The Board of Directors and staff of the Cyclones Amateur Hockey Association hope you are enjoying your summer. Please take a few moments to read through this issue of BreakOut! It features some interesting articles and valuable information leading up to our 2007-2008 Fall Season.

We would like to thank you for making our 8th year a success. Our first year back participating in the Northwest Hockey League was tremendous. Our teams in each of the NWHL divisions were strong performers with our Mite’s winning the league Championship. Our CSDHL Midget Majors captured the four place flag in the Blackhawk Cup State Tournament. Our Southwest Spring League player numbers were up over 8% and we had a nice representation of Cyclones teams making the playoffs.

As we enter into our 9th year, there are some new Directors, Staff and Associate Board Members in place, along with some shifts in responsibilities for a few of our veteran members. These changes have inspired some fresh ideas and exciting changes that will further enhance the value our youth hockey organization offers to you.

One of the most exciting changes is the addition of Mr. Frank Bisceglie as our new Hockey Director. Frank comes to us with a tremendous amount of experience…from coaching in many different divisions at different levels to his long tenure as the Vice President of Hockey Operations for another very successful youth hockey organization. Frank lives in our community and brings with him all the skill sets needed to propel the Cyclones to be the leader in youth hockey. He is one of the most highly regarded and respected individuals in IL hockey today – not just by clubs from around the State but also by AHAI and on a national level with USA Hockey. He will have a permanent office at FVIA and will serve as our Hockey Director on a “full time” basis. The Cyclones family is very fortunate to have him. He is a visionary who will lead us well into the future, with a very successful future in mind.

This year we will participate in the Central States Developmental Hockey League (CSDHL) at the Midget Minor and Major levels only. We will deepen our commitment to the Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL) by placing our AA teams in the Elite level as dictated by the talent level within the different divisions. It is also our intention to field a third Midget team which will be placed in NIHL.

We are all very aware of the increases in energy costs and the cost of living - it has touched every household. In the truest spirit of partnership we had to bring our ice rates at FVIA up to a very fair market value. For us this meant an increase. We are hopeful that this will allow FVIA to make a number of necessary improvements. Recognizing our fiduciary responsibilities to you as our membership, we have worked to control the cost of playing this great game. We have renegotiated other contracts and looked for ways to lower our costs to save you money without compromising player development. After listening and more importantly hearing the mixed reviews about the Get Fast - Acceleration Clinic portion of our player development program, we will not mandate the treadmill participation for “every” team. We will continue to offer this for our Bantam AA team and all the Midget teams. However, those of you who recognize the value this elite developmental tool provides; we have negotiated to offer this to you on an ala-carte basis. Now this expense is within your control. The cost for this will be $340.00 per player and can be set up directly through Get Fast. It is important to note that we are very confident that by reducing the total number of players that participate in the treadmill program, the quality of the treadmill instruction will improve tremendously. Of course, the dry-land portion of our player development program will continue.

Our goal is always to provide your child and family with the best youth hockey experience in the State.

On behalf of the entire Board of Directors and staff we wish to extend our deepest appreciation for your commitment to the success of our program. We will continue to work long and hard to identify those areas where we can better serve you as very valued members of this Cyclones family. If you ever have any questions, please refer to the Cyclones website at www.cycloneshockey.net for all Board member and staff contact information or feel free to call Mr. Frank Bisceglie @ 630-220-PUCK.

See you at the rink,
Doug Becht

In my previous message I mentioned what you could look forward to during the summer. Well, we are midway through our most successful summer ever.

Our Cyclones Skates averaged more than 50 players per night! Our Midget 4 on 4 was so successful that we (unfortunately) had to turn players away. Just like our Cyclones Summer Skates, our Cyclones Conditioning Clinics will be the best value in Illinois Hockey. These skates will be a very high tempo, well structured series of 8 eighty minute skates. That's nearly 11 hours of skating and instruction for only $165!

