Mixed Year, Hybrid and Birth Year Teams

Mixed year teams are available to players who are interested in playing their 14 - 20 game PAHL schedule, the potential for a few independent games and 2-4 tournaments (decided by that team's coach) per year.  Practices are regularly once a week (10u teams will be on ice twice a week), with additional practices added on weekend as schedule and ice availability permits.  SCIR will field as many mixed year teams as registration numbers allow.  Roster sizes vary by age group.

Birth year hockey is offered to members who are looking for more ice-time and development. Each team will consist of players who are from one specific birth year and will play a PAHL schedule, as well as multiple tournaments and independent games throughout the season.  Not all teams are guaranteed to play in a AA PAHL division.  SCIR does not control placement, the Final Decision is made by the PAHL Placement Committee. The commitment level for these teams is higher, and players are expected to make every effort to attend all team activities.

Each birth year team will have a tournament budget included in the season fees, as well as a budget for scheduling home independent games.  Please note that travel costs are not included in the SCIR season fee. There will likely also be some additional cost associated with tournaments and independent games which stretch beyond the built-in budget. Many teams elect to collect funds at the beginning of the season to use as payment for independent games and tournaments, but that is up to each individual team coach and manager. Tournament selection and overall game schedule is at the discretion of the head coach of the team. All of the SCIR certified coaches bring with them their own style and season plans.

Hybrid teams follow the Birth Year model, but are only available to certain age groups. These teams will be a combination of both birth years at that age group.

What do you get for the Birth Year commitment?

  • 2 Ice slots per week
  • Weekend practice ice when team is available
  • Summer ice 8-10 sessions
  • Weekend camp ice in August – in addition to regular weekday ice
  • Skating instructors working with team
  • Discounted goalie training
  • Tournament budget and independent games included in fees
  • No “surprise fees”
  • See our Season Cost by Team page for more information

Birth Year Team Information for 2024 - 2025 Season

10U Hybrid

Coach: John Beiber

John has been coaching ice hockey for over 17 years. He currently holds a USA Hockey Level 4 coaching certification and has coached all ages and levels of players from Devo to 18U AA.  Coach Beiber has coached for the Pittsburgh Amateur Penguins, Steel City Ice Renegades, Young Foxes Hockey, Deer Lakes Middle School and Central Catholic High School.  He is a former 12 year board member of SCIR, holding the positions of Registrar, Director of Coaches and ADM Director. John is also the former Vice President of Young Foxes Hockey and had been active with that organization for over 15 seasons.  Coach Beiber believes skill and skating development is essential to success at every level of hockey.  He looks forward to developing all of his players in the upcoming season.

 

10U Hybrid Team families should expect the following:

  • Team will include top talent from the 2014 & 2015 birth years
  • Includes 6-8 summer skills sessions
  • Includes 2 weekday practices (+weekends when available, 75-80 practice throughout season)
  • Includes weekly workouts or yoga sessions (28-32 throughout season)
  • Includes bi-weekly off-ice coaching sessions (20-25 throughout season)
  • 4-5 tournaments/showcases (requires overnight travel, tournament budget included)
  • Includes 8-12 independent games (may require overnight travel)
  • 45 - 55 games in total
  • Team will participate in PAHL

2013 Birth Year

Coach: Ty Ulanowicz

Ty played AAA hockey for 15 years playing for Pens Elite, Esmark Stars and Cleveland Barons.  He continued his hockey career playing Juniors in New York.  His coaching experience consists of 16U with SCIR as well as an assistant coach for Shaler Varsity.  Ty believes in speed, effort and playmaking as the most important traits in shaping a strong team.  His focus will be on teaching strong skills and hockey sense a focus on skating, puck touches and small area games.

 

2013 families should expect the following:

  • At least 2 weekly practices
  • 4-5 tournaments (may require overnight travel)
  • 8-12 independent games (may require overnight travel)
  • 45 - 55 games in total
  • Team will participate in PAHL

2012 Birth Year

Coach: Paul Bobko

Paul has been coaching ice hockey for over 26 years.  He currently holds a USA Hockey Level 4 coaching certification and has coached all ages and levels of players from Learn to Skate to Tier-1 High School JV.  Coach Bobko has coached teams in Maryland, Indiana, and Pennsylvania.  Since returning to the Pittsburgh area he has coached with the Butler Valley Dawgs, Steel City Ice Renegades, Vengeance 16U AAA, and Pine Richland High School JV.  He has won league championships in both PAHL and PIHL, most recently with Pine Richland JV1 in 2021.  Coach Bobko believes grit, determination, and a strong desire to compete are fundamental components needed for skill development which is crucial to the success of today’s hockey players.  This coupled with the development of game sense and an understanding of ice hockey systems work to create a well-rounded player.  He looks forward to working with all of his players this upcoming season.

2012 families should expect the following:

  • At least 2 weekly practices
  • Optional skills and development sessions prior to season start
  • Additional weekend practices when not playing games
  • Regular film study sessions
  • 4-5 tournaments (may require overnight travel)
  • 8-12 independent games (may require overnight travel)
  • 45 - 55 games in total
  • Team will participate in PAHL

2011 Birth Year

Coach: John Beiber

See Bio Above (10U Hybrid)

 

2011 Birth Year families should expect the following:

  • Team will include top talent from the 2011 birth year
  • Includes 6-8 summer skills sessions
  • Includes 2 weekday practices (+weekends when available, 75-80 practice throughout season)
  • Includes weekly workouts or yoga sessions (28-32 throughout season)
  • Includes bi-weekly off-ice coaching sessions (20-25 throughout season)
  • 4-5 tournaments/showcases (may require overnight travel, tournament budget included)
  • Includes 8-12 independent games (may require overnight travel)
  • 45 - 55 games in total
  • Team will participate in PAHL 13U AA

2010 Birth Year

Coach: Jake Enders

Jake has coached hockey for eight years and is entering his third season as the head coach for the Steel City Ice Renegades / Pittsburgh Vengeance Tier II 2010 Birth Year team.  He holds a USA Hockey Level 4 coaching certification, has won league championships in both PAHL and PIHL and has coached every age and level from 8U ADM to 18U AA National Bound.

