You will need to complete the online registration HERE. Your updated 2024-25 USA Hockey membership number is required for tryout registration. If you register before April 1st, you will use your 2022-23 USA Hockey number for tryout registration, and then will need to enter your updated 2024-25 USA Hockey number in order to accept your placement. If you register for tryouts after April 1st, simply use your new 2024-25 number. There is no walk-up registration! If you do not register online prior to the first tryout date you are looking to attend then you will not be able to try out. Please refer to the schedule of dates for the cutoff.

All registrations will close at 11:59pm the day before the first scheduled tryout session for that group. See the schedule page for specific dates for each group.

The Tryout Fee helps pay for the ice, jerseys, equipment, and personnel to conduct the tryouts. This is a one-time fee due at registration and is non-refundable. The Commitment Fee is also due at registration. It is your commitment to the Arctic Foxes for the 2024-25 season. Players who accept their placement (either explicitly or by not declining by the established deadline) will have this fee credited towards their 2024-25 Player Account. If you do not explicitly decline your placement offer by the established deadline in the invitation email, you will effectively be accepting your placement, thereby rendering the commitment fee non-refundable and applied to the full season's fees. Players accepting their placement are responsible for their entire 2024-25 fees. Should a player change their mind and choose to decline their position after the deadline, but before July 1, 2024, they will forfeit their commitment fee. Any decline after July 1, 2024 will require the full season fee to be paid in full before the Arctic Foxes will grant a release to another organization.

As mentioned above, this fee is your commitment to the Arctic Foxes for the 2024-25 season. Players who accept their placement (either explicitly or by not declining by the established deadlines) will have this fee credited towards their 2024-25 Player account. If you do not explicitly decline your placement offer by the established deadline in the invitation email, you will lose the commitment fee. Players accepting their placement are responsible for their entire 2024-25 fees. Should a player change their mind and choose to decline their position after the deadline, but before July 1, 2024, they will forfeit their commitment fee. Any decline after July 1, 2024 will require the full season fee to be paid in full before the Arctic Foxes will grant a release to another organization.

We strongly encourage you to make every effort to attend tryouts/callbacks. However, we understand that certain conflicts may occur or injury can prevent you from trying out. In these cases you will fill out an absentee form (available when you register for tryouts, or later by logging into your account) which will contain the information we need. Based on various criteria and past history we will make the best determination during placement.

Yes, you need to register with USA Hockey for the 2024-25 season. This needs to be completed prior to completing the Arctic Foxes online registration. USA Hockey Registration for 2024-25 opens April 1st, 2024 at membership.usahockey.com.

Full USA Hockey equipment, including neck guards and mouth guards Your own water bottle (if you choose to bring one) Tryout jersey will be provided for you and is yours to keep; it MUST be worn at all tryout sessions that you attend For the first scheduled tryout session, please arrive at least 60 minutes prior to the scheduled start time so you have ample time to check in and receive your tryout jersey before getting dressed

If you have not participated in a formal tryout procedure before, your player can expect to participate in individual and group drills, along with scrimmage games that should simulate game speed. For Squirt/Pee Wee/Bantam/Midget 16U tryouts, the first session will objectively measure skating, stickhandling, passing, shooting, body contact, and team skills. This first session will consist of back-to back 1.5-hour sessions with a 10-minute break in between (though it may end early if we get through everyone quickly). Squirts will have their 2 sessions broken up over 2 days with their assigned time based on the first letter of their last name. Players will be called back on an “as-needed" basis. They could potentially be called back for one or more callback sessions. Ice hockey is a contact sport, so your player should be prepared for this contact. Players who are Squirts and Peewees should expect limited contact as these levels do not permit full body checking. Bantam/Midget age allows for full body checking, which may occur during tryouts. If your player is new to body checking it is strongly suggested that they attend a checking camp/clinic prior to tryouts. Player(s) who, as deemed by the evaluators, commit a dangerous action, do not comply with on ice evaluators' instructions, engage in horseplay that disrupts tryouts, engage in fighting, or cause intentional injury to another player WILL be removed from the tryout session and may not be called back or placed on a team.

The Arctic Foxes compete in the Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League (PAHL). Travel in league play ranges from as far south as Morgantown, WV to as far north as Erie, PA, and from as far east as State College, PA to as far west as Youngstown, OH. Many teams also opt to participate in out-of-town travel tournaments throughout the season.

