Youth Ball Hockey Leagues
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We welcome kids of all skill levels, from novice to experienced, to join our in-house youth leagues held at McBride Park. McBride Dek Hockey has programs for 4 ages groups, based on their age as of January 1st of the current year:
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Chipmunk: 4-6 years (Born 2020-2019-2018 - for 2025 leagues)
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Penguin: 6*-9 years (Born 2017-2016-2015 - for 2025 leagues, *+2018s if you feel your child is ready)
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Beaver: 10-12 years (Born 2014-2013-2012- for 2025 leagues)
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Cadet: 13-16 years (Born 2011-2010-2009-2008 - for 2025 leagues)
Note: Players can play up an age division but cannot play down an age division. Players cannot play up in a division unless they are also playing in their specific age group division (excludes Chipmunk). Per PBHL rules, girls are permitted to play one extra year in a division before moving up if they choose.
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There are no gender requirements.
Fall 2025 Information:
CHIPMUNK (Ages 4-6*)
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5 week session
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Tuesdays @ 6:15 pm
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Begins 9/16
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$15/player
(Details below.)
Kids born in 2018 who are ready for league play may register for Penguin (or both).
PENGUIN (Ages 6-9)
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8 games + playoffs
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Mon/Wed @ 6:00 pm
Sat @ 9:00 am
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Games begin 9/20 (see practice schedule below)
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$35/player
(Additional household players: $25. Goalies play for free. Details below.)
BEAVER (Ages 10-12)
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8 games + playoffs
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Mon/Wed @ 7:00 pm
Sat @ 10:00 am
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Games begin 9/20
(see practice schedule below) -
$35/player
(Additional household players: $25. Goalies play for free. Details below.)
CADET (Ages 13-16)
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8 games + playoffs
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Mon/Wed @ 8:00 pm
Sat @ 11:00 am
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Games begin 9/20 (see practice schedule below)
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$35/player
(Additional household players: $25. Goalies play for free. Details below.)
Goalies are always needed & play for free! We have loaner gear!
DRAFT Practice nights for Fall '25 players in Penguin/Beaver/Cadet:
Mon, Sept 8th - all ages 6:00 - 7:30 pm
Wed, Sept 10th
Penguin: 6:00 - 6:50 pm
Beaver: 7:00 - 7:50 pm
Cadet: 8:00 - 8:50 pm
Extra practice: Mon, Sept 15th - Highly encouraged for kids new to ball hockey or without tournament experience. All ages @ 6:00 - 7:30 pm.
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Full equipment required. If your child needs to borrow gear, email VicePresidentSPBH@gmail.com.
Draft practices help us split the teams up evenly!
Chipmunk clinic - Tuesdays
Penguin/Beaver/Cadet leagues: Mondays, Wednesdays, & Saturdays
All the Details!
Price
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Penguin/Beaver/Cadet league fee: $35
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Additional household child(ren) or additional division: $25
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Chipmunk fee: $15/player
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Goalies play for free (We've got loaner equipment! No need to go out and buy equipment to try out the position!)
What's Included
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Penguin/Beaver/Cadet divisions: 8 games + playoffs
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Chipmunk division: 5 sessions
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All kids get a t-shirt
Required Equipment & Volunteering
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Helmet with a cage or plexiglass full face guard
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Elbow pads
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Street or ice hockey gloves
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Shin guards
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Stick with a plastic or ABS blade
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All players must wear sneakers.
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If you need help getting equipment, reach out to vicepresidentspbh@gmail.com. We have loaner equipment to get players started.
We need parents to keep score and run the clock. Email VicePresidentSPBH@gmail.com to volunteer to be on the 'clock squad' for the season and get the best seat in the house.
Location
All activities take place at McBride Park: 1785 McBride Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15207
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Seasons
How exactly does this work?
Penguin, Beaver, & Cadet Leagues
We aim to host 3 seasons in 2025: spring, summer, fall. At the start of each season, we'll hold 2 draft practices in order to get the kids together and split up teams evenly. We'll hold 1 or more open practices before the first game. This is a chance for all kids to get some instruction prior to the season. We highly encourage the kids who are experienced with tournament play to skip open practice so that kids with less experience can receive attentive instruction.
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Seasons will consist of 8 regular season games, plus a playoff series. Games consist of three 10-minute periods. We are currently planning for 3 teams/division, and you can expect to play 2 games/week. If we get more kids--great! That will require that we utilize days of the week that we might not have originally planned for, however, so we thank you for your patience.
Chipmunk Program
Chipmunk is more instructional, and the spring 2025 program will consist of five 50-minute sessions. Kids will learn basic skills and move into game play. If you feel that your 6-year-old (birth year 2018) is ready for league play, you may register them for the Penguin level instead (or both!).
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We need parents to help! We want to keep these little ones engaged. The more help, the merrier! Please consider volunteering to help.
Tentative Dates (Subject to Change)
Spring registration: Feb/March
Spring League: March 10 - May 30
Summer Registration: May
Summer League: June - Aug
Fall Registration: Aug
Fall League: Sept - Oct
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Rain dates will be posted at the bottom of the schedules.