PAHL Season Recap

Dan Timko

The Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League is wrapping up the 2010-2011 season and is in preparation for the 2011-2012 season.  This past season saw many new programs that will continue into next year, and built upon programs that have already been put in place.  From the Penguins Ultimate Home Game to the Winter Classic Community Rink at State AE, there was a lot to be proud of in this past season. 

In the 1999-2000 season the PAHL placement committee was started in order to address issues with the competitive balance in the PAHL.  This season, and in past seasons, a Committee analyzes the rosters of different PAHL teams, giving an experience score to players, and adding these scores to give an overall team score.  Once the initial scores are given, scrimmages take place and the Committee once again goes back to analyzing the games, checking to see that there is a competitive balance amongst the teams.  This year was highly successful, as most games were won by a one or two goal difference.  By doing this, the committee creates a competitive environment that is fun for the players, making the game more enjoyable.

Since the start of the “Student Rush” program, many college and high school students have been able to attend Penguins home games by showing up early and getting tickets for $25.  This year, the Pittsburgh Penguins partnered with the Allegheny Conference and its “Imagine Pittsburgh” campaign to provide free tickets to over 8,000 students in the Pittsburgh region, including tickets for all PAHL associations, for the September 25^thpreseason game against the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Along with the free tickets, students were directed to a website where they could browse through over 20,000 job openings in the Pittsburgh region, showing the opportunities in the City of Pittsburgh.  The Pittsburgh Penguins and the Allegheny Conference hope to build on this year’s success, and bring opportunities like this for seasons to come.

Since the start of the season there was a lot of excitement about Pittsburgh hosting the Winter Classic.  While the game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals was the main event, a lot was done to make the Winter Classic a multi week event.  A Hockey Hall of Fame display was brought to the Carnegie Science Center where families could view trophies and historic memorabilia from the NHL along with interactive games for kids.  One of the biggest draws for the Winter Classic was the Winter Classic Community Rink at Stage AE that played host to numerous open skates and games between many of the PAHL youth hockey teams. From December 26^thuntil January 2^ndthe North Shore was full of youth hockey players who took to the ice from as early as 7:30 in the morning until midnight.  Teams from across the Pittsburgh region were able to take part in these outdoor games, getting an opportunity to take part in “old school” pond hockey, just like the pros.

On the national stage, the Pittsburgh 98’s were runners up in the Youth Tier-II 12 and under 2A tournament.  The 98’s went into the finals undefeated, but fell to the Indianapolis Racers 5-2.  The Mid State Mustangs were tournament champions for the 16-U Tier-II tournament, holding off the Florida Jr. Panthers with a 7-4 victory.  Sammy Lafferty was the hero as he scored two goals and added two assists, putting the game out of reach for the Jr. Panthers.  The Allegheny Badgers were also successful in the National Tournaments, but fell to the Richmond Royals in the Tier-II 18-U tournament. The Badgers didn’t go down without a fight, as they clawed their way back from a 3-0 deficit when Dillon Weaver and Daniel Maier made it a one goal game late in the second period.  The Badgers were unable to find and magic in the third, and fell to the Royals 4-2.

Consol Energy Center recently played host the USA Hockey ADM clinic in which coaches from across the region took part in a class like lecture and on the ice practice where they were taught and took part in the drills that will be used in the new American Development Model.  This new system keeps players active throughout practice, providing more time working on skating and stick handling skills.  This new program provides age-appropriate guidelines and curriculum to hockey associations to promote the sport of youth hockey while helping kids excel on and off the ice. 

In the upcoming season, associations that have not already began implementing the ADM program will begin to do so which will give kids a better experience during practices that will give them a better grasp of the elements of hockey leading to a better game experience.  These new programs value practice and proper training in a fun atmosphere creating a love for the game which leads to a longer more successful hockey career.