Volume 12 Issue 2 | February 2024 | |
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT | |
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Welcome to the playoffs. I wish everyone good luck as they try to advance to the state finals. This is an exciting time of the year. Remember to have fun in pursuing your Championship.
The USA Hockey meeting was a tremendous success. As you know, the neck laceration guards will be mandated in August. We were very happy that USA Hockey listened to our concerns.
AHAI Board members who attended the conference made you proud. Many of the attendees were asked to be on USA Hockey Committees. We will be actively safeguarding your interests.
Kevin Bolger
President
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You can follow along with all the State Tournament games by accessing gamesheet and the AHAI brackets here. Good luck to all teams participating! | |
The AHAI 2024 Player Development Process Begins This Month
By Chris Naveja, Player Development Committee Chairperson
All Tier I, Tier II, Prep, and High School Varsity players within the 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 birth years are eligible by invitation only for the 2024 Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) Player Development / Identification Tryout Camp held in Mt. Prospect, IL the weekend of April 12th through the 14th.
The process has already started with an online ranking of each of the age-appropriate players. AHAI has developed a web tool that allows ALL the IL Head Coaches, from each of the above divisions, to go online to rank those players they saw play during this season. All player rankings will be completed by February 21, 2024. These Head Coaches will be ranking the “best” players from this State, NOT JUST THEIR OWN PLAYERS, within a specific birth year, by position, starting with number 1 as the best and so on down the line.
After these online rankings are compiled by the web tool software (in a weighted average versus the number of votes a player receives) the AHAI Player Development Committee conducts a Web Tool Ranking Evaluation Meeting. This meeting will be held in late February and will be broken into four different groups, for the four eligible birth years. During this meeting, consisting of the Player Development Committee Members, along with select Head Coaches from Tier I, Tier II, Prep, and High School Varsity, will review the compiled player rankings. All nominated players are reviewed, in each birth year, in the order they were ranked, in an unbiased manner, regardless of which club/association the different Committee Members and Head Coaches are affiliated. This process determines the final selection of players who are to receive an invitation to the AHAI Player Development Camp. The invitation goes out to 36 forwards, 24 defensemen, and 8 goalies within each of the eligible birth years.
Following the selection of the aforementioned invited players, at this same meeting, the committee selects alternate players, by birth year, by position and ranks those alternates who might be presented with the opportunity to participate in the AHAI 2024 Player Development Camp if an invited player cannot attend.
The players invited to attend the AHAI 2024 Player Development Camp will be notified by email from AHAI during the first week of March. Invited players will be given 5 days to respond. If a player does not respond or cannot attend for any reason, the alternate players will be contacted in their ranked order.
(Special Note: The AHAI 2024 Player Development Camp evaluators do not know who was an initially invited player and who was a selected alternate). All players are judged fairly on the body of work that earned them an invitation to the AHAI 2024 Player Development Camp and their on-ice skills and effort shown during this year’s Player Development Camp.
Again, only Head Coaches within the applicable birth years will be able to nominate and rank the players from Illinois for consideration to participate in this year’s AHAI Player Development Camp. Illinois registered players that participate in programs outside of Illinois will be considered by the AHAI Player Development Committee upon a written recommendation from that player’s head coach sent to Christopher Naveja, Chairperson of the AHAI Player Development Committee at playerdevelopment@ahai2.org.
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Jim Clare Coach of the Year Nominations
The Coach of the Year award is now named after the late Jim Clare, who was the epitome of what a coach should be. He loved hockey and he shared his passion with countless players through coaching. Nominations for the Jim Clare Coach of the Year award are now being accepted. We will recognize a youth, girls, high school and disabled coach.
Fill out the nomination form found here and tell us who you think deserves this incredible honor and why. Nominations will be accepted through February 26th.
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Girls America's Showcase Update
Hello Girls Hockey Community,
We asked & you responded.
This article is dedicated to the America’s Showcase survey summary.
