i dont know much about these pro leagues so...

[boring]

whats the difference between PIHA and AIHL?

[quick_dry]

*gets bucket of popcorn and settles back to watch*

AIHL = Australian Ice Hockey League - a national ice hockey league attracting pro players from overseas, it had last years Finals series televised on nationwide cable TV.

or its some American Inline Hockey League... :)

[hockeynuts]

No difference.. You play hockey at a high level,have fun, travel around and make friends ...

[boring]

No difference.. You play hockey at a high level,have fun, travel around and make friends ...

so why have 2 different leagues?

[DCbullets14]

there are many reasons for two leagues none of which should be discussed on this message board. Both leagues are basically the exact same and many players are on teams in each league. The main difference (from what I know of the situation) is that the AIHL is primarily run by the team owners whereas PIHA is run by the founder and President Mr. Yoder.

[quick_dry]

so why have 2 different leagues?
similar reasons for the multitude of high level ice leagues with overlapping skill levels and markets; or various different tournament series.

(DCBullets: I disagree that this topic shouldn't be discussed on this forum, but I think the topic has been well covered in the past so anyone interested could easily find it all in the many threads from last year)

[ACCCT2]

whats the difference between PIHA and AIHL?

Hmmm...near as I can tell, 2 letters -- "P" & "L"...(hey, I couldn't resist!;)).

[FrankFrank]

Yeah, this is an "invite to trouble" thread.

My advice Boring... use the Search tool at the top of the board, and search for PIHA and AIHL. You'll find plenty of stuff.

Frank~Frank

[JLambertUMSL]

there are many reasons for two leagues none of which should be discussed on this message board.

Why shouldn't they be discussed? (I don't know or really care much what the reasons are, I'm just asking.)

[boring]

alright ill search. i went back a couple pages but couldnt find anything so i just took the lazy approach....\

[yokes]

I dont understand why this shouldnt be talked about? I know that there are bashers and loyalists but, I believe, for the most part everyone here wants one strong league run correctly.
Also with the way things seem there will only be one league next year so now is the time to talk about it. That is my assumption from the people ive talked to BTW.

[calihockey]

I agree with Yokes that this should be discussed. There are those bashers who can ruin a discussion, but I think creating a thread where it is put forth that there is a zero tolerance for bashing (unbacked up claims that have only a malice intent). I think there are plenty of regulars on this board that could provide some insight that could really forward the discussion.

[DCbullets14]

as anyone who has paid attention to the discussion of the two leagues has seen it ends up going from a decent discussion to an all out brawl. I heard that these discussions have previously lead to threats of lawsuits aimed at the people who run this site and this is why i said that it should not be discussed publically. I would be willing to throw my 2 cents out there if someone would like to PM me but will not post any negative comments about eigther league (tho I honestly have none in regards to the AIHL) on a public page.

[GROWL]

I have been in hibernation on this for almost a year now. There is a reason why I and many other have stopped discussing this on IHC. Simply put, litigation has prevented many people from leaving our former league and discussing it publically. The window of time left on this is rapidly coming to a close and I'm sure many opinions will be heard come that time. It is amazing that even with certain people put on the sidelines, that such a successful campaign could be run. I look forward to what is to come.

Also, there is absolutely no reason that debate should be supressed. What else is this forum for then to discuss the future or past of the sport when relavent. Just keep on topic and don't make it personal.

[Nebraska]

I believe that this will lead to many negative comments one way or the other. Just let it go----choose the league that suits you and your preferences, and leave it at that. As Anthony put it, the quiet time has almost pasted, so are we going back to bashing people?

[boring]

i dont know why people would be bashing anything? maybe im not in the loop but this doesnt seem like a very political topic to me??? i just wanted to know what the difference between the 2 leagues were. if you guys wanna turn it into a piss fight go ahead, but tell me the difference first. and i searched but i didnt really find the answer i was lookin for

[Nebraska]

This is my take-the AIHL is a league that's format is a jamboree style. a number of teams get together and play a tournament sort of day or weekend. I believe the number of teams attending determines the number of games played that weekend. Sort of like the college does it. There is no monetary gain by the players, so I guess it would be a recreational league. The PIHA's format is different in that teams play for a play off spot within their division, then move on to the conference finals, then the final series. I think it is best 3 out of 5 for the conference win and 4 out of 7 for the finals. All expenses are paid for both teams for the finals, and they play for a lump sum of money at the end.

[DCbullets14]

I do not believe that any AIHL division plays only jamboree style.I believe most divisions have only 1 or 2 jamborees with the exception of the southeast (this is because it is at least 8 hours from maryland to georgia). There is no monetary gain in the AIHL but I heard that the team that wins the league does not have to pay the league fees the following season.

Teams in both PIHA (http://www.thepiha.com) and AIHL (http://www.aihlhockey.com) play for a playoff spot within their division. The AIHL finals will take place at the AAU junior olympics in the summer and all expenses will be paid just as with the PIHA finals.

Im not sure what PIHA has going on this season but the AIHL is doing some really great stuff with their website www.aihlhockey.com and rat cast radio is amazing for the league and sport. www.ratcastradio.com

The main difference between the leagues is the group in charge of them. The AIHL was formed because team owners (of former PIHA teams) wanted more say in how the league was run and left PIHA to start their own league.

There are currently 17 teams playing in PIHA pro division and 31 teams playing in the AIHL elite division. There is basically no difference in the skill level of eigther league.

Hopefully that helps you out a little

[boring]

thanks, now you guys can piss and moan about which one is better :D

[calihockey]

DC,

I would disagree about the skill comment. I think adding the California Divisions gives AIHL some of the pro talent that PIHA doesn't have. Not that PIHA is slack either . The talent in the Midwest for PIHA and the talent in the east for both leagues is top class. When I am asked by people who aren't into roller hockey, I explain that PIHA and AIHL are pretty much pro skill level that just lack the salaries, but with that said I think that the AIHL is a step ahead on the skill level.

I do have to say I tend to back AIHL because of the fact it is bi-coastal and has a strong link to youth teams. While I'd like to see it become more inclusive of NARCh, TORHS and other organizations instead of being just strongly linked to one, I see it as having the best potential at the moment to advance the sport not only on the pro level, but as a whole as well. Politics, threats and bashing aside; in my opinion I think roller hockey will benefit most from AIHL.

[RustyPipes27]

Most players probably pick a league based on location. So if there's a PIHA team near you, you'd probably play for that I suspect.

[yokes]

DC,

I would disagree about the skill comment. I think adding the California Divisions gives AIHL some of the pro talent that PIHA doesn't have. Not that PIHA is slack either . The talent in the Midwest for PIHA and the talent in the east for both leagues is top class. When I am asked by people who aren't into roller hockey, I explain that PIHA and AIHL are pretty much pro skill level that just lack the salaries, but with that said I think that the AIHL is a step ahead on the skill level.


Im not partial to either league but i would have to say a team in PIHA from Colo. is pretty decent with "Pro" talent also. Even though it seems to be on one team...:eek:

[DCbullets14]

what i meant by even skill level in both leagues is that a match up between a randomly selected PIHA team and a randomly selected AIHL team would likely be a cometitive game. There are obviously weaker and stronger divisions in both leagues but in general a successful team in the AIHL would be equally as successful in PIHA.