Squirt - 10 & Under (2015 and 2014 birth years) Pee Wee - 12 & Under (2013 and 2012 birth years) Bantam - 14 & Under (2011 and 2010 birth years) Midget 16U - 16 & Under (2009 and 2008 birth years) Midget 18U - 18 & Under (2007 and 2006 birth years) Additionally, the girls' age classifications are: 10U - 10 & Under (2015 & 2014 birth years) - We will field a girls' only team but will play in a PAHL 10U Co-ed Division 12U - 12 & Under (2013 & 2012 birth years) 14U - 14 & Under (2011 & 2010 birth years) 19U - 19 & Under (2009-2005 birth years)

2024-25 season fees (after your initial Tryout Fee and USA Hockey Registration fee) will be finalized after tryouts and team placements are completed. Please see the costs section for more information. Families with multiple children playing for the Arctic Foxes will receive a $200 discount for the 2nd and any additional child who plays for an Arctic Foxes mixed team, $50 for the 2nd and any additional child that plays only for a Foxes Girls' team, and $250 discount for the 2nd and any additional child if ALL play for a mixed team and a Girls' team. By accepting a position on a team with the Arctic Foxes, you are agreeing to pay the full season fees listed above. Any account which is delinquent over 30 days will result in your player being prohibited from participating in any Arctic Foxes activities until the account is brought up to date. Any player who owes money to a team manager for expenses (tournament fees, team activities, etc.) will not be permitted to try out with the Arctic Foxes and will not be released by the Arctic Foxes to play for another organization until those expenses have been settled with the team manager.

The Arctic Foxes have an interest-free automated billing installment plan that will charge the payment method on file used to pay for tryouts. Membership fees can also be paid in full at any time through your online account that you created during registration. If you accept a position, then subsequently leave the Arctic Foxes after June 30, 2024, you will remain responsible for 100% of your full season fees. Any exceptions must be approved by the Arctic Foxes Board of Directors.

Payment #1 – Friday, May 31, 2024 Payment #2 – Friday, June 28, 2024 Payment #3 – Wednesday, July 31, 2024 Payment #4 – Friday, August 30, 2024 Payment #5 – Monday, September 30, 2024 Payment #6– Thursday, October 31, 2024 Payment #7– Friday, November 29, 2024 Payment #8– Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Number of teams is determined based on the number of players and ice time available to the Foxes. For the 2024-25 season, we will field 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, and 2010 birth year teams anticipated to play in their respective age group's AA Division. We expect to field an additional 2-5 teams of mixed birth years for each age group as well. We anticipate fielding the following teams for Girls Only (subject to change pending number of tryout registrants): *10U team to play in PAHL co-ed division. *12U team *14U team *19U team

Squirt, Pee Wee, and Bantam: All PAHL placement and regular season games, 2-3 hours per week on average of practice, skills sessions, and power skating, and access to our RapidShot lane. Midget "Lite" Programs: All PAHL placement and regular season games plus 1-2 hours per week on average of practice time to accommodate other teams the player may play on, as well as access to our RapidShot lane. Girls "Lite" Programs: All PAHL placement and regular season games plus 1-2 hours per week on average of practice, skills sessions, and power skating, and access to our RapidShot lane.

When a player is called back to a tryout session, you will receive an email with that invitation. Be sure you have access to the email address you used for registration and are able to check it frequently. Check your spam/junk filters too! Tryout numbers will also be posted to the website when a player is called back, so be sure to check regularly during tryouts!

During tryouts, the evaluators will determine when they have enough information about each player to make a decision. That could be one session or multiple sessions. Being called back to single or multiple sessions is not an indicator of specific team placement, as there are many factors that go into this determination.

We understand that tryouts can be very stressful. The components of tryouts include objective measurements (timing), evaluations from established coaches, and, when available, prior history. There are several reasons why players are or are not called back: Sometimes we have conflicting information or not enough information on a specific player. Other times we want to see how a certain player or players perform with other individuals or groups. Sometimes we feel we have all the information we need for proper placement. The important take away is not to read too much into several callbacks or lack of callbacks. Yes, this can be confusing at times, but we do our best to try to get the most accurate gauge for best team placement.

All invitations for players selected to a team, or for those who did not make a team and are placed on a waitlist, will be done via email sometime after tryouts begin or shortly after they are all completed for your player's age group.

