Inline Hockey America-Elite

[Benny_Gulakiw]

Inline Hockey America, a full-service roller hockey marketing and development company, has been working on creating a new Elite roller hockey league based in the Great Lakes region. This league will represent the best of the best and will operate during the summer. Our goal is to begin this summer, 2003, with 8 teams. We currently have 5 teams interested and we are looking for 3 more located in the Ohio and/or Michigan. The Buffalo Wings are one of the teams that will be playing in this league. This is a semi-pro league meaning there are no player's salaries, at least to start. This is also a full-contact league.

IHA-Elite has strict requirements for teams looking to join and you can see what those are by going to the IHA web site at www.inlinehockeyamerica.com and clicking on Travel Leagues.

If you're looking to become part of the new roller hockey nation and want more information about this new Elite roller hockey league or any aspect of Inline Hockey America, e-mail us at [email protected]

Benny Gulakiw
President
Inline Hockey America

[MDE3]

Just curious - is the decison to go with full contact a marketing decision, or because that's how the players prefer to play the game or both lol? I prefer the full contact game - I think it adds an element that makes ice hockey fans take roller hockey more seriously (thereby increasing the fan base) and ultimately leads to a higher level of player skill. The great stickhandling moves often seen in non contact roller hockey will remain, but that stick handler will now have to become a more powerfull and more balanced skater while still maintaining the previous agility levels. The increased levels of "heads up stick handling" will have an immediate positive effect on the team play aspect as well(if applied across the whole body of the sport).

For those who disagree and point to Narch play at the Narch Pro level, I suggest that you investigate the background disciplines of the top players.

[RichardGraham]

Hi Benny,

This should go on the Commercial Message board. Thanks.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[Benny_Gulakiw]

Sorry Rich, it was kind of a gray for me. I actually wanted to put it on the MLRH forum, but I thought they would get pissed at me.

To answer you question, MDE3, it's definitely both the fans and the players. My experience with the Buffalo Wings pro team back in 1997-1999 was that the fans really got into the physical aspect of the game. Personally, I watched a lot of roller hockey at all levels and I think checking ADDS an element to the game, much the way you described. Also, the players I've talked to, the Wings players who have played at every level and have won NARCh Gold, have told me that they want checking to be part of the game.

Benny Gulakiw
President
Inline Hockey America

[MDE3]

Thanks - I suspect that sentiment will be echoed wherever there is a strong ice hockey tradition in the geographical location. Not to knock the non contact version at all, but having coached travel teams in both roller and ice - the training and gameplay taught where hitting is involved truly seems to elevate the game. It does NOT get slower - just more people get better at skating, positional play and passing to avoid checks and keeping the puck moving. I do think serious thought should be given to having non check during the early years to give the individuals time to devlop their one on one skills with the puck - like ice hockey - but maybe through age 12.