World Roller League Web-Site Now UP

[wrlpres]

The World Roller League is pleased to announce its web site is now up and running. The web site is not totally amazing but gives you and insight into the league. The address is: www.freewebs.com/wrl/

Regards,
Marc Lefebvre
President, World Roller League

[missionhockey21]

I'll be sure to check it out. Thanks

[calihockey]

how many games are you looking at for the first season? varies on number of teams or is there a set number you are looking at?

[wrlpres]

I am looking at 10-16 games for the first season.

Regards
Marc Lefebvre
President, World Roller League

[columbus_RHstar]

Marc, like the website, very informative, just one question though. Why only one penalty box attendant, souldn't there be 2?

[wrlpres]

columbus, its basically up to the home team whether or not if they want to have a second penalty box attendent.

Regards,
Marc Lefebvre
President, World Roller League

[Hystyk28]

What is going to set your league apart from either PIHA or MLRH? Yours sounds very similar to their league plans/concepts.

[wrlpres]

To answer your question guys is quite simple:

1. by having a non-contact "elite" league, it helps to bring out the skill that is supposed to be displayed in this great sport. It allows for a more wide open game. This, I believe shows that this will be more exciting than other leagues like MLRH.

2. As for the money. If you read it properly, it will be used to PROMOTE the league in different publications. I feel with promotion on the web, in the hockey news, sports illistrated, etc...This will help create a fan base to an outside audience.

Regards,
Marc Lefebvre
President, World Roller League

[wrlpres]

Seminole,

I did NOT intend my post to come out sounding rudely and I apologize for that. I want this league to be able to bring the best roller hockey players from across North America together under one league. With this happening, this allows the league to be more marketable.

Regards,
Marc Lefebvre
President, World Roller League

[RichardGraham]

Hi Seminole,

If I'm not mistaken, English may be a second language for Mr. Lefebvre, and that might be why something was "lost in translation."

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[MDE3]

I beg to differ on the contact and excitement part - but we could go at that discussion for a while.

[MDE3]

Marc we get to see both PIHA and MLRH games regularily here as my son plays in both leagues. Honestly except for maybe a couple of teams - I would not rate PIHA(as a non contact league) as any more exciting than MLRH as a lot of players do both. Frankly I think the element of full contact adds a degree of excitement to the contest. Because it is 4 on 4 there is less full contact than you would see in an ice game and the floor is still much more open even with the single offside rule. It does however provide a much more challenging chase of the puck on the boards or in the corners, and probably makes the skill moves even more exciting when they are not used just to move the puck, but also to avoid a major collision - and still keep the puck.

MLRH is NOT just goon hockey although there have been a few instances well documented - and some serious efforts to avoid those problems in the future. As far as fighting goes - I have seen almost as many fights in PIHA as in MLRH - maybe just the nature of the game.

Keep an open mind - people want to see "Professionals" at the top of their game, and playing with full contact seems to add credibility to their perception of the sport - maybe because of years of relating to ice hockey. The game is still different enough from ice to be identified as a different sport, and nothing is really lost in the translation with full contact.

As i've said in many other posts - full contact develops better skaters and more heads up players when learned at a young age. It does limit the end to end, "toe dragging", heads down, "one man team" guy though. Even TORHS has "limited full contact up against the boards. Talk to the guys who play both(versions of roller hockey) before you make up your mind(if that's not already done).

[calihockey]

i disagree with the contact. i think it does have a place eventually in a pro league, but not in an elite league. some of the guys who played mlrh out here in cali had no clue how to hit and hurt people. last i heard mlrh doesnt pay the bills. when the guys get compensation for taking that risk, then i would support full contact. for now i would say no checking (obviously its hockey so bodying up and some contact will occur)

[MDE3]

You do make a good point and the contact has to be policed. But if MLRH is trying to grow the sport into a true "Pro League" they probably need to keep the contact in their game to keep their identity and the fan's attention.

The real problem is not so much "Roller Hockey guys not knowing how to hit" because the majority of the guys playing at this level - although certainly not all - have played some serious ice hockey as well. By the way - just because someone has been taught to hit in ice hockey does not mean they hit clean either!!! I can't tell you how many nasty "illegal" and dangerous hits I have seen in ice hockey. Just watch any Pro Minor League !!

The biggest problem in both versions of the sport is guys who are brought in "to be physical" who really have more limited hockey skills and maybe experience, and who have trouble skating with the more skilled players. Their "job" is supposed to be "physical intimidation"

To accomplish their job, they are more likely to take a "blind side" shot, or make a knee to knee hit because that may be the only chance they have to do their "job", or be as close as they can come to it.

I have also seen several posts in here complaining about people "ducking under hits" as a dangerous practice. We are not talking "turtling" someone - but "ducking under a hit" causing a problem for the hitter and maybe resulting in injury. First of all ducking a hit is simply smart hockey and survival. Second if you are making a hit so out of control and with your hands held high - you better expect someone will duck under the impact. Knowing how to hit or be hit means above all - being in control of your own body. We are not talking dropping into a ball to have the "hitter" fly over the player - which is certainly illegal, just moving your head and upper body out of the way. The problem is too many players consider a "good hit" one that results in injury to an opponent - even when it is a "clean" hit. That is intimidation. A good hit in hockey - separates the puck carrier from the puck while still leaving the hitter under enough control to regain possession. If intimidation is the purpose - then the other team will go back and get a "badder" intimidator and things just get out of control.

