Volume 8 Issue 17 | January 13, 2021
2021 COACH OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS
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.
 
This season has proven especially challenging and the role of the coach even more important than ever. 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.
 
Regardless of whether teams played a game or just practiced this season, we know there are many coaches that have gone above and beyond to provide a positive environment for development, both on and off the ice. Deadline to nominate is Friday, February 5, 2021.
IMPORTANT USA HOCKEY INSURANCE INFORMATION
have been receiving questions from all over the District about insurance coverage as it relates to government or club-imposed restrictions. Teams are attempting to "get around" restrictions by their state government, affiliate, municipalities, and clubs because they think they will avoid getting in trouble. Some inventive ways are "controlled scrimmages" with two different teams (controlled scrimmages by players on the same team are covered), no score sheets, officials not wearing the stripes or the current crest, and coaches officiating the game. USAH insurance does not protect the players, coaches, or fans if any of these situations violate USAH guidelines for sanctioned play.
 
USAH coverage includes: 1) Participant Accident (Excess) Coverage. This coverage may pay up to $50,000 for covered medical expenses incurred for medically necessary treatment required as a result of an accidental bodily injury. This includes fans being injured by a puck. 2) General Liability coverage up to $2,000,000. This provides broad liability protection and defenses for all USAH members, teams, affiliated organizations, directors, officers, and registered volunteers. 3) Catastrophic Injury insurance provides $2,000,000 insurance for seriously injured members.
 
USAH encourages teams to abide by government/club restrictions. However, in spite of any restriction, a game, players, coaches and fans are covered by USAH insurance only if it meets all the USAH criteria for a sanctioned USAH event. Namely, certified officials wearing a current crest, score sheets, USAH sanctioned tournaments and all participants registered with USAH on a certified roster. USAH G/L coverage is not available for Covid related claims or Covid claims against your D&O policy.
 
If you have any questions regarding coverage, please email or call me.

Don Allord
Central District Risk Manager
USAHRMCentral1@gmail.com
630-464-5910
COACHING NEWS & INFORMATION
It's Not Too Late to Register for AHAI's Hockey Directors & Coaches Webinar Featuring Steve Thompson, USA Hockey ADM Manager - Goaltending!
By Jim Clare, AHAI Coach-in-Chief - Join AHAI this evening at 7:00 p.m. for the 2nd webinar in our Hockey Directors & Coaches Webinar Series featuring Steve Thompson, USA Hockey ADM Manager for Goaltending. 

Steve is responsible for the development and management of the U.S. Goaltending Program. A former Division 1 goalie and college coach, Steve brings a passion for the position unlike any other. Steve will answer questions and discuss a variety of topics specific to goalies such as practice planning, managing games, best practices/drills, and development. Whether you are a goalie coach or just a coach that wants to learn more about the position, Steve will provide that and much more. Registrants will receive a confirmation email which includes a link to the Zoom webinar. We look forward to a fun and informative evening! REGISTER NOW>>
Check Out Our Upcoming Webinars in January!
Invitation to register will be emailed to AHAI coaches approximately one week prior to each webinar.

Player Development from a Player's Perspective
Panelists Will Be Announced Shortly
Wednesday, January 20 at 7:00 pm

Designing a Good Practice Plan
Dan Muse, U.S National Team Development Program Head Coach
Wednesday, January 27 at 7:00 pm


Did you miss AHAI's January 7 webinar featuring Kendall Coyne Schofield, U.S. Olympian and Chicago Blackhawks Player Development Coach & Youth Hockey Growth Specialist; Erik Condra, former NHL player and Chicago Blackhawks Player Development Coach; and Dan Jablonic, USA Hockey ADM Regional Manager? Click here to watch the webinar on AHAI's YouTube channel!
AHAI Will Host 2 CEP Clinics in January


Virtual Level 1
January 19 & January 21
6:30 pm to 9:30 pm

Virtual Level 3
January 26 & January 28
6:30 pm to 9:30 pm
Clinics have been posted on the USA Hockey website... sign up early as they fill up fast! USA Hockey is also hosting many Virtual CEP Clinics at all levels. Click here to view current CEP clinic schedule and to register!
IHOA NEWS & INFORMATION
Ask the Official By Dave Zednik
Question: A player delivers a check to an opponent (Body Checking category) and initiates the contact with his hands to the chest of the opponent, extending the arms to push off when contact is made. Is this a legal body check?

