MLRH is Back!

[mcchockey9]

Has anyone read the MLRH site lately. If not, they are going pro, with players being paid. The pay will be alot like the old RHI. I know the owners very well, and they will get the league going, and run it extremely well. Check it out. It will be a good opportunity for anyone is a TRUE professional hockey player, and has the time and resources to play. Also, it would be nice if everyone supported this, and didn't knock it until deserves such an attitude.

[seanth123]

That sounds great! I live in baltimore, and watched alot of MLRH last season. Mostly DC Mad Dawgs. I understand that most of the MLRH teams are going PIHA, but it is smart to offer MLRH after the PIHA season. I know that the Crush are mostly ice hockey guys, and they are fun to watch compete at the checking game. They are not very big, but they move fast, and know how to give/take a check for their size! Being an ex ice hockey kind of guy, they proved what my coaches always told me about contact hockey. Plus, roller hockey year round! YES! (my wife is going to hate me).

[Dave Garland]

It will be interesting to see if the following things happen:

1. Players actually being paid and if so how much?

2. Attempting to run a pro league during the bulk of tournament season.

3. What markets are they hoping to capture?

4. Where is the money coming from for expensive venues, player contracts,etc.?

..also to say they are the 'only professional league in North America' is not true because what exactly is the definition of a professional league?

[seanth123]

Don't know the answers to all of your questions, but I have this: In professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, athletes receive payment for their performance.

It is probable they will not be paid much to start out. Even if they have sponsors I would think.

[growl89]

Shouldn't professional sports be just that, A Profession of something, being able to live or at least pay a few bills off of. While PIHA is hands down the best thing going right now we all understand that it is not professional. The goal i think is more to run the league professionally, provide a professional atmosphere etc. MLRH has more then it's share of problems, so if everyone has a negative outlook on the league do not be suprised. I for one would be more then shocked if this actually happens and lasts a full season.

[DblJ44]

Do the teams get buses?

[SandeHockey17]

Thats my primary concern too. Will there be buses? This is crucial. hahaha

[Dave Garland]

Each team gets four scooters and a unicycle. If you win the championship, your unicycle earns another wheel and becomes a bike. Sweet deal.

In all seriousness, I guess my definition of professional is different. I think a professional is someone who plays at the top level of the game they play. Many tennis players are professionals, on the tour, and get BARELY any money and some actually lose money.

Sure it would be great to pay players and I'm all for that. Until then, I think professional is based on the quality of play, presentation, and atmosphere.

[FrankFrank]

Yeah, I'm with Billy on this one... if this lasts a full season, I'll be impressed.
And yeah, during the height of tourny season... seriously, WTF are they thinking. Any good talent will be MIA at the tournies.
I think this is Bill and O'Neill's last ditch effort to keep this league alive.
Notice how They adjusted Their schedule to work around PIHA now.

Maybe we'll get the Maryland Maniacs playing in the league this year.:D

[InlineMBA]

Wouldn't any pro league lose NCRHA players if they were to be paid?

Steve Inge

[mcchockey9]

Once again, everyone thinks PIHA is the greatest thing, and that no other league can make it. The negativity from everyone is crazy. If only everyone knew how many minor pro ice hockey leagues try to make it, and fold within is a year or two. PIHA is great. The season has changed so that REAL professional will play (UHL, CHL, SPHL, etc....). Good Luck MLRH, and keep on doing what you're doing....

If it fails, then it fails, but unitl then, don't be ignorant and bash 'em.

[seanth123]

Amen brother!

I read that MLRH is going to start working with PDHL (ice league) starting this year. They are working around that schedule, not PIHAs! Don't take me wrong, I think PIHA is awesome, and I am looking forward to seeing it expand into my home region. But MLRH and PIHA are not compariable! Two different styles of play. Don't compare them, or put one above the other.

The NCRHA is a good question. I would like to see what the answer to that is also.

I am sure many things need to be worked out, as does some PIHA issues I understand. Give them the benefit of doubt, use your ideas or opinions to help both leagues succeed. Year round competiative hockey? 15 years ago I would not of even imagined it.

[dcdawgs]

If MLRH can make it through the season with no problems and fans in the stands, then I will believe they are back and strong. Every league that has tried to become professional has failed at one thing...marketing! How can you expect people to be in the stands if no one knows about the game. My wife didn't even know there was a professional level at one-time or that there were world championships till she met me. The same goes for almost everyone in my office and my clients.

