PIHA and AIHL Divisions

[minutemen]

Now that most of the teams have decided where they are playing, just wondering what people think the divisions will be for both leagues. I hear that there are more new teams that have not announced yet for both leagues, but at least for the North Divisions they are pretty much set. Also, what is up with the Gateway division, I hear they plan are not playing this year. To me that would be a waste of 6 organizations.

[ARHA]

I've heard as many rumors about the gateway division as everyone else, but the only one I know as fact is that David Garland will not be involved this coming season. The Gateway division needs to make a decision soon, and personally I hope they compete, that division has some of the best talent in North America and it would be a shame to see those guys not playing in what are supposed to be the two top leagues in the country.

[minutemen]

Well that is good to hear because it would be a waste of good teams.

[ianmackie]

It looks like the Gateway Division will be a go. After the previous year the rinks and players needed a breath of fresh air and Perry Turnbull is working to make that happen. There have been meetings and as a whole we will have a decision on which rinks will be playing in 2008/2009. There will be PIHA in St. Louis this year.

[ARHA]

I'm relieved...thanks for the info Ian.

[TSUMoody89]

Ian,

Do you have any information about when tryouts will be for these teams? I am somewhat outside the roller hockey circles in STL but would be love to try out. Thanks.

Dane Moody

[Junior FireAnts]

What league is the CT Blaze playing? They are listed for both AIHL and PIHA, with PIHA posting a news article on Friday, August 22nd. Are they trying to play both?

It may be optimistic, but I believe that a PIHA and AIHL collaborative effort at the end of the season to crown an overall champion would be great for the sport.

Once each organization has crowned their champions, the top 8 from each league should compete in a tournament format for an overall championship. The growth of the game as a whole could really benefit from this format and "Shoot-Out" type tournament. With AAU and USA Inline behind each organization, there is plenty of supporting structure to make it a success. Without knowing the dynamics of each organization, this may be way too far out to come to fruition, but the owners of all the teams can play a part in leveraging their position if they were in favor of what can only be a positive outcome for the Elite level of play. This tournament could be supported by either TOHRS National tournament and incorporated in their week schedule or AAU or NARCh, rotate it year over year to accommodate both AAU and USA Inline. It offers more exposure for the teams and provides a strong partnership opportunity, which is always good and it brings the leagues in front of the most important market of all for sustaining any league, the youth market. Those 10U-16U players would be exposed to the top teams from each league. And they will be needing places to play in the very near future.

Just some food for thought.

Jay Creel
Junior FireAnts
Program Director

[coach]

The Blaze went back to PIHA .