On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Penguins announced they were awarded a grant from the NHL and NHLPA to create access to hockey for youth players of color in the city.
Last month, the team announced the launch of the Willie O’Ree Academy which provides “targeted training, social and mentorship opportunities for youth players of color in the greater Pittsburgh area.”
The team, the city and the Urban Redevelopment Authority are aiming to build a season hockey rink within the Hunt Armory in Shadyside while also providing a publicly accessible rink for equitable and inclusive hockey programming. The rink will serve as headquarters of the Penguins Hockey Diversity Program.
“The Penguins have been committed for decades to giving back to the Pittsburgh community, and we are now one of the leaders of the league’s efforts to improve diversity in the game of hockey, and these investments and programs are at the center of that mission,” Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse said in a statement. “I want to thank the NHL and the Players’ Association for recognizing the ongoing work we’re putting into this effort, and the City and URA for their partnership on behalf of city youth.”
Placement of a rink at the Hunt Armory is expected by Thanksgiving. The rink also will be open for public skating and will be used by local city hockey programs, including Central Catholic and Chatham, as well as a middle school hockey development program to be established with Sacred Heart Elementary School and Pittsburgh Public Schools.
“Placing a rink in the Armory would not only allow for new and cost-free athletic opportunities for city youth but follow the wishes of Shadyside neighbors who have long called for public skating in this historic and underused building. I’m happy these long-delayed plans are finally coming together,” Mayor William Peduto said.
