Volume 12 Issue 1 | January 2024

Hard to believe that January is half over and the MLK Tournaments are in the books. I hope you all had an enjoyable weekend. 

We will be leaving for the USA Hockey Mid-year meeting in ten days. Hopefully we will bring home some exciting hockey news. 

Play hard the season will soon be over and playoffs will be here.

Kevin Boldger

AHAI President

Let’s Raise the Bar

By: Jack Weinberg, AHAI Chairman Suspension and Review Committee

I would like to talk about an opportunity that we are missing in youth hockey.

We, as parents, coaches and administrators are not helping players to become all that they can be. What do we want from the game, what should we expect and what should we demand?

As Chairman of the Suspension and Review committee, I am seeing participants at a difficult time. Players and coaches suspended, parents unaware of what is happening and coaches and board members struggling to navigate all the of the requirements of their position.

It appears that what we accept as normal behavior on the youth ice rink is anything but acceptable anywhere else in life. Parents, players coaches and referees swearing at each other, calling each other out with racial, ethnic and sexual slurs without a moment’s hesitation. In addition, our players are fighting and injuring each other at an exponential rate. We have experienced more kicking and stick swinging incidents than I have ever seen.

We must stop it now; we must change the culture of our game today. All of us must demand better of ourselves and each other. As adults, it is our obligation to help these youth players use hockey not just to play a game but to grow up and become good adult citizens. Be respectful of authority, themselves, opponents, and the game itself. They need to learn how to succeed as human beings that have a moral compass and empathy for others.

There are invaluable life lessons to be learned by being involved in a sport that will hold all of its participants to a higher standard. Stop and think what each of us can do to make better people, not just better players.

U.S. National Junior Team Wins Gold Medal at the World Junior Championship

The 2024 U.S. National Junior Team earned a gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Sweden on January 5, 2024.

The team included Illinois players, defenseman Lane Hutson of North Barrington and forward Gabe Perreault of Hinsdale, and Strength & Conditioning Coach, Brian Galivan of Chicago.

Read the complete story here.

U.S. Under-18 Women's National Team Brings Home the Gold

The U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team defeated Czechia to win gold in the 2024 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship. The team included Illinois defensman Rachel Gorbatenko of Barrington. The team went undefeated winning all 6 games of the tournament.

Read the full story here.

Underclassmen Add Drive To BG/H/W

Youngsters Push BG/H/W Into Playoffs, Rely On Teammates As They Cannot Drive Yet

By: Ross Forman

Reid Gerjerts, a 14-year-old freshman forward for co-op BG/H/W, is one of five underclassmen on the team – all of whom have been keys for the Stampede’s skate through the Varsity Champions League of the Illinois High School Hockey North-Central Division.

Optimism is plentiful at BG as the team looks to make a return trip to the United Center in March.

“It’s fun to have a few other kids my age on the team (so) I’m not the only one who can’t drive yet,” Gerjerts said. “The upper classmen are fun to be around and have helped in my move to high school.

“The biggest thing about being an underclassman on varsity is figuring out how you can add to the team. I’m probably not going to be on the ice in critical game situations, but it’s important that I positively contribute when I am on the ice. The pressure I feel is not letting down the seniors since this is their last season on the team.”

Gerjerts, who lives in Arlington Heights and attends Wheeling High School, has played this season primarily with sophomore center Aidan Gogerty (Hersey) and senior wing Eliott Drazin (Buffalo Grove).

Gerjerts had 3 goals, 6 assists in his first 15 league games – with his first varsity goal coming in the team’s third game of the season against Glenbard. “It was awesome having my teammates celebrate with me,” he said. “This is a good group of guys – it’s been a good locker room. The team continues to improve each game; we can play with the best … we just have to be consistent. We know we can be a contender on any given day.

“We have good chemistry and are willing to work hard. We have speed (among) our forwards and defensemen.”

Gerjerts added: “My goal this season has been to learn from the seniors, add points when I’m on the ice and when I am not (on the ice), to be a good teammate on the bench.”

Ryan Antonucci, 15, a sophomore at Hersey High School, is in his first season playing for BG/H/W. He’s a right-handed shooting defenseman who is often paired with senior Caleb Berkenkotter.

Antonucci, who lives in Arlington Heights, played 8 years for the Northwest Chargers and one year for the Chicago Flames. READ MORE<<<

The Next Level

Chicago-area players continue to play after high school.

By: Ross Forman

The El Paso Rhinos finished their 2023 slate of the 2023-24 season with a 4-1 road win over the Long Beach Sharks to improve their NA3HL record to 18-6-1 and, with 37 points, they stand 6 points behind the New Mexico Ice Wolves for first-place in the South Division.

The win was one of the best games this season for Rocco Romita, who had an assist on the team’s first goal of the game and, in the second period, scored what proved to be his first game-winning goal, assisted by Austin Renaldo and Zach Ware.

“Playing at a high level has always been a dream of mine,” said Romita, 18, who lives in Naperville and formerly played for the Neuqua Valley varsity team and the CSDHL Sabres U18.

“Playing hockey has taught me many great life lessons. I had made great friendships and have great childhood memories playing this great sport. I’m blessed to have the support of my family and friends. Most importantly, I have learned that hockey is just like life. The more passion and hard work you put into it, the more likely you’re able to achieve your goals. So, if there is any advice I can share it would be, don’t quit when times get tough and play every shift like that shift will determine the outcome of the game. Also, work hard at practice, don’t just show up. Be a player your teammates can depend on and don’t forget to have fun.” READ MORE<<<

Illinois Native Shane Gustafson Again Shines As An International Official

Worked As a Linesman In The Gold Medal Game Of The IIHF World Junior Championship In Sweden

By: Ross Forman

Shane Gustafson, a linesman who honed his officiating skills on rinks throughout Illinois, stepped on the ice in Sweden in early-January for the gold medal game of the annual World Junior Championship, commonly called the World Juniors, organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) for national under-20 hockey teams from around the world. The 10-team tournament finals came down to the United States against the host country, Sweden.

The U.S. had last skated in the World Juniors finale in 2021, when the Americans celebrated. Sweden last skated for gold in 2018 and had not won since 2012.

“Shane, who coming into Sweden had quite a bit of IIHF experience, really distinguished himself by earning an assignment to (officiate) the gold medal game,” said Scott Zelkin, a Buffalo Grove resident who serves as the Director of Advanced Officiating Development for USA Hockey. “What makes this assignment even more impressive is that, as an American official, he was assigned to work with the U.S. team being involved.

“Though this can happen from time to time, it is a unique thing for officials to work medal games involving their own country.

“This assignment speaks to the confidence the officiating management overseeing the team of officials in Sweden had in the work Shane had put in leading up to the medal round.” READ MORE<<<

Chicago Blackhawks Amateur Hockey is proud to host the 2024 Annual JOG Athletics | ACHA Prospects Showcase (at Fifth Third Arena), April 26-28. The Showcase is an opportunity for sophomores, juniors, and seniors in high school and current junior hockey players to showcase their interest and talents in front of top ACHA Programs. Players will compete in 1 practice ran by college coaches, 3 games, and attend the coaches panel to learn about the ACHA and interact with the coaches in attendance. For more information and to register, click here:

https://www.fifththirdarena.com/hockey/jog-college-showcase

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