Inline Popularity

[Liser]

Hi. My name is Lisa and I am a student at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN. This summer I am taking a Marketing class in which we explore trends and their respective industries. I am doing a project on inline hockey and some industries that are related to it, i.e. dasher boards and floors. I was wondering if some of you would help me with my project by answering a few of the following questions for me - as I am currently at a dead end and really need some help! I would like to know where you think the inline market currently is and where you think it is headed; in other words, what do think the inline market is? Who are inline hockey players, where are they and do they play ice hockey? Also, as an inline hockey player, what are some of your preferred qualities for floors and dasher boards, and what would you like to see improved? Lastly, are there national or international leaders and/or sports figures related to the inline industry?

Please help me - I really would like to know what inline hockey players think - Thanks!

Lisa

[dcdawgs]

I think that the market for inline hockey is still at an infant stage and growing. It is the World's fastest growing teamsport, and I think only time will tell.
Alot of inline hockey players play ice as well. When there was professional leagues, a lot of the players played in the minors or at college ice.
Some of the hotspots are Southern California, and the Denver area for certain. I think anything west of the Mississippi River, its huge. Here in D.C. it is getting big, but there hasn't been a boom yet.
Everyone has there own preference for flooring and boards. Personally I like Icecourt flooring because the puck moves fast, just like ice. Border Patrol Boards are good as well, they are probably the most popular boards in the market.
The US is a dominant country for inline hockey, but that is changing. USA Roller Sports (Hockey, the governing body if roller gets into the Olympics) has won 6 of 7 World Championships, and USA Hockey Inline (run by USA Hockey) is also good but hasn't done to well the past couple years, finishing in the top three though.
As far as National leaders, its tuff to say. In big national tournaments the teams sponsored by the roller hockey companies do the best, particularly Mission and Hyper.
I don't really think that there is like one figure for the sport. The sport hasn't been around really long enough to have that yet. There are players who are great and get recognized for their talent somewhat and they are Joe Cook (now coaches USA Hockey Inline), Jeff Nelson (played pro, and with USA), CJ Yoder (another pro and USA), as well as two goalies: Joe Bonvie and Rob Laurie (both played pro and with USA).
Let me know if you need any other help.
Hans

[Hockey_nut97]

I dont know how much I can help you, but from what I have seen, inline hockey players are everywhere. The problem isn't the amount of players, it is the lack of quality facilities, especially in the north. In the more southern and warmer regions where ice is difficult to maintain, inline hockey has thrived(california, florida, and texas). The market for the sport also tends to be in the larger cities, especially those with nhl franchises.
As far as playing Ice and Inline, about half of my team is made up of kids who play both, the other half have never played ice.
As far as facility equipment goes, I dont know too much about it.
If you are doing research on players equipment, many players use the same equipment that is used for ice (except for the skates of course). The biggest skate companies in inline are Bauer, Mission, CCM, and Tour.
I dont know how much you know about inline, but many different types of wheels are used for different surfaces, player's weight, and different skate types. The biggest companies are Parabolics, Hyper, Labeda, Red Star, Kryptonics, and Kuzak.
I hope what i have given you can help, if u need anything more specific i might be able to help.

Matt Kurczewski #18
Moon HS Inline Hockey