AIHL Informational Meeting

[AIHL]

There will be a informational meeting at the Bucks County Visitors Bureau on Thursday 6/26 at 6:00 pm. For anyone interested in the new Amercian Inline Hockey League.

Bucks County Visitors Bureau
3207 Street Road,
Bensalem, PA 19020

Due to limited space we are requesting a RSVP. If you are interested and not able to attend please contact us immediately.

Thanks,
AIHL Staff

[rhhof]

If I could get anything cheaper than a 5 million dollar flight to PHL, I'd be interested.....

Put me down for the "I want info side" not sure about getting there with short notice...

[inferno98]

Will the AAU people be on hand with the AIHL people?

[DCbullets14]

Ill be there

[pghbandit11]

I'll be there. Who else is going?

[alex]

Will the AAU people be on hand with the AIHL people?

Do we know who "the AIHL people" are?

[Center_ice]

I heard it was the SW division owners.

[Defense1st]

I will not be able to attend but am very interested in what this league has to offer. Please forward any info you can to [email protected]

Thank you,

Nick Smolinski

[Drew10]

Will this event be headlined by Mayor DiGirolamo? If so I will be there!

[mephisto7890]

Is Charley Yoder gonna be there?

[InlineMBA]

Charlie Kirshner?

[TourBandits]

Hoffer,

What makes you think it is one person?

Why would it not be a consolidated effort by many disgusted owners?

I'm not the one in charge, but my team will play in the AIHL next year along with many other teams.

Charlie Kirschner is not involved.

JR

[Leaferguy]

Cool

It's in my back yard.

[inferno98]

Do we know who "the AIHL people" are?

Im sure some people do, if you want to find out I guess you'll have to go to the meeting.

[GROWL]

Will the AAU people be on hand with the AIHL people?

Yes, the AIHL is an AAU league and naturally they will be there.

[Chalie NERC]

NERC will be there!

[Berry_Bramble]

Are they serving punch and pie?

[William Bourque]

What kind of limitations are you putting on people attending?

It's only a 15 minute drive for me to go down there and I'm pretty interested on how things are going to transpire over the summer.

[Mlrhnorthfan]

I am very interested in what will be said in this meeting and of course will be attending.

My open questions to all are as follows:

For years we have been on this board complaining about all top talent getting under one 'roof' to unify the sport to someday create a legitimate pro league/organization.

By potentially splitting the current talent pool even further are we taking a irreversable step backwards? Are egos, friendships, and relationships going to be permanently damaged to the detriment of the sport?

If the AIHL under the AAU is truly the direction that everyone wants to go, does everyone realize that this means there most likely will not be a pro inline league in the foreseeable future as AAU stands for the Amateur Athletic Union? Are we just trading one situation for another and in 3 to 5 years will there will be clamoring again for another 'true' pro league?

I do not know or claim to know the AAU's motivation for wanting to take all this on. I am interested to see what they say about that. What does the AAU get for organizing/running the league with the owners for two years and then stepping away?

I am not making judgments or statements or anything. It just seems that many people are getting very emotional and heated about this whole situation. I urge everyone to look at everything fairly from every angle and make the decisions that look to be the best for your organizations and the sport.

[PGHhockey]

Matt -

I believe the premise of AIHL is more about creating an "Elite" league, rather than a "Pro" league. Although the two words are often used synonymously, I feel they carry quite different definitions.

In my mind, a professional is paid. And while we're on that topic, let's face the facts: inline hockey has many, many, many years to go until the possibility exists that players just might get a few bucks. We all love to play, coach, and ref - but we lack something: revenue. And revenue comes from having millions of fans nationwide/worldwide. That's just not in place yet. And there are a few song lyrics that come to mind when I think of people that believe there's money to be made anytime in the near future (Gee, if we could just get on ESPN):

"You know I'm a dreamer, but my heart's of gold..."
"They say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..."

The AIHL will, most likely, create an ELITE league that is run properly and held accountable for its actions, or lack thereof. That's all we really want, isn't it? I doubt many people (if anyone) playing in PIHA realistically thinks they'll ever be paid for playing inline hockey. They want an opportunity to play with and against the best of the best. They want to have teams show up for games. They want to have quality officials. They want to know where their hard-earned money is going. They want scores posted. They want to play.

