Talking Hockey With New AHAI President Melissa Surrette

By Ross Forman

Her first job, while a high school student, was as a Learn to Skate instructor at Inwood Ice Arena, the original rink in Joliet that, on August 16, 1991, burned to the ground.

Flash-forward to today and Melissa Surrette is blazing a path still for Illinois hockey. On May 30, she was named the new AHAI President, succeeding Kevin Bolger.

“I’m excited and grateful for the opportunity,” Surrette said. “Kevin spent much of his presidency dealing with challenges that demanded immediate attention: COVID, league stability and strengthening AHAI’s relationship with USA Hockey. Because of his leadership and the work of our Board, we are now in a position to spend more time focusing on our purpose: growing the game and improving the hockey experience in Illinois. That’s an exciting place to start.”

Surrette, 54, lives in Downers Grove and is married to Bob and they have two hockey-playing sons, Harris and Hayden. She is the first-ever female AHAI President.

“I am thankful to the men and women over the years who opened doors for me throughout my hockey journey and recognized that leadership is about commitment, perspective and hard work, not gender,” she said. “I understand that being the first woman carries some responsibility, but I know I won’t be the last. I want to set a high bar, and then watch the next woman blow past it.”

Yes, there is pressure, she said.

“I want Illinois to be the model for hockey. That is a big goal, and I know it won’t happen overnight. I think the pressure I feel is just a reflection of how much I care about doing a good job; I’m ok with that.”

Surrette’s road to the rinks started decades ago – when her sons got involved in youth hockey. “Between the two of them, our family has experienced almost every level of hockey AHAI touches, (including) Learn to Skate, Learn to Play, in-house hockey, NWHL, NIHL, CSDHL, AAA, high school hockey and now ACHA,” she said. “We have been the family trying to figure out where to buy equipment, the family driving all over the Midwest for games, and the family wondering if there are options for high school kids who don’t play Juniors but want to play in college. That connection helps me understand what AHAI members experience every day.”

Surrette has a background in law, but she stopped practicing when her sons were young. In 2009, her husband, Bob, signed them up for Learn to Skate at the Darien Sportsplex. Immediately, “they were hooked,” she said. “Before long, I was asked to be a mite team manager, and I’ve been volunteering in hockey ever since.”

When they skated for the Chicago Hawks, she served on the Board as treasurer, vice president and, ultimately, club president. “When my youngest son moved on from the Hawks, I joined the AHAI Board as chair of the Rules & Ethics Committee and served as SafeSport Coordinator. In 2023, I had the opportunity to manage the Chicago Blackhawks Amateur Hockey Department, which broadened my perspective on hockey throughout Illinois. After two seasons with the Blackhawks, I returned to AHAI,” she said.

“Every role prepared me for the next one and broadened my perspective. Being a team manager taught me what families need. Serving as treasurer, vice president and president of the Chicago Hawks taught me how difficult it is to run a club and balance competing interests. At AHAI, chairing the Rules & Ethics committee taught me the importance of consistency, transparency and process.

“That said, working for the Blackhawks probably exposed me to the widest cross-section of hockey. I was able to see hockey from a statewide perspective and understand how clubs, leagues, rinks, USA Hockey and the NHL all fit together. Working at that level convinced me that it takes all of us to grow the game and create a great experience for Illinois players.”

Surrette is coming off milestone season, of sorts. Last season was the first time in nearly 20 years that she didn’t have a child playing youth hockey. “I assumed I would spend less time at rinks, but the opposite happened,” she said. “Without having to be at my own kids’ games every weekend, I found myself visiting more rinks, more events, and more organizations than ever before. Last (season), I attended events everywhere from Rockford to Highland Park, covering all ages and levels of hockey.”

Once local playoffs start, she becomes a professional spectator.

“I am excited for Melissa to be the new President of AHAI.  She was instrumental in her time at the Chicago Hawks as President of the club, implementing many positive changes that allowed the program to grow and be at the level it is today.  I am confident that her leadership as the new President of AHAI will follow in the same manner and we will see the same positive impact and growth in Illinois hockey.”

“At a large club, (such as the Chicago Hawks), it’s easy for people to feel like just another number. Our Board spent a lot of time trying to make our big club feel like a small club. I learned that the only way to do that is to pay attention and to find out what’s happening in the club team by team, family by family, and player by player.”

“I also learned that big jobs are accomplished by lots of people doing small jobs well. Put good people in the right positions, support them, and let them do the work.”

Working for the Blackhawks truly was eye-opening, she said. “Before joining the Blackhawks, I thought I had a pretty good understanding of Illinois hockey. What I learned there was how connected our local hockey community is to the NHL and how valuable that relationship can be. The Blackhawks look at youth hockey statewide. Their focus isn’t one club, one rink, or one league; it’s every fan and player in Illinois. Much like AHAI has to look at hockey from a statewide perspective.”

Surrette said that the reward for all the work done behind the scenes at AHAI is getting to stand in a rink, watch kids play hockey, and see families enjoying an experience that so many volunteers make possible. She was, for instance, in the lobby at the Glenview Ice Center watching girls state playoff games a few months ago when the U.S. Men's National Team won Olympic gold in Milan. "It was 7 a.m., and I remember thinking how lucky I was to be at a rink with other families to experience that moment," she said.

“I’m usually watching the people as much as the hockey (while at the rinks). I’m looking at whether families seem engaged, how the coaches interact with the players (and) the fans. The people in the rink say so much more about a program than the game score.  Everyone wants to win, (but) the way you do it and the people you do it with matter, too.”

