Bernie and Carole Woodrow

When it comes to sports, the Pittsburgh Vipers (North Hills Amateur Hockey Association or NHAHA) offers programs starting at the earliest age of five and progresses to the highest level of amateur hockey. The Vipers offer programs for every youth level and even basic training in how to skate.

Bernie and Carole Woodrow of Lower Burrell know how much this sport means to kids. They have been involved with the Pittsburg Vipers for over 12 years. They started when their nine year old grandson, Shad, joined the hockey association. Today Shad is 21 and is now an Assistant Coach. In fact, Shad is coaching his 12 year old brother, Wyatt. The Woodrow’s became deeply committed and five years ago joined the board of directors. Today Carole is President and Bernie is Treasurer. Bernie and Carole believe in kids and see this sport as building character. As retired teachers they know an investment like this pays off for parents.

The Vipers offer two development training programs. Phase One teaches basics and Phase Two they join an in-house league to begin developing skills. There are 30 to 60 kids signed up at any given time and the program starts at a one to two hours a week commitment for Phase One and three to seven hours a week for Phase Two. Fees are low starting at $125 for the season. Monthly payment plans are offered on higher fee programs.

The Phase One Development program, ages 5-8, is based on the USA Hockey’s Initiation Program. The Initiation Program is designed to make youngsters first contact with hockey a safe and positive experience. It is a structured learn-to-play hockey program designed to introduce beginners to the game’s basic skills. It enables participants to become contributing members of a team effort; to develop self-confidence; and to experience a sense of personal achievement. These goals are achieved in an atmosphere of cooperation and fun. In the Pittsburgh Viper/USA Hockey Initiation Program, beginners are taken through a step-by-step introduction to basic hockey skills and are taught in a positive manner.

The Phase Two Development program, ages 6-14, is the In-house Program for players who are more familiar with the game and are ready to play in a more competitive, but structured, atmosphere Participants are divided into equally skilled teams and play a non travel schedule. Instructors are on the ice during games and help participants in positioning and on-ice awareness. Emphasis is placed on both individual and team skills, as well as fair play and sportsmanship. Ice sessions for both of these programs start the beginning of October and run through February on Saturday mornings.

Players come from over a 50 mile radius of the Valley Sports Complex, located on the corner of Craigdell Road and Route 56 in New Kensington, where the Vipers play. There are five levels of players and eleven teams. The 5 to 8 year olds are in the Mites, 9 to 10 year olds are in the Squirts, 11 to 12 year olds are in the Peewees, 13 to 14 years olds are in the Bantams and the 15 to 18 year olds are in the Midgets. There are also several sub-divisions. The season for most players runs from August and September through March.

Bill Thomas Signs With Phoenix Coyotes

Kids can go places when they excel in hockey at the Pittsburgh Vipers. Bill Thomas, a former Pittsburgh Vipers player and now a 6-foot-1, 185-pound right wing, joined the Phoenix Coyotes after two amazing seasons at the University of Nebraska-Omaha of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). He played his first game this past January 31st. At least five or six former Pittsburgh Viper players have gone on to play in college league tournaments.

The Vipers hold open tryouts for its Tier I Pittsburgh Viper Stars (Midget 18U AAA and Midget 16U AAA) and Tier II Pittsburgh Vipers (AA, A and B Levels) each spring. Each tryout consists of three or four sessions over a two or three week period. Players are evaluated on individual skills, offensive and defensive individual and team play, attitude, scrimmages, etc. Tryouts are conducted by a committee of evaluators under the direction of either the organization's Director of Coaching or the organizations AAA Coordinator. Final placement of players is determined following the completion of tryouts for each respective age group. Supplemental tryouts are held in the fall of each year. These tryouts primarily are used to fill vacancies on the various teams.

The Pittsburgh Vipers, founded in 1964 as the North Hills Amateur Hockey Association (still their legal name as a 501(c) non-profit organization) is a member of the Pittsburgh Amateur Hockey League, USA Hockey and Great Lakes Hockey League and offers competition at the Tier I and Tier II (AAA, AA, A, and B) Levels, as well as an in-house program and the USA Hockey Initiation Program (for beginner hockey players). Other Officers on the Board of Directors are Health Veltri of Aspinwall, Vice President, and Christine Kovitch of Allegheny Township, Secretary.

To learn more about the Pittsburgh Vipers, call 724-335-9005 or visit their web site below. Pittsburgh Vipers http://www.pittsburghvipers.com/

Phoenix Coyotes Sign College Free Agent Bill Thomas http://www.phoenixcoyotes.com/news/story_details.php?ID=4866

Valley Sports Complex http://www.valleysportscomplex.com/