Aviators Board Unanimously Approves New Ice Agreement

With the start of the new calendar year, the Pittsburgh Aviators Youth Hockey Organization has started planning for the 2024-2025 hockey season. The first order of business for our board was to secure a new ice contract, as our current contract will expire on March 31, 2024. The board worked to ensure that our young athletes will continue to grow and develop.

For the past several months, the Aviators board have been in discussions with the hockey operations and facilities staff at the Roy McKnight Hockey Center, located on the Shady Side Academy campus in Fox Chapel, with the goal of establishing a potential partnership. These meetings focused on how a partnership could be mutually beneficial. The Roy McKnight Hockey Center staff and Shady Side Academy administrators came to a decision; the Pittsburgh Aviators were to be welcomed at their ice arena!

On Thursday, January 11th 2024, the Pittsburgh Aviators Executive Board voted unanimously to approve a three year ice agreement and partnership with Shady Side Academy. The Roy McKnight Hockey Center will be the new home of the Pittsburgh Aviators Hockey Association for the 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027 seasons.

We are also beyond thrilled to announce that with this partnership, the Aviators will be working with Eric Tangradi, Shay Side Academy Boys Prep Head Coach. He is a former NHL player and will be heading the new U8 Junior Bulldogs ADM program. The Aviators will be assisting Eric as he launches this program. It is our shared hope that this mite program will not only create a place for new U8 players to grow and develop, but will also field a competitive U8 hockey team. The Junior Bulldog players will be rostered under the Aviators program, allowing them to play in USA Ice Hockey sanctioned tournaments, leagues, and jamborees.

In addition to the ADM program, Eric will also be assisting with tryout clinics and skill sessions for our Aviators teams at all levels. We are so pleased to have a former NHL player to provide assistance with our player development.

On behalf of the Pittsburgh Aviators, we would like to thank the Aviators board members, Roy McKnight Hockey Center staff, and Shady Side Academy administrators for their hard work and dedication to create a partnership that benefits all parties and for providing a home for the Aviator Organization for the next three years.

Please refer to our website and social media platforms in the coming weeks as tryout clinics and registration are finalized. If you would like to be notified when tryout information becomes available, please complete the form below.

Tryout Notifications: https://bit.ly/AvsTryouts

If you have any questions regarding our move to the Roy McKnight Hockey Center, please complete the form using the link below.

Let’s Fly!!