The Arctic Foxes have an “Open Placement Policy”, with no pre-selected teams. Qualified members of the Arctic Foxes, including coaches, will complete evaluations of players. Evaluators at sessions will consist of head and assistant coaches from a variety of age levels. No coach is permitted to evaluate his/her own child or make team selection decisions for their child's age group. No parent/guardian is permitted to discuss any specifics of any player with an evaluator. Initial "skill sessions" are open to spectators. After that, all callback sessions are closed and LiveBarn will be shut-off. No evaluator is permitted to discuss any specifics of any player with any parent. All recommendations by the evaluators will remain confidential. The ACE Coordinator and evaluators will work together to complete the final rosters. Once the final roster is completed, players will be notified of their placement on a team or waitlist via email. Players will have 24 hours from that time to accept their placement on their team.

As far as on-ice practice, teams will start practices around late-July to early-August. Practices are at RMU Island Sports Center and can start as early as 5pm during the week and 7am during the weekend. However, some coaches may decide to start practicing earlier, such as dry land training, but each coach would communicate this information individually to their teams.

All PAHL League games will be played on Saturdays and/or Sundays, and can start as early as 7am. Placement games take place in September (October for Squirts). The regular season starts as soon as placement games are completed.

The Arctic Foxes compete in the Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League (PAHL). League games are as follows: Squirt: 20 games (6 placement, 14 regular season) + playoffs Peewee, Bantam & Midget: 22 games (2 placement, 20 regular season) + playoffs Girls Division: 12-20 games (depending on age group and number of teams in division) Additionally, most teams elect to participate in additional "scrimmage" games and local and out-of-town travel tournaments throughout the year, which will add to the game total. Tournament participation is on a team-by-team basis.

The Arctic Foxes do not make the determination as to the competition level of each team, including teams that are designated as AA in tryouts. This is done exclusively by PAHL. Each player is given a number that is derived from their past playing experience (3 years). In September, teams are given a preliminary level assignment in which PAHL will have teams scrimmage other teams that are close in skill level using the PAHL model. Once placement games are completed, PAHL will then assign teams to their division for the season.

Yes, most teams participate in tournaments over holiday weekends or other times during the season. Tournament fees are not paid by the Arctic Foxes and will be an additional team cost that average about $1,200 per team for a 3-4 game weekend tournament. Tournament participation is decided by each team and is optional for each player. No player will be penalized in any capacity if they do not wish to participate in a tournament. Families who participate in team tournaments should expect to spend an additional $300-$500 per season for tournament fees. If doing tournaments, out of town travel and hotel costs will also be an extra cost.

PAHL is an acronym for Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League, which sets forth rules and standards for member organizations. It is also known as "Amateur/Travel Hockey." It is the league in which the Arctic Foxes is a member, and during the regular season and playoffs competes in against other teams within PAHL. Currently there are 28 member organizations in PAHL, and these are all possible locations you could play. PAHL is in charge of determining placements for all teams as noted earlier in the FAQ. Skills range from highest to lowest AA, A Major, A Minor and B. Within each grouping there can be sub-groupings such as Black, White and Gold. The goal is to have as much competitive balance within every age group as possible. PIHL is the acronym for Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League. It is known as "School Hockey". There is no interaction between the two, and in fact can (and do) have different rules. A player is permitted to play in "amateur hockey" AND "school hockey". PAHL games take place on weekends only and PIHL games take place on school days- so games generally do not conflict.

In addition to the Annual Fees, there are other team costs that you can expect to pay during the season, as noted above with tournaments. These costs will all be dependent on your team's plans for the season. Some things you may be asked to contribute for are: Tournament Fees (as noted above) – Estimated to be in the range of $300-$500 per person, depending on your team's tournament participation plans for the season. Costs for scrimmage games – Any games that your team schedules on it's own, that are not PAHL League games, are not part of your annual Foxes Fees. These costs (ice time, referee costs & EMT costs) are typically split between each team playing. An estimation for these costs is roughly $15 per player, per game. Playoff Costs – PAHL Playoff games are an additional cost to each team and not part of your Annual Foxes Fees. This is done because it is not guaranteed that each team will make the playoffs. Similar to scrimmage games, if your team makes the playoffs, you can expect to pay around $20 per player, per game. Team events – It is typical for teams to organize a pre-season party, holiday parties or special team outings during the season. In the past, teams have organized pre-season picnics, pool parties at a team member's house, and some teams have been known to do team events like playing laser tag, air-soft, paintball or even weekend trips to go white water rafting at Ohiopyle. Again, this cost, if any, is all dependent on what the families of your team want to do. (The costs described above are usually handled out of a team "slush fund", which is communicated to, and collected from and pooled, each family at the beginning of the season. These are generally not handled on a per-game or per-event basis. Don't worry - you won't be asked to make sure you bring 20 bucks to the rink on game day!) Annual Season-End Banquet – At the end of each season the Foxes Organization holds a banquet for teams to recognize players and team accomplishments and to get together one last time. At the banquet, teams put together “team baskets” that are raffled off (team members contribute to the contents of the basket), there are special raffles for autographed Penguins items and there is a 50/50 raffle. There is no charge for the players to attend, but additional people who want to attend typically must purchase a ticket. Unfortunately due to Covid the last few banquets had to be cancelled, but we are glad to resume for the 2022-2023 season. For players new to the Arctic Foxes, they can expect to spend approximately $230 for jerseys (home and away), $56 for socks (home and away) and $47 for pant shells. All these items are part of the mandatory Arctic Foxes uniform. Any other Team functions that may incur a cost.

