gentdj
10-04-2001, 11:49 AM
I don't know if I am in the minority here but I think that this is getting a little bit silly. The void left by the mismanaged RHI and the inept MLRH is being filled by just how many leagues now? the NARHL, the NIRHL, the Ozarks, MLRH AAA or whatever its called now, etc. Not to mention the various Pro series' ...
While it is great that there is enough skilled people playing to make these leagues interesting, it can't be good for the game to be so fractionalized.
When we first started intercollegiate roller hockey there were just a few teams playing in local leagues - the Empire State one being one of them, it wasn't until some strong individuals (Huck, Brennan, etc) stepped up and formed the ECRHA did things begin to come together. Not too long after, the CRHL formed as a governing body with regions and now there is well-organized play with schools all over, from huge schools like Penn State and Michigan State to smaller schools like Wilkes in Pennsylvania or Grossmont in Cali.
I think that someone (or ones) will have to step up and start bringing things together. A mixture of hockey and businessmen that can get the big teams back, to play in the big arenas. If that can be set up, then some of the smaller more regional leagues can fall in behind it as feeder systems. Hell, maybe get the NHL helping out, I don't know.
This is a great sport and should not be seen as the schizophrenic step child of ice hockey.
#26
While it is great that there is enough skilled people playing to make these leagues interesting, it can't be good for the game to be so fractionalized.
When we first started intercollegiate roller hockey there were just a few teams playing in local leagues - the Empire State one being one of them, it wasn't until some strong individuals (Huck, Brennan, etc) stepped up and formed the ECRHA did things begin to come together. Not too long after, the CRHL formed as a governing body with regions and now there is well-organized play with schools all over, from huge schools like Penn State and Michigan State to smaller schools like Wilkes in Pennsylvania or Grossmont in Cali.
I think that someone (or ones) will have to step up and start bringing things together. A mixture of hockey and businessmen that can get the big teams back, to play in the big arenas. If that can be set up, then some of the smaller more regional leagues can fall in behind it as feeder systems. Hell, maybe get the NHL helping out, I don't know.
This is a great sport and should not be seen as the schizophrenic step child of ice hockey.
#26