Jake played his youth hockey for the Armstrong Arrows, Butler Valley, North Pittsburgh and the Johnstown Jets before moving on to the Esmark Stars Tier I AAA program.  He also played four years of varsity hockey for Kittanning High School.

2010 Birth Year families can expect the following:

  • National Bound declaration - Participate in Mid-Ams with the goal of attending the USA Hockey Youth National Championships
  • At least two regularly scheduled weekly practices plus optional skills session and additional weekend practices when not playing games.
  • Weekly off-ice workouts at Alpha Ice Complex
  • Full off-season and in-season strength and conditioning program
  • Regular film study sessions
  • Access to a playbook and video clips
  • Five tournaments (will require overnight travel), to possibly include:
    • Aug 23-25: Summer Showcase Showdown, West Seneca, NY
    • Sept 25-27: LECOM Harborcenter Cup, Buffalo
    • Jan 3-5: SuperSeries AAA, Pittsburgh
  • 8-12 independent games
  • 50+ game schedule
  • Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays off
  • 15-17 skaters and 2 goalies
  • Team will participate in PAHL
  • Feb 22-23, PAHL Playoffs
  • March 1-2, Mid-American District Playoffs
  • April 2-6, USA Hockey National Championships

14U Girls Hybrid

Coach: CJ Patrick

CJ played his youth hockey for the Pittsburgh Amateur Penguins as well as his junior hockey. He attended Penn State University where he was the captain his junior and senior seasons, capturing an ACHA National Championship while earning a spot in the Penn State Hockey Hall of Fame as well as the Fox Chapel Sports Hall of Fame. In addition to coaching the 2009 team since 2020, his coaching resume includes 8U Coordinator and 10U coach for the Steel City Ice Renegades, Head Coach for Patrick Hockey Camps (patrickhockey.com) and Coach for Penn State Hockey Camps.  CJ strongly believes in building strong hockey awareness and learning to play a fast, hard game through small area games, puck touches and individualized coaching.

14U Girls families should expect the following:

  • At least 2 weekly practices - Additional weekend practices when not playing games
  • Off-ice yoga or dryland workouts in Renegades Room at Alpha
  • 3 - 4 tournaments (will require overnight travel)
  • 6 - 8 independent games
  • 15-17 skaters and 2 goalies
  • Team will participate in PAHL
  • Team Will Declare National Bound for 14U Tier II

2009 Birth Year

Coach: CJ Patrick

See Bio Above (14U Girls Hybrid)

2009 families should expect the following:

  • At least 2 weekly practices - Additional weekend practices when not playing games
  • Off-ice yoga or dryland workouts in Renegades Room at Alpha
  • 4 tournaments (will require overnight travel)
  • 8 - 12 independent games
  • 50+ game schedule
  • 15-17 skaters and 2 goalies
  • Team will participate in PAHL
Coach: TBD

Age group of team to be determined by final roster.

16U/19U Girls families should expect the following:

  • At least 2 weekly practices - Additional weekend practices when not playing games
  • Off-ice yoga or dryland workouts in Renegades Room at Alpha
  • 3 - 4 tournaments (will require overnight travel)
  • 6 - 8 independent games
  • 15-17 skaters and 2 goalies
  • Team will participate in 19U PAHL Division

16U/19U Girls Hybrid

16U National Bound

Coach: Bob Kozak

Coach Kozak grew up playing hockey in the Pittsburgh area for Fox Chapel High School team.   Coach Kozak has been with SCIR for over 10 years beginning in 2010.  He started out coaching the youngest of players leading multiple Little Penguins groups as well as serving as the ADM Director for 6 years developing 100’s of boys and girls and their love for hockey.  Coach Kozak has also served as Head Coach as of the SCIR 2008 Birth Year team for 4 years, Assistant Coach of the SCIR 2006 Birth Year team, and Assistant Coach at the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite for 2 years.  Coach Kozak really enjoys the game and cares about each player.  It is his mission to ensure that with hard work, commitment, and teamwork
that each child can develop and play to their full potential while still loving the game of hockey.

 

The 16U NB team plans to compete locally in PAHL with the goal of playing at the AA level.  In addition, the team will play a competitive AA/AAA independent schedule.  This will include independent games against teams from Pittsburgh, Columbus, Cleveland, Detroit, Buffalo, and Philadelphia and 4-5 tournaments (may require overnight travel) such as Superseries AAA, Motown Classic, Harbor Center, CCM Invites.

 

16U NB families should expect the following:

  • At least 2 weekly practices
  • Off-ice video sessions
  • Optional off-ice workouts 1-2X per week
  • 15-18 skaters and 2 goalies
  • 50+ game schedule
  • Team may also participate in MidAm/National Tournament

18U National Bound

Coach: Bob Kozak
See Bio Above

18U NB families should expect the following:

  • Minimum weekly Wednesday practice. (Occasional extra practice as available)
  • Off ice video work and chalk talk as needed.
  • PAHL 24 games, 2 placement, 20 regular season, 2 playoffs.
  • 6-8 home independent games
  • 4-6 away independent games
  • Tournament/showcases 1-2 travel and 1-2 local included in season fee.
  • 50 + games total.
  • Mid-Ams/Nationals if qualify