By having a "skill evaluation try out standard" set for these leagues - some of the weaker caliber "physical players" can be eliminated. This type of program is all part of "being professional" at any sport. Look at the "master coaches manual" for ice hockey if you have any doubt that this type of evaluation process does take place.

[Hystyk28]

Marc,

First of all, I am by no means trying to tear down your efforts. But I asked what was going to differentiate your league from BOTH PIHA and MLRH.

BUT you wrote:

1. by having a non-contact "elite" league, it helps to bring out the skill that is supposed to be displayed in this great sport. It allows for a more wide open game. This, I believe shows that this will be more exciting than other leagues like MLRH.
(Sounds like PIHA to me!)

and you wrote:

To answer your question guys is quite simple:

To answer the question is simple. To do what is said is difficult. My friend...there is nothing simple in running anything in life..especially trying to put together a league for roller hockey. I do wish you the best.

[columbus_RHstar]

Okay thanks for explaining it, I thought maybe the visiting team had to bring their own.

[MBurke]

I think a lot of the "excitement" that is generated from MLRH is due to the season format. 10-12 games, do-or-die every time out.

To me, the long PIHA schedule and the weeknights that games are played on, although ambitious, might be a bit much to keep up the pace of play throughout all of the game.

Mike Burke
Commissioner
Eastern Collegiate Roller Hockey Association
http://www.ecrha.net

[missionhockey21]

That sounds like a good number of games to get started out with imo.

[spunkingguppy]

One of my questions for Marc is that if tickets are sold for games, does that money go to you for "promotion" or to the team?

The second question is if anyone or any teams have contacted you regarding registration. I don't think that any of us would like to register for a league with nobody interested.

Third, will this league be sponsored by any major product lines or corporations??? Has there been any contact with these companies regarding this league?

Four, the league description indicates that each individual team provides 2 refs for the games. Will this league investigate hiring their own set of refs to eliminate any sort of home team bias shown by home town referees. I think that all of us would like to play a game free of bias and "homer" calls.

Thanks.

[rt12]

What seperates this league from MLRH or PIHA is that World Roller is going to be playing in stadiums that seat 1000-5000 people. Unlike MLRH or PIHA who play in 500 seat barns at the max.

[Superstar9]

JUST OUT OF CURIOUSITY.. WHERE ARE THESES 1 - 5K SEAT BUILDINGS?

[Superstar9]

I dont really think "lack of talent" is as big an issue as getting the word out more about the sport.. honestly, how many people know what talent looks like anyway? Not the average person checking the game out that for sure, I dont really think that most people involved in RH know what real talent is, talent in roller hockey is based on moves and goals, nothing more. What you end up w/ is a bunch of cherry-picking, no D playing "stars".. what isnt noticed in RH as much is the well-rounded players that know when to pass. Thats not saying anything about anyone as a whole or pointing out individuals, thats just what Ive seen.. I keep the puck all game and score 8 goals.. Im a great player... I focus on winning and not agitating my teammates and I play a real sound, well-rounded game.. people say "what happened? you feel ok?" Its kinda funny, cause I feel better about my well-rounded games but then people dont notice as much. But now that I got way off topic on this post, does anyone agree that the talent level issue in having "too many leagues" isnt as important as gettin the word out more because the "average joe" doesnt know what talent looks like anyway? Personally, bring all the leagues that wanna form, get the word out, Im tired of explaining what I do every time I have a convo w/ people.

[Superstar9]

I agree rich, Im pretty sure it is... ask questions but dont critisize too much people,, be nice about it

[Superstar9]

I think the contact needs to stay because the fans want to see it, I also think that if it doesnt stay in the pros, you'll see a lot of "goons" be gone because they dont belong in the pro's, that would be AT LEAST 15% of the MLRH gone (sorry but true).. Im not against the hitting (as much as I hate it) because I do believe that people base credibilty on it a bit so it may be needed but, in order to keep it, they really have to get more strict on the cheap hits and hand out real penalties and REAL suspensions for hits from behind etc.. I dont know what a few people out there have been watching but, the NHL isnt nearly as bad w/ hitting as mlrh.. people in the NHL dont go 5 steps out of their way to kill people on every play.. they have a little more respect than that.. but then again.. they're the pros arent they.. I think theres no respect for other players in the MLRH.. thie hitting needs to be monitored a little better.. A LOT better or they need to lose it to shed the slow no-talent goons.. if not.. goodbye mlrh.. welcome all the others.. talented players dont want to lose their career because of some garbage goon decking them from behind.. it happened to me... I was as strong a supporter of MLRH as anyone.. ask bill raue, hed tell you that.. but, after what happened and nothing has changed.. you wont see me or my teams in it.. it needs to stop

