Volume 11 Issue 10 | October 2023

October is half over, but it has been something else. Tryouts seem like a blur; games and tournaments have begun. Where has the time gone? 

We at AHAI have had quite a month. As many of you know, we lost our friend and board member extraordinaire, Jim Clare. He courageously battled cancer for many years, but we lost him to that terrible disease. As a friend, you could not find a better or more loyal person. As a board member, he was everything to everybody. You never asked Jim to volunteer because he would show up at everything we had. He was Illinois Hockey. He was the person we should all strive to emulate. There will always be a void in our lives. Please keep his family in your prayers.

On a lighter note, but also sad for AHAI, we lost Melissa Surrette to the Chicago Blackhawks. Our loss is their gain. She will be working with youth hockey under the guidance of Andrea Hahn. Melissa found a fantastic replacement to fill her role as Safe Sport Coordinator, and Julie Rancourt has stepped in to fill her shoes. Welcome aboard, Julie.

We have appointed Kathy Monahan to the AHAI board to fill the vacancy of Melissa. She is a hockey guru who helped two organizations obtain Tier II status successfully. Kathy will serve on the Tournament Committee and the newly created Diversity Committee.

We will do everything to make the 23-24 hockey season the best yet. With the help of the Chicago Blackhawks, we look forward to a great season. 

To the players, work hard, listen to your coach, keep your head up, and most of all, have FUN!

Kevin Boldger

AHAI President

Remembering Coach Jim Clare

By: Ross Forman

Jim Clare, who spent more than 25 years tirelessly promoting youth hockey in Illinois and across the nation – as a coach, association president, member of the AHAI board of directors and leadership roles for USA Hockey – passed away Saturday, September 23, after a long battle with cancer. He was 58.

Clare, who lived in Bolingbrook, was the chairperson of the Coaching Committee for AHAI, a post he held for many years.

“Jim had a hand in almost every aspect of AHAI,” said AHAI executive director John Dunne. “Jim was a good coach, administrator and leader. People were never afraid to talk to Jim. He was open and a good listener. While Jim might not have been feeling very well, he never let that stop him from doing what he loved. The hockey community lost a great volunteer and he will be missed. His presence will always be felt.”

Former AHAI and USA Hockey president Jim Smith added: “Volunteering is like a hockey game, where every player makes a difference in the team’s success. Jim Clare was the consummate volunteer. He would always help wherever needed, and not just on the events and committees he oversaw. Jim was what we call in hockey, ‘a complete team player.’

“In memory of Jim, may his legacy continue to inspire us to always give our best shot and make a positive impact on those we serve both on and off the ice.”

Clare started in Illinois hockey in the late-1990s and was long tied to the Sabres’ organization. He coached countless teams over the years and was a member of the Sabres’ board of directors from 2003 to 2016, including a 10-year stint at the club’s president. He was the girls’ 19U coach for the Sabres for five years. READ MORE>>>

Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame Announces 2023 Inductees

The Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame recently announced the inductees into the 2023 class for the Illinois Hockey Hall of Fame. This year inductees are Todd Channel and Bob Janecyk in the Player’s Category, Jim Clare, Mike McPartlin and Anders Sorensen in the Coach’s Category, Ciny Fuji, John Janda and Lisa McCormick in the Builder’s Category and Gary Como and Dave Zednik in the Referee’s Category. READ MORE<<<

Puck Cancer Honored With Mark Gore Service Award

Plans are in the works for 20^th year of hosting summer hockey tournaments.

By: Ross Forman

Sisters Sue Padulo and Sandy Cross were honored by IHOA in September with the prestigious Mark Gore Service Award as their non-profit charity organization Puck Cancer, founded to assist others whose lives have been changed by cancer, will celebrate 20 years in 2024 of hosting summer hockey tournaments.

Padulo was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at age 26, but her love of hockey and desire to skate drove her to a healthy, cancer-free life.

To celebrate her survivorship, Puck Cancer was formed.

Hockey players and fans share a unique passion which they have been able to direct towards making a difference in the fight against the grueling disease, they said. READ MORE>>>

Indiana University Hockey Club Has Long Been Next Skate For Former Illinois Players

By: Ross Forman



Andrew Chambers and Davis Jegers are teammates once again, as they traded their green and gold Stevenson uniforms for the cream and crimson and glory of old IU.

Chambers and Jegers are now skating for the Indiana University club hockey team, which has for years had a pipeline to the Chicagoland area. In mid-October, for instance, the Hoosiers hyped that junior Will Gerami recorded his 100^th career point.

Gerami, from Hinsdale, played three seasons at Saint Ignatius before his career took him to Bloomington, Indiana. Gerami was the “ultimate professional,” said Matt Smith, who was the Saint Ignatius head coach during the Gerami era. “(He has) a high care level that helped set the standard for the program. He has dynamic speed on the ice and could take over a game in a shift.” READ MORE>>>

The 2023/24 CSDHL season is up and running!

Most teams have completed a quarter of their schedule and have taken an out-of-town trip to either a tournament, or for league play. Out of town play is crucial for early bonding amongst players and families.

Team standings are starting to take shape and can be accessed in real time from our website, thanks to our partners at GameSheet, Inc., www.csdhl.org.

We are looking to grow our social media presence and we need your help. Team Managers and Coaches, please designate someone on your team to post your team accomplishments and player advancements and accolades on your club's socials and don't forget to tag us for a repost.

Facebook: Central States Developmental Hockey League

Instagram: csdhl_hockey

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