The Mon Valley Youth Hockey Association began in 1965 when the Rostraver Ice Garden opened.  The organization was the first "new" member of the PAHL, joining the original two associations for a 3-team league.  The Thunder have played at the same rink for its entire existence and are now the longest-running association in the PAHL.

The Rostraver Ice Garden naturally has an "old barn" feel to it, but the facility has undergone some changes over the years.  The property was purchased in 2022, and new naming rights rebranded the facility as the "CFS Bank Event Center."  A large portion of its wooden ceiling collapsed under the heavy weight of melting snow after a winter storm in February 2010, but the rink reopened with a new outer shell eight months later.  In 2017, it became the 2nd PAHL rink to win the NHL's "Kraft Hockeyville USA" contest.  That honor led to many more upgrades, including new lighting, safety netting, and lobby flooring.  The new ownership ensures that the vintage facility will continue to serve the Thunder and the PAHL for many years to come.

John Zeiler logged 90 games for the Los Angeles Kings after molding his game as a young player with the Mon Valley Thunder.  After 9 seasons as a professional player in North America and Europe, Zeiler returned to the area to start a family and enter into the coaching side of the sport with area youth teams.