Information for Parents looking At Hockey For Their Kids
Updated 6/27/2024
Welcome to the South Pittsburgh Rebellion. This page will help teach you about youth hockey and our club.
We play at Printscape Arena at Southpointe which is one of South Hills' most heavily visited venues with over 850,000 in foot traffic annually. The rink is conveniently located off of I-79 and has a restaurant and coffee shop on site. Printscape Arena also has an on-site pro shop and gym with discount program for Rebellion families.
South Pittsburgh Rebellion plays in the Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League (PAHL), which is a competitive youth amateur hockey in Western Pennsylvania. Locally, PAHL represents more than 250 teams of boys and girls ranging in ages and skill levels from Mites to Midgets, who compete at all levels from B to AA.
Kids in the South Pittsburgh Rebellion are divided into age specific teams according to USA Hockey Rules.
The South Pittsburgh Rebellion is an independent 501(c)3 organization run by volunteers.
Send any questions to orginfo@southpittsburghhockey.org
| Birth Year | Age | Division |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 4 | 8U Mite |
| 2019 | 5 | 8U Mite |
| 2018 | 6 | 8U Mite |
| 2017 | 7 | 8U Mite |
| 2016 | 8 | 8U Mite |
| 2015 | 9 | 10U Squirt |
| 2014 | 10 | 10U Squirt |
| 2013 | 11 | 12U Pee-Wee |
| 2012 | 12 | 12U Pee-Wee |
| 2011 | 13 | 14U Bantam |
| 2010 | 14 | 14U Bantam |
| 2009 | 15 | 16U Midget |
| 2008 | 16 | 16U Midget |
| 2007 | 17 | 18U Midget |
| 2006 | 17 | 18U Midget |
10 and under are called Squirt
12 and under are called Pee-Wee
14 and under are called Bantam
16 and under are called Midget
18 and under is called 18U Midget
If you are an 8 and under parent
We follow USA Hockey's recommended ADM (American Development Model) with heavy focus on skill development (Skating, Passing, Shooting) and small area games. If your player is interested in playing hockey, this is the fastest way to learn. We offer the following.
- Longest season in the area from August through March 31st
- 2 ice slots a week over the season
- 13+ league jamborees per season
- Opportunities for additional add-on jamborees
- Opportunities for local and travel tournaments (approximately 3-5)
- Offseason program included in registration fee
- Offseason starts April 14th, with 14 sessions (Tuesday nights)
- Off ice training with utilization of sports court.
As your child ages, they will still play for the South Pittsburgh Rebellion, but they will move up in the team structure. At each level depending on registrations and available ice slots, the club will be able to form a number of teams grouped by skill level. In the 2022-2023 season, we were able to field 7 Mite teams, 4 Squirt teams, 4 Pee-Wee teams, 5 Bantam (1 girls team), and 4 Midget teams (1 girls team).
Like most youth sports most of the coaches are parents, but they have to be certified by USA Hockey. All players have to register with USA hockey, USA hockey provides insurance for registered players. USA Hockey also provides lots of resources for coaches and administration.
At the Mite and below level the USA hockey registration is free. For older players USA Hockey registration costs are $61.00 for the 2023-2024 season.
Most importantly!! It is okay if your child is a never ever, or beginning skater. Hockey practices combine skating skills with stick and puck handling skills, and we welcome players of all levels. There are also teachers who offer private lessons if you or your child are interested.
Important Dates for 8U
- Registration for 2024/2025 season should open in early March
- Offseason starts in mid April
- Placement Dates would be on August 3-4. After then you are assigned to a team.
Important Dates for 10U and above
- Registration for 2024/2025 season should open in early March
- Tryout Dates would be in April.
Hockey Basics
Registration Information
For all levels except 8U Mites, the commitment fee will be refunded if a player declines, in writing, the offered position within 48 hours of position offer posting or if a player is not offered a position. However if you attended a birth year or special team tryout, the $100 BY tryout fee is deducted from the refund since it was not charged initially. See above for a list of teams that qualify.
10u-16u Roster placements are not guaranteed. SPHC anticipates having 5-Squirt, 5-Peewee, 4-Bantam, 4-Midget (16U), 1-14U Girls, 1-16U Girls, 1 - 19U Girls, 1 - 18U Midget. These team numbers are only anticipated at this time and are based on the current season. All registered 8U Mite players will be placed on a team after placements on August 3-4.
We are looking to add additional teams at all levels that are looking for a new home.
Hockey is an amazing sport for boys and girls of all ages. Learn the basics
https://www.usahockey.com/comeplayyouthhockey
How to start hockey, guide for parents and kids
https://newtohockey.com/how-to-start-playing-hockey-guide-for-parents-and-kids/
5 tips for first-time hockey parents
https://www.admkids.com/news_article/show/825475
Hockey Gear - What Does My Child Need?
Making sure your player is protected and that his equipment fits well are two important factors when purchasing hockey equipment. Here is the complete list of hockey equipment:
- Skates
- helmet with cage
- mouth guard
- neck guard
- stick
- shin pads
- support and cup
- gloves
- shoulder pads/chest protector
- hockey pants
- elbow pads
- jock shorts for boys
- bag (with wheels makes it easier to handle)
- Special equipment is necessary for goaltenders
Learn more about getting started with hockey gear at the USA Hockey website »
https://www.usahockey.com/comeplayyouthhockey
Where to get your gear
House of Hockey at Printscape Arena
114 Southpointe Blvd, Canonsburg, PA 15317
https://printscapearena.com/house-o-hockey-pro-shop/
Pure Hockey Canonsburg
2588 Washington Rd, Canonsburg, PA 15317
https://www.purehockey.com/store.aspx?loc_id=114
Perani's Hockey World
2101 Greentree Rd Suite B-201, Pittsburgh, PA 15220
https://www.hockeyworld.com/index/page/store_details/store_id/11
If you are looking to save money, you can get many equipment items used. The only item we would recommend buying new is a helmet and facemask to protect your player's head.
If you want to get into hockey, but are maybe not ready for travel amateur hockey.
Printscape offers many youth hockey programs for beginners and players that want to play but in a house league (no travel).
https://printscapearena.com/youth-programs/
We would recommend the Little Rebellion Learn to Play Hockey programs. These programs are run by Printscape Arena but act as the bridge to travel hockey with South Pittsburgh Rebellion.
https://printscapearena.com/littlerebellionlearntoplayhockey/