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Hello all- I have made another change to the registration process to hopefully try and reduce spammers. But keep in mind, these people operate funded networks which try to abuse sites like this. So stay vigilant and notify me of any spam posts. I hope you all have a great summer! Let me know any questions/comments. Feel free to reply here. PB

UPDATE 6/15/25 2025-2026 Governor’s Cup Events o National Invitational Scholastic Showcase – South Bend (November 14-16, 2025) 16 - PRE-Registered - MD (2) ONT - CAN (1) ILL (1)IND (3) MICH (1) OHIO (3) TEXAS (1) VIRGINIA (1) WPA (3) Ø Bishop O’Connell – Virginia State Champion Ø Calvert Hall - Maryland Ø Cathedral Prep WPA – 2025 Pennsylvania Finalists Ø Carmel Gold IND - Indiana Ø Central Catholic – WPA – 1998 Pennsylvania Finalists Ø Culver Indiana – 33 Time Indiana Champions Ø DeMatha Catholic – 10 Time Maryland Champions Ø Jesuit College Prep – 10 Time Texas Champions Ø North Allegheny Tigers – WPA – 2025 Hoosier Cup Champion Ø Orchard Lake St Marys – MICH - Michigan State Champion Ø Providence Catholic -ILL -Illinois State Champions Ø St Andrews College Prep- CANADA - Ontario Ø St Edwards –OHIO-11 Time Ohio Champions Ø St Ignatius – OHIO – 2025 Ohio Finalists and 8- Time Ohio Champions Ø St Josephs High School – Indiana Ø University School – 2023 Governors Cup Champions and Ohio State Champion

I don't personally know Coach Bob, but if you see fit to be able to help him in any way, please do so. Thanks to @sadday4hockey for posting this. Prayers to Coach Bob and his family.

Help Support Coach Bob Gergerich's Stroke Recovery GoFundMe Everyone knows him as Bob, Bobby, Gerg, Gergi, Jake and Big G. For over 40 years, Bob has dedicated his life to the sport of hockey—as a player, coach, trainer, and mentor. From youth leagues to professional development camps, he has helped shape the careers and lives of countless athletes across the country. His passion, commitment, and tireless energy have left a lasting impact on everyone lucky enough to learn from him. Now, Coach Bob needs YOUR help. On May 20th, Bob suffered a serious stroke that has dramatically altered his daily life. While he is stable and fighting with the same determination he brought to the rink, the road to recovery will be long and challenging. Doctors anticipate another month of inpatient rehabilitation and at least six months of outpatient rehabilitation, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and ongoing medical care. Unfortunately, like many self-employed trainers and coaches, Bob’s income has been put on hold indefinitely. He is facing mounting medical bills and the everyday costs of living without a reliable source of financial support. This fundraiser has been created to help ease that burden—so Bob can focus entirely on healing, without the stress of financial strain. Your generous donation will go directly toward: Medical expenses and therapy costs Home health support and rehabilitation equipment Daily living expenses during recovery Transportation to and from treatment Coach Bob has spent decades giving back to the hockey community and beyond. Let’s rally around him the way he’s always shown up for others. Whether you can give $10 or $1,000, every contribution helps and is deeply appreciated. Please share this campaign with your network, keep Bob in your prayers, and help us bring him the strength and support he needs to get back on his feet. Let’s show Coach Bob that his hockey family stands strong with him. All donations made here will go directly to Bob to support his needs during this time. There is no set goal, anything you are able to contribute is deeply appreciated. Bob has no idea this is being done, and would never ask for such donations, but as friends, we feel compelled to support him during his recovery. Thank You and God Bless You, Team Gergi

This is terrible news. He is an awesome human being.

Was just notified of this news yesterday and wanted to get it out to the local hockey community. https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-coach-gergis-stroke-recovery

First person to report a spammer (each spam outbreak) will get a +20 reputation bonus.

As a result of me lowering the standards to register, namely, allowing GMAIL addresses, we're seeing spammers again. Please continue to flag spam posts as you see them and I will ban them as soon as I can. Thanks all- PB

Inventory is hit or miss this time of year. Pure Hockey (Cannonsburg, Monroeville, or Cranberry) are good choices. Perani's Hockey World (Greentree) is good too. They all have the abilty to get accurate foot measurements with scanners. They all bake too. Pro Shops at RMU or Delmont would be next tier options. Don't go to Dick's.

People should look very hard at SSA and what Coach Tangradi has there. If you're going to drop 50K, why not include a 50K education instead of a 5K education? And I'm talking educational value, not actual cost. Set your kids up for life after hockey because it does exist much to many of your chagrin.

I'm baffled by "mixed reviews" as this implies there are positive reviews for these places.

this. is for the old heads, is fat jack still around. he use to be the BEST!!!! but I think if he isn't then the top for anything skates would go to Jason Binnie now

NC tuition is around $17K a year and Excel is roughly $7K, although I would challenge anyone to find pricing on Excel without having to be in the last stage of sign-up before hitting the "Pay Now" prompt on the Excel / Pens website..

In Midam, If I had to guess, PPE, Barons, and Jackets are probably the most legit programs for high level players and getting them to the next level. I hear mixed reviews on Esmark and Vengeance.

The $40k number I have does not include travel for PPE. I have some friends that still have kids in the sport (16U and 18U) and they have shared that the expectation is that "AAA" with an academy, billet, coaches, and travel fees you should expect $30k on the low end and $50k+ on the high end. Most of that depends on the academy cost. They also mentioned that some organizations now include "travel" as an upfront cost. They said that the team books all travel (bus, airfare, hotel) for the players and then you are refunded what is left following the season. As far as Pittsburgh goes, PPE is the only program with an academy. Within MidAm, Blue Jackets and Barons have both billet programs and are associated in some way with an academy.

Pure Hockey in Canonsburg... Some of the best staff in the area.

I heard 20k base + equipment/uniforms + NC + Excel.

Pure Hockey

I agree with all of that. And to be honest once you account for necessities like gas, hotel, food, miles on the vehicle, etc. not to mention extras like lessons on the side, tournament fees, higher price equipment, etc.- I know for a fact another 18u AAA team that would be over 30K and some AA that would hover right around the 20K mark. There are good players and families that just can't do that or don't want to do that. And some of these organizations should have their nonprofit status looked at a bit more closely.

There you have it. 3 different numbers betwixt the 3 of us and the one I heard was mere 5K more than Corsi but what's 5K. Just the fact that it isn't known ahead of time should be cause for some concern? Any of those numbers when combined with the additional travel costs and other unforeseen surprise bills when looked at over the 4 year period of 13U-16U they each would fall within the average cost of a 4 year college grad which is a range of 110-220K. That is truly is mind boggling and honestly a disgrace to youth sports. The NHL itself and the Penguins franchise specifically should be appalled with this and realize that the higher the costs go to play, the more severe the adverse affect it's going to have on their overall fan bases. Less people playing means less watching as well.

I was told it will come in under 30,000 for PPE, excel and NC. Travel is additional.

I have been told that is in upwards of $40k...