[Superstar9]

thanks cali.. I was one of those players that had my season ended on a hit like that.. possibly even a permanent injury because it hasnt healed well.. sadly it was that teams first full-check game (rat dogz) .. I was new in the conference (played east coast MLRH b4 this year) and didnt expect someone to take a shot at me like that, it proved that they werent educated to checking.. MLRH pay the bill .. ha ha.. they didnt even suspend the player

[Superstar9]

I agree.. the NHL doesnt look for no talent goons built like shaq.. even people like domi or brashear can still score

[Superstar9]

hmm.. I personally hate the MLRH short schedule.. Id love to see 40+ games..w/ long playoffs

[yokes]

Ive said it before and so have others that there shouldnt be any talent dilution. MLRH is winter months MOSTLY Northeast coast. PIHA is PA and a little NJ in summer months. IHC is a little more west than MLRH and in summer also. Speed hockey is both west and east but I believe in the summer months also. Mostly these leagues arent crossing into each others areas making it more widespread and well known. The ones that are, arent interfering with each other. The only way ill see that happening is if one establishes itself as the ONE and then everybody will start to flock to that one. When one does establish itself as it the other leagues will have teams that have a foundation making way for expantion or convertion.

Its just not fun unless you stand in front of it!

[rt12]

I dont know, I read it on the league web site. When is your 2000 seat rink opening?

[MDE3]

Marc you are effectively charging US teams more than Canadian teams based on the current exchange rates - why is that? $2500.00 CDN = $1840.00 US at this time. Why not have a constant fee in one currency or the other?

Although this size arena may be easily found in Canada during the summer months - ie converted local ice arenas - it is not too easy to find them down here - most arena's of this size - if they are for ice, keep the ice over the summer. I'm not sure how successfull the latest roller over ice conversions are although I've heard of some success using an insulating layer.

What does the league offer to pay for from these fees? Just one administration salary?

Suggestion from past history - get the fees up front!!!

We have had a lot of posts on "contact" vs "non contact" on here so I won't start in again. But if attracting credibility for this league as a true form of "elite hockey" is your aim in order to grow and fill those stands - keep an open mind. Maybe add another $1500/team to cover special insurance for a contact version of the game - if that is sufficient - that's one of the big issues with any version of the contact game - in either ice or inline men's elite(non paid) levels.

[MDE3]

I think part of that problem is the up front costs it takes to commit to that kind of schedule - both for an organization as well as the individuals involved. Until the leagues is at best generating "break even money" from the games and sponsors and approaching the "player paid per game" status - ie true pro levels, that long schedule will be only a wish.

[GROWL]

Damn $2,000 a team and you can't spend $25 for your own domain name for your league?

[GROWL]

I have an even better question than that!!! Assuming all the teams magically appear, all with their own 1000-5000 seat venues, of course counting out the so called exceptions that will be made... exactly where does this league think you are going to find the fans to fill such a ridiculous amount of seats. I can't even fill my 500 seat BARN to capacity yet and our league is on its sophomore season. I don't mean to sound negative here, but I am growingly tired of the PIHA bashing and our league has made good on every part of its business plan. Not to mention that last year the league ended with the same # of teams it started with and will do so this yr. Our minor league has grown to be strong this season and next year I expect some small growth for the league. Don't bash our league if we are taking our time so it grows properly instead of too fast and uncontrolably. That said, I wish everyone involved in any pro/elite/major league the best of luck as it only helps to keep our sport strong.

[SpeedDemon]

When you find 5,000 people that want to attend a professional roller hockey game on a regular basis, you let me know! Yes, *some* RHI franchises may have done it, but it was a new and exciting product then. The only problem with filling that amount of seats is you need to recruit enough of a superstar caliber product to sell it, and roller hockey does not yet have that attribute, save about 4 teams nationwide.

Until then, playing in front of 500 people in a barn suits the rest of us just fine. After all, it's the day job that will forever pay the bills.

[Superstar9]

"The only problem with filling that amount of seats is you need to recruit enough of a superstar caliber product to sell it, and roller hockey does not yet have that attribute"

"After all, it's the day job that will forever pay the bills."

Speak for yourself, there are star players capable of bringing fans and not everyone needs a dayjob, I do just fine making $$ in hockey

[Superstar9]

I personally think PIHA is doing it right, the only problem it has is that its not national and you need that to be a credible "pro league" but, I think they will get there over time as well.. wish I could play but they arent in my region... yet.

[GROWL]

Well I must agree otherwise I personally wouldn't be involved with PIHA. We are taking our time about things at this point and have chosen to grow slowly, to ensure proper growth and not forced chaotic growth. I agree that being National would legitify the leagues "pro" status, but we are on the right track I gaurentee you. The claim our league has to being pro is that we pay our players and our owners can turn a profit. I'm not claiming anyone is getting rich, but it's a step in a positive direction for our sport. Finally, I believe strongly as a player, owner in the league, and youth coach that it is our responsibity to play the game the same way we teach it to the children we market the game too. Hope we get to your market soon.

Anthony Flynn
Tour Growl

[StormOwner]

What is going on with this league?

[StormOwner]

??