Western Pennsylvania Youth Hockey

As was mentioned in another thread, both the USHL Showcase as well as the THF Event. For those with younger players and aspirations (I call delusions) that their 10 year old is on the fast track to the NHL, I would encourage you all to check out some of these games in each event. Watch an 18U or 16U game in the USHL with the likes of Shattuck, BK and many other powerhouses and then go and watch an 18U game between any two THF teams and you will note the vast difference in the speed and fluidity of the game. Then consider this, the 18U and 16U divisions are already devoid of the very best players at each BY by those whom are already playing in the USHL itself.

What's everybody's opinion on the new system of misconduct penalties? On one hand, I'm thrilled that the FPPs are gone. On the other hand, I think this new way could play out worse. For every 2 and 10 I've seen called the past few years, some were deserved and some were pretty questionable at best. Many times a borderline play early in the game that could have been let go was called for a 2 and 10 just to set the precedent- which I totally understand and have no problems with. But I can see it going two ways: 1) refs are going to call everything, and PAHL will turn into a virtual no-contact league out of fear of being called, or 2) refs won't call anything, due…

I believe they usually come out the beginning of August. Anyone have a copy they can share?

Looks like PIHL posted the divisions for next season. Lots of movement between AAA and AA. 3 teams move up, 3 teams move down. 1 team moves down from AA to A. I know the divisions in A were a big topic last season. This year it doesn't seem to be split by location or upper/lower. Anyone know how it's split? Overall thoughts on the movement?

Pa Hockey Calander of Events – 2024 – 2025  26th Annual Damian Bearley Memorial (JV/MS) Fall Face Off (Franklin Regional) – Palmer Imaging Arena – August 22-26, 2024 The Franklin Regional Hockey Club is sponsoring the 26th Annual Damian Bearley Memorial (JV/MS) Fall Face Off This Event features a three-day event in August to kick off the 2024-2025 season. Your school is invited to apply for participation in a 8-12 JV/MS team showcase of the top Junior Varsity and Middle School Teams in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League Contact = Jackie Bearley ~ z19d26@comcast.net and Jeff Mauro jeffmauro@aol.com FLYER ATTACHED  21st Greensbur…

Governor’s Cup Events ~ 2024-2025 season- Jamestown Pittsburgh and South Bend - DEPOSITS DUE/TEAMS NEEDED Tournament Packages including Schedule Hotels Rosters Logistics and Final Payments will be mailed later this month. There is opportunity for ALL 3 events for all schools who have submitted their deposit per below. DEPOSITS DUE 8-15-24 /TEAMS NEEDED - …

So, I came here thinking/hoping that there would be some chatter and/or information about this year’s event and tournament. I remember it kinda being a big deal of an event several years ago; but not sure how it is now. Does anyone have any suggestions, as to any links, maybe streaming/broadcast, or useful info? I think that I found some older stuff but the pages need updated as it still includes their tryout schedules. My brief investigation turned up no dice. At least not any topics on the games that jump out at me I am curious to see how the hockey things stack up and shake down from across the commonwealth.

Top of the line neck protector. https://skate-armor.com/ Bought for my adult son, he doesn't want it, hasn't worn it, brand new. Paid $40. Will sell for $30. PM if interested. If this post is up, its still available. Can meet on the east side of Allegheny county.

National camps start next week, with the U17s. Rosters are posted, I like that the teams are based on districts, But I'm guessing MidAm will struggle again. Do any local guys have a shot at making the Hlinka team? Younger rosters don't seem to be posted yet, although maybe they are hidden on the MidAm site somewhere.

Just heard the news Ron Steedle "Flame" died of a massive heart attack. He was involved in WPA Hockey for over 40 years. Totally underrated as a coach. And a man more passionate about WPA hockey than anyone I know. He falls under so many categories - Legend, Builder but the one he would appreciate the most is character.

PAHL has published their list of rule changes for next year and it looks to be pretty extensive: https://cdn1.sportngin.com/attachments/document/dd35-3178291/PAHL2024GameManualSummary.pdf? I only browsed but a few highlights I noticed are: -Removing fair play points -getting rid of peewee playoffs and making it odsets like squirt -changing length of bantam games -mite games standard format is now 4 on 4 instead of 3 on 3 -getting rid of two OT periods in playoffs and making it only 1

Looks like there will be a team in Connellsville

Montour vs. Carrick in the Stanley Cup finals.

If your "AAA" team is being outscored 164-2 in 15 games and you continue to tell people your kid plays AAA hockey.............. you might be a delusional hockey parent. https://www.tier1hockeyfederation.com/standings/

Is anyone familiar with the USHL Player Development Camp. We get invitation's all the time for camps and I’m assuming most, if not all, are money grabs. This one, from the USHL, is an invite only. I’m just curious if anyone is familiar with it.

Why is there no info on the PIHL site that directs you to the Girls playoffs. Their site was much better the first 2 years. I guess I will just have to dig for the info!

To help kids find homes, I'd like to start a topic for Supplementals only (separate from the general Tryouts topic). I know the Arrows posted some supplementals to the Tryouts page, but those might get lost there, and we know more will come from other organizations. I try helping players find homes every year, and I know how much anxiety there is this time of the year, so anything we can do to make it easier for them...

For anyone interested, looks like Franklin Regional and Shaler have openings: https://www.pihlhockey.com/coaches

We are going to start taking nominations for 50 years of players + coaches + teams + officials for the Pennsylvania High School Hockey Hall of Fame in 2024 Thank you for all great thoughts and recognition of high school hockey legends ............your input is greatly appreciated and you are welcome to nominate candidates as a part of the Pennsylvania High School Hockey Hall of Fame General Assembly beginning in 2024......details to follow.

That was Pennsylvania State Champion 2019 LaSalle's Sam Lipkin with the winning National Championship Assist who played HS Hockey in PA

My son has a skate with an edge that is damaged from a collision with the net. I think it will need a little more attention than just a couple of passes through a Sparx machine. Any recommendations for a local skate sharpener that does a good job?

I’m new to this forum, but I’m hoping to get some information. Although I know not everyone is in favor of the AAA teams, I am looking to get some sort of comparison between the teams. There seems to be more discussions that include Esmark, but I haven’t seen too much said about Vengeance. Can anyone throw out some pros/cons? Thoughts or knowledge about the new Aviators AAA?

Rumor has it Organizations are making promises to try and entice players! Anybody hear of this or having commitment fees waived?

Since this is one of the difficult things every year, how about a thread where boards can look to see what coaching candidates are available? Might be a silly idea but also might be a good way to find a coach that a team otherwise may not know how to contact? Perhaps lead to multiple offers where you can pick the best one. Of course no currently employed coach is going to inquire in a public forum but sometimes a coach leaves on their own terms, new head coaches bring in their own staff, or whatever. Maybe somebody is young and looking to get started. And if a board is looking for somebody to help out, they may not know what options are available. So if there's any …

Props to two local boys making the U18 National Team.