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. Vengeance Tier 2 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. Vengeance Tier 2 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 Vengeance Tier 2 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 Vengeance Tier 2 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 2025 - 2026 Season
10U Hybrid Team
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.
10U Hybrid Team families should expect the following:
- Includes 6-8 summer skills sessions
- Includes 2 weekday practices (+weekends when available, 75-80 practice 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
2014 Birth Year
Coach: Kyle Novak
Kyle is from the Pittsburgh with over 19 years of experience familiarizing myself with the game of hockey. HeI first picked up a stick at the age of 6 and fell in love with the sport. Kyle played mostly AA amateur hockey for 10 years and school hockey for 8-9 years. Kyle firmly believes the way to be individually successful as a hockey player is to always show up, be determined, and have fun with the game. A successful team is only as strong as the weakest link. Kyle wants to establish an environment where all the players want to be there to enjoy themselves, while working on being a better player/ and teammate. He looks forward to a great season.
2014 Team families should expect the following:
- 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: Jacob Matelan
Jacob has been involved in the game of ice hockey for 15 plus years. Playing for teams such as North Pittsburgh AA, Steel City Ice Renegades AAA, and Pine Richland Varsity AAA. He’s learned a lot about the game of hockey as a whole and achieved possibly his biggest accomplishment as a 2018 PIHL All Star in his senior year at Pine-Richland. Now going into his 3rd year of coaching, Jacob has learned a lot not only as a player but more as a coach underneath the 2016 birth year coach Paul Bobko at the Pine Richland JV level. He mirrors much of the same values as Paul and believes in teaching kids the basics of hockey and doing the small things right. (Puck movement, physicality, teamwork/play-making, and positive energy). Jacob is really excited for the opportunity to be a head coach and is looking forward to developing the kids into valuable assets for any team they play on in the future.
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 Black Birth Year National Bound
Coach: Kobe Pasquerilla
Kobe grew up in Johnstown, PA, and has been playing hockey for over 15 years. He played travel hockey for the Johnstown Warriors and high school hockey for the Richland Rams, winning league championships with both teams and bringing a strong winning mentality to his coaching approach.
After high school, he joined the Navy in 2017, where he developed leadership skills and learned the importance of respect, integrity, and accountability - values he now instills in his players.
Following his service, he returned to coach his alma mater for a season before moving to Pittsburgh and joining the Vengeance organization. He is a firm believer in hard work, speed, and grit, focusing on building well-rounded young players who respect the game.
2011 Black Birth Year families should expect the following:
- National Bound declaration - Participate in Mid-Ams with the goal of attending the USA Hockey Youth National Championships
- 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
- MidAm District Playoffs if qualify
2011 Red Birth Year National Bound
Coach: John Beiber
Coach John Beiber brings over 18 years of coaching experience to the ice and holds a USA Hockey Level 4 certification. Over the course of his career, he has coached players of all ages and skill levels — from developmental programs to 18U AA teams — helping to shape athletes both on and off the ice. His coaching expertise spans several esteemed hockey organizations, including the Pittsburgh Amateur Penguins, Steel City Ice Renegades, Young Foxes Hockey, Deer Lakes Middle School, and Central Catholic High School.
In addition to his coaching roles, Coach Beiber was a dedicated 12-year board member of the Steel City Ice Renegades (SCIR), where he served in various leadership positions such as Registrar, Director of Coaches, and ADM Director. He also served as Vice President of Young Foxes Hockey, contributing over 15 seasons to the organization’s growth and success.
A passionate advocate for skill and skating development, Coach Beiber believes these fundamentals are essential for success at every level of hockey. He is committed to fostering individual growth and promoting team success, focusing on developing well-rounded athletes who excel both on the ice and in life. With his extensive experience and unwavering dedication to player development, Coach Beiber is excited to continue guiding players toward reaching their full potential in the upcoming season.
2011 Red Birth Year families should expect the following:
- National Bound declaration - Participate in Mid-Ams with the goal of attending the USA Hockey Youth National Championships
- 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
- MidAm District Playoffs if qualify
2010 Birth Year
Coach: Jake Enders
Jake has coached hockey for nine years and is entering his fourth 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 BY families can expect the following:
- National Bound declaration - Participate in MidAms with the goal of attending the USA Hockey Youth National Championships
- Team will participate in PAHL and declare for the 16U AA division
- At least two regularly scheduled weekday practices and additional weekend practices when not playing games
- Weekly off-ice workouts at Alpha Ice Complex
- Full off-season strength and conditioning program
- Regular film study sessions
- Access to HUDL
- 45+ game schedule
- Three tournaments (may require overnight travel), to possibly include:
- Oct 17-19: CCM Motown, Detroit, Mich.
- Jan 2-4: SuperSeries, Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Feb 14-16: HockeyTown Invite, Detroit, Mich.
- 8-16 independent games against high-quality competition (may require overnight travel)
- No more than five total road trips
- Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays off if PAHL scheduling permits
- 16-18 skaters and 2 goaltenders
16U Girls National Bound
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, 14U Girls coach for Vengeance, 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.
16U Girls families should expect the following:
- Declare National Bound for 16U Tier II
- At least 2 weekly practices - Additional weekend practices when not playing games
- Off-ice yoga or dryland workouts in Vengeance Room at Alpha
- 4 tournaments (will require overnight travel)
- 8 - 12 independent games
- 15-17 skaters and 2 goalies
- Team will participate in PAHL 19U Division
- MidAm District Playdowns with opportunity to compete for National Tournament
16U National Bound
Coach: CJ Patrick
See Bio Above (16U Girls Hybrid)
2009 families should expect the following:
- Declare National Bound for 16U Tier II
- At least 2 weekly practices - Additional weekend practices when not playing games
- Off-ice yoga or dryland workouts in Vengenace 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
- Mid-Ams/Nationals if qualify
18U National Bound
Coach: Bob Kozak
that each child can develop and play to their full potential while still loving the game of hockey.
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