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USHL SCOUTS and STAFF to ATTEND NIKE BAUER INVITE Details a

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The Nike Bauer International AAA Invite and the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) will be setting up a NEW or GENTLY USED HOCKEY EQUIPMENT DONATION area during the course of the tournament from Nov 2nd-5th at the Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge.  This is the same location that will be hosting the Stanley Cup, Hockey Hall of Fame, Interactive Games and opening night FIREWORKS on Thursday, Nov 2nd.  It’s all part of the Tournament's Sharing initiative, a donation project that benefits the state and NHL's Diversity Task Force.

The majority of the diversity task force players struggle to either afford or gain access to equipment. Hockey is a game that requires a lot of equipment in order to play (versus soccer or basketball where you basically just need a ball) and many of our designated associations need help in getting equipment.  The mission of the Nike Bauer International Invite is to open the door of athletic experience to disadvantaged youth. Our goal is to advance the well-being of youth by giving them the same opportunity as their peers and introducing them to positive life experiences. Help us 'level the playing field' by your support."

HOW:  Please search your closets, storage rooms and garages for lightly used hockey equipment . Simply bring these items to Seven Bridges and place them with the AHAI staff located under the BIG TOP TENT.  Donations will be accepted Thursday beginning at 4:00pm until Sunday at noon.  If you have any new or "gently" used equipment - skates, gloves, shin/shoulder/elbow pads, pants, goalie equipment - WE NEED IT!  Please help out our diversity task force members with their efforts to play and develop this great game of hockey by donating your used hockey equipment.

Grab hold of the excitement that surrounds the Nike Bauer International AAA Invite and use it as an opportunity to give back to hockey players in need. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO HELP DEVELOP THIS GREAT GAME OF HOCKEY!

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The 3^rd Annual Nike Bauer International AAA Invite Tournament is pleased to announce that it has reached an agreement with Pointstreak.com Inc. (PSI) to become the tournament’s official real-time scoring and statistics company.  This will mark the second year that Pointstreak has provided their service at the tournament event. 
 
Pointstreak essentially replaces paper game sheets with touch-screen terminals or laptops to collect statistical information as it happens during tournament games. The tournament game scores and other statistical information are then broadcast over the internet via www.internationalinvite.com  to any online computer in the world.  Most importantly for the tournament fans and media, Pointstreak will provide up-to-date and detailed statistics for their favorite team as well as individual game results in true real-time.
 
“We are excited to provide the benefits of Pointstreak to the players, families, fans and media partners of the tournament. We had very positive feedback from our users last year and are proud once again to provide the most advanced technology and fan friendly experience via our website, http://www.internationalinvite.com.”  Kevin Mann stated.
 
“Pointstreak is proud to have been chosen as the official real-time scoring and statistics provider for the 3^rd annual Nike Bauer International AAA Invite.  We look forward to servicing the needs of the players, fans, scouts and media and wish everyone the best of luck during the tournament”, said Scott Secord, President/CEO of Pointstreak.
 
Pointstreak is the leading provider of real-time scoring and advanced league administration and statistical systems for hockey organizations.
 
Pointstreak's product line includes solutions for amateur and recreational hockey and hockey leagues as well as for professional, collegiate and junior leagues. 

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TEAM PINS
The Nike Bauer International AAA Invite encourages tournament participants to trade pins with their opponents from around the country and world. Each team is encouraged to bring their team or association
pins to the tournament and trade with teams they play against  in their division (prior to start of game - coaches exchange)  and teams from around the world they may encounter during the Thursday, November 2nd OPENING GALA.  Crown Awards can custom make your team pin.

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LOCAL HOCKEY STOP MAGAZINE PRESS RELEASE a  

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STANLEY’S COMING TO TOWN!   The Stanley Cup will make a one day appearance at the Nike Bauer International AAA Invite.  Come and explore this legendary sports icon like you've never seen it before ... up close and personal.  Later next week we will be emailing each team a form to get a team picture with the Stanley Cup! SCHEDULE YOUR TEAM PHOTO WITH THE CUP!!!!

