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First of all, I designed this flyer for the announcement.   Before everyone goes crazy on the Tier 1/AAA comment, we are looking to expand and accommodate more teams at all levels.  Most likely we are not adding tier 1 this season, but if a team came to us looking for a home at that level.   We would take it so that's why those words are in there.  As of right now based on discussions with Black Bear, we are still their top customer at the rink and will be given top priority to buy ice and then to their internal programs.    Then to third parties like tournament companies and Esmark.

7 hours ago, Rebel Panther said:

The Rebellion rent out ice in Wheeling. 

We also rent ice at Hunt Armory as well... our team has been going out there once a month.   We definitely want more ice.  

The second sheet is indeed happening....  The part I was questioning was Esmark also renting ice at Printscape when they had plenty of ice at PIA.   

58 minutes ago, ANKLEBENDER said:

From what I was told, there will be a 2nd sheet at Printscape for 2023-24 and the Stars will be splitting practice and games at both Printscape/PGH Ice.  However, they will still be based out of PGH Ice and have no plans on completely leaving as they are currently building out the former Chatham locker room for them.

News to me...  What's your source?   Seems they would have a lot of extra ice to rent with the Vipers booted from the location.

Is he still the head coach of the 2011 Allegheny Badgers team?  I don't see him anywhere on this website either.  https://www.ahabadgers2011.com/staff   Was this at the grit tournament this week?

Sorry cannot comment on ongoing negotiations, but we are willing to work with Black Bear and planning out the next season and beyond.  A second sheet is not announced yet, but in the works.  We are doing well and plan to continue to participate in PAHL and support youth hockey in the community.  Some independent teams may play in AHF... currently it's just the 14u Girls team in AHGF.  

Huskies only fielded one 07 team this season.   Now boom they are fielding 8u to 18u teams next upcoming season exclusively at Pittsburgh Ice Arena owned by the same company.   

> How does a for-profit company take over a non-profit charter?  Seems like a big conflict of interest.

Well PAHL is moving to allow for profit organizations to participate.   Perfect timing right?

https://www.blackbearsportsgroup.com/teams.html

Site updated to include 3 PAHL teams under Black Bear.

Honestly if I was on the NHAHA board, I would be consulting with legal representation asap to see if I have a legal case against Black Bear.   Possibly the lawyer that took on RMU when they dropped their D1 hockey program... Jeffrey Kessler.

Mon Valley Thunder has also been approached with a similar "offer" of complete control by Black Bear and will be next to probably fall. 

On 11/22/2022 at 10:13 AM, RJUSHL said:

Very interesting. Glad to hear that BB has been hands off with you guys. Great job on the rebrand as well. Cool connection with the Whiskey Rebellion. I think a few other organizations could use a refresh as well and get away from the 90s looking logos, jersey's, etc.

What's the deal with the AHF? I've been in Printscape this past summer and this fall, and they have huge banners advertising AHF, right inside a rink whose primary customer is a PAHL organization (Rebellion). Does Black Bear want Rebellion to move teams to the AHF?

Thank you.  It was a fun project to do as I love sports branding but don't get to do it on the job. I'm also eyeing what all of the other clubs are doing for branding and social media. It's a fun ecosystem to work in.

As of right now, we have had no inroads from Black Bear to move AHF.  We are happy with the competition in PAHL.  I know that they are gathering rinks in the area to build their league.

We do have one team - 14u Girls that plays in their AGHF girls league.  Our 19u girls team does play in PAHL.  I think the challenge is fielding enough competitive girls teams in the area for PAHL.  They played independent last year now they are playing in AGHF. It was a choice by the team which we supported.

On 11/18/2022 at 10:21 AM, pickle said:

I was under impression this was just their model and thought Southpointe went under their umbrella as well and why they rebranded as Rebellion in the first place, but I guess not as the Southpoint board must still be in contol there? 

 

SPHC runs entirely independent from BB.  We work with a contract with the rink manager who then answers to BB. 

https://www.southpittsburghhockey.org/about-us/

The decision to rebrand as South Pittsburgh Rebellion was entirely a board decision. It was done for two reasons, to use "South Pittsburgh" in the name and give us more visibility from outside organizations when they are looking for match ups...  then since we were doing that to also do "Rebellion" for the Whiskey Rebellion in Washington, PA... also it was a feeling that "Rink Rats" did not appeal to older kids as much.  I do have a lot of appreciation for the old Rink Rats name and logo.   We did have a vote sent to our memberships to have a few options and we settled on "Rebellion".  I helped out with the rebrand keeping existing color palette and new jerseys.  So far the response has been really good imho.

3 hours ago, RJUSHL said:

A few of these are really well done. South Pittsburgh in particular stands out.

I think we take a lot of this information for granted, but if someone is a new hockey parent or has no history with youth hockey, I could see how it could be confusing and a little overwhelming. 

