Ways to promote Professional Roller Hockey

[hockeyburlington]

I think one way to promote Professional Roller Hockey is thatb some people should put together time and money and have a RHI alumni reunion game.To find the player all you have to do is call around u will find them. Im pretty such if the old RHI players hear about this they will defenatly come. Also have a good arena (pro NHL or close to) to host the event. and then start advertiseing. this is just an idea I dont know if it would work but you never know.

if you do this people might find roller hockey interesting again and might get involved...hey roller hockey could be just like lacrosse is now

BE CANADIAN
PLAY HOCKEY

RYAN HARRISON<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by hockeyburlington on 04/01/06 03:05 PM.</EM></FONT></P>

[GROWL99]

As an alumni of RHI, I think it would be an awful idea to have a reunion game at a big venue. It was renting these big arenas that doomed RHI in the first place. I believe that roller hockey has to be advertised as a young persons sport, boy or girl. Think of it like the X-games, with all these young kids doing crazy moves on bikes and skateboards. Once you get these kids involved, the sponsors will follow, and then roller hockey will be off to the races.

[bling45]

I definatly agree with GROWL99...The big arenas and cost is what did alot of the RHI in...Getting smaller arenas and letting the fans(kids especially) get close to the action and the players is key for success all around, for the players to be recognized and for the kids to see what equipment the "PRO's" are using could benifit the sponsers for sure...The "pro" game needs to stay small and grass roots oriented right now in order to grow into something bigger in the future....

[CoachChrisG]

If a reunion were to happen there are 2 cities I believe could work with a larger arena: Anahiem and St. Louis. (I think the old Kiel aud is still around but don't quote me as I haven't been there in years.) Anahiem is a no brainer in terms of locale though.

What I would do is something that has been discussed on other boards for other sports. That is a convention/fantasy camp. Have a reunion with a fanfest at a hotel or convention centre or hall. If said location has enough room to put up boards and a court, have a reunion game and skills camp as part of the weekend. Charge a somewhere in the $50 range for this with varying degrees of access depending on what package fans were to buy.

I've been to my fair share of trade conventions, fanfests and geekcons so I've seen this concept done well and done badly as well. However, having a game and camp involved may be a bit of new territory. (Although the Gretzky Fantasy Camps in Arizona are similar.)

It isn't the greatest idea but it may work.

Just my $.02.

[cougarsrh]

I'd invite any of the pros to take a look at the equipment that some of our kids have - since their parents are still footing the bill and think they have the next Crosby, their stuff is top notch and they don't have to get up in the morning and think about mortgages, etc.
I think PIHA is running in the right direction, slow and steady. Just need to continue to keep up a quality product and remember that the kids are dreaming and practicing moves that will spin many 25 year olds around in circles, so it takes alot to impress them to come out and watch. If you disagree, think back to when you were their age.

[born2runPROgm]

Just keep letting PIHA make Baby steps.... Although the additional divisions that will be added this summer are a little larger steps than those of an infant, but as long as we keep going in the right direction I'll be happy. just keep the grass roots approach going... small steps and no falls = success and promotion(lol)

"The defenseman formerly known as #11"

[Brooklynite10]

Jimmy, I agree with the X-Games concept. I posted a similar, but much more detailed message almost a year ago. Here is that message in a nut shell: I think that our sport would reach it's pinnacle if it made it into the X-Games. The rumor going around last year was that one of the reasons the XIHL league was started was to try to get into the X-Games. The regular season was to be played prior to the Games, then the playoffs and championship would take place during the Games. That would have been pretty amazing. Maybe PIHA can pull it off.

[89jettawolfs]

I think PIHA is going in the right direction. trying to get too big too fast will kill the sport and set it back a long way. While i still think it is a long time untill there is another true pro league it can't be rushed too much. Adding divisions to PIHA and spreading out slowly will help it too grow. i think next year is going to be a good year for the league. But only time will tell.

[Hystyk28]

I really don't think roller hockey is an extreme sport. Now if you bring back the ramps, add a Jager shot after each goal given up(both teams you marys), use a squirrel instead of a puck, and put rubber bumpers on the bottom of the boa...oh nevermind. :)

[Brooklynite10]

Fast game on wheels, plenty of physical contact, flashy bright uniforms; i think it would be a good fit.

[Brooklynite10]

I 2nd that ! PIHA has made great strides.

[FrankFrank]

Sorry, gotta agree with Rock on this one. Ramps and squirels and Jager just sound so much more exciting then flashy uni's. Hahaha!!!

F~F