The Armstrong Amateur Hockey League began when the Belmont Complex opened in November of 1967 after local businessman Hugo Montebell had a vision to build an indoor ice facility for the residents of Kittanning.

As soon as the rink opened two local residents -- Jon Spangler and Robert Copenhaver -- got the Armstrong Arrows started under the guidance of the organization's first president, Reverend C.L. Fritz.  Spangler was a pretty decent baseball player -- once having tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers -- but didn't know much about hockey. That didn't stop him from coaching Armstrong's teams for over ten years.

Though the program started with just six participants, the organization quickly grew, and by the 1969-70 season, they had enough players and community support to formally join and compete in the PAHL, where they have been a member ever since.