Surrette said AHAI will be spending more time focused on growth, retention and making hockey easier to navigate for families. “That doesn’t necessarily mean creating entirely new programs. Sometimes the biggest improvements come from connecting people better, communicating more effectively, and helping clubs and leagues share ideas that are already working,” she said.

Surrette Sounds Off

High School Hockey
“For many players, high school hockey is about more than hockey. It’s an opportunity to represent their school in a team sport and connect with classmates they may not otherwise interact with. The level of play has become increasingly competitive over the past several years and as the parent of a player who just graduated from high school, I was amazed by the number of opportunities available for players who want to continue playing in college. Whether at the NCAA, ACHA, or club level, there REALLY is a place for almost everyone who wants to keep playing.

Asked about the 2027 Illinois High School Hockey State Championship Games, Surrette replied, “Allstate Arena was a great host last year. We really appreciate all the effort they put into creating a special experience. AHAI knows how important this event is to our players and their families. We don’t have an announcement yet, but we are actively working on plans for the 2026-27 season and will get information out as soon as it’s available.

Tier I Hockey
Tier I is in a period of transition, she said. “The addition of more Tier I organizations created opportunities for more players to compete at that level, but it also raised understandable questions about the impact on both Tier I and Tier II hockey.”

The arrival of USA Hockey’s Development League next season will create another shift, effectively creating two paths at the Tier I level. “Over the next few years, the focus will be on understanding how the Development League affects Illinois and ensuring that Tier I remains healthy and stable,” she said. “That said, I don’t share the concern that Tier I participation will continue to expand indefinitely. With the introduction of the Development League, USA Hockey is reducing the percentage of players eligible to participate in Tier I in each state to a level that will address concerns about the expansion of Tier 1 clubs in Illinois.

“The good news for players is that Illinois is home to several nationally-recognized Tier I organizations with a strong track record of developing players who have gone on to compete at the highest levels, including the NHL.”

Tier II Hockey
Tier II will always be the backbone of Illinois hockey, serving the largest number of AHAI members. Tier II “will remain a major focus for us and, fortunately, it is in a very good place,” she said.

“Last season brought significant changes, with the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL) assuming responsibility for girls’ tier II hockey and the Central States Development Hockey League (CSDHL) expanding its role on the boy’s side. There was understandable uncertainty about how those changes would play out, but both leagues did an excellent job creating stability and providing meaningful competitive opportunities.

“After just one season, both leagues are already looking at ways to improve for 2026-27, and AHAI is grateful for their willingness to continue evolving and strengthening the player experience.”

Tier III Hockey
Tier III and community-based programs are often where families first fall in love with hockey, Surrette said. “They are essential to our sport. AHAI needs to do more to support and strengthen Tier III hockey, and we are committed to that effort. We want to help local leagues grow and make sure families understand that there are many ways to have a meaningful hockey experience.

“We are exploring ideas, such as alternative league structures, that provide quality hockey opportunities with less travel, lower costs and a more manageable time commitment for families who might otherwise choose not to participate.”

Girls Hockey
Girls’ hockey experienced significant change last season, much like Tier II, and it could not have gone much better, Surrette said. “NIHL stepped up to provide a dedicated girls hockey league in Illinois at Tier II and, by virtually every measure, exceeded expectations in its first year. 

“There is tremendous momentum behind the girls’ game right now. The success of the U.S. Women’s National Team, the growth of the PWHL, and opportunities for Illinois players to participate in PWHL-led training sessions and events have generated a great deal of excitement among our players and families.

With most girls’ teams now participating under one league, AHAI has a better opportunity to identify and support the unique needs of girls’ hockey. AHAI’s Girl’s Committee is already planning girls-only events focused on growth and introducing new families to the sport. I don't want to steal their thunder, but I can say this: the future of girls’ hockey in Illinois is incredibly bright, and I think we're only beginning to see what's possible.

Rules & Ethics
“I’ve been involved with Rules & Ethics since joining the AHAI Board. My legal background certainly helped, but more importantly, it taught me that people don’t always agree with outcomes, but they deserve confidence that decisions are made fairly, consistently and through a transparent process.

“That perspective will continue to help me as President because many issues in hockey don’t have perfect solutions. People need to know they have been heard and that decisions are being made for the right reasons.”

In The Stands With … AHAI President Melissa Surrette

Favorite NHL Team: Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite NHL Player: Connor Murphy – “When I worked for the Blackhawks, he came to a few of our camps and events, and never left until every player had an autograph. My favorite players are the ones who make time for kids and understand how much those moments mean to them. I also have to mention Kyle Calder, who recently passed away. I went with him on a number of alumni visits, and he was incredible with young players. He will be greatly missed.”
Favorite PWHL Players: Abbey Murphy and Kendall Coyne-Schofield – “Illinois is lucky to have two women who have succeeded at the highest levels of hockey, Olympic and professional, who still make time for our hockey community. So many girls in Illinois have stories about a positive interaction with Kendall or Abbey at a camp, clinic or even just running into them at a game. Those moments matter. A few minutes of encouragement from someone they admire stays with a player forever.”
Favorite Sport (other than hockey): Competitive Wordle
Hobbies: “I love gardening and am at the gym almost every day.”
Favorite Local Jersey: “That’s easy ... Hornets Sled Hockey.”