been working for this since last March when we got eliminated. That’s what fueled us, what motivated,” for the win. READ MORE<<<
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New Trier Green Picks Up Their 15th State Title
By Ross Forman
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When Landon Douthit went in on a breakaway late in the second period of the Illinois High School Hockey State Championship game, New Trier Green head coach Adam Cheris knew what was coming.
“That’s the guy you want in that (situation),” Cheris said. “The speed that Douthit has, I knew he was going 5-hole, always does. That’s the move he works on in practice. He’s so quick, with great hands, great spot.”
Douthit’s goal with 6:45 remaining in the second period Sunday, March 19 at the United Center was, ultimately, the game-winner as the No. 1-ranked Trevians stopped No. 3 York, 2-0. Green has now won 15 state championships since 1983, and 5 since 2013.
“It’s a great feeling, something we’ve been working hard for all year,” Douthit said. “To go out there, play our hardest, get the win is something you can’t describe.” READ MORE<<<
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IHOA Officials for the Girls Varsity State Championship Game
From left to right:
Eric Netzel, Jessica Krysik,
Ben Piskor, Samantha Cebulski
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IHOA Officials for the Combined Varsity State Championship Game
From left to right:
Scott Panter, Erika Greenen,
Mike Plesek, Brandon Boies
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IHOA Officials for the
Red Varsity State Championship Game
From left to right:
Steve Poapst, Scott Gaffney,
Samantha Hiller, John Campbell
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HIGH SCHOOL PLAYER PROFILES | |
Perseverance Pays Off: Senior Alex Furton Lands On New Trier Green
By Ross Forman
READ FULL STORY<<<
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Chicago Mission
16U star Nicole Gorbatenko Leads Barrington which ‘has been a blast’
By Ross Forman
READ FULL STORY<<<
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Season to Remember for Providence Catholic Goalie Andrew Pavich
By Ross Forman
READ FULL STORY<<<
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Illinois Men & Women Playing at the Next Level
It's a testament to our Illinois players, coaches, and associations that so many of our young men and women from Illinois were able to realize their dream of continuing to play hockey after their youth careers come to an end. There are so many junior and college leagues, the list below just highlights the largest programs. Click on the logos below to view the lists of Illinois players in those leagues.
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*Information was pulled from EliteProspects.com using Illinois as the birthplace. If someone you know was inadvertently left off the lists above, please contact AHAI Communications Manager, Jana Krausfeldt at communications@ahai2.org. | |
CSDHL U16 & U18 ANNUAL ALL-STAR GAME | |
The Cream of The Crop
The top players from the top tier 2 program in the state square off.
By CSDHL All-Star Committee
Top scouts from college and Junior teams could be seen having recruiting talks with the CSDHL All-Stars around the rink and outside the locker rooms after the conclusions of the annual CSDHL All-Star Games. Both the U16 and the U18 games were hard fought battles. The U16 game was tied at the end of regulation before the Red Team won in overtime with a game winning goal by Zachary Palik.The U18’s had a close game as well with the Red team pulling out a 3-2 victory with goals by Ryan Morgan, Jacob Scheiderman and the GWG by Jacob Laube. READ MORE<<<
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COACHING & OFFICIATING INFORMATION | |
Sean Pondelicek, double-duty on ice: Fenwick forward & Level 4 official
Awarded multiple state championship games this season, his fourth wearing an official’s sweater.
By Ross Forman
Sean Pondelicek was officiating his first-ever game, a mite contest with the Bulldogs against the Bruins in 2019 at Heartland Ice Arena in Lincolnwood.
Game details, including who won and who lost, are now a blur, but Pondelicek recalls being very nervous, hesitant to blow his whistle and scared to call a penalty.
He re-gained his confidence after his first call and set a path for, now, four successful years in his black and white striped jersey.
Pondelicek was playing in a game afterwards, so his dad told him to hurry up.
“My partner asked my dad if he had an issue with me. My dad told him that I was his son. That showed me that other officials had my back. That made me and my parents more comfortable,” Pondelicek said. READ MORE<<<
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Ask the Official
By Dave Zednik
QUESTION: A youth classification player who is not listed on the game scoresheet arrives at the arena while the game is in progress. Can the player be added to the scoresheet, thus allowing them to play?
ANSWER: Yes, provided the team has not exceeded the number of allowable skaters and goalkeepers already listed on the scoresheet.
Rule Reference 203(a). No player can be subtracted from the scoresheet to make
room for the added player and one bench minor penalty is assessed for each player added to the scoresheet after the start of the game.
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Spend an evening with Chicago Blackhawks coaching staff. | |
Hip Labral Tears in Hockey Players
By: Shane J. Nho, MD; Jordan Larson, B.S.
Femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) and labral tears are hip injuries that are commonly seen in hockey players. FAIS is a condition where the bones in the hip joint don't fit together correctly, causing the femur (ball) to collide with the rim of the acetabulum (socket), which can damage the joint. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion in the hip. Labral tears can occur when the soft, rubbery ring that surrounds the hip joint (called the labrum) is caught between the femur and acetabulum. This can cause pain, clicking, or locking of the hip joint and can also lead to arthritis. READ MORE<<<
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Blackhawks Summer Camps
Chicago Blackhawks Summer Camps are back for 2023!
Camps will be held at the Chicago Blackhawks practice facility, Fifth Third Arena, as well as arenas in Hammond, IN, Rockford, IL, and Mt. Prospect, IL. All of our camps will feature experienced and highly skilled coaches, including Blackhawks alumni, to help your son or daughter learn from the very best in the business.
The sessions will be geared toward skills such as power skating, edgework, agility, puck handling and shooting. Participants will also work on team skills in 1v1, 2v2 and scrimmages.
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