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AHAI Snapshot - Volume 9 Issue 3 - June 30, 2021

By webmaster, 08/29/20, 8:52AM CDT

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Volume 9 Issue 3 | June 30, 2021

 
 
 

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

AHAI held its annual Affiliate Leadership Conference (AALC) virtually on Tuesday, June 22 through Thursday, June 24. I would like to personally thank all the AHAI Affiliate leaders who took the time to attend and participate in this important annual event. All Conference sessions were recorded and we encourage our members to take some time to watch the sessions on AHAI's YouTube page. Please see the article below for more complete details. We look forward to hosting the 2022 Affiliate Leadership Conference in-person! 

 

Finally, I would like to welcome Melissa Surrette to the AHAI Board of Directors for the 2021-2022 season. Melissa currently holds the position of President for the Chicago Hawks Hockey Club. She will serve as AHAI's SafeSport Coordinator as well as sit on AHAI's Rules & Ethics committee. Melissa's experience in youth and girls hockey will be a valuable asset to our Membership.

 

Have a safe and fun 4th of July! See you at the rink!

 

Kevin Bolger

AHAI President

2021 AHAI AFFILIATE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE CONCLUDES 

The AHAI Affiliate Leadership Conference (AALC) is the annual gathering of all our Affiliates throughout the state. It was held via Zoom over three nights, June 22-24, 2021. The conference is designed to educate Affiliate Leaders and allow AHAI to hear from our members on a variety of topics which include growth and communication initiatives, USA Hockey rule changes, rules and ethics issues, referee retention, coaching education, High School, Girls, Tier II and House League Hockey in Illinois among other topics. The Zoom sessions were open to any Affiliate leader, staff, or coach. Presenters included AHAI Committee Chairs and USA Hockey Staff. Please click on the thumbnails below to watch any or all of the 2021 AALC webinars.

 

2021 AALC GROWTH INITIATVES WEBINAR

 

A huge thank you to all the Affiliate Leaders who attended the 2021 Virtual AHAI Affiliate Leadership Conference! We look forward to seeing you in-person for the 2022 AALC!

AHAI PROTOCOL FOR ADDRESSING HATE SPEECH AT GAMES

The following Protocol for Addressing Hate Speech at Games has been put forward by Jennifer Dillman, Evanston High School Hockey/Evanston Youth Hockey Association's Rules & Ethics Chairperson. Jennifer adapted an existing policy from the Central Suburban League, working with Jack Raslawski from the AHAI Suspension & Review Committee, to be adopted as a procedure to be used in the upcoming Fall season. This protocol has been endorsed by Kevin Bolger, President of AHAI. A sincere thank you to Jennifer for her hard work on the Protocol for Addressing Hate Speech at Games.

This Protocol for Addressing Hate Speech will be in effect at all games sanctioned by AHAI. It is designed to provide a consistent and rational framework for managing and dealing with situations at games when an athlete or coach believes an opposing team athlete or coach has used hate speech towards a member of their team. It is created to accomplish the following goals:

 

1) Make a clear statement that AHAI does not tolerate hate speech. 

2) Demonstrate that addressing hate speech is more important than the game itself. 

3) Address the situation in real-time.

4) Demonstrate to the target and team that their concern is being heard and addressed. 

 

Definition of Hate Speech

Hate speech is any speech, gesture or conduct, writing, or display which is forbidden because it may incite violence or prejudicial action against or by a protected individual or group, or because it disparages or intimidates a protected individual or group. "Target" refers to the individual who heard the hate speech. "Alleged offender" refers to the individual(s) who allegedly used the hate speech. "Comment" refers to the hate speech that was used.

 

Please click button below to view the Administration of the Hate Speech Protocol.

 

GIRLS HOCKEY INFORMATION

Please see below for important information regarding Player Movement & the 2-Choice Rule. Both items are worth noting and discussing over the summer months. - Anita Lichterman, AHAI Girls Chair

Player Movement

This rule has been revised & will be effective beginning in the upcoming season (2021-22). Previously known as the 2,4,6,8 rule, we chose to change its name & make it more restrictive to help not only families have a better sense of stability but also to help Organizations have more sustainability. The detailed information can be found in Article 17 of the AHAI Rules and Regulations located on the AHAI website. Please click button below for the rule as written.

 

The 2-Choice Rule

This rule has been in effect since the 2019-20 season & we are now entering year 3 which for some may mean requesting a choice substitution. This rule may also be found in Article 17 of the AHAI Rules and Regulations located on the AHAI website at www.ahai.org. Requesting a choice substitution does not guarantee an approval.

 

The application process will be located on the AHAI website and you MUST click on the Girls' tab in order for your application to be directed to the Girls' Committee for review. If you are choosing to request a choice, the application will go live on July 15th. Remember... this is separate from the 2-choice rule on the Youth side. Please click buttons below for the rules as written.

 

HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY INFORMATION

Notice For All Combined High School Programs: Deadline Extended to July 15

By Jack Weinberg, AHAI HS Committee Chairman - High School clubs with combined teams (teams created from more than one school) are required to electronically file a "Combined Application" with the AHAI High School Committee during the month of June. Remember, each High School team is required to have 14 distinct skaters and at least 1 goalie to field a team. Questions will be fielded by the AHAI registrar and the Chairman of the HS Committee. Please note: The application deadline has been extended to July 15.