Coaches will need to submit a Coach’s Application to the Ace Coordinator to be considered for a position. Coaches can find the application on the main tryout page. All information on how to submit is in the application. Coaches will be considered for a team based on his or her child’s evaluation placement. The ACE Coordinator and Coaching Director will determine the head coach of each team. Coaches need the following credentials to be considered for a coaching position: Must have or plan to attain USA Hockey Coaching Certification Must complete SafeSport online certification Must have Mid-Am background screening as well as any other background checks required by PA State Law. Must be willing to complete an 8 - 10 hour online certification for the age group you are coaching.

The Arctic Foxes organization offers many fundraising opportunities to its members to assist in defraying the cost of membership fees. Our Fundraising Coordinator lines up various types of fundraisers usually on a monthly basis. In addition, we have partnered with Landmark and Aramark to work concerts at Star Lake Amphitheatre and Penguins games at PPG Paints Arena. Fundraising activities are optional for all members but are a great way to help defray the cost of playing this season.

Squirts and PeeWees can try out as a skater and a goalie. If you wish to do this, please register your player as a skater. Once you have completed registration, send an email to both the ACE Coordinator and the Treasurer to indicate your player will be trying out for both positions. If you do not send an email notification and receive a confirmation of receipt, your player will only be allowed to tryout as a skater.

We realize that as players become more mature they also have additional academic, social and school related athletic commitments. With that in mind, the Arctic Foxes have structured all of the Midget programs to be "Lite". What this means is that all Midget teams will have 1 practice per week that attempts to avoid conflicts with school related hockey practices/games. Along with this, Midget teams will continue to have access to the Arctic Foxes RapidShot lane.

For most teams, a qualified parent coach will be chosen. If a qualified parent coach is not available, a non-parent coach will be assigned which may result in higher fees for that team.

Girls are allowed to play on Youth (co-ed) teams and girls' teams. PAHL has specific rules around which teams and how many girls can be on a team based on which other teams they are on. Essentially though, a girl can play on a Youth division team and a girls division team OR they can play on 2 girls division teams in different age groups. If a girl is trying out for a Youth division team (eg Squirt, Peewee, Bantam, or Midget), they should register for and attend the relevant Skills Evaluation and Group Callback sessions for their age group just like any other player would. Girls wishing to play on the girls only 10U team will be playing in PAHLs Co-ed division, thus they cannot tryout for the general Youth 10U/Squirt tryouts. However they are welcome to tryout/play on the Youth 10U/Squirt team if they decline to play on the Girls-only team. If a girl is trying out for a Girls only division team, they should register for and attend the girls tryouts for their specific age group. They may also be called back to an additional session as laid out on the schedule page.

The Arctic Foxes Hockey Association needs and encourages volunteers in a number of capacities. You can help shape the organization by helping out! Volunteer opportunities within the organization (Committees) Website Social Media Newsletter Banquet Tryouts Ice Scheduling Fundraising Apparel RapidShot Procedure Documentation Registrar support Age Liaisons / Girls Programs Your ideas.... Volunteer opportunities within your player's team: Business Manager Coach Help with team Fundraising Off-ice official help is needed for games (scorekeeping, clock, penalty box)

RMU Island Sports Center is the home rink of the Arctic Foxes Hockey Association and where we play our home games, hold practices, use the RapidShot, and conduct most of our business. While we work hand-in-hand with the RMU Hockey Program (Island Colonials and Hockey Academy) they are a separate entity. We are simply a tenant in the facility with other school hockey programs and figure skating programs. We have no control over the events and management decisions that are made at RMU ICS.

If you have additional questions, you can send an email to info@arcticfoxeshockey.org.