Volume 10 Issue 1 | January 2022
2022 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.
 
The last two seasons have been especially challenging and the role of the coach is 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 the teams success 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 Tuesday, February 15, 2022.
AHAI NEWS & INFORMATION
Suspension Committee Update
By Jack Weinberg, Chairman - AHAI Suspension and Review

I would like to give some perspective on what I am experiencing as Chairman of the Committee that oversees the on-ice infractions for AHAI in Illinois Amateur Hockey.
I have a great committee that is working overtime on all the incident reports that are generated by Illinois teams, players and coaches. The committee is made up of current and former; referees, coaches, hockey directors and presidents. The climate we live in during this crisis coupled with the lack of officials and a dearth of games and tournaments has brought us to a perfect storm.

A lack of respect for the safety of all the participants has brought us to a tipping point. The number of fights, injury causing actions, unbridled prejudice and rancor amongst everyone; fans and players alike as well as coaches is destroying this wonderful game. Let me give you a few examples from this season. We have had parents pursue and threaten refs on their way to their locker-rooms and cars. Players have been injured by their peers with life threatening behavior. A player was slashed in the throat and almost needed emergency surgery at the rink. We have seen head contacts resulting in concussions, bones broken and other season ending injuries. Coaches screaming at officials, other coaches, even throwing objects on the ice during a game that endangered the players and officials. We have seen an increase in bad behavior by parents and other fans, yelling obscenities at everyone and cheering for blow-up injury potential illegal hits that encourage players to hurt people. This behavior will not be tolerated, the consequences will be harsher. Players, coaches and teams could be removed for the remainder of the season including State playoffs and Championships.

ALL OF US are responsible for the game and each of us has a role to play in making the game safe and fair. Step up, be personally responsible for your behavior. I know that this pandemic has brought out the anger, depression and lack of regard for each other. All of us can and must make it better, now….
Building Lifelong Friendships Thru Hockey
By Ross Forman
Tim Benz played mite hockey about 25 years ago in Glenview and was teammates then with Ted Ward. They skated hundreds of games together over the years, and just as many practices, as both played for Glenbrook South High School.

Benz is now in his fifth season as the head coach at Saint Viator High School and Ward is the assistant coach for the Loyola Academy JV team.
Ward’s daughters now refer to Benz as Uncle Tim, and Ward is Uncle Ted.

Hockey built a lifelong friendship rooted in the youngest level of hockey through the present-day – for Benz, Ward and countless others.“We talk about it all the time (at Saint Viator): This is your family,” said Benz, 35, who lives in Libertyville. “You will always have these memories from hockey. When you’re 20, 30, 50, 60, or whatever age, you will always remember your hockey career, so cherish the moments, cherish your friendships.” READ MORE >>
STATE TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
2022 Youth State Championship Tournament
Information on the State Tournament for the Tier I, Tier II, Girls and High School divisions is posted on the AHAI website here. This includes rules, tournament format, timing, and schedules (if determined.)
Men's & Women's 2022 AHAI Adult State Championship Tournament
By Robert Fiorio, Adult State Tournament Director
The Amateur Hockey Association Illinois, Inc. is proud to present the 2022 AHAI Adult State Championship Tournament hosted by the AHAI Adult Committee and The Edge Ice Arena. The Adult State Tournament will take place April 28 - May 1, 2021 with all Championship Games taking place on Sunday, May 1st at The Edge. For more information and/or registration please click here or contact Robert Fiorio, Tournament Director at rfiorio4@yahoo.com.
GIRLS HOCKEY NEWS & INFORMATION
America's Showcase Registration Open
America’s Showcase is set for April 20th - 24th in St. Louis, MO. This event gives those girls who normally are not seen by College Coaches & Scouts an opportunity to showcase their talents in one location. At its’ inception, there were no girls’ teams & now there are a minimum of 10-12 from across the country. The Showcase team is open to all Juniors & Seniors not yet committed to a College or University. Sophomores may also register to tryout (we are allowed up to 6).

Registration opened January 3rd & you have multiple ways to register -
the Girls Calendar of Events on the AHAI website, on the America’s Showcase page under the events tab on the AHAI website, or simply click here for the Showcase registration form and basic information. The first two dates on the attached practice schedule will be used for tryouts.
 
For additional questions, please contact Anita Lichterman, AHAI Girls’ at girls@ahai2.org
Girls Central District Camp Information
The Girls Central District Tryout Camp will be held at the Arctic Ice Arena in Orland Park April 8th - 10th. Registration opens on February 1st & closes on February 15th or when the tryout camp is full.

The following birth years are eligible: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008. All information about the camp, registration requirements & costs can be found here.

The information is also available on the AHAI Website in the Girls Calendar of Events & on the Girls page.

