The State of Inline Hockey?

[MDE3]

Looking for your views on the overall state of the game...suggestions to improve the sport....including having a modified full contact version at the elite levels..not just MLRH..but across the board.

What does the sport need to achieve the credibility as a true form of exciting hockey...not just among the current playing population, but among generic fans of "hockey"?

[SpiderRat]

One way would be to get the sport out there through every form of media possible. I work in the same building as our local news channel, NBC, and managed to get a meeting later on this week with the sports guy. I'm hoping he can cover the Boston Elite Tournament being held at the end of this month in Tewksbury Mass.. This channel is one of the top three news channels in New England. By getting people to see the sport, the excitement, fun, and level of ability, it might spark some interest here in Massachusetts. Most people here still think inline hockey is played with a ramp behind the nets or at the local outdoor basketball courts. I'm hoping someone at ESPN down in Conn. might be watching. We need to expand the circle of the sport outside of just the players and fans. Creating buzz and interest should get our sport to where we want it to be.

[NLane]

Not an easy answer that's for sure. We got fans coming to games because the fans knew the players personally. We pushed it thru the local rinks and had a couple of coaches and school teachers on the team. That brought the kids which then brings the parents. But now we'd be pressed for fans because the local rinks are not supporting travel teams like they used to and the rec program isn't as large as it was either. I think there may just be too much to choose from with baseball, football, tennis, golf, soccer and then both ice and inline hockey. I don't think kids stick with just one anymore. Entertainment has to play a part too without getting too WWF-like.

[NLane]

Some of the most exciting games to attend are really slow moving on tape. Have you ever watched any of the game tapes from your games? It just seems boring to me yet I love it in person.

[MDE3]

Sometimes it's also the camera locations and angles....

Also what about getting Los Vegas involved in wagering on the games....once people start betting money on the games....the interest level will definitely peak.

It is also very important to have even higher monetary stakes at the Pro tournament levels I believe....people tend to believe that anything that is(played for)"free" or not "very expensive" must not be worth much.

[NCCcardinal]

I agree that there really needs to be more money prizes at the elite levels, but I think would take a different angle if I were to change the game. I've coached 10U Rec and travel roller hockey for 5 years and I strongly believe that there needs to be a stronger push for "better team play" at the lower levels. I've gone to several tournaments and watched many games and it always seems that there is one young gun on some team that scores every goal for his team. HOW BORING! I believe many fans love to watch young kids pass the puck around and score goals as a team. Plus, if young players feel that they really contribute to a team with passing and teamwork I feel they are much more likely to stick with the game. ALSO, when parents see results from their children, they are much more likely to support programs and keep their child involved with the game. Hopefully this "teamwork" philosophy will filter into the older age groups as the players mature into older age groups. Just my opinion about the game.

[dcdawgs]

I agree that the game is very slow moving. I actually was watching some of the old Bufflo Wings and Buffalo Stampede games, it to me it seemed like the Stampede game which was in 1994 was a lot faster moving than the 1999 Wings games.

I know that technology as improved on the equipment, but it just seemed like the Stampede game was so much faster.

I think that if this game were ever to be televised at any level (pro or international) the angles of the camera, everything needs to make the game look faster.

I also believe more time and money needs to be spent into marketing and advertising, to help increase attendane and viewers.

Josh