Thanks, I put together the page for South Pittsburgh.  This one was geared more for kids at the 8u level for parents that have never done travel hockey.   When I was at that stage, I was completely clueless of the commitment level and what tryouts were all about.   Back then 8u tryouts were in April not August, and my kid bailed because many of the kids were a lot bigger so we missed a season.  We've tried to respond very quickly to anyone that has a question about the program.

Any other feedback would be appreciated and we can update this page before we get into the next tryout period.  Thanks.  I will also check out these other org pages - some of these are very good too.

19 minutes ago, HSFBLJ said:

Rebellion?

South Pittsburgh Rebellion, PAHL club out in Southpointe at Printscape Arena.

https://www.southpittsburghhockey.org

Yes, Rick Tingle and Cliff Bumford are joining the 2009 BY team at South Pittsburgh Rebellion as assistant coaches with Clay Shell as head coach.    

Just saw this posted on Facebook, the video in the page looks really nice.

https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-city-and-ura-to-cut-ribbon-on-seasonal-ice-rink-at-hunt-armory/c-328221550

My son is a 2nd year squirt and he likes to rewatch the film as we bought it on YouTube.   He finds it really interesting and he's starting to learn what you can and cannot get away with for body contact.    Seeing all of the local teams definitely helps.    On a rewatch, he noticed a game where you are playing Rochester (ROCO) since they were at our tournament this weekend at our age level in Niagara.   

Whenever we get to that age, what are some checking local camps to try out?   I assume this would only be available after our last season as Pee-Wees.

Brian

6u program lol..  competitive program for advanced 5 & 6 year-olds...  wow.

I think it's difficult to say if an organization as a whole is good or not...  usually the politics will reside with the coaches and parents of a particular team.    It's best to do your research and get to know the coaches possibly the parents before you make a switch.    In a head coach bio, you might be able to find out how long they have been in an organization.   It's not even clear what age group you are in.    Sometimes it will not always been greener on another organization.   We had a really good experience with our head coach and parents last year, when in previous years, you would get a few kids move on to the Predators or PPE year after year.    So we all came back this season or at least tried out for the same team.    This is our team 1 for squirts at South Pittsburgh Rebellion at Southpointe... most are 2011, 2nd yr squirts.     I know a few parents on the 2011 Predators team and they have been positive about their experiences there + I like the facility and that they have two sheets of ice..  we usually go there for Quest summer league.   

I think it says a lot about the documentary when the kid is as engaged and fascinated by the film as the parents were.    I will tell our team to check it out..  I've been telling them about reading Pee-Wees, but now I will tell them to also watch this.

I bought the film on YouTube so I could watch it again whenever I want..   my son is a 2011 2nd year squirt, but he was really fascinated to watch the film and it's difficult to get him to sit down and watch anything nowadays - so that's a plus.     I think it should almost be required viewing for kids crossing over to Bantam.     I thought it was really interesting and definitely an eye opener on what's ahead.     A follow up on girls hockey with the oldest sibling would be also a compelling story to tell.

Looks good, nicely cut trailer...  will watch soon.

4 hours ago, Racchi’s Rug said:

I think the old brand and logo needed a refresh as it was cartoony feeling (then again in the mid-90s that was the thing even in the NHL plus it was directly modeled from the Albany River Rats)…really like the Whiskey Rebellion tie-in, not many people know that it was fought in those areas of the South Hills. Nice work.

I absolutely agree with you.   I lobbied to keep the Rink Rats for Mites only, but it wasn't in the cards.   They did opt for a different chest logo for mites versus Squirts and above.   There is a flag for the Whiskey Rebellion which had an eagle so I used different versions of the eagle in the Mite design.    Of course with all things, they didn't pick my favorite one, but I think it looks decent.   I really like the Rink Rats logo, but I think it was time for a brand that appealed to all ages in the organization and that's what they wanted.    It can always be brought back in some form.   I went for the simplicity of nhl logos in my design.    As someone that doesn't do design on the job, it was a fun exercise... hope to do it in some capacity again.

16 minutes ago, Lifelongbender said:

Is this a Whiskey Rebellion reference, at least? 

I don't hate the logo or the color scheme, but I do have my doubts about that name.

Yes it is...  very loose connection with the imagery.    Couldn't have muskets or booze lol.

There's a lot of stuff you can do with Raiders without Native American imagery.....  If they need any help with that...   I have experience ?

1 hour ago, forbin said:

Hey I don't hate it at all. I just hope the socks match the jerseys now. That always bugged the sh*t out of me about the rink rats haha. I see a lot of board member changes too, which I can only imagine is going to be a good thing. I live 8 minutes from the rink and choose to play elsewhere based on the experiences I have had in the past. 

No, I just lol'ed when you said Carolina Hurricanes because you were partly reading my mind.  

Here's some more info on the rebrand.
https://www.southpittsburghhockey.org/south-pittsburgh-hockey-club-rebrand-organization-update-the-rebellion-begins/

Here's info about the game socks.   

>Game socks will be invoiced through our organization as well. KO’s will have socks available for sizing. 10U-19U are moving to a fabric sock this year (as opposed to the knit) sizing with >shin guards is important. Team managers will get the socks when they come in and distribute to the teams.