They need to start strong with fans in the stands to make it through the season. They are taking the RHI approach scheduling it around the ice hockey season to get the best players which works. However you are also competing with the NHL playoffs in the spring and ice hockey world championships. Being in key markets will also help, such as California, probably the hottest inline hockey market. Looking back at the RHI attendance records and the top teams who brought in more than 3,000 fans a game were in California (Anaheim and San Jose in particular). MLRH needs to market out west in Cali and Colorado.

Hope it works but the have a long hard road ahead of them. Something Bill Raue has yet to realize.

[CoachClipboard]

Good luck :)

[PIHAPacific]

If I only had a dollar for every time I went to the mlrh website and read some "Super League, coming soon!" type story.... I'd probably have about 10 dollars :rolleyes:

[Inline_Burl]

I really like the way there doing this league. Instead of jumping the gun on there first season and moving into big venues with high costs they are going to be going into venues that seats 800-1500 so the venue seems packed on a giving night. In the first year it is going to be hard to find fans right away.. so with a smaller venue it really helps keep the atmosphere of the game that the fans will enjoy. Nothing hurts a team more to see a huge venue with no fans in site.

[CoachClipboard]

yes, very realistic indeed. packed houses of the minimum of 800. That's happening.
one thing hurts worse than viewing empty seats. Fans showing and players and teams not.

[rhhof]

Just like anything else - it has potential...with the right people behind it and marketing plans, hopefully to go with some minor league markets and their sales and marketing staffs....I have to go with Wheats - a lot of minor league markets now need something over the summer....

I have been studying on the minor league markets and arenas - some that own the team and arena really arent benefiting from any real major events (circus, concerts, b-ball, arena football, so on) it has a great deal to do with many being so small in capacity (ones built before 2002) - the ones built after all have capacities over 6000....so it is an interesting topic on the small arena market

Some of these towns are pretty hockey crazy and would benefit, I feel, with some kind of hockey over the summer - especially if they can see their favorite players off the ice now as well - the guys that are the draw are your scorers and fighters....so put'em on wheels and lets pray - RHI and the old MLRH had guys that could do it, why not now - mix in a few top pure roller guys and we go....

If theres money involved maybe I can make most of it back I lost over my four years PIHA and "MLRH AAA"

A day late, dollar short on the bus comment though, thanx JJ and Haves

Honestly, I feel its time, and if the propsal and business plan are right - I would jump on board again and do it to my best....nothing against PIHA, I love it to death...never thought I'd be able to say I'd do it for the money either, but - nice summer job for me now!!

[DblJ44]

My concerns

1) I think this sounds a bit too familiar from MLRH. How many times have we been told theres a big sponsor being worked with and it's going to be huge for the league? (I believe theres a thread on here from 2 years ago about a major sponsorship deal...that never happened).

2) Who's paying for travel.... and where's this money coming from?

Im not knocking the guys who are involved now, but with the leagues past history I think everyone who's been involved in the past is skeptical at best.

Stio, Sorry pal I had to get that bus line in before anyone else did.... there's too many of us on here looking for the easy one liner.

[Inline_Burl]

Everyone says stuff about MLRH history...but look who is involved now. Its not just Bill anymore its not bill and two others that will be spearheading this operation. I guarentee there will be a league next year. Now I dont think it will be a huge success at first but give it alttle time and things will take off...but as everyone says you must market it right

[Kittenkrusher]

You know it might help to shift yalls thinking abit, I can see your quite passionite about the "product", and all. Thats the train of thinking that really did in the RHI in the end. When we express our love for the game in this way we end up with some quasi mutant form of the game(PBH) and Jim Foxes crazy ass! PIHA is the only thing that will stand for awhile till theres a generation of players raised in the game and of it, MLRH is in the buisness of hockey wich is far from promoting the health of the sport. Although it is very important to have an elite league to establish the credibility of the sport in new markets, and offer a stage for the high end talent to galvenize the youth. An organisation whose paradigm is focused seemingly so much on profitability will undermine the growth of the sport. If your local rink doesnt offer free rink time, you severly impeed the development of local players. Thats one of the more serious issues facing the sport at the moment i think. PIHA has the ability and vision to generate something no other pro league has sence the glory days of RHI...roots. As for what professional means? Well personaly professionalism is always faked. You either love the game or you dont, if you do youll always play, improve and so on. Economic sustainability is the big question right now. If players can evetualy at least earn a part time check from playing that will free them to commit more time to the sport as an individual practicing, and as an ambasador in grass roots programs. Rinks and players that have the ability should co opt each others resources deveolp young talent by offering rink work as refs. Players on a given team should get to gether identifiy each others strengths Speed etc., and break down the job complexes for training by assaigning those most profecient and knowledgeable in each area to take the lead in organising skillset specific development and training. **** im ramblin but w/e.

If you get that money, dont be silly...**** spellcheck