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, 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 2023 - 2024 Season

10U Hybrid

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.

 

10U families should expect the following:

  • Will include top talent from 2013 and 2014 birth years
  • 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: John Beiber

John currently holds a USA Hockey Level 4 coaching certification and has been coaching ice hockey for over 14 years. He has coached all ages and levels of players from Mites to Midget AA.  Coach Beiber has coached for the Steel City Ice Renegades, Young Foxes Hockey, Deer Lakes Middle School and Central Catholic High School JV.  He is a current board member and the Director of Coaching of the SCIR. John is also the current Vice President of Young Foxes Hockey and has been active with that organization for the past 15 years.  Coach Beiber believes skill and skating development is essential to success at the U10 Squirt level.  He looks forward to developing all of his players in the upcoming season.

 

2012 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

2011 Birth Year

Coach: John Beiber

See Bio Above

 

2011 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

2010 Birth Year

Coach: Jake Enders

Jake has coached hockey for six years, most recently coaching the SCIR 18U National Bound team. With the Armstrong Arrows, he was an assistant for the 14U National Bound program. With the Armstrong Riverhawks, he is the current head coach of the JV team. He has won two championships (1 PAHL, 1 PIHL) as a coach. In 2020-2021, Jake coached the Armstrong Riverhawks JV team to an undefeated season (16-0-2) and won the PIHL championship.

Jake spent his playing days with the Armstrong Arrows, Butler Valley, North Pittsburgh and 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.

Jake believes in helping players reach their potential on and off the ice by instilling in them the core values of determination, teamwork, pride and respect. Hockey is the best game in the world and everyone should enjoy the opportunity to play and excel.

2010 families should expect the following:

  • At least 2 weekly practices
  • 3-5 tournaments (may require overnight travel)
  • 8-12 independent games (may require overnight travel)
  • Team will participate in PAHL

2009 Birth Year

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 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 building strong hockey awareness and learning to play a fast, hard game through small area games, puck touches and individualized coaching.

2009 families should expect the following:

  • National Bound declaration - Participate in Mid-Ams with goal of attending Nationals
  • At least 2 weekly practices - Additional weekend practices when not playing games
  • Off-ice yoga workouts in new Renegades Room at Alpha
  • 4 tournaments (will require overnight travel)
    • West Seneca Showcase - August 25th - 27th
    • LECOM Harbor Center Tournament - September 29th - October 1st
    • CCM World Invite Chicago - November 3rd - 5th
    • SuperSeries AAA Pittsburgh - January 5th -7th
  • 8 independent games
    • Columbus Capitals
      • @ Chiller North January 27th - 2 Games
      • Home September 17th - 2 Games
    • Mid-State Mustangs
      • @ Altoona September 10th - 2 Games
      • Home December 16th - 2 Games
  • 50+ game schedule
  • 15-17 skaters and 2 goalies
  • Team will participate in PAHL
  • Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays off
    • Possible scrimmage picked up over Christmas Holiday
  • PAHL Playoffs February 24th - 25th
  • Mid-Ams March 2nd - 3rd
  • Nationals?  - Amherst, NY

2008 Birth Year

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 2008 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.

 

2008 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

16U National Bound

Coach: Chris Sinclair

Coach Sinclair started coaching in 1998 and has experience in coaching all types and levels of hockey. He has coached roller and dek hockey all the way up to the National level for both U16 and U18 USA National teams. Coach Sinclair has also coach Ice hockey from mites through midgets for programs such as Pittsburgh Selects, Pittsburgh Viper Stars and Allegheny Badgers as well as running a successful spring/summer Triple A tournament team that has played in various events such as the Chowder Cup.

The idea behind the 16U National bound team is to give these players a competitive team that challenges and pushes them to be their very best all while recognizing their need for social and community commitments. We aim to be a varsity friendly team as well as leaving time for social and creative events. These players at this age still have that competitive drive to play top hockey, but also want to be able to explore other interest ranging from jobs, creative adventures or other sports and activities. We aim to feed their competitive side while allowing time for other interest. With a set practice schedule and limited travel I think we can provide the best of both worlds and still have the end goal of a trip to Nationals!

16U NB families should expect the following:

  • August training/mini camp
  • Minimum weekly Wednesday practice. (Occasional extra practice as available)
  • Off ice video work and chalk talk as needed. (likely once a month on practice nights)
  • PAHL 24 games, 2 placement, 20 regular season, 2 playoffs.
  • 6-10 home independent games
  • Tournament/showcases 2-3 travel and 2-3 local.
  • 35 + games in local Pittsburgh market
  • 50 + games total.
  • Mid-Ams/Nationals

Possible Tournaments/Showcases

  • Silver Sticks
  • CCM Invite Series
  • Alpha Tournament Co.
  • AAA Eastern Exposure Series
  • Mid-Ams
  • USA Hockey Nationals (Dallas TX)

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