I don't think that's too much to ask.

[SPORTSPLEXJEFF]

From what I was just informed is that make sure you send an email to [email protected] so you are on the guest list. I was told that you will not be permitted entrance to the meeting without being on the list.

Jeff

[Berry_Bramble]

I hope my RSVP gets accepted.

[Mlrhnorthfan]

PGHockey I agree with everything you have said. I know that the goal here is a well run Elite level league. As an owner, i have sunk so much money into this team and I know that there isnt revenue out there just waiting for us to vaccum up. I play and help fund this team with a goal that one day, the players on this team can play for free.

My team definitely got the shaft this season as far as accountability goes.

We paid in full in October and did everything by the book to the best of our abilities and we had two teams no show on us....one for the Minor league division finals. Or we find out that other teams were allowed to play without meeting their financial obligations.

Jimmy and I as owners took huge losses on those forfeits as our rink time is prepaid and non refundable. Nothing was ever done to assure us that people will be held accountable. We were building the PIHA name up here and had a huge interest. Nothing from the league for us to show our fans that something was done to make sure that a team dwill not forfeit the division finals again.


That being said, we want to hear all the details on Thursday before we make any kind of decision and urge others to do the same.

That was the point I was trying to get across I guess.






Matt -

I believe the premise of AIHL is more about creating an "Elite" league, rather than a "Pro" league. Although the two words are often used synonymously, I feel they carry quite different definitions.

In my mind, a professional is paid. And while we're on that topic, let's face the facts: inline hockey has many, many, many years to go until the possibility exists that players just might get a few bucks. We all love to play, coach, and ref - but we lack something: revenue. And revenue comes from having millions of fans nationwide/worldwide. That's just not in place yet. And there are a few song lyrics that come to mind when I think of people that believe there's money to be made anytime in the near future (Gee, if we could just get on ESPN):

"You know I'm a dreamer, but my heart's of gold..."
"They say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one..."

The AIHL will, most likely, create an ELITE league that is run properly and held accountable for its actions, or lack thereof. That's all we really want, isn't it? I doubt many people (if anyone) playing in PIHA realistically thinks they'll ever be paid for playing inline hockey. They want an opportunity to play with and against the best of the best. They want to have teams show up for games. They want to have quality officials. They want to know where their hard-earned money is going. They want scores posted. They want to play.

I don't think that's too much to ask.

[thepredictor]

Bravo to the people who are taking the lead on getting this started. All the other owners should jump in so they have a say. PIHA is always going to be controlled by a puppet master. Now that somebody is cutting his strings his supporters show up. Funny how when the league got announced owners got phone calls beggin them to stay and more smoke and mirrors stories. I am sure the owner of my team will make it all worth it for our players to play in the new league. I will even bet he is involved since he has one of the most succesful organizations in the league and doesn't even get recognized for it.

I guess the Thunder got organization of the year so an award could be put on his sons wall since he stacked his team and couldn't win it.

[Doug Jones]

PGHockey I agree with everything you have said. I know that the goal here is a well run Elite level league. As an owner, i have sunk so much money into this team and I know that there isnt revenue out there just waiting for us to vaccum up. I play and help fund this team with a goal that one day, the players on this team can play for free.

My team definitely got the shaft this season as far as accountability goes.

We paid in full in October and did everything by the book to the best of our abilities and we had two teams no show on us....one for the Minor league division finals. Or we find out that other teams were allowed to play without meeting their financial obligations.

Jimmy and I as owners took huge losses on those forfeits as our rink time is prepaid and non refundable. Nothing was ever done to assure us that people will be held accountable. We were building the PIHA name up here and had a huge interest. Nothing from the league for us to show our fans that something was done to make sure that a team dwill not forfeit the division finals again.


That being said, we want to hear all the details on Thursday before we make any kind of decision and urge others to do the same.

That was the point I was trying to get across I guess.


Matt:

We were in the same situation with the Stinger team. when the All star game was in Atlanta, their players (some of them, not all) decided to go there instead of meeting the scheduled games. So we had to add players to their roster not once, but three different games to get them to have enough to play for our home crowds. It was a very stressful time. Then, our own fans would get upset because the games were blowouts. This happened over a period of three months. I would notify the league there were problems, call, email and no response, until one day, 24 hours before the home date, I was told to get players to fill in and then charge them $25 for league insurance.

When the team moved to Williamsburg, they cancelled games on us after we hired a bus and made plans to be there with 24 hours notice. The problem ensued with little help or guidance to our schedule.

We ended up being shorted six pro games (forfeits) and eight minor league games (forfeits). Yet, we payed our full $4,500 with NO renumeration and or refund for missed games. When I asked about the division $1,000, I was told we would get a 1099. Our players also had to pay out of pocket to get to Maryland. I can elaborate on that privately. As I recently received an email from the league asking me where I wanted the SE division trophy sent, I haven't responded, because it should of been there in Maryland waiting for us or at our facility when we played the Richmond Robins.


Point is, I want to see ACCOUNTABILITY. There wasn't any last season. We want to continue our franchise and to build it to make it better, but after last season, all the charity, community, veteran's, armed forces work we did, you'd think the league would realize the bonus and the experience we would be willing to help anyone with. It's about promoting the product and the league. When you get the television and newspaper's to cover you, it means that your accepted in the community. When you go out and speak to over 2,500 kids at red ribbon week about staying off drugs, it means something. When you let military personnel into your home games for free, again, your trying to show respect and build the foundation of wanting the community to accept you and the franchise.

Last Tuesday in front of 73 chamber of commerce members, we shared the SE trophy we bought with our money and shared the highlights of our series with the Robins. We got a standing ovation from the crowd. July 7th, The Atlanta Braves "A" affiliate the Pelicans, are honoring us with Pirate night where we and the trophy are introduced pre game and then we do a meet and greet in the concourse area.

All of this has been achieved because we believe in PROMOTING The product. Not for the good of one, but for the community we live, work and play in....

In our travels, I have met and worked with Todd Wiley, Chris Street, Ryan Smith and other Gm's who took the time to share insight, thoughts and goals... we all want the same thing.


So, I too, want to listen. I do know that PIHA isn't going to want to have SC in the league with no other close teams. Charley told our rink owner that it was too far to travel to and that unless we had a southern division, there may not be an option.

The sport will survive. Whether it's PIHA or AIHL, it's like when the WHA struck up in the 70's and all of a sudden I am seeing Bobby Hull in front of me signing autographs on the glass at the New England Whaler vs. Winnipeg Jets game... we were excited because it was the WHA and the players were approachable and awesome! Rick Ley, Nick Fotiu, Gordie Roberts, Al Smith, all great guys who talked to you and got you pumped into the sport....

I've felt this year was like anchors away, sink or swim and we swam without any life preserver and or much help.

So, we in SC want hockey to continue. Regardless of who will let us....

[Stampede#11]

I don't know you bro ... but that is an awesome post if you don't mind saying so Doug.

Over the years I have come to the follwoing conclusion about inline hockey long ago ....

Those who try and make a fast $/£ out of it now .. are only in it for one thing, themselves. And there are plenty of those guys around

Those who position inline hockey into the local community and try and get kids involved ... are in it so that one day some guys may get paid a living to play or at least not have to pay, but they know that they will never be paid themselves.

I think it was Mike from Rink Rat who put it best a few months ago where he said the success of a "pro" product is dependant on the rink owners, as the pro product will attract more paying kids/rec/grass roots type players. Rink owners make money ... they can then have a free (dare I say paid) elite team on the rink. Kids see pro's wearing Mike's wheels, Tour Boots, Mission helemts .. they all want them ... and so on the circle develops. But it would appear the rink owners are the foundation. I know when I was a kid I wanted a "Sure Grip" frame as Dan Shank, Gervais, and all the RHI guys seemed to have them, so they must make me better ... right?!?

From an outsiders point of view the AIHL seems to have the best intentions as the foundation for their league and rink owners behind it/pushing it ... therefore I would assume a better success in the long term. Rather than the PIHA which seemed to start with good intentions, and has culminated in this season where a lot of you guys seem to have been totally ripped off and got nothing back .. plain and simple.