Youth Hockey Support

from Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation 2018.19 Community Report

Wellness Initiatives

YOUTH HOCKEY SUPPORT

Fostering the growth, accessibility andsustainability of hockey in the tristate area withthe goal of sharing that hockey is for everyone.

YOUTH HOCKEY SUPPORT

SID & THE KIDS

When our son, Connor, got into the Little Penguins organization, we were all so excited. Not just for being Penguins fans, but also because we received a free complete box of new, quality hockey gear! Of course, we were also a little nervous as nobody in our family had played hockey before. However, the program is so well executed. The instructors were able to quickly assess the players’ skill levels into sub-groups so all beginners could progress and develop at their own comfortable pace. No skater left behind! I was also impressed with the instructor to student ratio. From the first practice session on, they were able to coordinate skill-drills with kids of all skating abilities. Hats off to the Little Penguins coaches… Great work! Our son enjoyed the program very much and wants to keep playing. Thanks Penguins Foundation for the opportunity!

Chris Bokelberg Little Penguins Dad

Distribution of Hockey Equipment by Year:2008 600 sets of equipment2009 600 sets of equipment2010 1,000 sets of equipment2011 1,000 sets of equipment2012 1,000 sets of equipment2013 1,000 sets of equipment

2014 1,000 sets of equipment2015 1,100 sets of equipment2016 1,100 sets of equipment2017 2,000 sets of equipment2018 2,000 sets of equipment

LITTLE PENGUINS LEARN TO PLAY

With the tremendous support of Sidney Crosby, the Little Penguins Learn to Play program has given over 12,000 children throughout the tristate area an introduction to the sport of hockey since 2008. With assists from Reebok and DICK’S Sporting Goods, Little Penguins has increased participation in youth hockey among children ages 4 through 9 by providing free head-to-toe equipment, including skates, to all registered participants. In addition, the NHL and NHLPA have adopted the program, which is now a league-wide initiative.

100 lucky kids won the chance to skate with Sidney Crosby by finding a golden ticket in their Little Penguins gear!

COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2018.19

YOUTH HOCKEY SUPPORT

HOCKEY IS FOR EVERYONE

YOU CAN PLAY

In support of the NHL’s “Hockey is for Everyone” (HIFE) initiative, the Penguins celebrated inclusion and diversity in hockey by hosting “Hockey is for Everyone Night” on February 21 during a home Penguins game. The night featured eight special Junior Starters, an intermission contest between members of Pittsburgh Blind Hockey and representation on the concourse from area organizations who fall under the HIFE umbrella. Before the game even began, the Penguins surprised one young fan from the Johnstown Sitting Bulls with a new sled, which was presented by Paralympic Gold Medalist Daniel McCoy. In addition, the Penguins players used rainbow-colored Pride tape on their sticks for pre-game warm-ups with over $11,000 raised to assist You Can Play, an advocacy organization that promotes safety and inclusion for all who participate in sports, including LGBTQ athletes, coaches and fans.

HER HOCKEY

On March 31, the Penguins Foundation hosted the first-ever “Her Hockey Night” during the NHL and NHLPA’s Gender Equality Month. To further engage in the HIFE message, a #HerHockey social media campaign shared stories from both females and males on the impact that this great game has had on women and girls. From never missing a hockey practice to never missing a Penguins game, fans shared how not only the sport of hockey but the Pittsburgh Penguins franchise has shaped their lives and hockey goals. Without a doubt, the highlight of Her Hockey Night was when sisters Talya and Liviya, both goaltenders, took the ice for the National Anthem to stand next to their hero, the Penguins-own Matt Murray.

ADAPTIVE ESPORTS SUPPORT

The Penguins Foundation proudly supported the inaugural Steel City Showdown, the first major esports tournament in Pittsburgh history, in May at Point Park University. In partnership with the Pittsburgh Knights, CAVS Legion GC and iHeartMedia, the event benefitted AbleGamers, a charity that provides custom gaming setups and assistive technology to people with disabilities - ultimately helping to bring hockey to everyone through the power of video games.

It’s unique to have three professional teams from two cities representing different sports supporting Point Park University in this exciting esports venture. The Penguins are honored to be part of it.