YOUTH TIER II HOCKEY INFORMATION

Tier II Substitute Choice Application Process for 2021-22 Season

The Tier II substitute choice application process, 10U through 16U/18U will begin on July 15, 2021. All applications will be submitted online. The Tier II Committee will have (3) three appeal hearings for those denied a substitute choice. The dates for the appeals are August 12, August 25, and September 8, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. (location is TBA). If denied, please email Gregg Chudacoff, AHAI Tier II Chairman, at gregg.chudacoff@ahai2.org. The deadline for applying for a substitute choice will be September 12, 2021.

CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS SUMMER CAMPS

2021 Blackhawks Summer Hockey Camps

Camps are at Fifth Third Arena from July 12-16th and July 26-30th. Camp is open to Boys and Girls ages 6-13. Campers will have (2) on-ice sessions per day and off-ice training will be provided in partnership with Goodman Elite. Come join us for a week of fun this summer! Click button below to register.

COACHING NEWS & INFORMATION

Important Information for Coaches with COVID Temporary Cards

By Jim Clare, Illinois Coach-in-Chief - Due to the extenuating circumstances that COVID produced this past season, USA Hockey allowed coaches to either participate in online coaching clinics to certify at their next coaching clinic level or apply for a temporary card to coach. As of now, any coach that received a temporary coaching card - in other words, did not attend a clinic for their next level, but opted for the temporary card - needs to be aware that those temporary card designations have been removed from the system.

 

This means that a coach will need to attend a coaching clinic in order to be eligible to coach this season. For example, if you were a Level 1 coach in 2019-20 and in the 2020-21 season you did not attend a virtual clinic but rather received a temporary card for your Level 2 in order to coach, it is no longer valid. You will have to attend a Level 2 clinic to be roster eligible. The same applies to a Level 2 coach; they must now get their Level 3 certification and Level 3 coaches must get their Level 4. READ MORE>>

Coaching Education Program (CEP) Clinic Schedule

 

Level 2 CEP Clinic

July 20 & July 21

6:30pm to 9:30pm (CDT)

 

Level 3 CEP Clinic

August 10 & August 12

6:30pm to 9:30pm (CDT)

 

Level 1 CEP Clinic

July 27 & July 29

6:30pm to 9:30pm (CDT)

 

Level 1 CEP Clinic

August 24 & August 26

6:30pm to 9:30pm (CDT)

 

Level 3 CEP Clinic

August 1 & August 3

6:30pm to 9:30pm (CDT)

 

Level 2 CEP Clinic

August 30 & September 1

6:30pm to 9:30pm (CDT)

 

Clinics fill quickly! Please click here to register.

2021-2025 USA HOCKEY PLAYING RULE CHANGES

The 2021-25 USA Hockey Playing Rule change process was concluded on June 12, 2021 during the Board of Directors Meeting at Annual Congress. Click here to find a summary of all accepted rule changes, in addition to updates to the USA Hockey Points of Emphasis and Standard of Play, and an explanation of the new Standardization of Discipline regarding Match Penalties. The 2021-25 USA Hockey Playing Rules will take effect starting September 1, 2021.

IHOA NEWS & INFORMATION

Ask the Official by Dave Zednik

QUESTION: When will the updated USA Hockey Playing Rules for the 2021 to 2025 seasons take effect?

ANSWER: The 2021-2025 USA Hockey Playing Rules will take effect beginning September 1, 2021.

 

QUESTION: Where can I find the USA Hockey rule changes for the 2021 to 2025 seasons?

ANSWER: Navigate to the USA Hockey website by clicking here to view the updated USA Hockey Playing Rules for 2021-2025.

AROUND THE BOARDS

GOLDEN! U.S. Downs Canada in Sled Worlds Title Game; Illinois' Brody Roybal Earns Honors as Tournament MVP!

By USA Hockey - Behind two goals and an assist from Declan Farmer (Tampa, Fla.) and three assists from Jack Wallace (Franklin Lakes, N.J.), the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team earned a 5-1 victory over Canada on Saturday, June 26 in the gold-medal game of the 2021 IPC Para Ice World Championship.

 

"We've talked all tournament about being the best team by the gold-medal game," said David Hoff, head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. "Tonight was a complete team effort. This year was a massive challenge for our team. I can't say enough how much I appreciate how the guys worked together all year, and tonight we're champions." READ MORE>>

AHAI FOUNDATION GOLF OUTING

Mark Your Calendars! The 2021 AHAI Foundation Golf Outing Set for Friday, August 13

The AHAI Foundation Golf Outing is open to foursomes, individuals, youth golfers and non-golfers! The revenues generated from this event will be donated to Chicago Blackhawks Blind Hockey, Sled Hockey, Deaf Hockey, Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey, Chicago Blackhawks Warriors, Hockey Is For Everyone, IHOA Memorial Fund and the AHAI Catastrophic Relief Fund for players who have been catastrophically injured.

 

We hope you can join us on Friday, August 13 at 10:30 a.m. at the Schaumburg Golf Club for this great annual event! Click buttons below for both the sponsorship and registration forms, as well as the official golf outing flyer. For more information, contact Don Allord at travelmore1017@aol.com.