There’s something magical about learning to skate—the glide across the ice, the sound of blades carving turns, the sheer joy of movement. But for many years, that experience was hard to come by for Pittsburgh kids. With no indoor rink in the city for over two decades, families had to travel to suburban facilities, often far away and inaccessible by public transit. Add in the cost of lessons and rentals, and access to hockey was out of reach for many.
That changed in 2021 when the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, in partnership with Highmark, opened the Highmark Hunt Armory Ice Rink in Shadyside. Centrally located, accessible, and inclusive, the rink quickly became a gateway to the sport for thousands of local children and families.
Now, as the Penguins Foundation concludes its fourth and final season overseeing the rink, the impact is clear. More than 30,000 people have used the facility since it opened. With free skate rentals, affordable programming, and flexible scheduling, the Armory removed longstanding barriers and welcomed a new generation of skaters into the sport.
Programs like Learn to Skate and Sidney Crosby’s Little Penguins Learn to Play introduced foundational skills to children ages 4–10, helping them gain confidence and experience teamwork. During the 2023.24 season, nearly half of the participants were girls, and more than a third identified as non-Caucasian, demonstrating the Foundation’s success in expanding access to youth who have traditionally had less exposure to the game.
In addition to on-ice programs, the Foundation also supported a wide array of initiatives through the Armory, including PensFIT, Try Hockey for Free, Community Skates, and the Willie O’Ree Academy—each designed to make hockey more approachable, inclusive, and connected to the broader Pittsburgh community.
A highlight of the final season was the Highmark Bright Blue Futures Community Day, held on February 22. Coinciding with National Try Hockey for Free Day, the celebration featured free public skating and skate rentals, games, music, local vendor booths, face painting, and more, bringing together families to mark the success of the rink’s fourth season.
The event also spotlighted a joint initiative from the Penguins Foundation and Highmark Health to support children in the foster care system. A grant to Pittsburgh-based Day Owl provided nearly 1,000 backpacks filled with comfort and care items—pajamas, blankets, books, and more—for local nonprofits serving children in transition. Additional donations came from Comfort Cases, with packing support from World Vision in Sewickley, PA. Backpacks were distributed to Allegheny County Youth Services, Bethany Christian Services, Every Child Inc., Wesley Family Services, Homeless Children’s Education Fund, and Three Rivers Youth.
With the conclusion of the 2024.25 season, the Penguins Foundation has transitioned management of the rink to Chatham University. The Highmark Hunt Armory now enters a new chapter, but its mission remains unchanged. It stands as a symbol of inclusion, access, and opportunity—proof of what’s possible when sport and community come together. As Pittsburgh continues to build its legacy on the ice, the Highmark Hunt Armory stands as a vital part of that story—one that’s just getting started.