I'd also like to take this opportunity to thank all of you that have made my first "quarter" at the Cyclones successful and enjoyable. Before I begin to speak of the upcoming season, I'd like to discuss other events this summer. Cyclones Day is sure to be fun. The Cyclones Golf Outing could use your support. This is an event that funds our Scholarship Program. We are more than just a youth hockey club, we provide our players with educational opportunities that go far beyond the game of hockey. We are also providing our players the chance to "give back" to their community with the Adopt-A Highway program. Looking forward to the fall season, several of our coaches have taken their game to the next level.

Our Skating Instructor Ken McKudden was recently featured in an article at Hockeys Future. I'm confident you will find this article insightful and enjoyable.

Enjoy the rest of your summer, and continue to visit our website for all the latest information.

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Many members of the Cyclones Amateur Hockey Association have been presented with the honor to represent youth hockey in Illinois on both a regional and national level. Here are a number of unique opportunities and programs where Cyclones participation was requested and time was volunteered.

Frank Bisciglie - Attended the USA Hockey NARCE Conference in Chicago, IL

Pat Tierney - By invitation only, was the only IL Coach / AHAI representative to attend the USA Hockey Coaches Education Program and Seminars in Lake Placid, NY (see his article below)

Doug Becht - By invitation only, was the sole club President from IL to attend the Annual USA Hockey Congress in Colorado Springs, CO.

Frank Bisceglie - By invitation only, attended the USA Hockey Central District Bantam Development Camp in IA as a Head Coach.

Joe Hartge - Attended the USA Hockey Central District Bantam Development Camp in IA as a Team Leader / Counselor.

Brian Krenning - Attended the USA Hockey Central District Bantam Development Camp in IA as a Team Leader / Counselor.

Doug Becht - By invitation only, will attend the USA Hockey National Select 15 Camp as a Team Leader / Counselor in St. Cloud, MN from July 27 through August 3rd.

The numerous benefits captured from these experiences will help our association and youth hockey in Illinois. Thank you to all of the above individuals for going above and beyond to volunteer more time to advance their knowledge, while representing the Cyclones and the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois so well.

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USA Hockey Coaching Education Program - Lake Placid, NY
By Pat Tierney

The great game of hockey is evolving! In May of 2007, I was fortunate to be the sole AHAI, Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois, representative at the Coaching Education Program in Lake Placid, NY.

There were many developmental and coaching related topics discussed during my 3-day seminar. The main topic of discussion revolved around the importance of small area (cross-ice) games and the direct impact this format has on skills development.

USA Hockey, top coaches across the country, and some of the greatest hockey minds at all age levels agree that in order to develop hockey players, especially the young, practice plans must consist of this important element.

Proper coaching and utilization of specific drills within a “small area” will develop young hockey players by working their edges, touching and controlling the puck more often, and forcing them to identify and move to open space, thus learning proper position.

System based drills, which include the theory of a set position have been heavily emphasized in past years. USA Hockey views systems based drills as outdated and a thing of the past.

Throughout North America, half-ice practices have been traditionally viewed as negative with the assumption being that ice was being shared due to cost and availability. The Europeans and select organizations in the United States have known for some time that half-ice practices are an excellent way to develop youth hockey players and are vital to teaching and enhancing overall player development.

Concepts like these will be integrated into the regular practice schedule along with many other creative and developmental training for the entire Cyclones organization.

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Way to show the Cyclones Pride!  The kids roller bladed and waved the banners with a lot of enthusiasm and showed everyone how great it is to be part of this organization! Thanks to all those that participated: Coach Jim Allen, Coach Ralph Brandonisio and Vitonio, Coach Dave Wilson and Family, the Conrin Family, Hoffman Family, Pisoni Family, Tierney Family, Bader Family, Kleba Family, Corrigan Family, Clark Family, Foster Family, Hummel Family.

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Pee Wee Checking Clinics
(All players must attend at least 2 hours of clinic. If a player has already participated in a previous checking clinic, they are not required to attend.)

Dates:
Sat. Aug. 25 – 9:00 to 10:00AM NHL
Sun. Aug. 26 – 12:00 to 1:00PM NHL
Tue. Aug. 28 – 5:30 to 6:30PM NHL

Fee:
Included in fall registration

*Also available for any first year Bantams with no body contact experience.

Pre-Season Skills and Conditioning Clinics
This clinic will focus on the fundamental skills and give players valuable 5 on 5 full ice game experience leading into tryouts and evaluations.

