Newbie Here

[TheRageHeadCoach]

Hello all,

My name is Joshua Brown with the Rage Roller Hockey, a travel roller hockey team in Allentown, PA. I'm so happy that there is life in the roller hockey world. Around this area, its dead. I'm working to change that, but i'm hoping to get your support. Allentown is about 1 hour north of philly.

Over the next few days I'll be posting about a possible OUTDOOR roller hockey tournament in Allentown, and I'd like to get your opinions on it.

I hope to be very active here, like i said, its great to see some life in the roller hockey world!

Thanks,
Josh

Joshua Brown
Head Coach / Manager
Rage Roller Hockey
www.ragehockey.net

[MDE3]

Do you go Tues. and Wed. nights to Skateaway?

[TheRageHeadCoach]

Hiya,

No actually we were there last saturday, we practice at an outdoor rink at Jordan Meadows on the American Parkway.

We're looking to practice at Skateaway on Satuday.

Joshua Brown
Head Coach / Manager
Rage Roller Hockey
www.ragehockey.net

[MDE3]

Hey there - most of the local talent that I know in the area plays there - Tues. nights its A/B level - Wed. nights C/D level -starts around 10:00 goes till midnight more or less. There are a couple of guys who play or have played PIHA and Major League as well as a some Gold and Silver level Narch tournaments, who play on Tues. nights there.

[TheRageHeadCoach]

Hmm yes, Mike Kokolus is the one who reserves the rink for me there. His kid is playing for me. Remember, we are a 14U team.

Joshua Brown
Head Coach / Manager
Rage Roller Hockey
www.ragehockey.net

[TheRageHeadCoach]

Whoops, sorry about that, i apparently forgot to mention 14 U, although i planned to.

I just replied to someone who emailed me and mentioned, that we would like to expand in the future, but right now it is not possible.

For our team we go around to the Comets, and local area JV hockey teams to get players.

I've picked up players such as Andrew Simonson, David Orwan, Zach Schiffer, from local ice hockey teams. These are some of the best 14U players available. In addition, RT 100's superstar, Roby Schaffer also plays for me.

It's no contest though, we're the only organized travel 14U team, so i basically have my pick of players.

Joshua Brown
Head Coach / Manager
Rage Roller Hockey
www.ragehockey.net

[MDE3]

Good to see - that area used to be a powerhouse for roller hockey when the Skateaway Bandits were in full bloom - won quite a few Gold and Silver medals at USAC (then) Nationals in both puck and ball.

[TheRageHeadCoach]

That's great to hear. Although lately, it seems like a dump, if we're talking about the same skateaway in whitehall. We were there Saturday morning, and will be again this Saturday at 1230, and wow was it pretty nasty. While the rink itself was nice and done, there were trash bits all over the place, spiders crawling in the front hall, and the lady telling us "Well we're getting an exterminator", haha. Oh well, we needed an indoor place to practice and we get it for free, so you live with what you get :).

Joshua Brown
Head Coach / Manager
Rage Roller Hockey
www.ragehockey.net

[MDE3]

Well "back in the day" LOl doesn't seem that long ago - that old "disco rink" was pretty much the standard forum for all inline hockey and still is in many regions. It is hard to believe that a region like ABE with almost a million people (greater metro area including Phillipsburg) cannot support one decent full size sport court facility. Many of us have been waiting for that to happen - rumours pop up every few years but fade away again.

As for the spiders - no doubt they were just trying to get out of the rain..........

If you are going to be competitive in the various tournaments you will play in (not sure which series you are looking at AAU/USARS or TORHS, or Narch, or Triple Crown, ECHO or if you know yet) - it is important that you get some time on sport court or similar - it is easier to be at your best if you are used to the surface differences. That floor at skateaway is pretty grippy but the wheels that work there may not work well on Sport court, and the puck speed and feel is also different on sport court.

There are those in here that would disgree but trust me there is a pretty big difference in traction and feel.

You will find that at certain tournaments the talent level is pretty stiff and will inspire you to get some serious practice in. Again - good luck

[TheRageHeadCoach]

Thanks for the best wishes, i appreciate it, I'll let you all know on Sunday how we did at Nike Quest.

As far as a facility here, I am in constant contact with the Parks director about getting a tournament at Jordan Meadows. ONce/If we get enough interest in that, I think i could probably get the city to shell out a few bucks to build something decent.

I know that within a few months if not weeks, the city would turn a profit from a facility like this.

Joshua Brown
Head Coach / Manager
Rage Roller Hockey
www.ragehockey.net