Leagues

[Tim46]

Hi, I was just wondering if the leagues you guys all talk about are proffesional, semi-pro or what. If so what is the pay like for the professional leagues and what do you get for playing in a semi-pro league.

Thanks

[NLane]

In MLRH-AAA no one is supposed to get paid and the ideal is that the owner/gm/team covers expenses like travel, hotels, insurance and league fees for the players. Sometimes that happens and sometimes it doesn't but when it does we like to think of it as semi-pro. I know this will spark the usual debate of pro vs semi-pro, etc., but this is how I see it.

[Hystyk28]

In PIHA, my players (Labeda Lunatics), get compensated a couple ways.

1-Pay- it's not much but depending on your home attendance the players can make some money.

2-Equipment- Pants, Gloves, Wheels, Jerseys, and Tape.

3-Food and Beverage- Beer, Pizza, Fries, and Redbull.

4- 24 games plus play-offs.

As you can see don't plan of quitting your day job, but if you ask anyone that plays- it's a lot of fun!

Hope that gave you a better feel for "Pro" inline hockey.

<A HREF="http://www.LabedaLunatics.com" target="_new">http://www.LabedaLunatics.com</A>

[Tim46]

Thanks guys, i live in Australia so to me your inline league sounds pretty cool. We do have a national ice hockey league where the same thing happenens, minus of corse the free gear, but we have nothing like that for inline. Would it be at all possible to get a list of all the leagues you guys are talking about and also the teams that play in them. Thansk alot

[Db55UD02]

www.mlrh.com Only full contact roller league in NA.
www.proinlinehockey.com Non Contact summer league with showcase players such as CJ Yoder and Jay Mazer.

www.torhs.com Probably the best tournaments around.

www.growlhockey.com Home of the team I play with and various other links to other sites. Hope this helps...
Dave

[MDE3]

As stated accurately in other posts there are two "leagues" operating now, one of which(PIHA)is classified as "Pro"..where there may be some compensation based on gate but it is still in a "growth phase", Another league (MLRH) which is classed as AAA and operated as "Semi Pro" - as stated in a previous post - and the level of contribution varies somewhat from organization to organization. It would be fair to say that most clubs try to pay for the rink time, some contribution to transport costs, and some level of equipment subsidy.

The other level of "Pro" mentioned as TORHS Pro Series, is a series of tournaments across the country for elite "pro" teams which are made up of the best players the organizations(teams) can find around the country, and where there is a cash prize for the tournament winning team. At the Regional Tournaments, these cash prizes are not huge but certainly help offset the winning team's travel costs, or maybe a little more($3000 - $4000 for first place in 2002/03). But at TORHS Pro Nationals first place wins $40,000 for the team, second gets $10,000.

In the USA the "pro" versions of inline hockey are just getting off the ground again, after the demise of the old RHI (Pro)league, and the original MLRH (Major League Roller Hockey)which was Pro.

You may have read in here about a new format of Pro Inline Hockey called "Speed Hockey" which is played 3 on 3 but in a half size rink, full contact, recessed goals, and a few other different twists. Intended to maximize excitement in the game, this new series of Pro Inline Hockey is just starting. The first exhibition game was held in September, and the next one will be held this winter. The league is scheduled to start up next spring and the players are to be paid per game, as well as having some sort of equipment subsidy we assume. The opening page for this website has all the information for Speed Hockey I believe. There is some discussion about having these(league)games televised on a National network as well.

[ottakringerGM1]

I will try to answer this to my best ability. MLRH is probably the closest thing to a "PRO" league in that teams travel from state to state for games, operate thier own companys and recieve compensation by gate , concession, merchandising sales etc. Players recieve a portion of this from their owners based on how much that team brings in. Some of the best of the best play in this league for their respective teams, players such as C.J. Yoder, Mike Cianfrani, Mike Hunt, Rob MacInnis, Stephane Charbonneau, Ron Tracy etc etc etc. This is a cash league with a $ 3,000 check to the Champs.

PIHA is a summer league with most of the same talent. this a non-check league ran well by Mr. Yoder. All teams are pennsylvania based to my knowledge. PIHA also does a good job marketing this league as non-check as most sponsers shy away from full-contact, fighting permitted rules of engagement. not sure if there is a cash prize here. someone will correct me here shortly if im wrong

TORHS is a tournament series which runs throughout the year being played at choice rinks across the u.s. I bielive a LARGE (around 10,000) cash prize is offered for the TORHS Pro series. Before i respond more on this id advise you to contact torhs.com for a better response than mine.

Any more questions let me know BK

[SpiderRat]

Mike Hunt????
The TORHS Pro Series Final was for $40,000. In which Team RinkRat won.
Just kidding Mike. Hey, I gave RinkRat a plug.

[Tim46]

So the MLRH is a full contact league and is closer to 'pro' than the other league. PIHA is a summer comp as well as being non check. What months do these leagues run in, and how many games would they play a week. I am from Australia and of course our months/seasons are different to yours.

Thanks

[ottakringerGM1]

and of course Roger "the rock" Lee

[GROWL]

PIHA is about to finish with the Finals this week. The leagues pretty much compliment each other. PIHA runs April - October and MLRH runs October - March. I do believe however that PIHA is going to start in mid March next season and end sometime in late July. Though the cash prize isn't that of TORHS, you can't count out NARCh Pro division, though their junior division is probably the best hockey to watch.