TEAMS

HISTORY

The Armstrong Arrows began play in the PAHL in 1969, playing out of the Belmont Complex in West Kittanning.

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, local residents Reverend C.L. Fritz, Robert Copenhaver, and Jon Spangler got the Armstrong Arrows hockey program started.  Fritz served as the organization's first president.  Spangler was a decent baseball player -- once having tried out for the Brooklyn Dodgers -- but did not know much about hockey.  Nevertheless, Spangler used his vast experience in sports to successfully coach Armstrong hockey teams for over 10 seasons.

Though the program started with just six participants, the organization quickly grew.  Entering 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.