Irish Youth Hockey League

                                         March President’s Newsletter

Dear IYHL Families,

The Irish Youth Hockey League has some exciting news to announce.  Former Irish Youth Hockey League, St Joseph High School, University of Notre Dame, and NHL player Mike McNeill will be inducted into the Indiana State High School Hockey Hall of Fame. Mike will be the first former high school player inducted.  He will be joining his father, W. Tim McNeill as the first father and son inductees. This honor is certainly well deserved for Mike.  He will be recognized Saturday March 10 around 4:00pm at the Compton Family Ice Arena.  This will be before the St. Joseph High School hockey team plays one of their games in the state tournament.  So, if you can come out to support Mike.  He does so much to help, teach and support our kids, so now is the time to support him on this prestigious honor.   

The season is coming to an end but there is still a lot going on.  Our 14U A Irish Rovers team, and our 10U A Irish Rovers team will be playing for the Northern Illinois Hockey League Blackhawks Cup Championship in their respected divisions this weekend.  Good luck to both teams!  Our house league playoffs have started and will culminate in Championship Sunday March 11 at the Compton Family Ice Arena.  10U White starts at 1:00pm, 10U Green starts at 2:30, 12U at 4:00 and 14U at 5:30.  If your child’s team isn’t playing still come out and cheer on the other teams.  It will be a great day to celebrate hockey and our league.  We will have giveaways from:

The Ice Box

The Hockey Stop

Planet Hockey

Notre Dame Hockey

Chicago Blackhawks 

and hopefully a few more items.

For those who want to continue playing hockey we will offer some options in conjunction with the Compton Family Ice Arena. 

1. Compton Classrooms 101, 201, 301, 401
2. Road to the Nationals 14U
3. Development Camps-invite only
4. Spring Tournament teams- we will be putting together teams at 10U, 12U and 14U for two tournaments, one in South Bend (April 20-22) and one in Ann Arbor (May 11-13.)  Evaluations will be Sunday March 25 at the Ice Box.  10U 5:30, 12U 6:40 and 14U 7:50.  Tryouts are open to anyone in the age group.  You will try out for the age group you will be playing in next season.  Players can do both the camp and the tournament teams if they so desire. Practices for these teams will be:

      April 14 10U 8:00am      12U 9:30am       14U 11:00am  

      April 18 10U 5:45pm      12U 7:10pm       14U 8:35pm

      May 2 10U 5:45    12U 7:10    14U 8:35

      May 9 10U 5:45    12U 7:10    14U 8:35 

The IYHL gives out two awards each year.  They recipients will be honored on Championship Sunday.  The Brian Schuster Volunteer Award, is given to “a person who has significantly contributed to the IYHL volunteering his or her time.  The recipient exemplifies the qualities of integrity, initiative and dedication to the league.”  The W. Tim McNeill IYHL Coach of the Year is presented to “The coach who best exemplies the attributes of Coach McNeill, founding member of the IYHL and former University of Notre Dame Assistant Hockey Coach.  Love of the Game, Willingness to give back at any level and any time, Teacher of the game, Passion for the game and a Role model for IYHL coaches.” If you have any nominations for these awards please email me the name and the reason why the person should be considered for the award.

The IYHL General Membership Meeting will be held March 20 at 6:00pm at the Ice Box.  There are 6 positions up for election this year.  As of now we have 4 people running and they are existing board memebers, Amie Petrie, Craig Heaney, Nick Dames and Jim Taylor. We need and would like some more candidates.  If you are interested in running email me at

Iyhl.president@gmail.com and I can answer your questions and put you on the ballot.

Notre Dame Hockey will be playing in the Big 10 playoffs on March 10.  They will be offering their 4 tickets for $40.  The IYHL will send more info when we get it from Notre Dame.

Thanks, and see you at the rink,  

Brian Troester

President

Irish Youth Hockey League