The Erie Youth Hockey Association was founded in 1964 but did not join the the PAHL until 1995.   Their teams were originally nicknamed the "Lions" after a professional team that played in Erie from 1963-1974.

The Lions played out of a number of ice rinks in the Erie area:  the Ice Center of Erie, the JMC Memorial Arena (aka "the Zoo"),  Mercyhurst Ice Center, and the Erie Insurance Arena (formerly the "Erie Civic Center"). 

The Erie Lions frequently partnered with the Erie Otters, who play in the Ontario Hockey League.  That led to the youth organization adopting the Otters nickname in the early 2020's then making its primary home rink the Erie Insurance Arena, the same home as the OHL Otters.  But the organization still uses the Mercyhurst Ice Center and other area rinks for home games.