Five high school hockey matchups to benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation & Paul Sciullo Memorial Scholarship Fund

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League Commissioner Ed Sam today announced the schedule for the Third Annual PIHL Outdoor Charity Series, which features outdoor hockey matchups between 10 local high schools at the ice rinks in North and South parks. The series is sponsored by the Centers for Rehab Services Physical Therapy, a partner of UMPC.

Admission to the games is $5, and proceeds will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and the newly founded PIHL Paul Sciullo Memorial Scholarship Fund.

On Mon., Jan. 25, the North Allegheny Tigers and Pine-Richland Rams will start the series at 7:00 p.m. at the North Park Ice Rink. Proceeds from the game will benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

On Fri., Jan. 29, at the North Park Ice Rink, the Mars Planets and Quaker Valley Quakers will face off at 6:30 p.m. with proceeds benefiting Susan G. Komen for the Cure. At 8:30 p.m., the Shaler Area Titans and Central Catholic Vikings will drop the puck, and proceeds from the game will go to the PIHL Paul Sciullo Memorial Scholarship Fund.

On Fri., Feb. 5, at the South Park Ice Rink, the Montour Spartans and Thomas Jefferson Jaguars will face off at 6:30 p.m., and the Bethel Park Black Hawks and Canon McMillan Big Macs will begin at 8:30 p.m. Proceeds from both matchups will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

“The PIHL Outdoor Charity Series has quickly become a great winter tradition in Allegheny County,” said Onorato. “This year, we’re not only expanding the number of games, but we’re also adding another special charity, the PIHL’s Paul Sciullo Memorial Scholarship Fund. I encourage everyone to come out and enjoy some great high school hockey and help us support three great causes.”

The Paul Sciullo Memorial Scholarship is awarded to high school students in order to provide financial assistance toward college tuition. It is the sixth scholarship given annually by the PIHL and is awarded based on academics, community involvement, merit and extracurricular activities. The scholarship honors the memory of Pittsburgh Police Officer Paul Sciullo II who was tragically murdered alongside Officers Eric Kelly and Stephen Mayhle while responding to a domestic call in Stanton Heights on April 4, 2009.

“Because of the huge success that we had last year, the PIHL has decided to continue its charity high school hockey event by expanding it to five outdoor charity games,” said Sam. “The support that the PIHL receives from Allegheny County in holding these games has been unbelievable. All of the people involved have been so cooperative that they make it easy to make the event successful. I thank them for their cooperation. This year, the Centers for Rehab Services Physical Therapy, a partner of UPMC, is sponsoring the event, and our thanks go out to them for making it possible for the PIHL to be involved in and give back to the community. We also must thank the Pittsburgh Penguins for their support of high school hockey.”

The Pittsburgh Penguins will once again promote the event during home games, as well as in the team’s magazine and in radio and television commercials.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for local high school players to play games outdoors, similar to the NHL’s Winter Classic, which brings the sport back to its roots,” said Pittsburgh Penguins President David Morehouse. “The Penguins are happy to support Allegheny County and the PIHL in this unique series, and we encourage all of our fans to enjoy some great high school hockey outdoors.”