James Santilli Senior Vice President of Marketing Pittsburgh Penguins

COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2018.19

YOUTH HOCKEY SUPPORT

TAKE IT OUTSIDE

PROJECT POWER PLAY

Starting in 2012, the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation and Highmark partnered to build 12 dek hockey rinks through Project Power Play. The initial phase included a budget of $2.3 million over a four-year period with added support from the City of Pittsburgh, Allegheny County and the surrounding communities. In 2018, the Penguins Foundation launched the next phase of Project Power Play through construction of two deks.

LEARN TO PLAY DEK HOCKEY

Launched during the 2017.18 season, Learn to Play Dek Hockey provides a similar product to Little Penguins except it is offered off the “ice” at dek hockey facilities throughout the region. The program provided 1,000 kids with free dek hockey equipment in 2018.19 as part of the 6-8 week “learn to play” session.

DEK HOCKEY CHALLENGE

In August 2018, the Penguins Foundation proudly built its 14 th dek hockey rink!

2012 • 2 RINKS

• Banksville Park, Banksville

• Lewis Park, Hazelwood

2013 • 4 RINKS

• Brookline Memorial Park, Brookline

• Hosanna House Sherwood Event Center, Wilkinsburg

• Riverside Park, Oakmont

• Richland Community Park, Wexford

2014 • 4 RINKS

• Renzie Park, McKeesport

• Settler’s Cabin, Oakdale

• North Park, Allison Park

• Graham Park, Cranberry Township

2015 • 2 RINKS

• Paul J. Scullio II Memorial Park, Bloomfield

• South Park, South Park

2018 • 2 RINKS

• South Park, South Park (Ice Rink Conversion)

• Mill Creek Park, Youngstown, OH

To start the 2018.19 season, the Penguins Foundation hosted the 3rd Annual Dek Hockey Challenge presented by Highmark for 250+ players in partnership with Mark Madden from 105.9 The X. The tournament featured 28 teams with games played at Project Power Play rinks in Banksville, Brookline, Cranberry and Riverview.

Brookline Hockey League began in a little school gym. There was very little room to play but the love of the game moved us forward. In just a few short years, we have gone from a small organization in a school gym to a thriving, competitive organization. These kids would not be afforded these opportunities had the Penguins Foundation not chosen our site. We have all gained a family environment to be matched like no other.

Stacey Rush Board Member Brookline Youth Hockey

COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2018.19

GROWING THE GAME

YOUTH HOCKEY SUPPORT

RENOVATE THE RINK

In partnership with PittComm, the Penguins Foundation searched near and far for one lucky community rink to receive $100,000 in renovations. More than 400 entries were received with three finalists chosen: Hess Ice Rink in New Castle, Kirk S. Nevin Arena in Greensburg and The Ice Mine in Connellsville. Over 130,000 votes were cast with Hess Ice Rink prevailing as the top votegetter and recipient of the grand prize with plans to improve the rink’s locker rooms, lobby, seating and skate rental. In addition, The Chemours Company, an official partner of the NHL, provided all three finalists with a set of divider boards to assist with their on-ice programming and youth development.

130,000+ Renovate the Rink Votes

AN ASSIST TO MEADVILLE

The Penguins Foundation partnered with CHANNELLOCK for a $50,000 donation to grow hockey in Meadville and the surrounding region. The donation made to the Meadville Area Recreation Foundation will assist youth programming at the George S. DeArment Ice Arena.

Dreams really start on a sheet of ice like this all over Western Pennsylvania - all over the world frankly.

Terry Kalna Senior Vice President, Sales & Broadcasting Pittsburgh Penguins

COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2018.19

YOUTH HOCKEY SUPPORT

STICKS IN HANDS

GIVE HOCKEY A SHOT

The Try Hockey for Free program is a great opportunity to introduce children to the game of hockey free of charge and to feel like a true hockey player with head to toe equipment for the session. It is very important for us to provide as many children as possible with a positive first on-ice hockey experience. This program has been a great way to continue to grow the game in Western Pennsylvania by providing a free transition program from our school and dek programs onto the ice. Many of these participants have transitioned into our next step on-ice programs such as local learn to skate and our Little Penguins Learn to Play programs.

Created during the 2016.17 season to provide children with an opportunity to try hockey for free, Give Hockey a Shot was designed to allow young athletes, ages 6-12, to play this great game regardless of income. Give Hockey a Shot allows rinks in the Pittsburgh region to “borrow” one of three fully stocked equipment trailers for up to 30 days with each trailer housing 40 sets of youth hockey equipment.

