USA Hockey is requiring all players 17 years of age or older on or before December 31st of that playing season and who play on a team in a classification that allows minor aged players, to complete SafeSport Training before being added to a team and prior to participation with the team (on-ice or off-ice). This requirement applies to all teams in the age classifications Youth, Girls, High School, Junior Hockey, Flex Hockey and Disabled Hockey programs that allow both minor age and adult age players (anyone over 18 years).

Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI), Athletico Physical Therapy, the Chicago Blackhawks, and NorthShore University HealthSystem has come together to create the AHAI: A Step aHead Baseline Testing initiative to combat one of the most common head injuries: concussions. These four groups pledge to educate the Illinois youth hockey community on the importance of concussion management and to be proactive with implementing baseline testing. Through A Step aHead, we offer free baseline concussion testing, as well as educational programs, to youth hockey players in the AHAI program.