NIHL Championships Summary

Volume 7 Issue 1, March 27, 2024

NIHL News and Events

"First Time's a Charm"

by Bob Apter, NIHL President

Another season is in the books and this one was like no other. It was filled with highly competitive games at all levels, an expanded number of Girls Divisions and it was capped off with a day at the United Center that marked a first for Illinois youth hockey.

Due to the growth in the number of Girls teams we were able to create two divisions at each of the Girls 12U, 14U and 16/19U age levels. This helped ensure the games would be more competitive.

Our annual championship games held at Inwood, Joliet continued their rich tradition giving the players and families an experience they will never forget.

Perhaps the milestone of the season was February 18 when 6 of our championship games were played at the United Center, marking the first time Illinois youth hockey championship games have been played on the same ice as our Chicago Blackhawks! We need to repeat our gratitude to our league's partner, the Chicago Blackhawks. Their organization went all out in hosting an outstanding Championship event at the United Center. Danny Wirtz and Jamie Faulkner supported this breakthrough event that surpassed anything any other professional organization in any sport has produced. Blackhawks' Vice President of Amateur Hockey, Andrea Hahn, led the way in creating what was truly an amazing event. Greg Tam and Melissa Surrette coordinated all the Blackhawks' staff and resources with precision and passion to make sure that hundreds of athletes and their families will remember this occasion forever. The league cannot express our gratitude enough.

Links to 2024 NIHL Blackhawks Tournament Bracket Boards

To see the path each team took on its journey to the Championship please CLICK HERE

You'll also be able to see the Champions' Team Photos for all of our league's 24 Playing Divisions.

75% of This Season's NIHL Blackhawks Tournament Championship Games Were Decided by One or Two-Goals

Our league held 24 different Division Championships this season. As most of you realize, the Northern Illinois Hockey League is very serious about placing teams in divisions where they fit best competitively. This is a philosophy that results in close games throughout the season and which encourages players and families to continue to play this wonderful sport.

Of the 24 Division Championships held this season, twelve were one-goal games.

Another six Championships were two-goal victories (some empty-net goals). Five Championships were won by a 3 goal margin, and one was won by 5 goals.

The fact that 75% of our league championship games were extremely tight contests speaks well of the system NIHL employs to place teams correctly. We are certain that all these close games are exciting for all the players involved.

2024 NIHL Blackhawks Tournament

Feb. 18 United Center Championship Videos

We are excited to share with you some of the best hockey action from the 2024 NIHL Blackhawks Tournament. Enjoy the play-by-play of all six Championship Games played at the United Center on February 18, 2024. Our league's partner, Stream Sports Midwest, covered 70 NIHL games this season. We are proud to continue to give viewers from our area, plus family and friends in other states, and even other countries, the opportunity to enjoy watching NIHL players compete on the ice. Here are the YouTube links:

NIHL Blackhawks Tournament Squirt Premier Select Championship

#1 Ice Dogs AA v #2 Mammoth AA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfFVSEgqBqY

NIHL Blackhawks Tournament Peewee Premier Select Championship

#1 Joliet Jaguars v #2 Chicago Mission Girls AAA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXjTn83ZYrc

NIHL Blackhawks Tournament Girls 16/19U Championship

#1 Badger City v #2 North Shore Warhawks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CQQJaaiUW7w

NIHL Blackhawks Tournament Bantam 14U Championship

#1 Rockford Roadrunners v #2 Romeoville Huskies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JkdQfNgoBE

NIHL Blackhawks Tournament College Junior Prep 16U Championship

#1 Peoria Jr. Mustangs v #2 Joliet Jaguars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaseHN3H7rg

NIHL Blackhawks Tournament College Junior Prep 18U Championship

#1 Joliet Jaguars v #2 Vipers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z04rVlD0SfM

We can't wait for the 2024-2025 season to start!

2024 NIHL Blackhawks Tournament

Apparel and Mini-Banners

Did you know that you can celebrate the accomplishments of your players with apparel and mini-banners from Tier 1 Sports' NIHL Shop? These items can be personalized with player names, numbers, etc. and they are available for the league's All Star Event, the Presidents Cup and of course for the NIHL Blackhawks Tournament.

CLICK HERE to see all the items available and to customize them for your player or team

BIackhawks Youth Hockey Reminds You It is Never Too Early to Start Planning Your Spring and Summer!

To get your little kids started in hockey and to improve the skills of your young hockey players please be sure to check out:

Little Blackhawks

https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/amateur/little-blackhawks

Blackhawks Youth Summer Camps

https://www.nhl.com/blackhawks/amateur/hockey-camps

Sign-up for the NIHL Newsletter

Would you like to get the monthly newsletter from the Northern Illinois Hockey League?

(approx. 6 issues per year)

CLICK HERE

Visit the Northern Illinois Hockey League website at www.nihl.info