aaaahockey

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

10 hours ago, Happy Hockey Fan said:

Wow, I thought they did that for the squirt level for a total of 2 teams. Not 2 teams at each birth year. What a money grab. I mean I always thought 2 teams at the squirt level was a money grab, 2 teams at each BY is absolutely ridiculous. And I know the vengeance have a “AAA” BY team. Who else? And none of those BY teams will play each other and instead travel all over and spend soooo much more money for no real reason. Maybe out of all these “AAA” kids on all those teams 1 or 2 may make it to D1, and that may be a stretch. 

You said 2016 players in what I quoted so I assumed you were talking about squirt.  

6 hours ago, Happy Hockey Fan said:

They have thirty kids listed as 2016 players, but not two teams listed. Does that mean they will have two teams and still haven’t decided the teams? If they have two teams for one me birth year will they both be considered AAA? 

They have been doing this for a while now. They don't divide the teams til after summer to reduce people jumping ship when they make the B team. 

1 hour ago, stickboy said:

They all think they are playing Jr next season 😉

All of them probably can for the right price.  

10 hours ago, fafa fohi said:

NP has 11 skaters and 2 goalies rostered for U18AA.

However, saying high school hockey is higher level than club PAHL is laughable.

A good AA PAHL team would destroy most PIHL teams simply because of depth.  The disparity of talent from the 1/2 lines to 3/4 lines on a club team is far less than HS teams. Why do you think many HS coaches only roll 2 or three lines in a competitive game?

I didn't say "higher level".  I said better and by that I meant better organized, less travel, more recognition, the things people said above.  I also think skill level depends on the level of high school, many AAA and high level AA teams are made up almost entirely of AAA and AA club players (or in the case of many juniors and seniors former AAA players).   Would be some interesting matchups against the best 18u AA teams in PAHL.  

On 4/24/2025 at 2:04 PM, Wes said:

I have a large box of practice jerseys, socks and other gear that is clean, but we want to donate it.

Anyone in the PGH area in need of this or anyone know a local org who would like this?
Thanks!

Pens used to take donations at the UPMC facility at the front in a big box and use them.  Not sure if it is still there or not but you could call and check. 

1 hour ago, Happy Hockey Fan said:

I imagine the club teams have something to do with it as the D1 and D2 men’s teams are getting dedicated locker rooms. That is from the article and what a player had told me. 

They had a dedicated locker room in the old dump too.

2 hours ago, Happy Hockey Fan said:

Has QV ever had any other coach? 

Fired or quit or retired is a better question 😂

8 minutes ago, Happy Hockey Fan said:

From a WVU player originally, then I looked it up and there is an article about it. And I do believe it is in Milan Park.

Yes in Milan Park right off the interstate.  WVU has no interest in NCAA hockey nor any other type. I'd be shocked if they invested one dime into this - probably was the amateur hockey association and maybe the club team pitching in. 

21 minutes ago, HockeyFan6687 said:

If kids choose to play for him.  I’ve heard there were kids that passed on the AA tryouts to play A so they didn’t have to play for him. 

I'm sure someone will step up for the extra A

Oh sorry was thinking PAHL instead of PIHL. Are they still geographically done?

1 hour ago, sadday4hockey said:

Looks like they are up to 9 teams for this season.

I believe this began with 4 teams under the guidance of the late John Mucha and it's great to see that his vision of growing the game continues as part of his legacy.

What age?

22 minutes ago, celly68 said:

It’s wild at Allegheny. For a regular a/b team it is $2400 for the year and aa for the older kids it is $3,800 for the year??? 
 

Heard the aa older coach has been texting my buddies kid nonstop to come to the aa tryouts. Is that even allowed 

https://uscenterforsafesport.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/MAAPP_OnePagers_Communication.pdf

1 hour ago, fafa fohi said:

Evidently NP has a total of 16 skaters registered for 18U tryouts.

