Arrows National Bound Program
The Armstrong Arrows National Bound Program is an elite Tier II Hockey Program with the intent of their teams competing for the USA Hockey Tier II National Championships each year. This is the Armstrong Arrows National Bound Program’s 9th year of existence. The 16U National Bound Team qualified for the USA Hockey Tier II National Championships in 2016, 2017 & 2018. The 18U National Bound Team qualified for the 2019, 2022 and most recently 2024 USA Hockey Tier II National Championships. In just the first season, the newly formed 16U National Bound Team made it to the USA Hockey Tier II National Championship Game!
2023-2024 PAHL AA SEASON & PLAYOFF CHAMPIONS - ARROWS 16U & 18U
2023-2024 MlD AM CHAMPIONS - ARROWS 18U
The goal of each National Bound Team is to win the USA Hockey Tier II National Championship.
USA Hockey 2025 Tier II National Championship Locations:
14U - Kalamazoo, MI
16U – Wayne, NJ
18U - Utica, NY
You must click on and read the AAHL Tryout & Travel Hockey Guide 2024-2025 before registering.
Ages
14U NB: 2010 to 2011 Birth Years
16U NB: 2008 to 2009 Birth Years
18U NB: 2006 to 2007 Birth Years
When
14U NATIONAL BOUND TRYOUTS
April 10th 6:10-7:10pm - CLINIC
April 14th 4:15-5:30pm - TRYOUT
April 15th 6:00-7:00pm - TRYOUT
April 16th 6:00-7:00pm - TRYOUT
16U NATIONAL BOUND TRYOUTS
April 11th 6:00-7:00pm - CLINIC
April 14th 5:45-7:00pm - TRYOUT
April 15th 7:10-8:10pm - TRYOUT
April 16th 7:10-8:10pm - TRYOUT
18U NATIONAL BOUND TRYOUTS
April 11th 7:10-8:10pm - CLINIC
April 14th 7:15-8:30pm - TRYOUT
April 15th 8:20-9:20pm - TRYOUT
April 16th 8:20-9:20pm - TRYOUT
Tryouts will be in April with team workouts starting in the summer at the coaching staff's discretion.
Where
The Armstrong Arrows National Bound Program is based and operated from The Belmont Complex located at 415 Butler Rd. Kittanning, PA 16201.
Practices
Ice practices will begin in July. Teams will practice 1 time per week until August at ice rink TBD. Regular season ice practices will be at the Belmont Complex starting in August. National Bound Teams will have 2 ice practices per week (set weekday practice schedule after season begins). National Bound Teams are High School Friendly. Players are permitted to miss practice for High School Games. Players are expected to attend the National Bound practices if there are any other conflicts in schedule such as practice.
Games
16U &18U National Bound Teams:
- 45-50 Total Games
- PAHL
- Tournaments - 2 Home / 3 Away
- 8-10 Independent Games
- Mid Am & USA Hockey National Championships (Must Qualify)
14U National Bound Team
- 40-45 Total Games
- PAHL
- Tournaments 2 Home / 2 Away
- 8-10 Independent Games
- Mid Am & USA Hockey National Championships (Must Qualify)
National Bound Coordinator will select Tournaments/Showcases and Independent Games for each National Bound Team.
UNIFORMS
Armstrong Arrows 14U/16U/18U National Bound Teams are required to wear navy blue helmets and navy blue gloves. Player uniforms also consist of home / away jerseys, socks, and shell. Each player will be required and responsible for the purchase and care of their Arrows uniform. Costs associated with their uniform are not included in the season fee (Approximately $210).
National Bound Players will receive a team issued hockey equipment bag and practice jersey at no additional cost.
Additional Costs
All payments will be made online through the online registration via a scheduled payment schedule. A pay in full option will be available as well as a payment plan option. Each National Bound Player is required to sell $500.00 in raffle tickets.
Please see the AAHL Tryout & Travel Hockey Guide 2024-2025 for program fees..
2024 - 2025 Season
** Please download and read the "AAHL Tryout and Travel Hockey Guide 2024 - 2025" found on the home page.
If registering before April 1, 2024, your USA Hockey Confirmation Number will not be required to complete the online registration. You will be required to upload your 2024-2025 USA Hockey Confirmation Number to the AAHL Website as soon as USA Hockey Registration opens for the 2024-2025 Season.
If registering after April 1, 2024, your USA Hockey Confirmation Number for the 2024 - 2025 season will be required to complete the online registration.
Register now for the upcoming season!
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2024-2025 National Bound Coaching Staff:
National Bound Coordinator - Lee Grafton
18U Co-Head Coaches - Lee Grafton & Tanner Gilliland
16U Head Coach - Lee Grafton
14U Head Coach - Tyler Snyder
18U Coach - Val Hernandez
18U Coach - Nick Long
16U Coach - Jacob Snyder
14U Coach - Ethan Miller
Goaltender Coach - Nick Mish (ETM Goaltending Development)
* All National Bound Coaches Are Non-Parent Coaches
* National Bound Coordinator will directly oversee all National Bound Teams and assist with coaching.
Refer to the "Resources" tab then go to "For Parents" and select "National Bound Coaching Staff" for National Bound Head Coaches Bios.
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AAHL reserves the right to hold supplemental tryouts to fill any & all open roster positions post open tryouts.
AAHL will adhere to all policies of USA Hockey and Mid Am in regards to tryout dates.
Tier II / PAHL Team Placement:
AAHL will make a placement recommendation, but the PAHL determines the final placement of ALL teams in the league. AAHL cannot guarantee the level of play for any team playing in PAHL.