PITTSBURGH, Pa. – November 17, 2022 – The historic Hunt Armory, introduced in the 2021-22 hockey season to both Chatham teams, has officially been sewn into the Chatham community as the 2022-23 home facility for the Cougars.
 
Chatham Athletics is beyond excited to announce this rink addition, as its inaugural NCAA games hosted by the Cougars left Chatham and hockey fans in Pittsburgh wanting more.
 
"I am beyond excited to be at the Hunt Armory this season," shared Head Women's Hockey Coach Michael O'Grady. "Having such a historic facility as a rink is an amazing step forward for our hockey programs. Our players that are here bought in to being a part of our program even when we were further from campus and now, to be able to change their experience in such a positive way, is amazing. I am grateful to everyone who worked on this project and could not be more excited to begin practicing and continue to build our relationship with the community of Shadyside."
 
The Armory became the first public ice rink within the city limits of Pittsburgh in 25 years upon its construction in November 2021. Funded by the Pittsburgh Penguins, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, and the NHL Players Association, the facility serves as the headquarters for the Penguins' diversity and community programming location. Located on Emerson Street in Shadyside, the Hunt Armory Rink has provided new opportunities for all members of the community, who previously did not have access to rinks due to their distance.
 
"The Armory project is something that was a mere idea when my class came in," commented four-year captain and fifth-year defenseman Ashley Marchant. "To have the opportunity to be a part of this project, not only for Chatham but for the surrounding community as well, is truly exciting and an honor. The facility improves our ability to maximize our student-athlete lifestyle and gives us the tools to prepare for competition that our opponents already have. For the future of this program, I can't wait to see where things go."
 
The Arena has already cemented itself into the heart of Chatham Hockey, despite each team playing just two games there so far. Cougar players and staff alike jumped into the Penguins' ICE (Inclusion Creates Equality) programs immediately, helping to gather, educate, and encourage the community's youth through diversity and opportunity. Chatham's Hockey teams were so involved in getting this program off the ground that they were awarded the Outstanding Community Service Program Award at the 2021-22 Student Awards held by the University.

Chatham's Women's and Men's teams have been playing at Pittsburgh Ice and Frozen Pond Arenas respectively, located 17 and 20 miles away from Shadyside. The Armory, however, is 0.7 miles from the heart of Chatham's main campus. While this of course benefits the hockey programs my minimizing their travel time, it has bigger implications for fans.

"Having this building so close to campus will allow for opportunities to continue to grow hockey not only at Chatham, but in the city of Pittsburgh," stated Head Men's Hockey Coach Michael Gershon. "We can't wait for the support that we had when we played two games at the Armory last year to continue for a full season this year. I would like to thank everyone that has worked to get this project off the ground and past the finish line. This is a great day not only for Chatham Hockey, but for hockey in all of Pittsburgh!"

The arena's proximity presents opportunities for students to walk to games, much like they do now for Volleyball and Basketball games at the school's on-campus Athletics and Fitness Center. The Armory also hosts public skates, which students are encouraged to attend in their free time.

Students, friends, family, community members, visiting team fans, and any persons interested in attending a Cougars Hockey game are to park on Chatham's main Shadyside campus, free of charge, and be driven to the arena via Chatham shuttle. The arrangement best respects the community's space while still providing a full game day experience.

"The Armory presents an opportunity to enhance the student-athlete experience at a nearby location," said Vice President of Athletics and Recreation Leonard Trevino. "We have no doubt that the Penguins Organization will present a first-rate facility that the Chatham Community can experience both in supporting our teams and in participating in events such as free skates."

Outside of being home to the Cougars' practices and games, the Armory will continue to be a place to grow and diversify the game of hockey by hosting varying programming that will be open to the public this season.

With hockey season already underway, the Cougars are ready to perform on the big stage right in their own backyard.