The 2014-2015 season was a successful one for the Maulers Peewee Gold B Division team in the Northern Illinois Hockey League, and the head coach of that team was honored recently by the Chicago Blackhawks.
The honor in March went to Maulers Peewee Gold B coach John Berthiaume of Gurnee. He started coaching when his son started playing hockey and said he wanted to give back to the game he loves. His favorite Blackhawks moment was watching Patrick Kane score the Stanley Cup-winning goal in 2010.
The Maulers are based out of the Rink Side Ice Arena in Gurnee Mills mall — hence, the team name Maulers.
During the regular season, the Maulers went 9-4-3 and finished second in the nine-team league to the Chicago Young Americans. In the playoffs, the Maulers reached the semifinals before losing.
The Player honored for March was Anthony Loffredo, a sophomore at St. Viator. The volunteer honored was Wendy Fleming of Elmhurst, who helps out with the Fenwick hockey program.
Their achievements were celebrated on the ice at the United Center before a Blackhawks game last week.
For the past seven seasons, the Blackhawks have honored one youth hockey coach and youth hockey player each month for their outstanding achievements both on the ice and in their communities. Also being honored each month is a volunteer from a youth hockey program.
All candidates are nominated by teammates, coaches, friends or family members through the Blackhawks’ website and are judged by an amateur hockey committee.
Watch the Hawks
The Libertyville Sports Complex will be the site of a Blackhawks Roadwatch Party next Thursday night.
Cost is $10 and hockey fans will watch the Hawks play at St. Louis on big-screen TV in a game that will have an impact on the playoff matchups.
Pregame activates will start at 6 p.m. and the game will start at 7.
Prizes and raffles will be part of the event. Singer Jim Cornelison will perform the national anthem live inside the Sports Complex.
To buy a ticket, come to the Libertyville Sports Complex’s main desk.
A ‘Special’ team
The Special Recreation Association of Central Lake County’s Crusaders-Black basketball team finished fourth in the division at last month’s Special Olympics State Tournament.
The finish capped a successful season that included championships in two tournaments.
The 10-player roster included five returning players and five new ones.
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“I couldn’t have been happier with the season. Each practice, they worked their tails off, and it really paid off,” coach Katelin Sheppard said. “They are a great group and it was a joy to work with them this season.”
Sheppard is a recreation specialist with the SRACLC.
The team included Kyle Tuckey and Joey Hanson from Lake Zurich, Antonio Esch and Alexis Winegard of Vernon Hills, Amanda Johnson and Tim Luhr of Grayslake, Scott McNamee and Katie Millar of Mundelein, Dominick Deslauriars of Libertyville and Madeline Donohue of Island Lake.
Coaches were Cristina Hughes and Julie Bond.
In addition to offering Special Olympics sports, the SRACLC provides other programs for persons with disabilities, including summer camps where participants can socialize with others their age and engage in a variety of fun-filled activities. Special events and weekly programs are also offered, covering an extensive range of activities and interests, starting at ages three and older.
For more information or to register for programs, please contact the SRACLC office at (847) 816-4866, or visit http://www.sraclc.org.