“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'!”
-Audrey Hepburn
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NEWS & INFORMATION
Senior Spotlight: Glenbrook South's Will Papalas
By Ross Forman
Senior Will Papalas scored the game-winning goal last Nov. 24th when Glenbrook South defeated Glenbrook North in the annual day-before-Thanksgiving rivalry game for the first time in 15 years. His second period unassisted tally was the dagger that silenced the Spartans as the Titans triumphed, 3-1.

“That was one of my best hockey moments; it was great to get that victory,” said Papalas, a three-year varsity forward, usually on the left wing. “That was the most fun game of my career and one of the best games of the season for this team. Everyone brought the right mentality, was just ready to play and that’s all you can ask.”

“That win was in the top three games of my career,” along with past playoff games.
South stands at 9-6-0-5 in the 11-team Scholastic Hockey League which is, without question, the most challenging in the state. READ MORE >>
Slapshots with … Glenbrook South forward Will Papalas
Favorite NHL Team: Detroit Red Wings
Favorite NHL Player: Cale Makar
Favorite Sport (other than hockey): Golf
Favorite Movie: Step Brothers
Last TV Show That You Binge-Watched: Breaking Bad
Favorite app: Snapchat
Hardest Slapshot on GBS: Jason Ban
Most Accurate Shot: Zach Freimuth
Team To Beat In IHSHL Red Division: Loyola Gold
Best High School Jersey (other than GBS): Carmel’s gold uniforms
Central Illinois High School State Tournament

The Central Illinois State Championship Tournament is already underway and consists of 10 combined teams, varsity only. This year’s participating teams by ranking are:

  1. Pekin High School (Peoria)
  2. Springfield High School
  3. Sacred Heart - Griffin H. S. (Springfield)
  4. McLean County H.S (Bloom)
  5. Champaign High School
  6. Kankakee Irish High School
  7. Suburban H.S. (Peoria)
  8. Decatur High School
  9. East River H.S (Peoria)
  10. Glenwood HS (Springfield)

Elimination games will be held on home ice. Semi-finals and the final game will be held at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington. The semi-final games will be played on February 12th and the Championship game will be held at 12pm on February 13th. More information, including the tournament bracket can be found here.
Top 20 Rankings of Illinois High School Hockey Teams
(As of January 19)

  1. Loyola Gold
  2. Stevenson
  3. New Trier Green
  4. York
  5. Saint Viator
  6. Glenbrook North
  7. PREP
  8. Saint Ignatius
  9. Waubonsie/Metea
  10. Glenbrook South
  11. Benet Academy
  12. New Trier White
  13. Maine Township
  14. Providence Catholic
  15. Naperville North
  16. Carmel Catholic
  17. Lake Forest
  18. Neuqua Valley
  19. OPRF
  20. Brother Rice

Five to watch: Wheaton West, Cobras, BG/H/W, Warren, Glenbard
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY RIVALRY SERIES
High School Hockey Fans, be sure to check out these High School Hockey Rivalry Series Games presented by the Chicago Blackhawks.
ILLINOIS HOCKEY HALL OF FAME BIO SERIES
Grant Mulvey, Players Category
I was born in Sudbury Ontario, and raised in Merritt, British Columbia, Canada.

My mother and father were our biggest fans. They traveled throughout British Columbia to watch my brother and me play our games and compete against the province’s top talent. Our parents taught us to work hard, respect others and reach high.

My sister Julie was our “basement goalie” and our best cheerleader. My brother Paul is “My Best Friend” and taught me how to be tougher and in better condition for the NHL. Paul was a star player with Washington Capitals in the NHL.

In 1970 it all started, and the trajectory was steep. I played Jr. B hockey for Merritt Copper Kings at the age of 14. Brian Barrett (BC HOF 2016) from Merritt was our captain and an incredible mentor. Brian taught me to be competitive against older hockey players. I advanced to play Jr. hockey (Tier II) in Penticton, BC. for the Bronco’s. Then had success to move on to Calgary Centennials in the Western Hockey League (Major Jr. Tier I)
Drafted 1st Round – 16th pick in 1974 to the Chicago Blackhawks. READ MORE >>
NAHL COMBINES
Registration for 2022 NAHL Combines Now Open!
The North American Hockey League (NAHL) has the announced the dates and locations for the 2022 Combines, which are now open for registration. The NAHL Combines are driven by the North American Hockey League and operated by the NAHL's professional staff in order to serve the most valuable asset to hockey... the players.
The goal is to provide the aspiring hockey player to take part in a one-of-a-kind experience that is designed to maximize exposure at grand-scale events that provide a true look and feel of the genuine NAHL Experience. NAHL Combines are carefully designed to provide an Education, Exposure, and Experience for prospects that strive to advance their hockey development at the junior hockey and college level. MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION>>
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