For several years, America’s Showcase has been a platform to showcase the talents of those players who look to play hockey in college but are not seen by colleges during the regular season. What we noticed over the past 3-4 years is that the number of scouts and coaches having a presence at the Showcase was seriously declining. We knew that some of the decline was budgetary cutbacks due to COVID. However, the Showcase, itself, was lacking in direction/leadership in devising alternate ways to entice colleges and this became very prevalent over the last couple years. We all know Live Barn only shows so much but it’s nothing like seeing scouts and coaches along the glass or in the stands.
We chose to send out a questionnaire/survey to the girls in specific birth years that would qualify to be part of the Showcase and yes, we did include Freshman.
What we discovered was that over 75% of the players did not even know this event was offered to the Girls Hockey Community and that a female player does NOT have to be on a high school team to be eligible. This was huge! Organizations’ leaders are not sharing the information or generating excitement (this is for the high school teams thru all Tier II Youth & Girls), parents of players are entering their own email address when completing the USA Hockey registration for their player then are so inundated with emails they simply delete. The AHAI Girls Committee will be looking at other avenues of communication to better inform the players of this opportunity.
Another interesting area was the response of why someone would not participate. Here again, 75% of the respondents stated that there were too many ‘other’ life experiences (spring sports, work, school functions, Nationals, Central District Girls Tryout Camp, etc.) and ironically having a college potentially analyze your playing skills was at the extreme low end of the spectrum.
For those that have played on one of our America’s Showcase teams in the past and who completed the survey, the answers were almost unanimous that it was a fantastic and unbelievable experience because of how well the team was assembled and organized. Players were able to see another side of players they had only played against all season; faced off against players from other states, and received a sneak peek into what off ice life would be like on the road on a college team. The bonding experience boosted their own confidence and self-esteem. These players stated that they would do it again if they had the opportunity.
So, what does this mean for the future of an Illinois Girls America’s Showcase Team?
We’re going to take a break this year to restructure our approach to this Showcase team and our methods of communication; see what other Showcase opportunities may be available and build an opportunity that benefits the players as much as possible.
As always….play safe, play hard, have FUN!
If you have any questions, please feel free to send an email to girls@ahai2.org
Good Luck to ALL who advance to the State Round Robin….see you in Glenview February 22nd - 25th.
Anita Lichterman
AHAI Girls Director
AHAI Safety Coordinator
847.414.5737
girls@ahai2.org
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2024 High School All-State Teams | |
The Boys High School All-State Game will be played on Saturday, March 9th at 5:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Ice Arena in Chicago. | |
The Girls High School All-State Game will be played on Sunday, March 10th at 6:30 p.m. at Fifth Third Ice Arena in Chicago. | |
Spartans Senior Defenseman Sean Crowley Treasures Time with His Buddy, Kavin
By Ross Forman
Sean Crowley, a senior for the co-op Spartans, is the team’s enforcer. His mom simply refers to him as the team bodyguard. Crowley says he just doesn’t let anyone “mess with my boys, especially my goalie.”
The 17-year-old Crowley who attends Lockport High School and lives in Lockport is a right-handed shooting defenseman and is an assistant captain, as he was during his sophomore season.
“I was a forward my whole life until my sophomore year. We were short defensemen and when (our) coach asked for volunteers, I raised my hand,” Crowley said. “I miss the glory of scoring goals, but there’s nothing better than throwing a good, clean hit.”
As a sophomore, he was named Defenseman of the Year, which ranks among his career highlights.
“My older brother Jack has been my biggest influence because he taught me everything I know about hockey and being a good human,” Crowley said.
Enter, Best Buddies International, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to establishing a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, and inclusive living for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Crowley has been part of Best Buddies for the past three years – and Kavin is the team’s No. 1 fan. He has been going to Spartans’ games for as long as Crowley can remember. READ MORE<<<
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Carla McSweeney Has Shined On The Ice Since Day One, When She Had A 6-Point Game
Standout Forward For Chicago Central Romans, Chicago Mission Has Committed To Harvard University
By Ross Forman
Carla McSweeney was playing for the Chicago Stallions in her first-ever hockey game on a mite 2 team. She was one of two girls on the team and they were playing Winnetka at home. The Stallions won, 9-0, and McSweeney had 5 goals and an assist.
After the game, the team manager gave the scoresheet to McSweeney’s mom who eventually had it framed.
