14th Annual Toyota-USA Hockey Disabled Hockey Festival

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION SPECIAL PRICING!!!

USA Hockey, the Central District and the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois are proud to welcome and invite you to the 14th annual Toyota-USA Hockey Disabled Hockey Festival to be held at the Leaf's Ice Centre in West Dundee, Illinois.

For a LIMITED TIME we are accepting "Early Bird" registration, where the registration fee has been reduced to $350.00 per team. This registration will expire December 31, 2017, at which time the registration fee will go back to $500.00 per team.

The Festival, which takes place in a different area of the country each year, provides a fun and exciting weekend of hockey in a grand event that aims to promote and grow disabled hockey throughout the country. The largest disabled hockey event of its kind, this year's event will take part in two separate weekends to accomodate more teams, players and flexibility:

April 5 — 8:       Blind/Visually Impaired, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Speial, Warrior/Standing Amputee
April 12 — 15:   Sled Hockey

In total, the Festival will include all all five disabled hockey disciplines: blind/visually impaired, deaf/hard of hearing, sled hockey, special hockey and standing amputee/warrior.

The Blind/Visually Impaired Hockey Discipline will consist of two (2) levels (A and B). The Advanced Group (Level A) will be a similar structure as previous years focusing on the more advanced players that have experience in competing at the higher level. The Intermediate Group (Level B) will combine both structured skill development practices with competitive games at the appropriate skill level. This year, we will again be accepting players from Canada who are registered with Hockey Canada and provide proof of membership. The Festival Committee will work with each blind hockey athlete to identify their skill level and place them at the appropriate level.

The Deaf/Hard of Hearing Discipline will compete in games during the Festival against local teams from the Chicago area. This will include an educational component for the typical hearing players.

The Sled Hockey Discipline will have several divisions for both youth and adult players. The Youth Division will consist of three (3) levels (A, B, and C), depending on the number of teams that participate. The Festival Committee will work with each youth sled hockey team to identify their skill level and place them at the appropriate level. The Adult Division will consist of four (4) levels: a single eight (8) team USA Hockey Adult Sled Hockey National Championship Division and three (3) USA Open Divisions (A, B, and C). The eight (8) teams in the National Championship Division will be determined by the National Championship Committee. The Festival Committee will work with each of the remaining adult sled hockey teams to identify their skill level and place them at the appropriate level (A, B, or C).

The Special Hockey Discipline will consist of three (3) levels (A, B, and C). This year, we will again be accepting teams from Canada that are registered with Hockey Canada and provide proof of membership. The Festival Committee will work with each special hockey team to identify their skill level and place them at the appropriate level.

The Standing Amputee/Warrior Division will consist of two (2) levels (A and B). Teams shall consist of Veterans and/or players with amputations that play upright hockey. Veteran players must have served in the armed forces (Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps or Navy) and been discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. They must also meet at least one of the following requirements: (a) Purple Heart recipient, (b) have a minimum 10% rating from the VA, or (c) have a disability occurring outside of service (that may or may not have been service related). Verification of disability will be required. Visit www.USAHockey.com/WarriorHockey for more information and full eligibility requirements.

Depending on the number of teams per division, games may start as early as 6:00 p.m. on Thursday of each week and end no later than 2:00 p.m. on Sunday of each week. Fox Valley Ice Arena in Geneva, Illinois will be used as an auxiliary rink if needed.

Social activities will be planned for all participants and their families. These activities will include pin trading! Details will be provided as the events are finalized.

The team cost to participate in the 2018 Toyota-USA Hockey Disabled Hockey Festival will be $350 if your registration and payment is received by December 31, 2017 and $500 if your registration and payment is received after that date. All entries must be received by February 16, 2018. For Blind Hockey Registration, the fee is $50 per individual if you register and payment received before December 31, 2017 and $100 if your registration and payment is received after that date.

If your team decides NOT to stay in one of the host hotels, the entry fee will be an additional $1,000. All hotels must be booked by February 20th, 2018. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS REQUIREMENT. Information on the host hotels, including how to book rooms, will be provide upon registering.

Use the link below to register online. If you have any questions or concerns, please email Michael Svac at msvac@comcast.net.

For more information, visit DisabledHockeyFestival.com.