When you consider that the 4 days of travel tryouts determine where your child will skates for the next 180 days, being ready to hit the ice at full throttle is crucial!

The players will truly enjoy this clinic and it is a great lead in to the start of the season.

Fee: $165
Multiple child discounts: $300 per family.

Click here to access the clinic schedule and registration form.

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This meeting is open to anyone interested in coaching with the Cyclones. We will highlight coaching opportunities and requirements as well as plans for the upcoming Fall Season. We are planning to have some guest speakers, food and prizes.

SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
6:00PM
Mill Creek Golf Club
39 W 525 Herrington Dr
Geneva, IL 60134

For more information, contact Frank Bisceglie at
hockeydirector@cycloneshockey.net

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The Cyclones Amateur Hockey Association (CAHA) is pleased to announce its 2007 – 2008 Fall Season Open Registration and Evaluation Schedule. As we move into our 9th year, CAHA is continuing to make exciting advances in furthering efforts to expand youth hockey development in our area.

Listed below are our registration dates and times along with a link to additional information and forms. If you have any questions about this our Fall Season, please contact us at (630) 220-PUCK.

Open Registration Dates:
Saturday, August 11, 2007 10:00AM – 2:00PM
Sunday, August 12, 2007 10:00AM – 2:00PM
At the Fox Valley Ice Arena, Geneva, IL

Click Here for Information and Forms Downloads.

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Mill Creek Golf Course
Geneva, IL
Sunday August 12th

• 1:00 PM Shotgun start
• 18 holes of golf, cart and steak barbeque
• Prizes to longest drive and closest to pin
• Raffle prizes and silent auction
• Hole Sponsorships: $125.00 and $250.00 (hole exclusive)

Pricing: $100.00 per person

Questions? Please contact:
Beth Sterne,
630-306-0556 or
4sterneboys@comcast.net

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The Cyclones Amateur Hockey Association is pleased to announce the partnership with Miami University to host a Tier II USA Hockey sanctioned tournament this coming fall.

The Miami Tournament wil provide some of the finest Tier II USA Hockey organizations with the opportunity to share in a great weekend of hockey, at one of the finest universities and facilities in the country. The Goggin Ice Center home of the Miami University Redhawks.

The Cyclones Pee Wee AA through Midget Major AA teams will participate. There will be a total of 4 clubs in the tournament and each club will have teams at each level. Our goal is to provide camaraderie between all levels for participating organizations, a chance for Pee Wee players to cheer on their Midget squad and for the Midget squad to earn the respect of a Pee Wee, and be a “hockey mentor” to them. This tournament also gives us with an opportunity to compete with other top regional organizations, a great way to kick-off the Fall Hockey Season!

• Tournament Location: Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
• Tournament Dates: September 14th - 16th
• Special Reception on Friday evening
• Tournament booklets and apparel will be available throughout the weekend
• All games will be played at the Gogglin Ice Center

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Member Communications:
This year the Cyclones is trying some new methods to help maintain open and timely communications. We will be using e-Blasts for specific updates and information and we are currently investigating a group phone service. Please watch your e-mails and this space for updates on this front.

Member Business and Service Support Needed:
As an all-volunteer, non-profit organization, we are constantly looking for local businesses to support our programs and events. We also often purchase services from local businesses as well. If you are a business owner, if you have special skills and you are a Member of the Cyclones, we are asking that you to raise your hand and consider ways that you might be able to support the Cyclones. It may be as simple as making yourself available to support the marketing and communications needs of the organization or by providing discounted products and services. Some of the current needs include:

• Printing services
• Display and sign services
• Premium item production
• Public relations support
• Design and production support
• Transportation services

We are in the process of developing a Cyclones Business Directory. This directory will not only be used by the Cyclones organization, it will also be made available to the full membership for access to service listings and contact information. Please contact us today if you feel you can contribute and if you would like to be included: president@cycloneshockey.net

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Be a part of Breakout!

Breakout! is always looking for ideas, contributors, and assistant editors.

Email your comments, suggestions, and questions to: bryan@ims-chi.com.

Thank you to all that have contributed to this issue of BreakOUT!

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