By Dominic Scianna
The United Center was buzzing with excitement last week as the Chicago Blackhawks opened its United Center doors to welcome the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) state championships for a triple-header of high school games.
Chicago North Hockey Club, a varsity high school team made up of players from Chicago Public Schools students at Amundsen, Northside Prep, Lane Tech, and Taft in addition to Chicago Catholic League member DePaul Prep, compiled a record of 42-7-4 to advance to the AHAI Varsity Combined State Championships. The Combined Division is made up of schools that have players from multiple schools.
Along the way to the finals, head coach Kevin Doell and his squad notched victories over Lake Zurich, Belvidere, and Glenbard as the #1 seed in the 16-team bracket to reach the title game for the second year in a row.
But in the end, a game Waubonsie/Metea team, the second seed in the bracket, won a thrilling 2-1 overtime game, sending Chicago North home with a heartbreaking loss March 13. The loss marked back-to-back seasons the team had lost in overtime of the state title game.
“It’s just incredible to see the excitement of all the players, coaches, and families playing for a state championship in the United Center,” said Michael Hortatsos, Chicago North President and CEO. “What we’ve accomplished in the last two years is unprecedented. A city team has never made it to the state finals two years in a row. The outcome isn’t what we wanted but it was an incredible experience and something we’ll all treasure for a long time.”
Chicago North starting goalie Annika Solberg, who also stars in girls high school hockey, was incredible in defeat, staving off threat after threat from the Warriors of Waubonsie with key saves in three and a half exciting periods of play.
“Playing at the United Center is always fun and it’s pretty big (from the rinks we play in),” said Solberg, who was the backup goalie in 2023.. “All the lights and cameras on you is always something you’ll remember but it was a bit scary, especially being another title game and how we lost last year. As time went on we were all able to settle in.”
And settle in they did, as Solberg, a Taft senior, and her teammates trailed 1-0 with under three minutes to play in the third period before a final power play opened the door for Chicago North. Coach Doell, a former professional hockey player for the Chicago Wolves, pulled Solberg for an extra skater and the 6-on-4 advantage paid dividends when Lane’s Ian Donohoe batted the puck out of the air with 1:30 to play in regulation for the equalizer, tying the game at 1-1 to force overtime.
“Our third period we picked it up and put on the pressure,” said Donohoe, a sophomore first-time varsity team member. “I wasn’t supposed to be on the power play (for the tying goal) but I got put on the ice, and tried to stay in the middle (for an opportunity). I got a lucky bounce and the puck went in.”
Waubonsie’s star forward Evan Ziegler tallied the game’s first goal in the first period and that lone tally stood tall until Donohoe gave Chicago North new life.
In overtime, the Warriors’ James Naffsinger slid a wrist shot past Solberg to the short side of the net for the game-winner with 4:51 to play in the extra period. It was a well-played game on both sides and Waubonsie’s goalie Andrew Fictel was equally as spectacular in goal for the victors.
Two gut-wrenching losses in back-to-back years at the AHAI state championships haven’t dampened the team’s enthusiasm and bright future as it looks toward a third straight deep-playoff run next year
“We have a good team coming back so I’m already excited and thinking about next year,” said Donohoe.
You can find more information about Chicago North hockey, their CPL student-athletes, and the AHAI by visiting the links to both organization websites at http://chicagonorthhockey.org.and Amateur Hockey Association Illinois (ahai.org).
Photos by Ashley Harris/OSA
Photos by Brandon Parker/OSA
