What is PAHL (Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League)?

PAHL (Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League) consists of over 250 teams from 28  associations, including the Arctic Foxes. Participants include boys and girls in age groups from Mites to Midgets, who compete at  hockey levels from B to AA.   Most  of the associations that participate in PAHL are located in Western Pennsylvania. Some exceptions include State College PA, Cumberland MD, Wheeling WV, and Morgantown WV. You can learn more about PAHL at their website: http://www.pahockey.com

How much do I have to travel?

This is perhaps the biggest misconception about PAHL.  Some people hear the word “travel” and envision their child flying on a plane to Colorado to play a hockey game.  This is not the case.  Since most of the teams are located around the Pittsburgh area, the travel is very minimal. Most of the games are played at local rinks, usually within 20 miles of the RMU Island Sports Center. All home games (half of the schedule) are played at the RMU Island Sports Center. Teams may have to play 2 or so games per season that involve a trip of between 2 to 4 hours (e.g. State College, Erie, Altoona).  During these events, the parents sometimes form car pools, with some staying overnight. Many families, particularly the children, look forward to spending the night in a hotel and enjoying the friendships that they have formed throughout the season.

When are the practices?

Practices run from August through February and are generally twice a week, during weekdays. The practices are usually 50 minutes in length.  Starting times vary depending in the age levels and ice time availability.

How many games do you play?

League games are played from October through February. Teams play between 14 and 20 games depending on the age and Level.  Mite teams play 16 games, Squirt A-Minor teams play 18, Squirt A-Major and above teams play 20 games.  All league games are on the weekends.  Many teams will also participate in several pre-season scrimmage games to assist in determining the appropriate level at which the team should play as well as tournaments throughout the season.

Are there different levels of play?

For most age groups, PAHL has 4 levels of play.  The levels are B, A-Minor, A-Major, and AA. The B level teams consist of the less-experienced players and AA teams consist of the more-experienced players.  Players are placed in the appropriate levels during tryouts.

When are the tryouts?

The tryouts are in April.  See the Arctic Foxes web site for specific tryout dates.

My child is in the Island Colonials Youth House League, at what level would he/she play?

That depends on the child.  The Island Colonials Youth House League has fielded several all-star teams that have played in tournaments and have competed quite successfully at the B Level.  Some of the more skilled players on those teams may be A Level players.  Last year the majority of players on the AFHA Mite A team came from the Island Colonials Youth House League.  The placement of the players for the 2004-2005 season will be determined during try-outs.  The goal is to have every participant play at the level that is most appropriate for his/her skill level and will allow the player to develop his/her skills with similarly skilled players.

Tournaments?  How many do we play in and what do they cost?

The number of tournaments that a team chooses to participate in is determined by the team’s coach and manager, along with input from the parents.  Teams generally play around 3 tournaments per season depending on their schedules and the parents’ wishes. Since tournaments are optional, individual players are not required to participate in any of the tournaments.  The tournaments are often scheduled during Thanksgiving, Christmas, President’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and at the end of the season.  The cost is usually around $50- $75 per player and there are numerous ones that are played around the  Pittsburgh area.  Some teams may choose to play in a tournament out of town (e.g. Cleveland, Buffalo), but that decision is left up to the team.  The parents are  consulted on what they would prefer to do as a team, and again, many families look forward to a get-away weekend filled with hockey and fun.

Will my child have fun?

Absolutely!  The primary goal is to teach the kids to have fun while playing hockey to the best of their ability.  The kids have fun playing with kids of similar skill level and build bonds with players that will last a lifetime.  There is no intense pressure placed on the children, and the coaches have even been known to smile once in a while.  In fact, the ability to interact positively with the  children is one of the determining factors when the coaches are selected for the teams.  Many of our coaches, particularly at the younger levels, come from the Lil’ Colonials league .

How much does it cost?

The cost depends on the age group and level.  The 2005-2006 season fees ranged from $875.00 to $950.00 per player with goalies paying only $550.  Payments are made in 7 monthly installments starting after placement.  Home and away jerseys must be purchased.  Costs are approximately $90 each.  Jerseys can be worn from year to year, so you should only need to purchase them when your player grows out of them.  Tournaments are an additional expense that is collected by the team manager if/when the team plays in tournaments.  The Arctic Foxes also provide many fundraising opportunities that families can use to offset significant portions of these expenses.  For example, the association has several booths at the Post Gazette Pavilion that parents can work during various concerts and apply credits earned to their team fees.  In addition to the Post Gazette Pavilion fundraiser, fee credits can be earned through Sarris Candy sales, pizza sales, and many other options throughout the season.

How do the Arctic Foxes work with the RMU Island Sports Center?

The Arctic Foxes work very closely with the RMU Island Sports Center.  In addition to being the premiere ice facility in Western PA, the RMU Island Sports Center provides the Foxes with an opportunity for power skating lessons with Marianne Watkins (one of the most sought after power skating coaches in hockey) and camps for skills development.  For the younger players, the Arctic Foxes work closely with the RMU Island Sport Center staff to identify both coaches and players who are ready to progress from the Lil’ Colonials league to the Arctic Foxes. 

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