Seems more and more U18’s are playing school hockey only and not two teams. 

Why not?  High school hockey better around here than club PAHL for reasons everyone has mentioned plus I'm assuming a lot of those kids are Seneca who are really good.  Enjoy your junior and/or senior year and good hockey where you are actually recognized.

I think we should put all the 09 parents in a hall of fame for crazy hockey parents for all the stories I hear.

1 hour ago, Hockey00 said:

Apparently vengeance tier 1 folded 

What age?

34 minutes ago, Duck Bill said:

The other funny dynamic is that really good goalies make things look easy and boring.  Everyone goes nuts when someone makes a crazy save while flipping and flopping, but no one cares if you are positionally perfect to eat one in the breadbasket 😉 

Good description of fluery right there.

1 hour ago, sadday4hockey said:

Oh my Lord, the horror of it all.

Imagine the poor kid has to be lowered to the dregs of AA hockey for a season.

Where many things could happen, such as this.

Joins a AA team. Loves the team because they work hard and are good people and teammates.

Team has a great season. Wins States. Have a solid showing at Nationals led by the new goalie.

Actual scouts (not the alleged ones watching the "AAA" teams) see him play and he gets multiple opportunities the following season at Prep Schools or 18AAA programs.

What horror, right?

 

You sure you were responding in the right thread?

54 minutes ago, newhockeydad said:

 

I am really interested to see what everyone's thoughts are on the goalie shortage? My son tried out for North Pittsburgh 10U and they had over 80 skates try out and only 6 goalies. I know some other organizations are still looking for goalies . I often wondered what would be a good way to get more kids interested in trying goalie? I know North Pittsburgh/Baierl Ice Complex had gear available for kids to try goalie during there Mite/ADM Programs. That is what got my son interested in trying it. It also seems like a lot of parents are completely against the idea of there child trying goalie. I don't know if it is the cost, the lack of information on how to go about being a goalie, or parents not wanting there kids to try goalie? 

 

Cost + gets blamed for every loss.  Change the culture around how we treat goalies or else they usually just get the blame.

1 hour ago, hockeyisgreat said:

So where are you willing to drive to for competition on your level?  Is reasonable travel within 4 hours? What I think you will see in the future is a Western Pa, Eastern Ohio Blackbear (AHF) run league that is way better than PAHL.  PAHL will be half the size it is now!  Might be good for them to try to get their league up to par!

For in-league games?  Maybe 2 hours max.   And that should be like 1 or 2 teams on the fringe of civilization (Johnstown, Lawrence county, etc).  Normally? 20-30 minutes for an away game  

4 minutes ago, kid310050 said:

PAHL goes out of their way to hide player stats and if they do go to Gamesheet I'm sure they will do the same. Their refusal to adapt is just going to lead to more and more teams playing for the AFH.

I don't think this is true. No one wants to drive to New Jersey for a PAHL equivalent league.

17 minutes ago, Icebucket said:

Chicago Phantoms are a Black Bear program.

They sell that they are tied to the USHL Youngstown team and that they will be the best of the best, then put out a terrible product for a high price tag.

Seems right on par for blackbear.

The bright side of just turning 50 is that I won't have to worry about this crap much longer as it descends into chaos 😁

36 minutes ago, nemesis8679 said:

Was told about $23,000 all-in. True? 🤷‍♂️ Buts that's what I was told. Maybe it included some lessons during the season, too. I don't know.

What age group?

To be fair the Chicago metro area has a population of 9 million or so.  Pittsburgh has like 1.2 million. Take that either direction you want. 

1 minute ago, YardSale said:

AAAA?  I imagine you'll have a few takers on that.

Don't mean that and I hate the letters but I do mean (in Pittsburgh) there is really only one legit high level team.  The rest would be better in a league with each other.   The Pens can fly around the country and play whoever they want.  The rest of the teams should be playing each other.  Would be way more interesting.