Fun Facts8

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THURSDAY, NOV 2^nd, OPENING NIGHT GALA AT SEVEN BRIDGES
While the tournament itself is huge, we decided to make this more; a real celebration of youth hockey.  There’s a reason that so many players and families of players make the commitment to the sport and that’s what we’ll showcase Thursday Nov 2^nd.  We would like all teams to venture over to  Seven Bridges Ice Arena to experience the Stanley Cup, Hockey Hall of Fame’s Mobile Exhibit, as well as Interactive Games, the Nike/Bauer mobile showroom, Used Equipment Donation Tent, hockey vendors, and visits by past stars of the NHL.  Thursday is meant for everyone, participants and the just curious.  Coaches and managers will be checking in their teams, the younger kids will be given the opportunity to swap pins and just plain old mingle with each other, as well as to visit the exhibits and play the games and, to cap the day, there will be a ten minute fireworks display and laser light show.

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UNITED HOCKEY LEAGUE ACTION – FRI Nov 3^rd and SAT Nov 4^th
The Chicago Hounds are the newest team in the United Hockey League.  The team will play Friday versus the Flint Generals and Saturday versus the Bloomington Prairie Thunder.  This will be OPENING WEEKEND and both games will be played at the Brand New Sears Center located in Hoffmann Estates.  A ticket order form is attached and can also be obtained on our website or by contacting Mark Peters at 847-882-2255.

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NHL ACTION - THURS NOV 2nd - BLACKHAWKS VS REDWINGS
Prior to the start of the Nike Bauer International Invite the Chicago Blackhawks will host the Detroit Redwings for participants to attend. Special group rates are available to all participants and their families through the Chicago Blackhawks Hockey Club only. Should teams wish to attend the Thursday night November 2nd game. Click Here for Discounted tickets and more8

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Legends of Hockey

The Legends of Hockey Mobile Exhibit  will bring the experience of the Hockey Hall of Fame to the Nike Bauer International AAA Invite.   This exhibit offers visitors a historical retrospective of the game as illustrated through artifacts, memorabilia and photos significant to some of the game's greatest players past and present. You will get to see today's stars, goalies, all stars, Wayne Gretzky and USAHockey. The Graphic Wall is consisted of some of the games great images from the "Original Six" era.     Click Here for Details8

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NIKE BAUER BECOMES NAMING SPONSOR OF NORTH AMERICA’S
LARGEST AAA HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

International Hockey Tournament held in Chicago for Third Year 

From November 3-5, 2006, 509 hockey games will take place between eleven family ice sports complexes in suburban Chicago as 224 hockey teams arrive to compete.  Previously known as the Chicago/Chill International AAA Invite, this tournament has now been renamed to become the “Nike Bauer International AAA Invite” as a result of Nike Bauer’s generous support of this event and the hockey families.

 

“We are very excited to align with the Chicago International Invitational,” said Matt Hoppe, US Brand Initiatives leader for Nike Bauer Hockey.  “This event has established itself as a premier event in the youth hockey community, setting new standards for ice hockey tournaments around the world in a very short period of time.”

 

This AAA Invite Tournament began in November 2004 with only 24 teams.  The 2005 tournament grew exponentially to 104 teams, and the 2006 tournament has more than doubled to include 224 teams, representing 4,444 players accompanied by over 10,000 coaches and family members.  These teams represent 82 hockey organizations from 23 states, three provinces, and five European countries.

 

“This event provides us with a rare opportunity to interact with young hockey enthusiasts from around the world, and we’re eager to get to Chicago in order to celebrate this incredible weekend with them,” added Hoppe.

 

In addition to the tournament games, the Hockey Hall of Fame has committed to bring their Mobile Exhibit Outreach Program to the Seven Bridges Ice Arena in Woodridge, IL which will feature their Legends Display, Graphic Wall and an interactive zone featuring seven games.  Admission prices for tournament and exhibit are $30 for adults, $18 for students and free for children four and under and $9 for senior citizens; daily passes are $20, $14, free and $9 respectively.  Admission prices for the tournament only are $20 for adults, $10 for students, free for children four and under and an optional donation for senior citizens; daily passes are $10, $5, free and optional donation respectively.  Special discount rates apply to tournament coaches, managers and players.

 

Founded more than 75 years ago, Bauer became part of Nike through an acquisition in 1995, before formally becoming a subsidiary that was responsible for marketing both the Bauer and Nike Hockey brands. As one unified brand, Nike Bauer Hockey utilizes some of the sport's premier athletes, including Jarome Iginla, Martin St. Louis, Scott Niedermayer and Markus Naslund to assist its research and development efforts for the next generation of innovative products and also to realize the benefits that result from a single brand marketing focus.

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If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview,
please call Andrea Hahn at 630/521-1111 or email DanAndAndreaHahn@aol.com.