TRY HOCKEY FOR FREE

Launched in 2017.18, Try Hockey for Free donated 50 sets of youth hockey equipment to 25 rinks in Western Pennsylvania. This donation has allowed the selected rinks to host multiple Try Hockey for Free events - ultimately introducing youngsters ages 4-8 to the sport.

Mike Chiasson Manager of Youth Hockey Pittsburgh Penguins

COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2018.19

YOUTH HOCKEY SUPPORT

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT & RECOGNITION

The Penguins organization has created an array of youth hockey initiatives to engage children of all ages in this great game. Programs run the gamut of providing instruction to develop basic skills, teaching safety and good nutrition, enhancing the athletes’ knowledge of the game, and acknowledging their accomplishments.

The Penguins amateur hockey camps, clinics, workshops and programs throughout the 2018.19 season included:

THE NEXT LEVEL

EXCEL HOCKEY ACADEMY

In 2017.18, the Penguins organization opened the doors to EXCEL Hockey Academy, a premier scholastic hockey academy in partnership with the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex and North Catholic High School. EXCEL Hockey Academy offers students a unique combination of traditional classes with daily ice time and world-class hockey training. In addition to the high school level (grades 9-12), EXCEL Hockey Academy is open to middle school (grades 6-8) and grade school (grades 3-5) students as well on a modified basis. To learn more, visit excelhockeyacademy.com.

PITTSBURGH PENGUINS ELITE

• 4 on 4 Summer League

• 8U Hockey Training

• 8U/10U/12U In-House League

• Battle Camp

• Defense Camp

• Defense Clinic

• EXCEL Boot Camp

• EXCEL Hockey Academy - High School, Middle School, Grade School

• Forward Camp

• Forward Clinic

• Game Camp

• Goal Scoring Camp

• Goalie Nation

• Goalie Training

• High Performance

• High School Spring League

• Hockey/Golf Camp

• Learn to Skate

• Lil’ 66ers

• Little Rookies Academy

• Middle School League

• Mite Development League

• Penguins Day Camp

• Penguins Training Skills & Power Skating

• Power Skating

• Shooting Clinic

• Speed Camp

• Speed Clinic

• Summer Goalie Camp

• Summer Hockey School

• Tune Up For Tryouts

A joint effort of the Pittsburgh Penguins and DICK’S Sporting Goods, Penguins Elite offers a comprehensive program for player development that includes the region’s premier coaching staff, professional management, world-class training facilities, academic guidance and more. The Penguins Elite program is the only program in the region that offers a full complement of teams for boys and girls at all age groups. Visit pittsburghpenguinselite.com for more information.

Congratulations to our Penguins Elite 2019 National Champions: 16U Boys & 14U Girls!

EXCEL Hockey Academy is now in its 3rd year and has grown from 50 athletes to 150 athletes. EXCEL Hockey Academy offers a convenient schedule that allows advanced level hockey training while not having to sacrifice their academics.

Brian Mueller Executive Director, Hockey Development & Programming EXCEL Hockey Academy

COMMUNITY IMPACT REPORT 2018.19

YOUTH HOCKEY SUPPORT

HOCKEY STICKS TOGETHER

The Pittsburgh Penguins organization supported the formation of the Hockey Sticks Together Foundation to oversee programs that embody the NHL’s “Hockey is for Everyone” (HIFE) initiative. Each season, the Penguins Foundation provides a significant monetary contribution to Hockey Sticks Together to share hockey with those who are disabled or underserved.

Many milestone moments have occurred for Hockey Sticks Together since its inception. In the fall of 2018, Hockey Sticks Together hosted the first Blind Hockey International Series between teams from Canada and the United States welcoming over 100 vision impaired athletes to the ice. In addition, Hockey Sticks Together hosted the first USA Hockey Special Hockey Classic for over 300 intellectually and cognitively disabled athletes. And, next up, Hockey Sticks Together will host the 2020 USA Disabled Hockey Festival with the support of the Penguins Foundation. The Festival will bring together over 1,700 athletes representing the physically disabled, special needs, blind, deaf and disabled veterans from across the United States to Pittsburgh.