She still has it today – with countless more on-ice memories and milestones over the years.
McSweeney, 17, who lives in Chicago, is a junior at Latin School of Chicago and in her third season skating for the co-op Chicago Central Romans, a team filled with players from Latin, Lane Tech, University of Chicago Lab Prep, Whitney Young, Lincoln Park and Saint Ignatius. She also skates for the Chicago Mission Girls U19 team. READ MORE<<<
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Calling The Action, D211 Chiefs Senior Center Luke Jorden
Palatine High School student also broadcasts multiple sports, including hockey.
By Ross Forman
Luke Jorden, a senior center for the co-op D211 Chiefs, brings a host of sporting experiences to the rink. As a broadcaster, not just a player.
He is a broadcaster for his high school (Palatine), calling the action for football, basketball and soccer for the school broadcasting network that he became president of as a junior. He also broadcasts for the Chicago Portagers in the summer, a box lacrosse team in Arlington Heights that plays teams around the Great Lakes area. And he calls hockey games for the Chicago Crush Elite and Premier levels (USPHL), as well as the SHL Network – as a play-by-play announcer, analyst, or sideline reporter.
“I enjoy (broadcasting hockey) a lot as it’s the sport I have the most knowledge in, by far, and I have many to thank in my past and present for educating me on the game since I was young,” Jorden said. READ MORE<<<
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Notre Dame senior Nicholas Lemke: ‘a role model on and off the ice’
By Ross Forman
Nicholas Lemke, a senior at Notre Dame College Prep and two-year varsity player for the Dons, is a near-perfect student-athlete. The 18-year-old Chicago resident has long been a straight-A student; the last time he received a “B” was in seventh-grade.
“I pride myself on my academics (at) Notre Dame,” said Lemke, who tagged AP Biology as his best and Honors World Religions as his easiest classes. “Time management is very important. I love to play hockey, but school comes first. I always do my best to get all my work done before practices or games, so I don’t have to worry about getting work done after I get off the ice. That doesn’t work 100 percent of the time so, when necessary, I have to tough out late nights and early mornings.
“It’s easy to do well in school when you don’t have anything to do after school, but being able to balance my work with hockey is something I pride myself on.” READ MORE<<<
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Chicago Mission-led Pink In The Rink Raises $61,761 for American Cancer Society
After 16 Years, Annual Event Has Raised More Than $550,000
By Ross Forman
Gino Cavallini, with his freshly-shaven bald ‘do, held a super-sized check surrounded by smiling – and certainly proud – members of the Chicago Mission U19 girls’ team.
This Mission club spearheaded the 16th annual Pink In The Rink which includes all four Mission girls’ teams. They played games on Saturday, January 27, at Fifth Third Arena in Chicago, and sure, both the Mission and the Windy City Storm wanted the win that day, but the greater good was more important.
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Cavallini, the Mission club president who spent nine seasons as a left-wing in the NHL before turning to coaching, held a check for the American Cancer Society for $61,761.97 bringing the club’s 16-year total of funds raised in the Pink In The Rink to more than $550,000.
“It’s incredible,” what the event has accomplished, said Erin Rourke, girls’ hockey director for the Mission.
The event started when a former U19 Mission girls’ player had a family member diagnosed with breast cancer. The U19 team decided to play a fundraising game with a bake sale at the rink, and they hoped to raise $200, Rourke said.
Now, the event fills the season for all four Mission girls’ teams and the Storm teams, too. Everyone contributes fundraising efforts.
“Our families have really jumped on board with this (fundraising),” Rourke said. “The U19s ask for donations, talk to the younger teams about the event, the importance and value of the event. It really warms my heart. Where this event began to where it is today, it’s just unbelievable.
“When we pose for a photo with that oversized check, wow, that’s when you really shake your head and think, ‘This is unbelievable.’” READ MORE<<<
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Dream Fulfilled: Jesse Compher Is A Pro Hockey Player
Northbrook Native Fondly Recalls Bluehawks, Chicago Mission
By Ross Forman
Jesse Compher skated on the ice January 1st at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in the old Maple Leaf Gardens as her Toronto team played host to the first-ever Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) game against visiting New York. Emotions were overflowing for the milestone Monday afternoon game played in front of 2,537 fans.