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Teams should plan on arriving Thursday night into Chicago.   All levels begin tournament play
Friday morning.  Championship games will conclude by 4:30pm Sunday, November 5th.

Sanctioning and Credentials of Players, Coaches, Other Team Personnel

There will be a mandatory team check in for either managers or coaches on Thursday evening November 2^nd between 6:00pm-10:00pm at Seven Bridges Ice Arena, Woodridge, Illinois.  Team representatives can arrive at anytime during this time frame.  The following information will be needed for this credential check in.

• All teams will produce verification that team is registered with USA Hockey or the C.H.A.  All USA Hockey registered teams must supply their USA Hockey Team Membership Application (USA Form 2-T).  This form will show the State Registrar’s signature, date and year for which the team is registered.  In some cases, the State Registrar may also affix their seal.  If a team does not have this form, they are not registered.
•  All teams will produce a roster certified by their State Registrar.  All USA Hockey registered teams must complete and sign the USA Hockey Official Team Roster (USA Form 1-T).
• All teams will produce a “Travel permit” if one is required by their State Affiliate.
• All team credentials and tournament passes will be handed out at this check in.
• All team player gifts will be distributed at this check in.

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European Player's in need of Housing

The Chicago Mission/Chill International AAA Invite Tournament needs host families to house players who will participate October 31st to November 7th.

The player’s come from all over the world (Russia, Latvia, Finland, Slovenia, & Switzerland) Here's a wonderful opportunity for you and your family to form lasting friendships and familiarize yourselves with another language and culture.

The European players are paired in groups of two (2). During the day the players are with their team either to practice, play hockey games or participate in other activities/tours. Friday, November 3rd through Sunday, November 5th they will participate in the AAA International Invite.

We ask all host families to:

• Serve them breakfast and dinners as listed on their daily itineraries.

• Assure their transportation morning and night (according to their daily itinerary) Furnish them with a good bed for a good night's sleep

• Offer them a warm welcome.

The lodging offered these young people would enable them to have marvelous and unforgettable memories of our Chicago area families and of this prestigious tournament.

For more information contact:
Jill Hare    j_hare@sbcglobal.net
European Team Housing Coordinator

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ADMISSION - All players, coaches and managers (maximum 4 adult passes per team) will be admitted at no cost to all tournament games (Does not include Hockey Hall of Fame). Day and Tournament Passes include tournament souvenir program and cover admission for Friday, Saturday and Sunday at ALL arenas. All children under the age of 4 will be admitted at no charge to all venues. All Seniors will just have a fee for the Hockey Hall of Fame but will be admitted at no charge for tournament games.

Team Group Passes can be purchased ahead of time by calling 1-630-521-1111 or via email by contacting kltordella@aol.com  All Team Managers and Coaches will pick up their pre-paid passes at the mandatory check-in/reception Thursday, November 2nd between 6-10pm.  Day passes and tournament passes will also be available at each host arena.

2006 NIKE BAUER INTERNATIONAL INVITE TICKET PACKAGES

Gold Package –  (Tournament Games and Hockey Hall of Fame)         Pre-Order Only

TICKET	ADULT	YOUTH (5-15)	CHILDREN (4 and under)	SENIORS
Weekend Game Pass & HHOF HHOF for Coaches, Managers, Players	$30.00 $13.00	$18.00 $9.00	Free	$9.00
Daily Game Pass & HHOF - Friday	$20.00	$14.00	Free	$9.00
Daily Game Pass & HHOF - Saturday	$20.00	$14.00	Free	$9.00
Daily Game Pass & HHOF - Sunday	$20.00	$14.00	Free	$9.00

Silver Package –  (Tournament Games Only)

TICKET	ADULT	YOUTH (5-15)	CHILDREN (4 and under)	SENIORS
Weekend Game Passes	$20.00	$10.00	Free	Optional donation
Daily Game Pass - Friday	$10.00	$5.00	Free	Optional donation
Daily Game Pass - Saturday	$10.00	$5.00	Free	Optional donation
Daily Game Pass - Sunday	$10.00	$5.00	Free	Optional donation

Bronze Package – (Hockey Hall of Fame Only)

TICKET	ADULT	YOUTH (5-15)	CHILDREN (4 and under)	SENIORS
HHOF Daily Pass	$13.00	$9.00	Free	$9.00

 

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L o c a l  W e a t h e r