AHAI offers several marketing and advertising opportunities on the following communication vehicles within AHAI: the AHAI website, AHAI's e-news website, our bi-monthly e-newsletter, SNAPSHOT, as well as AHAI's social media sites, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Additionally, AHAI offers print advertising in the AHAI Annual Guidebook and State Tournament Programs. Click HERE to view the 2018-19 Sponsorship & Advertising Program. If you do not see a sponsorship or advertising package that meets your needs, please contact AHAI Communication Manager, Gretchen Cockey at 630.414.1107 to discuss creating a custom marketing package for your business.

By Jack Weinberg, AHAI Director

A graduated penalty for coaches receiving penalties for “abuse of officials” has been passed by the AHAI Board of Directors. The first instance would receive the one game suspension prescribed by USA Hockey. The second occurrence in one season would require a three game suspension. A third violation in one season would require an indefinite suspension pending a hearing before the AHAI Suspension and Review Committee. MORE

The Chicago Blackhawks, AHAI, Athletico and NorthShore University HealthSystem are proud to announce our very first   “A Step aHead Hockey Safety Symposium” on Saturday, September 29, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the United Center. This FREE event will include local and national speakers on a variety of topics that impact the health and safety of youth hockey players.

• Hockey safety and injury prevention
• Strength and conditioning tips for hockey players
• Nutrition for hockey players
• Importance of having an emergency action plan in hockey
• Concussions
• Performance enhancing drugs
• Sports psychology
• Bullying in sports
• Social media safety for athletes
• Hockey 101 for those interested in trying hockey

Keep Saturday, September 29th open to join us and tell your teammates and friends to mark their calendars too. Watch your email for further information and an invite to the event.

Join Us For A Fun Filled Day!

The 22nd Annual AHAI Foundation Golf Outing will be held at the Schaumburg Golf Course located at 401 Roselle Road in Schaumburg, Illinois, Friday, August 17, 2018. The course is centrally located for everyone! MORE

By Gregg Chudacoff, AHAI Tier II Chairman

The Tier II substitute choice application process, Squirt 10U through Midget 16U/18U will begin on July 20,2018. All applications will be submitted online. The Tier II Committee will only have (3) three appeal hearings this year for those denied a substitute choice. The dates for the appeals are August 9, August 29, and September 6, 2018 at 6:30pm at the North Shore Ice Arena. If denied, please email Gregg Chudacoff, AHAI Tier II Chairman, at gregg@generaltruckparts.com with your preferred appeal hearing date (listed above). The deadline for applying for a substitute choice will be September 15th, 2018.

You will find helpful articles regarding the Two Choice Rule, Choice Substitutions and what you should consider before making that second choice as well as information regarding the Midget Third Choice in the articles below. Should you have any further questions, please contact Gregg Chudacoff.

Tier II Two Choice Rule: Clearing Up the Confusion

What About My Second Choice: What Should I Consider?

What is the Midget Third Choice?

Rules Reviews Dates & Locations:

• MB Ice Arena July 31 – 7pm to 9pm
• The Edge Ice Arena August 5 –  5pm to 7pm
• Southwest Ice Arena August 7 –  7pm to 9pm
• Lake Forest College August 13 – 7pm to 9pm

Level 4 Skates & ADP Tryouts:

• Leafs Ice Centre July 24 – 7pm to 8:30pm
• Orland Park Ice Arena August 2 – 7pm to 8:30pm

IMPORTANT LINKS

• Click HERE to register for Rules Review & Level 4 Refreshers.
• Click HERE for Tryouts.

In an effort to continue to improve the level of coaching hockey in the State of Illinois the Amateur Hockey Association Illinois, Inc. along with USA Hockey has announced the Coaching Education Program (CEP) schedule for the 2018-19 season.

We encourage all coaches to check their respective CEP levels to make sure they are compliant with all of the requirements to coach in Illinois.

If you have a question about your coaching requirements or current level, please contact Paul Jakubowski at pjakubowski@ahai2.org

We are pleased to announce that there will be a Level 4 Coaching Education Program (CEP) Clinic on Saturday, August 18th at MB Ice Arena, the Chicago Blackhawks practice facility.

Check-in will begin at 8am and clinic will begin 8:45am and conclude at 5:30pm on Saturday, August 18th. Day 2 of the clinic will begin at 8:30am and conclude at 1:00pm on Sunday, August 19th. Please note that Sunday’s clinic will have both on- and off-ice components. All coaches must bring both on- and off-ice coaching gear (sweats, gloves, skates, sticks, helmets, tennis shoes, t-shirt and shorts).

Coaches MUST attend BOTH Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19 to receive their Level 4 certification. You must also be on time for both clinic days.

MB Ice Arena is located at 1801 W. Jackson Blvd. in Chicago. Coaches will enter through the Chicago Blackhawks private players’ entrance on Saturday, August 18. Lunch will be provided on Saturday.

Questions? Contact Doug Dietz, USA Hockey Central District Coach-in-Chief, at dougdietz04@gmail.com or 319.239.2349. Click HERE to register.

Online registration for both IHOA and USA Hockey will commence on August 1st. ALL officials must be registered with IHOA to attend a seminar and it is highly recommended that officials register with USA Hockey and complete the open book test and online modules BEFORE attending their seminar. Please note:  USA Hockey has various requirements for each certification level. Please visit www.usahockey.com and www.ihoa.com for information. To be completely registered, you must meet both IHOA and USA Hockey requirements.

The 2018 National Hockey Coaches Symposium is fast approaching. The event will be held Aug. 23-26 in Lake Placid, NY. In addition to a great slate of speakers, attendees will participate in on-ice sessions on the two most hallowed ice sheets in USA Hockey history: the Herb Brooks Arena (1980 Rink) and the Jack Shea Arena (1932 Rink).

Dave Starman, CBS Sports Network college hockey game analyst and USA Hockey Coaching Education Program Instructor, will serve as host and emcee for the four-day coaches celebration.

We have a great list of panelists and speakers already lined up (subject to change):

• 1980 Olympic Panel featuring Mike Eruzione, John Harrington, Mark Johnson
• 2018 Olympic Coaches Panel featuring Tony Granato, Robb Stauber, Guy Gosselin
• Mike Sullivan, Pittsburgh Penguins Head Coach
• Jeff Blashill, Detroit Red Wings Head Coach
• Mike Richter, former NHL player/John Vanbiesbrouck, former NHL player and current USA Hockey Assistant
• Executive Director of Hockey Operations
• Seth Appert, USA Hockey National Team Development Program Head Coach
• Bill Beaney, former NCAA Division III Head Coach
• All breakout sessions will have an on-ice component. Attendees will need to bring skates, stick and helmet to participate in these sessions.

To register, and for more information, click on the appropriate link below. Cost is $550 when you register online.

Links:
Level 5 Web Page & Symposium Brochure
Symposium Online Registration

All information regarding the written requirement to receive your Level 5 certification will be provided at the event. There is nothing to be done prior to arriving in Lake Placid.

For specific questions about the event, please contact Alison Raines at alisonr@usahockey.org. We look forward to seeing you at this celebration of USA Hockey coaches.