The Palouse Youth Hockey Association (PYHA) is what it is today, because of the many hours that parents, players and families dedicate to our growing youth hockey program. PYHA is a 100% volunteer-run organization.

For this reason, PYHA encourages its members to participate in a minimum of 15 hours per year towards hockey and ice rink related activities. There are many opportunities for volunteers to become involved during the season and all year around. Please read on and select the volunteer job that works best for you and your family.  All Officers, Coaches, Coordinators, and Managers automatically receive 15 volunteer hours for their valued contributions - too many to count!

Tournaments

Each season, the PeeWees, Squirts, and Mites host tournaments at the Palouse Ice Rink. Tournaments offer opportunities to play other associations, raise money and have fun! There are many things you can do to help.  Here are some examples: running the clock, keeping score, volunteering for penalty box, organizing bake sales, baking cookies, sponsoring a raffle basket, being the MC, selling raffle tickets, making signs, helping set things up and cleaning up afterwards.  The more volunteers, the better the tournament!

Tasks:

PEEWEE Winter Freeze Tournament:
Takes place the first week of January at the Palouse Ice Rink.  The PeeWee Division hosts a tournament for up to six teams.  Please contact the PeeWee Team Manager if you would like to help.

Harry W. Lee SQUIRT Classic:
Takes place the first weekend in March at the Palouse Ice Rink. This tournament is named in memory of PYHA's previous president, Harry W. Lee whose untimely death shocked and saddened our hockey association and community.  Harry gave countless hours of his time to volunteer, raise money and strengthen PYHA's hockey program. Harry's memory continues to inspire the best in each of us.  Please contact the Squirt Team Manager if you would like to help at this tournament.

MITE Winter Freeze Tournament:
Takes place the second weekend in February at the Palouse Ice Rink. Please contact the Mite Team Manager if you would like to help with this tournament.

Seamstress:
Sometimes our jerseys or a gear bag may need to be repaired or a players warm-ups need hemming. If your skill is sewing, we need you!  Please contact PYHA's jersey coordinator to find out how you can help. 

On-ice, Temporary Skate Staff/Guard:
The Palouse Ice Rink staff are often very busy during weekend public skate sessions. Skate Staff/Guards reinforce skating speed limits, ensure that everyone is going in the same direction and having a good time. If anyone 12 and older are interested in helping in this capacity, please contact the PIR staff at (208) 882-7188.

Parades:

Parade Coordinator - Volunteer(s) Welcome!! 
Why does PYHA enter parades? The Palouse Youth Hockey Association sets it’s skaters loose on roller blades and on foot, along with parents and siblings as a form of outreach for those who may not be aware of the Palouse Ice Rink!  We hand out free skate passes, candy and enjoy sharing Bear Spirit in the community.  If you are interested in coordinating Lentil Festival Grand Parade, UI Homecoming, or Light Up the Night Parade, please email Susan Hunt at sjaehunt@yahoo.com.

Lentil Festival & Grand Parade: 
Every Fall, around August, the Pullman Chamber of Commerce sponsors this weekend long event celebrating the delicious and nutritious lentil with mascot, Tase T.!

Friday Night Street Fair: PYHA sets up Shoot the Puck on Goal at the Children’s Area Fair with Palouse Ice Rink information booth.

The Grand Parade starts Saturday morning and heads from Neil Public Library down Grand & Main Streets to Reaney Park in Pullman.

UI Vandal Home Coming Parade:
This popular parade takes place late October on Main Street Moscow.  PYHA comes out in full force, rain or shine, wearing game jerseys to support the UI Vandals to hand out candy and public skate passes.  If you would like to help coordinate this event, please contact Susan at: sjaehunt@yahoo.com.

Holiday Light Up the Night Parade:
This parade is a competition for best lighted float (or Zamboni in our case) on Main Street Moscow, 7PM early December.  Dress warm and come celebrate the holidays with the Little Yellow Zamboni, hand out skate passes and candy to thousands of children.

If you would like to coordinate decorating the zamboni, please contact Susan at: sjaehunt@yahoo.com.

Fall Registration/Gear Swap - Volunteers Welcome!
Every October, PYHA hosts registration and gear swap at the Palouse Ice Rink.  Watch for announcements online and in the local newspaper this September 2010.  Families may register their player(s) with USA Hockey on site and rent, swap or buy used gear at bargain prices.  If you would like to volunteer to help at registration, please contact Joanne Tirocke at: nocitymouse@yahoo.com


Fundraising Volunteers Always Welcome -Join the Team!
If you would like to be a part of the Bear Booster fundraising committee, please email Brant Schroeder at brant@magmag.biz.  This committee is made up of at least one representative from each division.  Bear Booster fundraisers in the past have included Rendezvous in the Park, Latah County Fair Pick it Up, Chocolate Pucks sales, hockey puck car magnets,USA Hockey Weekend Across America, Renaissance Chili at the Moscow Renaissance Fair and the Alternative Giving Market in Moscow, Id.

Public Relations Coordinator - Volunteer Needed
Responsible for submitting youth hockey events to the Moscow-Pullman Daily News; Local Briefs, Sports Editor, Inland Northwest Radio, WSU Evergreen, UI Argonaut and other media.  Events such as registration and gear swap, free youth try hockey, tournaments, fundraisers, and ensures sponsors are acknowledged for their support.