Character counts when it comes to impressing coaches By Greg Bates, Special to AHAI – Every hockey coach has certain aspects he or she likes to see in a player, whether it is being a hard worker on the ice, a… Read More ›

Greg Bates
There is No One Way to Be a Great Teammate
Teammates can bring a lot of different qualities to the table; everyone can contribute something By Greg Bates, Special to AHAI – Even at a young age, it can be easy to pick out which players on the ice are great… Read More ›
Keeping a Close Eye on Locker Room Behavior is in Every Coach’s and Player’s Best Interest
Following a few simple protocols can help players stay safe and respectful of one another By Greg Bates, Special to AHAI It’s the kind of scenario that plays in the back of the mind of every coach: a player pulling… Read More ›
Moving On After Not Making The Team: What’s Next For Players And Parents?
A disappointing tryout can be a starting point for making the next team By Greg Bates, Special to AHAI The tryout has concluded and the coach is ready to announce his team for the season. There’s going to be jubilation for… Read More ›
Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey Program Provides a Place to Play for All Abilities
By Greg Bates, Special to AHAI With four locations around Chicagoland, opportunities abound for anyone wanting to try hockey For years, the Chicago Blackhawks Special Hockey (CBSH) program has been a hit. Its three locations around Chicagoland provided those with… Read More ›
Building On Winning Cultures, Chicago Mission 16U Teams Head Back To Nationals
Both the Tier 1 youth and girls teams are aiming to defend national titles. By Greg Bates, Special to AHAI A winning culture breeds success. Anders Sorensen and Erin Rourke-Smith are two coaches who live by that philosophy. As the… Read More ›