Compher had 4 shots, second-most on the team in a losing effort as New York celebrated its 4-0 victory. Still, Compher said the game was “surreal.”
She was officially a professional hockey player.
“Growing up, I dreamed of being a professional hockey player … in the NHL, mostly because I didn’t have this (league) to look up to,” said Compher, 24, a Northbrook native. “It’s super exciting to be a professional athlete. I didn’t know it was going to be a reality my whole life. I kind of thought that girls just played college hockey, then got a job and went on with life. To continue my hockey career and still play, and to be able to call myself a professional athlete, it’s something I do not take for granted – and I for sure am not used to saying that, yet.”
The PWHL is a 6-team league with its charter franchises: Boston, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Montreal, New York City, Ottawa and Toronto. Four teams will ultimately battle in a postseason tournament to determine the champion. Games are broadcast nationally in Canada by CBC and TSN, plus radio outlets, and broadcast in syndication in the U.S., and worldwide are streamed on YouTube.
“Getting to play in this league has been perfect timing for me, just getting out of college,” at the University of Wisconsin, Compher said. “To know all the female athletes who put in the work for us, and those who are still putting in the work every single day to make this league happen … it truly has been exciting to step on the ice and call ourselves professional athletes, just as we dreamed of when we were little girls. READ MORE<<<
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Try Hockey for Free Day
USA Hockey’s Try Hockey for Free Day is February 24, 2024. Registration is now open for kids ages 4-9 to hit the ice and try hockey for free! Players of all skill levels are welcome to attend. We love introducing new players to the sport of hockey. Your athlete will be on the ice with certified coaches and instructors who are there to help players of all abilities and show them how FUN hockey is for everyone. Most host locations will have loaner equipment, however, you are welcome to bring your own if you have it. Contact your host site directly for more information on equipment availability. For more information and to register visit tryhockeyforfree.com
Local Rinks Hosting Try Hockey for Free on February 24th
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NIHL Championships February 16th - 18th
By Bob Apter, NIHL President
There's nothing like watching Championship hockey in person! We'll see most of you in the stands at the United Center on Sunday, February 18. It should be a spectacular day of hockey. But, if you can't be there we've still got you covered. Watch all six NIHL Blackhawks Tournament Championship Games LIVE on the NIHL TV Network link: https://www.youtube.com/@streamsportsmidwest4995/streams
And, that's only part of the story... at Inwood in Joliet we'll have Weekend 1 for you of the NIHL Blackhawks Tournament with 10 Championships to be decided.. From Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, Feb. 16-18, you can enjoy all the exciting action.
This is for all the marbles. Don't miss the fun!
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CSDHL ALL-STAR GAME ROSTERS ANNOUNCED
We are excited to announce the CSDHL All-Star game will be held on Saturday, March 16th at the Fox Valley Ice Arena. We will host four all-star games beginning at 11:00 a.m. with the Bantam Major division, followed by U15s at 1:30 p.m. At 4:00 p.m. the U16s hit the ice and at 6:20 p.m. the much-anticipated U18 all-stars will drop the puck to cap off a celebration of the CSDHL's best. More information is available on our website www.csdhl.org. Congratulations to our all-star players!
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2024 Central Sates Champions | |
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Squirt Major -
St. Louis Knights
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Squirt Minor -
St. Louis Knights
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Squirt Prospects -
St. Jude
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PeeWee Minor -
Golden Wolves
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PeeWee Prospect -
Falcons
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Bantam Prospects -
Cyclones
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Midget U16 -
Orland Park Vikings
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Midget Prospects -
Timberwolves
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Blackhawks Summer Camps
The Chicago Blackhawks are excited to host our 2024 Summer Camps at 4 locations throughout Chicagoland for kids ages 6-13.
Additionally, we are proud to present our All-Girls Camp: Big Strides designed for ages 12-18!
Included in the full day, players will participate in two on-ice practices and two hours of off-ice activities. Full equipment and basic comprehension of skating is required.
For more information and to register, please visit: https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/amateur/hockey-camps
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