Student Volunteers
Each season, Student Volunteers can register with the Mighty Penguins to help mostly with on-ice duties during practices. Space is limited and all Students are required to use Crossbar to RSVP to practices. Beginning with the 2026-2027 season, the registration requirements and guidelines will look a little different than in past seasons. Please be sure to look over the Volunteer Guide for more information on what it looks like to be a volunteer with the Mighty Penguins.
Ages
Student Volunteers must be between the ages of 14-18 & in middle/high school. Student Volunteers sign up using the registration button and choosing the Student Volunteer Registration.
Please Note: Volunteers 18+ who are no longer in high school must register as Adult Volunteers. Click HERE to be taken to the Adult Volunteer Info and registration.
When
Our sled hockey season typically runs from late August/early September through the 1st weekend May.
Where
Practices are held at:
UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex — Covestro Rink
8000 Cranberry Springs Drive
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
Practices
Current (2026-2027 season) practices for the Novice, Junior, and Intermediate Divisions:
- Alternates between youth & adult most Thursdays from 4:40-5:40 PM
- Most Saturdays from 4:10-5:30 PM for youth teams and 5:30-6:50 PM for adult teams
Additional Opportunities
Most seasons our Junior and Novice Youth teams host a home tournament at the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex. This year's tournament is December 12-13, 2026.
There are numerous opportunities to volunteer & earn additional service hours.
We are always looking for:
- On-ice pushers
- Scorekeepers
- Timekeepers
- Referees
- Volunteers to help with our 50/50 and Basket Raffles
Contacts
Questions or need more info?
Reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator, Shannon Ebersole: volunteer@penguinssledhockey.org
Need more info about our Sled Hockey Program for youth & adults living with physical disabilities? Reach out to Program Manager, Emily Gasse: emily.gasse@penguinssledhockey.org
Have questions about Crossbar or volunteer compliance? Reach out to Operations Manager, Tara Garris: tara.garris@penguinssledhockey.org
Volunteer Guide
2026 - 2027 Season
Welcome to the 2026-2027 Student Volunteer Registration with the Mighty Penguins!
Student Volunteer Registration is open to students ages 14-18 (who are still in middle/high school) who currently play ice hockey, have played ice hockey, or have ice skating ability. On-ice student volunteers may be required to push some our players that aren't able to propel themselves on the ice, so skating ability is most helpful. For the safely of our volunteers, helmets are required on the ice at all times.
Our practices are located at the UPMC Lemieux Sport Complex beginning September 3rd, 2026 —April 24th, 2027. Practices are most Thursdays: 4:40-5:40 PM and most Saturdays: 4:10-5:30 PM & 5:30-6:50 PM.
NEW THIS SEASON — We have moved from SportsEngine to Crossbar for scheduling, RSVP updates, and communication.
To participate as a student volunteer, you are required to update your availability in Crossbar for ALL practices so our coaching staff can plan practices accordingly. We look forward to you building relationships with our coaches and players. Coaches may restrict the number of on-ice volunteers for practices for the safety of our sled hockey athletes.
Please refer to the steps below to register with the Mighty Penguins as a student volunteer. Please Note: During the registration process, you (student) & your parent/guardian will be required to read and sign our Volunteer Guidelines Handbook before registration is complete.
STEP 1: You must create a Crossbar account and select to receive communications to participate as a volunteer. Click on our website's parent Resource Tab for more info on setting up and using Crossbar. *Parents/Guardians — you will need to add your student volunteer as a participant in order to select them as the registering volunteer.
STEP 2: You must be registered with USA Hockey. If you are already registered as a player because you are on a stand-up hockey team, you will use your existing 2026-2027 USA Hockey # — you should NOT re-register as a volunteer. If you are not registered with USA Hockey or you don't plan to play for another stand-up ice hockey amateur team, you can register with USA Hockey as a Volunteer. Be sure to select ice hockey not disabled hockey. (You will be required to enter your current USA Hockey # during this registration with the Mighty Pens.)
STEP 3: Student Volunteers with a 2009 birth year or earlier (17 and older this hockey season) you are required to complete the USA Hockey SafeSport Training before you can participate as a 2026-2027 volunteer. Please send confirmation of your SafeSport completion to our Registrar & Operations Manager — Tara Garris: tara.garris@penguinssledhockey.org
Thank you for volunteering with the Pittsburgh Mighty Penguins Sled Hockey organization. Your time and energy help our athletes thrive!
Register