Roller Hockey International Book

[RichardGraham]

Hi Folks,

I didn't take some good advice I received regarding my history of RHI book (do a little bit of work on it every day), and I set it aside for "a couple of weeks" that turned into several months. I'm back at it, so if you have some RHI experiences -- as a player, fan, administrator, coach, referee, whatever -- please send an e-mail to me at [email protected], and you'll help me keep my momentum going.

Thanks!

[TULaw]

Hi Folks,

I didn't take some good advice I received regarding my history of RHI book (do a little bit of work on it every day), and I set it aside for "a couple of weeks" that turned into several months. I'm back at it, so if you have some RHI experiences -- as a player, fan, administrator, coach, referee, whatever -- please send an e-mail to me at [email protected], and you'll help me keep my momentum going.

Thanks!

Sounds cool, be sure to include lots of pictures, that would be great.
On the topic of RHI i am kind of curious about somethings. Just how important was RHI in developing the game into what we know today?
Were they the first roller league to play on a sport court/plastic style floor? what about using a inline puck? 4 on 4 play? no blue lines etc. heck even the copper all type pants lol. I am guessing RHI had much to do with early development of equipment too such as alumenum frames and indoor wheels. how much credit can we give RHI for making the game what it is today?

[RichardGraham]

Hi TULaw,

Great questions. RHI's influence on the game was huge. It can't be understated. It fueled the growth of high-end skates, chassis and wheels, certainly. It brought a high-quality version of the sport into the public eye at arenas like the brand-new Arrowhead Pond (now Honda Center) in Anaheim, when most people's image of the game was kids playing in cul de sacs and adults playing with a ball instead of a puck and shooting at overturned trash cans.

I do believe that they were the first inline hockey league to play on Sport Court, as Sport Court was a major investor in the league.

As for 4-on-4 play, and no blue lines, I believe that preceded RHI. Tournaments like the Koho Cup, created by Paul Chapey and John Black had a lot to do with the rules of the game that RHI tweaked to its own ends.

And I will be discuss David McClane's World Roller Hockey League and Bill Raue's Major League Roller Hockey, as well.

I'd say more, but I'm saving it for my book. ;)

[rhhof]

Not to step on toes, but the WRHL was the first league to use Sport Court...RHI did use it on there world tour before it kicked off though in 1993

[TULaw]

Thats cool that you will talk about the WRHL as I and I am guessing many people who have played or followed Inline Hockey dont know much about it. There seems to be no information about the league online.

[showtime89]

I remember going to the first game for the Buffalo Stampede at the old Aud and then the first game for the Buffalo Wings at the then Marine Midland Arena(I also got my face on the jumbotron scoreboard). Great times, 2 great names for teams. They really got the fans involved in the game, much more than the NHL (there you go to see the hockey, not the side show) and even more than the minor league hockey games I have been to. I also remember my friend and how he couldn't wait until the NJ Rock-N-Rollers came to buffalo so he could go see her play and he got her autograph after the game.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Adam,

I stand corrected. Right now, I'm mainly in the process of doing interviews and going through all of the printed material I've collected over the years that RHI existed. That's a lot of stuff!

I've got some great stories so far. Problem is, some of 'em are not printable. ;)

[Leaferguy]

I remember going to a Bulldogs game with Tony Danza on the cover of the program and wonderful cheerleaders all over the place. As for the game, I couldn't tell you left from right :D

[DblJ44]

I As for the game, I couldn't tell you left from right :D

Brenno, you're a keeper we aren't suprised that you couldn't tell left from right.
Sorry pal, you left that door wide open...

[Leaferguy]

Brenno, you're a keeper we aren't suprised that you couldn't tell left from right.
Sorry pal, you left that door wide open...
My stats show I couldn't tell glove from blocker, high from low, or shot from pass, either :(

:D