Greetings from Europe

[n1devil]

Good morning ladies and germs.I´m a hockey player from the Portuguese national champions team "Barracudas".We have a website I can invite u all to see, although the english version will only be available at the end of June.However, multimedia is universal, so u guys go on and take a look.
www.barracudasonline.com
Portugal is located in western europe, right across the Atlantic Ocean, right in front of NY city if you have a world map ... lol ... next to Spain.The girls goin to Bilbao for the WC may eventually know.Anyways, I hope to get some new friends here to chat about hockey or whatever.I hope one day play with some of ya, who knows.Although, maybe I´m too old (29) to play Pro in the states, in my country I´ve raised the highest trophy this year and worn the National Team Jersey.But here we only have less than 10 teams, so its a different reality.We went to Finland WC and finished 2nd (from last lol) but we did go.
So ... I guess thats it.See you guys soon.
Miguel "N1Devil" Lopes
7 days without hockey makes a weak

[RichardGraham]

Hello Miguel,

Welcome to Inline Hockey Central. Do you play what we call ball-and-cane style roller hockey? I know that Portugal and many European countries are excellent at that version of the sport. Or do you play inline hockey like it is played (mainly) in North America?

I enjoyed your message. Whichever version of the sport you play, you are welcome at Inline Hockey Central.

[n1devil]

Hi Richard,

I play inline hockey.And Ice Hockey whenever I get the chance to do so.Started sakting when I was 3 on quads... started playing on ball-and-cane hockey like you guys say when I was 6 untill I was 19yo.The only kind of "skated" hockey portugal is traditionally recognized for.World Champions lots of time, European titles aswell,the works.Yeah, Portugal is one of the top 4 teams on that kinda hockey.Actually, the world championship are going on as we speak, in Switzerland, if I´m not mistaken.But to be sincere, I´m not into that anymore.I enjoyed it when I played, but Ice Hockey was always my passion, and the birth of Inline hockey a dozen years ago in Portugal made me feel closer to my true passion.Right now, I can honestly say I love in-line hockey.Unfortunantely, we only have one team prepared for international reality, the other are miles away.Good thing is, I have the honor to be part of that one.We have very good offensive players, most coming from "quad school", meaning great stick-handling and speed.However, we lack the routines, the go and try again and again.We do have a Finnish coach, which gives us some edge.To give you an idea, spanish teams are already on a good level, and we go toe to toe with some of them.And some we beat good.Anyways, glad to be among you guys to chat, so whatever you may wanna know,let ME know.Thumbs up!

Miguel

[RichardGraham]

Hi Miguel,

Thanks for your reply and the additional information. Again, welcome to Inline Hockey Central.

I'd imagine that some of the ball-and-cane hockey tournament organizers are just as disappointed about players like you switching to inline hockey, as some inline hockey organizers are about inline hockey players switching to ice. You've played those three versions of hockey; what are your thoughts on that?

[n1devil]

Hi Richard,

Thanks again for the warm welcome in your forum.
Well, first and foremost, traditional hockey (like they call ball-and-cane hockey around here) organizers not only feel bad about losing players to inline, they see inline as a threat to their life´s work, so to say.They make our life pretty damn miserable in terms of organization.Due to the fact we must be filliated to a federation to compete on high level, they made sure we got sorry to switch.High payments to officialize teams, referees (only a few from traditional hockey went through the inline rules course)...and eventually, we had to turn to another federation ( FPDG - the portuguese ice sports federation, that inclusively was called in its former years of existence, Portuguese Federation of Ice Sports AND Inline hockey).Due to problems between the most recognized federation in Portugal ( the one I referred to a couple of lines above - the one ruling the ball-and-cane and quad figure skating - FPP - Portuguese Skating Federation) and the Ice Sports Federation, the chain broke on its weakest link - Inline Hockey.There were many efforts on our part to minimize the consequences, but we got penalized and stood 1 year without competition.One should ask himself where in the hell of a country are we... aren´t we free to play what we love and are good at ? Thing is, in my opinion, and I do know I speak for all my team mates, and other teams, there should be a common interest in any kind of sport, regardless what it is.However, we do understand the menace they see when people watch us play.Faster game, high scoring games... in short, what people like to watch.
On my side, I can´t even see ball-and-cane as a modern game.I feel I´m watching my ancestors play, know what I mean.I´m not bringing down the sport, not at all... I´m just saying I wouldn´t prevent them from playing and practicing, so they should leave us alone and play the game.Fortunately, an official League of Inline Hockey is being registered in late September, so I hope things get better around here.And more teams re-appear ...yes, because due to all these "little wars" many didn´t have the money to subscribe their players.We (Barracudas) are the only team who never stopped standing our ground, and that is good.With major or minor difficulties, we remain true to the sport and alive and kickin.
Now to comparisons... if possible.Ball-and-cane is a more closed quarters one on one game.You need speed of thought and hands to make it to the goal ... like indoor soccer...you need to make lots of passes to avoid defenders ... imagine playing power play the entire game... but both teams doin it ... you know standing close to the box and passin around until you see an opening.You see many few breakaways and that is lame.However, and now switching to inline, that´s what I was talking about our offensive players being good stick handlers, we´re used to lack of space to go around the defender ... we mostly play on ball-and-cane surface so usually, we must go and take on one defender to "breathe" and find a team mate.You get tired easily but one watching a game, you see lots of sick moves.And that is what pisses traditional hockey personnel ... because they were under the impression we´re all thugs and can only skate forward.They get impressed... and we win fans.Ice Hockey... well, I love ice skating, I won´t lie to you.And some moves you can easily do without friction are almost impossible to switch to inline.It can be done, obviously... but its harder.And the fact you can always get your screws messed up by an enforcer.Inline is the middle point in my opinion, and its where I feel better at.Cause I can get more speed than in ball-and-cane ...and less hits than in Ice ... one thing´s for sure... I could play both inline and ice ...but not ball-and-cane... not mentioning you get spinal problems... you look like an old man playing that sport.And in time, slowly, but surely, you´ll get messed up.
Hope I covered your question, Richard, but keep´em coming, I´ll be happy to answer what I know.
Thanks again for the warm welcome!:)
Miguel
PS: I can´t find my name in the members list... maybe I did anything wrong in my register.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Miguel,

Wow, you gave me a lot to respond to. I hope that a lot of IHC readers will read your posts, because they apply a lot to the different battles various organizing bodies in the United States have waged over the course of the last 15 years and more.

Your comments on the differences between ball-and-cane, inline and ice hockey were very interesting and edifying. I never considered the stress on the back caused by playing ball-and-cane hockey, but I can tell you that it would be a problem for me, as I've had back problems since my college days. (And as some snarky IHC readers will tell you, that was when hockey was played with clubs and rocks.)

I agree with you that everyone should be encouraged to play the version of the game that they feel most comfortable with. The unfortunate reality is that politics (and money) often intrudes, and vested interests must have their say. Considering that 18 people are currently running for the U.S. presidency, with more likely to jump on the bandwagon soon, I guess only having two or three "governing" bodies in each country is a blessing. :cool:

I love ice hockey, too. I like a comment Joe Noris, a former professional ice and inline hockey player once said (and I'm paraphrasing: "Ice hockey and inline hockey are like chocolate and strawberry ice cream; both are great."

(I'm not sure why you don't show up on the IHC member list. Are you a vampire?) :eek: