Chicago Table Hockey League

TRAGIC NEWS

Barry Daniels (1955-2005)

I'm sorry to report that Barry Daniels died suddenly this week at the age of 49. He went out Tuesday, Jan. 4, to play basketball. While playing, he suddenly collapsed. As it happened, Barry was playing against a group of firefighters and paramedics. Even with their expertise, they were unable to save him. I attended his wake on Saturday on the South Side. Plenty of people were in attendance, including the CTHL's Jim Rzonca and Joe Salazar. There were plenty of photos of Barry on display, including several of what had to be a life highlight: his 2004 trip to Chicago Cubs fantasy camp. Barry got to bat and field and play some baseball with former Cubbies like Bob Dernier, Willie Wilson and Larry Biitner. It must have been tough to be a Cubs fan living in Sox country, but the photos showed a very happy Barry. He looked like he was in heaven then, and I'm sure he's in heaven now.

Barry, who played in the CTHL for several years, including last season as the Los Angeles Kings, truly will be missed. A friendly guy to everyone in the basement of Harry's Tap, Barry came to play every week. Even though he didn't win every game, he played hard in every contest. He was perhaps best known for his tough defense. I remember playing several close games against Barry over the two brief years I knew him. Barry was even game enough to come out to Lemont and play some Siga every now and again beacuse he really liked table hockey. Barry is survived by his wife, Jill, and Adah M. Frankovic, his 13- year-old daughter from Austin, Texas. I've included his Sun-Times obituary information:

Barry M. Daniels

Daniels, Barry M. 49, suddenly, best friend and beloved husband of Jill (nee Gronbach), father of Adah M. Frankovic, dearest brother of Larry (Annette), Rich (Marilyn) and Scott, dear uncle of Dennis, Jeff, Brad, Tim, Ashley and Barbara. Graduate of the University of Illinois and DePaul University. Employee of Amdocs Corporation. Funeral service Saturday, 2 p.m., at the Wolniak Funeral Home, 5700 S. Pulaski Rd. Visitation Friday, 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Cremation private. 773-767-4500. (Published in the Chicago Sun-Times on 1/7/2005.)

If you'd like to send an e-mail with your memories of Barry, we'll be happy to post it on the web site as part of a "Remembering Barry Daniels" page. Please send the e-mail to me at byline302@yahoo.com. The page is here: Daniels memorial page

Barry wrote a diary of his rookie season in the CTHL. Here it is: Rookie diary

Barry Daniels, wearing his trademark old-school Kings jersey.

SAD NEWS

CTHL Update from Commissioner Gary Leverence: Due to the restrictions and licensing demands of the City of Chicago and its Department of Revenue the Chicago Table Hockey League will terminate operation this year. Due to the popularity of the CTHL through media coverage the City of Chicago has singled out the CTHL for "so called " licensing violations. The Department of Revenue will not back down from its demands for the CTHL to obtain a Public Place of Amusement license -- we are not a place of amusement -- we are a social sport organization. While pool leagues, dart leagues and volleyball tournaments sprout up all over the city the CTHL has been singled out. The CTHL has been told we must: --- obtain a PPA license --- define the CTHL as a sole proprietor --- be fully insured --- accept to play at only one location --- undergo a background check --- have CTHL officials to be fingerprinted --- produce a full financial disclosure --- have the approval of all residents within 250 feet of Harry's Tap It is unfair for the CTHL to undergo such scrutiny -- we have carried the Chicago banner as the premiere table hockey league for 38 years financially, logistically and esthetically the CTHL cannot compete and will not fight city hall we all have enjoyed the wonderful ride of the CTHL for 38 years the CTHL wants to thank all of the hundreds of great people that have played in, worked with, sponsored and promoted the league. We were born in Chicago and now pass on in Chicago we will all miss the CTHL but this is a sign of the times remember this on election day again thank you to all in the Chicago Table Hockey League family. God Bless You All.

CTHL Playoffs

Congrats to Mike Lisowski, who won the 2003-04 CTHL Stanley Cup Championship with a 4-2 series victory over Jim Rzonca: CTHL Stanley Cup Finals

2003-04 Standings and Playoff Results: CTHL 2003-04 season page

CTHL Tournaments

Harry's Shootout Tournament: 2003-04 Harry's Shootout results

Rob Marshall, the Harry's Shootout champ.

Canada Cup Tournament: 2003-04 Canada Cup results

Chicago Stiga Cup Tournament: 2003-04 Stiga Cup results

Gears Cup Tournament: Results

Illinois Open Tournament: Results

For more info on the new season and tournaments: gearstheone@aol.com or call the CTHL Hotline: (312) 225-8785

Map to Harry's Tap: Click here

Fox-32 sports anchor Jill Carlson has got game.

CTHL Youth Leagues

The CTHL is taking applications and answering inquiries concerning the upcoming youth leagues.

YOUTH DIVISIONS
*Junior Division -- open to 6th, 7th and 8th graders
*Minor Division -- open to high school students
Youth leagues play about once every three weeks on Saturday afternoons 1 p.m. starting in December.

For more info on the youth leagues: gearstheone@aol.com or call the CTHL Hotline: (312) 225-8785

OTHER NEWS

Rockin' Rick Gawron, shown here with fellow 89-90 CTHL Stanley Cup finalist Pat Scanlon, returned to CTHL play this season.

CTHL, Harry and UCP: click here

CTHL Thank You List: click here
(requires Excel)

The 2002-03 season standings and results have been moved here: CTHL 2002-03 season page

CTHL In The News

CTHL On The Road: a collection of stories and photos of league guys travelling the globe for table hockey: On The Road

The Chicago Tribune ran a story on the CTHL: Trib story

Hey, the media coverage continues, even in the off-season. Here's a story by the Northwest Times of Indiana from May 22: NW Times story

The CTHL's Jerry Pytlewski and Jim Rzonca are featured in another table hockey story: Lemont Sun story

Want to see some CTHL'ers give Bubble Boy a try? Click here: 2003 Bubble Boys at Harry's

The Associated Press came out recently and did a feature story on the league. To read it and see the photos, click here: AP writes about CTHL

Here it is, back by popular demand, rescued from near-cyber oblivion. It's Barry Daniels' Diary of a CTHL Rookie. To read it in all its glory, click here: Rookie diary

CTHL History

Past CTHL champions and award winners

CTHL Rulebook

Don't these guys look great? You can too. CTHL t-shirts: $10 plus $4 shipping and jerseys $20 plus $4 shipping.

The mecca of Chicago table hockey, Harry's Tap. (CTHL Photos)

E-mail Commissioner Gary Leverence: gearstheone@aol.com
CTHL Hotline: (312) 225-8785 (Gary)
Questions about this page? E-mail byline302@yahoo.com

Chicago Table Hockey League

TRAGIC NEWS

SAD NEWS

CTHL Playoffs

CTHL Tournaments

CTHL Youth Leagues

OTHER NEWS

CTHL In The News

CTHL History

Past Stanley Cup season results

Gears Cup results

Illinois Open results

Canada Cup results

Other Tournament results