Question 1

WHAT ARE THE AGE GROUPS FOR THE ARCTIC FOXES HOCKEY ASSOCIATION?

Accepted Answer

The Foxes field teams ranging for AA through B levels at all age levels 10U and above:
Squirt - 10 & Under (2015 and 2016 birth years)
Pee Wee - 12 & Under (2013 and 2014 birth years)
Bantam - 14 & Under (2011 and 2012 birth years)
Midget 16U - 16 & Under (2009 and 2010 birth years)
Midget 18U - 18 & Under (2006, 2007 and 2008 birth years)

Additionally, the girls' age classifications are:

10U / 12U - 10 & Under (2013 - 2016 birth years) - Depending on number of registrations will determine how many teams are at this level.
14U - 14 & Under (2011 & 2012 birth years)

Question 2

HOW MANY TEAMS WILL EACH LEVEL HAVE WITH THE FOXES?

Accepted Answer

Number of teams is determined based on the number of players and ice time available to the Foxes.

For the 2025-26 season, we will field 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, and 2011 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 also will have Midget 16U and 18U teams with the first team for each competing at the AA level.

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

Question 3

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ROBERT MORRIS UNIVERSITY, THE RMU ISLAND SPORTS CENTER, AND THE ARCTIC FOXES?

Accepted Answer

RMU Island Sports Center (https://www.rmuislandsports.com/)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.

Question 4

WHAT IS THE TRAVEL OBLIGATION AND COMMITMENT FOR THE FOXES?

Accepted Answer

The Arctic Foxes compete in the PAHL (www.pahockey.org)(Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League). 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.  However, most rinks are within 30 minutes of our home rink the RMU Island Sports Center.(https://www.rmuislandsports.com/)  Depending on the age group, there will be between 16-20 regular season PAHL games, split 50/50 of home and road.

Most teams also opt to participate in out-of-town travel tournaments throughout the season.  This is done on a team-by- team basis and is determined by the head coach and manager in planning the season.  Most tournaments take place within 4 hour radius of Pittsburgh but certainly not limited.  Participating in travel tournaments is highly encouraged but not required.

Question 5

WHAT ARE THE COSTS FOR THE ARCTIC FOXES HOCKEY ASSOCIATION?

Accepted Answer

Season fees (after your initial Tryout Fee and USA Hockey Registration fee) will be finalized after tryouts and team placements are completed.  But you can expect this to range between $2000 - $3000 per player depending on age level.   The variability has to do with the number of practices assigned to the varying age levels and PAHL games for each.

Families can also expect to contribute to a team "slush fund" which is additional monies for costs not directly associated practices and games.  Items such as scrimmages, tournaments, team events and other incidentals come from the slush fund.  Slush funds vary by team but one could expect about $600.

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.

Question 6

WHAT IS INCLUDED WITH MY FEES?

Accepted Answer

10U (Squirt), 12U (Pee Wee), 14U (Bantam) and Girls (all ages):
All PAHL placement and regular season games, 2-3 hours per week on average of practice, skills sessions, and power skating.

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 (school/PIHL) the player may play on.

Question 7

HOW DO I PAY MY FEES TO THE ARCTIC FOXES?

Accepted Answer

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, 2025, you will remain responsible for 100% of your full season fees. Any exceptions must be approved by the Arctic Foxes Board of Directors.

Question 8

WHAT OTHER OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES CAN I EXPECT TO INCUR DURING THE SEASON?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 9

HOW ARE YOUR MIDGET (16U & 18U) PROGRAMS STRUCTURED?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

WHAT IS THE 2025-26 SEASON AUTO-BILLING SCHEDULE?

Accepted Answer

Payment #1 – Friday, May 30, 2025
Payment #2 – Monday, June 30, 2025
Payment #3 – Thursday, July 31, 2025
Payment #4 – Friday, August 29, 2025
Payment #5 – Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Payment #6– Friday, October 31, 2025
Payment #7– Friday, November 28, 2025
Payment #8– Wednesday, December 31, 2025
Payment #9– Friday, January 30, 2026

Question 11

WHEN DO GAMES START, AND ON WHAT DAYS ARE THEY PLAYED?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

HOW MANY GAMES DOES EACH TEAM PLAY?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

CAN A TEAM PLAY MORE GAMES THAN THE PAHL REGULAR SEASON?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

I HEAR ABOUT PAHL AND PIHL AND I AM UNFAMILIAR WITH WHAT THEY ARE. CAN YOU EXPLAIN?

Accepted Answer

PAHL is an acronym for Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League,(www.pahockey.com) 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 (https://www.pahockey.com/assoc-web)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. (https://www.pihlhockey.com/)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.

Question 15

I WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER TO COACH. HOW CAN I DO THAT?

Accepted Answer

• 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
		Submit FBI clearances 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.

Question 16

IS THERE ANY FUNDRAISING TO HELP KEEP THE COSTS DOWN?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 17

WHO WILL THE COACHES BE?

Accepted Answer

For Birth Year teams and/or those teams anticipated to play at the AA level, a qualified, independent, non-parent coach will be assigned.

For all other teams, a qualified parent coach will be chosen through the coaching application process and determined by the ACE Coordinator.  If a qualified parent coach is not available, a non-parent coach will be assigned which may result in higher fees for that team.

Please see the Coaching (https://www.arcticfoxeshockey.com/coaching)page for the current coaches that have been selected for the 2025/26 season.

Question 18

I WOULD LIKE TO BE INVOLVED. HOW CAN I HELP OUT?

Accepted Answer

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
    • 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)

Question 19

WHAT IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

Accepted Answer

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

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

New to the Arctic Foxes? New to travel hockey in general? We understand you might have questions. We have answers.

FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS

New to the Arctic Foxes? New to travel hockey in general?
We understand you might have questions. We have answers.