It’s amazing how quickly time flies.  In 1992, there were two significant hockey events in our region.  First, the Pittsburgh Penguins celebrated their first Stanley Cup victory, and second (but no less important) the Allegheny Badgers came into existence!

Our organization picked up the Badger name to honor the memory of Penguin coach Bob Johnson.  Since our inception we’ve been providing the youth in our area a fun and healthy environment to learn and play the sport that we all love.

Allegheny Hockey began play at the single ice sheet rink named Golden Mile Ice Rink on the Monroeville / Plum Boro border.  In 2001 we moved out to Center Ice Arena in Delmont.  When we first moved out here, we only had the East and the West rink.  Having two ice pads allowed our program to grow.  We began to offer some of the programs that we continue to offer to this day like Learn To Play Hockey and Spring League. 

As we grew, our rink grew and expanded to three ice pads.  With each passing year we continued to grow and add teams.  We offered full season programs like we offer today.  We also offered a robust in house league during the winter for those players that didn’t want the commitment of a full time team.  Every year we continue to grow and adapt to meet the needs of our membership.

Our history is long and proud.  You can see examples of our history each time you walk into the East Rink at Center Ice.  We hang the season and playoff banners that our teams earn playing in PAHL each year.  Aside from the white PAHL banners, you’ll also notice that we have some additional banners, like the blue banner for our Midget team the year they won the State Playdowns and earned the right to go to USA Hockey Nationals, where they finished 2nd. 

For 25 years we’ve worked to grow youth hockey in Western PA.  We have been committed to offering as many programs and opportunities for boys and girls to play hockey.  Our girls program, The Lady Badgers, has found success at various points by offering a U19 and U14 team.  Last Year we were able to offer a U14 and U12 team.  And while we only have a U14 team this year, we look forward to continuing to grow girls hockey.

We have been fortunate over the years to have parent coaches who are willing to volunteer their time and energy to teaching hockey to our players.  These coaches all go through USA Hockey Certification and complete numerous background screenings.  We have also been lucky to have a few coaches each year that coach one of our teams, even though they don’t have a player on the team.  Most of these coaches had sons that played for AHA, and they continue to coach, even though their player has aged out.

We have also been lucky at AHA because we have always had a team of parents that have been willing to serve on the board and handle the administrative functions that are necessary to run the association.  It is because of the time that these board members give that we continue to be able to offer the programs and benefits we do.  While there are too many board members to thank in this short email, all of us at Allegheny should give a huge Thank You to Darcee Purvis.  Darcee has been with Allegheny since the beginning, and even though she is no longer president, she continues to give us her guidance to help us to grow.

Lastly, AHA couldn’t celebrate 25 years without the support of our player families.  As parents, you give of your time and money to make sure your player gets to practices, games, and tournaments.  Your players have the opportunity to come out and work hard at each practice and game because of the sacrifices you make, and we appreciate it! 

We are grateful to you and your player for being at Allegheny Hockey! 

Our first 25 years have been very exciting, and we’re looking forward to the next 25!  It’s always a great day for hockey at AHA, and we’re glad you’re a part of our family!