The North Hills Amateur Hockey Association (Pittsburgh Vipers) offer two developmental programs to fill the needs of two diverse groups of new players.

Mite/ADM Program:

The Mite/ADM program will begin the week after Labor Day and end the last week of February.  Most full calendar weeks the participants in the program will be given one ice slot during the week and one on weekends.  (This may not hold true in weeks shortened by a holiday or if the rink has blacked out weekend ice for a tournament.) All new players, aged 8 and younger, will participate in this program.

Each participant will be given the opportunity to participate in home and away jamborees between Nov. 1 and the end of Feb.  These jamborees will be held on weekends.  The away jamborees will be held by other associations within a fairly close proximity to our home rink such as: Center Ice in Delmont, Belmont in Kittanning, BladeRunners in either Harmar or Cranberry, Ice Connection on Rt. 8 in Butler Valley.  There are some other rinks slightly further where we may participate; however it is less likely that we will participate in jamborees there.  Determination of where our away jamborees will be will be made after the beginning of the season when we know how many players we have and how many players other associations will have.  The jamborees will last between 1 and 2 hours each, be held on either a Saturday or Sunday, and will not require any over night accommodations.  Further details on the jamborees, including the exact number, are still being developed by PAHL, the regional governing body, and will partly be determined by the number and abilities of our participating players.

All practices and games will be held following USA Hockey's American Developmental Model and all games will be cross ice games.

Although skating will be improved during the program, every participant must know how to skate at least minimally prior to beginning the program.   Participation in a "Learn to Skate"
program prior to the beginning of the season is suggested, although not required as long as the participant can skate.

All participants must wear full ice hockey equipment for every session.  Jerseys will be supplied.

There are no formal tryouts.  All participants who register will be accepted.  There will be two informal skate/evaluation sessions on Saturday, Aug. 6 and Aug. 13, at 10:00 a.m.  Registration will be available prior to each session.

The total cost of the Mite ADM program will be $500.  You can reserve a spot in the program by sending the registration form and $110 for the commitment/registration fee to Carole Woodrow, 547 Chester Dr., Lower Burrell, PA 15068.  All checks should be made out to NHAHA.  If you prefer to pay by credit card you can submit the credit card form from the back of this sheet or download the form from the web site.  The payment schedule is as follows:

Commitment /Registration Fee: $110.00
Sept. 1, 2011: $78.00
Oct. 1, 2011: $78.00
Nov. 1, 2011: $78.00
Dec. 1, 2011: $78.00
Jan. 1, 2012: $78.00

If some members of the program decide to participate in any tournament/jamboree outside of the program which we are offering, they will be responsible for the cost of the extra tournament/jamboree.

You can register by sending the form and registration fee to:
Carole Woodrow
547 Chester Dr.
Lower Burrell, PA 15068

(Click here for mite player registration form)

In-House Program:

Designed for players 9 – 14, the In-House program is for youths who already know how to skate and who are somewhat familiar with the game. (If your player cannot skate it is suggested that he/she participate in a group skating program at the rink.) The In-House provides basic hockey instruction through the introduction and use of hockey drills (the same as players on a travel team). The program also focuses on developing team play concepts, positioning, and on-ice awareness. Depending upon the number and age of the participants, participants are usually divided into teams which play each other. There is no checking in the In-House program (regardless of the age of the participants).

The In-House program will begin in October and end the end of February.  All sessions will be either Saturday or Sunday mornings each weekend unless the ice is blacked out for a holiday or tournament being held at the rink.  We usually begin taking registrations sometime in August by mail and have registration dates at the rink in September.  These registration dates will be announced in August and an updated registration form will be put on the website.

All participants must wear full ice hockey equipment for every session.  Jerseys will be supplied.

During the second half of the program, a few games may be scheduled with other associations’ In-House teams. The scheduling of these games depends upon the number of participants, the desire of the families, and the developmental programs of nearby associations. This could result in the need to drive perhaps as far as an hour to a rink in Mt. Lebanon for example. We also try to play local teams such as Delmont, Fox Chapel or Plum. Teams will also come to VSC for games. This cannot be determined before the season begins as it is dependent upon the desires of our families and the existence of other associations’ programs.

At the end of the program participants may tryout for a place on a travel team for the upcoming season or elect to sign-up for a second season in the Pittsburgh Viper In-House

(click here for In-House Application Form - coming soon)