Arrows National Bound Program
The Armstrong Arrows National Bound Program is an Elite Tier II Hockey Program with the intent of their teams competing for the USA Hockey Tier II National Championships each year. This is the Armstrong Arrows National Bound Program’s 10th year of existence. The 16U National Bound Team qualified for the USA Hockey Tier II National Championships in 2016, 2017 & 2018. The 18U National Bound Team qualified for the 2019, 2022 and most recently 2024 USA Hockey Tier II National Championships. In just the first season, the newly formed 16U National Bound Team made it to the USA Hockey Tier II National Championship Game!
MOST RECENT CHAMPIONSHIPS
2024-2025 PAHL AA SEASON CHAMPIONS - ARROWS 18U
2023-2024 PAHL AA SEASON & PLAYOFF CHAMPIONS - ARROWS 16U & 18U
2023-2024 MlD AM CHAMPIONS - ARROWS 18U
The goal of each National Bound Team is to win the USA Hockey Tier II National Championship.
USA Hockey 2026 Tier II National Championship Locations:
14U - Dallas, TX
16U – Irvine, CA
18U - West Chester, PA
You must click on and read the AAHL Tryout & Travel Hockey Guide 2025-2026 before registering.
Ages
14U NB: 2011 to 2012 Birth Years
16U NB: 2009 to 2010 Birth Years
18U NB: 2007 to 2008 Birth Years
When
14U NATIONAL BOUND TRYOUTS
April 9th 6:10-7:10 PM Clinic
April 13th 4:10-5:10 PM Tryout
April 14th 6:00-7:00 PM Tryout
April 15th 6:00-7:00 PM Tryout
16U NATIONAL BOUND TRYOUTS
April 10th 6:10-7:10 PM Clinic
April 13th 6:20-7:20 PM Tryout
April 14th 7:10-8:10 PM Tryout
April 15th 7:10-8:10 PM Tryout
18U NATIONAL BOUND TRYOUTS
April 10th 7:20-8:20 PM Clinic
April 13th 7:30-8:30 PM Tryout
April 14th 8:20-9:20 PM Tryout
April 15th 8:20-9:20 PM Tryout
Where
The Armstrong Arrows National Bound Program is based and operated from The Belmont Complex located at 415 Butler Rd. Kittanning, PA 16201.
Practices
Ice practices will begin in July. Teams will practice 1 time per week until August at ice rink TBD. Regular season ice practices will be at the Belmont Complex starting in August. National Bound Teams will have 2 ice practices per week (set weekday practice schedule after season begins). National Bound Teams are High School Friendly. Players are permitted to miss practice for High School Games. Players are expected to attend the National Bound practices if there are any other conflicts in schedule such as practice.
Players will be provided with a required off-season training program that begins in May.
Games
16U &18U National Bound Teams:
- 45-50 Total Games
- PAHL Season
- Tournaments - 2 Home / 3 Away
- 8-10 Independent Games
- Mid Am & USA Hockey National Championships (Must Qualify)
14U National Bound Team
- 40-45 Total Games
- PAHL Season
- Tournaments 2 Home / 2 Away
- 8-10 Independent Games
- Mid Am & USA Hockey National Championships (Must Qualify)
National Bound Coordinator will select Tournaments/Showcases and Independent Games for each National Bound Team.
UNIFORMS
Armstrong Arrows 14U/16U/18U National Bound Teams are required to wear navy blue helmets and navy blue gloves. Player uniforms also consist of home / away jerseys, socks, and shell. Each player will be required and responsible for the purchase and care of their Arrows uniform. Costs associated with their uniform are not included in the season fee (Approximately $210).
National Bound Players will receive a team issued hockey equipment bag and practice jersey at no additional cost.
Costs - Payments / Payment Plans / Fundraising
All payments will be made online through the online registration via a scheduled payment schedule. A pay in full option will be available as well as a payment plan option. There is a an additional $50 added to payment plans due to transaction fees. Each National Bound Player is required to sell $500.00 in raffle tickets in addition to season fees.
* No Hidden Fees - Everything is Included
Please see the AAHL Tryout & Travel Hockey Guide 2025-2026 for program fees..
2025 - 2026 SEASON
** Please download and read the "AAHL Tryout and Travel Hockey Guide 2025 - 2026" found on the home page.
If registering before April 1, 2025, your USA Hockey Confirmation Number will not be required to complete the online registration. You will be required to upload your 2025-2026 USA Hockey Confirmation Number to the AAHL Website as soon as USA Hockey Registration opens for the 2025-2026 Season.
If registering after April 1, 2025, your USA Hockey Confirmation Number for the 2025 - 2026 season will be required to complete the online registration.
Register now for the upcoming season!
_______________________________________
2025-2026 National Bound Coaching Staff:
National Bound Coordinator - Lee Grafton
18U Head Coach - Lee Grafton
16U Head Coach - Lee Grafton
14U Head Coach - Mike Simone
18U Coach - Tanner Gilliland
18U Coach -
16U Coach - Luke Killmeyer
16U Coach -
14U Coach - Tyler Snyder
14U Coach - Ethan Miller
Goaltender Coach - Nick Mish (ETM Goaltending Development)
* National Bound Coordinator will directly oversee all National Bound Teams and assist with coaching.
* All National Bound Coaches Are Non-Parent Coaches
* Click on Link Below for National Bound Coaching Staff Bios
https://www.armstrongarrows.com/parent-resources/national-bound-coaching-staff/706
_______________________________________
AAHL reserves the right to hold supplemental tryouts to fill any & all open roster positions post open tryouts.
AAHL will adhere to all policies of USA Hockey and Mid Am in regards to tryout dates.
Tier II / PAHL Team Placement:
AAHL will make a placement recommendation, but the PAHL determines the final placement of ALL teams in the league. AAHL cannot guarantee the level of play for any team playing in PAHL.