MLRH Sink or Swim

[Inline_Burl]

MLRH do you think the new league will sink or swim?

[MBurke]

Real tough for me to formulate an opinion with so little information to go on - I'm going to have to wait until some more info comes out to pass judgment.

[Wingman]

I think they're season's in the summer now, so they should have less compitition with PIHA. It still looks like too much travel though, maybe even more than last season.

[growl89]

Not only is there a lot of travel, BUT they will be competing with the summer tournaments, TORHS PRO, Narch PRO, and even some do statewars. Plus there is the world tournaments that take place. All these tournaments draw the top level players in the country. Seems to be a big problem already.

[Superstar9]

from the looks of what i've read, it doesn't look like they're after inline players anyway. Seems more like they're looking to use all pro ice guys in an inline summer league.

[Inline_Burl]

Ive been talking to the Chief Executive Officer and to me it seems like they are looking for the all the "Roller Hockey Players" in minor league hockey which I must say they're are alot of. It they were only looking for ice players to play roller hockey the game would look awful since there is a little different way to inline skating as there is to ice skating like the stopping factors I know the first year I went from Ice to roller I was falling alot so the game might look slow and funny. He also said that he hope some of the PIHA players come tryout for the MLRH teams.

[TULaw]

Not only is there a lot of travel, BUT they will be competing with the summer tournaments, TORHS PRO, Narch PRO, and even some do statewars. Plus there is the world tournaments that take place. All these tournaments draw the top level players in the country. Seems to be a big problem already.

If they pay the players they will have no problem getting players to leave the tournaments and play in the league. even if the pay isnt that much it still would be more then nothing, which is what they would get playing in the summer tournaments. I think if MLRH can put together a true pro league we might see Inline Hockey talent like we have never seen before, with players coming from both minor ice and top level inline. Will it happen? i dont know, but it sure would be nice!

[Inline_Burl]

Now with B2 networks on boards with MLRH I really do see this league taking off!

[Wingman]

Some PIHA teams might even submit a full team in the MLRH, so they can keep the hockey going all year-round.

[Inline_Burl]

I must admit the teams in PIHA are good but if the MLRH wants a product that will be greatly followed I dont believe they will take teams from the PIHA because I dont think they will want players that cannot cut it in actully "pro" circuit

[growl89]

there are some teams that are full of pro players, most of the St louis teams, boston, growl etc ... BUT doesnt MLRH want only 9-10 pro teams?

also the top players WILL NOT leave thier Narch or Torhs teams to play MLRH ... it will never happen untill real money is being paid. Players are not going to give that up for 100 bucks a game. Call me a liar, but i can tell you CJ Yoder will not miss Narch Pro and Torhs Pro and the world tournaments to play in a MLRH game.

[Wingman]

For the MLRH to go from what it was before, to a paying league is a pretty big jump. I used to sell tickets at MLRH games and I can tell you one thing, it's not the skill level that brings in the fans... it was the checking, and the "fights".

[Kittenkrusher]

Honestly if it has a chance of succeding it would prolly be found in the nature of the investors/sponsers. "9-10 pro teams" so thats 9-10 decent owners that are down for the walk, the long walk unless you get Rupert Murdochs help.

[Inline_Burl]

I for some reason have no doubts MLRH will succeed. Ive been chatting back and forward with Matt O'neil and from what he has been saying it sounds if they have been preparing for this new league for awhile. They have alot of things in place (B2 networks deal). As for players...if they thought they werent going to get players for thier league because of Narch Pro, Torhs Pro and the world tournaments then I dont think they would run thier season during this time. I mean we don't even know what the salaries are yet so we cannot say anything about that. If I had a chance to be apart of a truly paid pro league I would jump for it in an instant. I mean this is the right time for this, Pro hockey has been suffering to long its time for a change and I believe that MLRH is that such change (for the better). This league wants to be pro but not huge at least not as first. Good on them in not jumping into the huge arenas. I cant wait to hear more great things from this league.