Answer: No. By definition, a legal body check must be delivered with the trunk (hips to shoulders) of the body and to the trunk of the body of the opponent. When the contact is initiated with the hands and the arms extended to push off, the check is not delivered with the trunk and must be penalized as Roughing.
ILLINOIS HOCKEY HEADLINES
200+ Illinois Men & Women Are on NCAA Rosters for the 2020-21 Season
It is 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 playing NCAA Division I and NCAA Division III College Hockey. Congratulations and good luck this season to the nearly 300 Illinois men and women continuing their hockey careers along with obtaining the ever important college degree. Unfortunately, not all NCAA Division III rosters were available for the 2020-21 season due to COVID-19. Please click on the buttons below to view lists of Illinois players.
PLEASE NOTE: Information was obtained from rosters posted on USCHO.com and individual college websites. If you or someone you know was inadvertently left off the lists above, please contact AHAI's Communications Manager at communications@ahai2.org.
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY FEATURES
Miles of Hockey Memories for Providence Catholic Star Forward Peyton Botich
By Ross Forman - Peyton Botich is a senior co-captain for perennial power Providence Catholic, a three-year varsity right wing who skated last fall for the AHAI Showcase Team and is one of the most skilled, talented, and feared forwards in Illinois. Even though he lives in Indiana. Playing for PC is truly a drive to commitment and sacrifice for Botich, who lives in Crown Point. The Celtics' home rink is the Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park, which is 45-minute drive - each way - for Botich, maybe a bit longer. The commute, he said, is not enjoyable, "but I just turn on music and drive," he said. The reward, he added, "is that I get to skate with the boys." READ MORE>>
Junior Ryan Cappello Brings Hockey Experience, Optimism to Co-Op Spartans
By Ross Forman - His hockey resume has already spilled over, beyond just a player. Ryan Cappello works in the pro shop at the Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park and he also helps coach an Arctic Jr. Fury bantam team. Cappello, 17, who lives in Homer Glen, is a junior at Lockport Township High School, in his second varsity season skating for the co-op Spartans, a mix of players who also attend Lemont, Bolingbrook and Romeoville High Schools. The Spartans play in the IHSHL North-Central Division, finishing 9-10-5 last season. They are coached by Colin McAuliffe and Doug Bosse is the club's hockey director. READ MORE>>
York Goalie Wesolowski Will 'Help My Team in Whatever Way I Can'
By Ross Forman - Thomas Wesolowski, a three-year varsity goalie for York, has shined on the ice... and in the water. Wesolowski, 18, a senior who lives in Elmhurst, was an All-SHL Academic Team honoree last season, with a 6-9-0-1 record in 17 Scholastic Hockey League games and a .893 save percentage. The Dukes finished 7-17-0-2-1 in the 10-team league. There were a lot of great high school teams last season and that posed a lot of good competition and challenges for my team and I to face. Overall, I am proud of how we responded to challenges and grew, not only as individual players but also as a team," Wesolowski said. "I hope to make the All-SHL and All-State teams this season. I will help my team in whatever way I can so that we achieve success." READ MORE>>
USA WINS GOLD!
USA Wins Gold at 2021 IIHF World Championship
The U.S. National Junior Team, which included Chicago Mission's Alex Turcotte (Chicago) and Landon Slaggert (South Bend, Ind.), got 2021 started in golden fashion with a 2-0 victory over Canada in the gold-medal game of the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship on Jan. 5 in Edmonton, Alberta. It was the fifth gold medal for the U.S. in the event and the fifth time in the last six World Junior Championships that the U.S. has medaled, the best medal stretch in the country's history. READ MORE>>