Pro Hockey News

[XHILEAGUEOFFICE]

My name is Michael Joseph, Director of Public Relations for Extreme Hockey International (XHI). I have entered several posts today on this Message Board answering questions about XHI's Great Lakes Pro League and International Pro Circuit. I'm very disappointed to see the negative views of so many who are contributing to the troubles our sport has in getting itself established after the failures of RHI and Major League Roller Hockey. The Web Site for XHI is as follows: http://www.esportsdesk.com/xhi


Michael Joseph, Director of Public Relations, Extreme Hockey International

[Eccinline19]

How do you get on a team or tryout??

[j_bo]

Hey Michael,
Well... to be honest, and I think this is MOST of the peoples views on establishing a "pro league" is this...... WHOEVER is going to take control also needs to TAKE OVER the amateur ranks too.... Seems to me that we(pro's(not me) and amateurs(me)) need to have ONE GOVERNING body throughout the USA. So.. if you think that your league is up to the task, by all means, grab the bull by the horns and run with it. But.....as you say here, quote: ". I'm very disappointed to see the negative views of so many who are contributing to the troubles our sport has in getting itself established after the failures of RHI and Major League Roller Hockey." end quote..the problem seems to be in the many different "pro" leagues folding. What contributions we are adding to their troubles escapes me. Maybe I am not understanding that statement you made fully though..You my friend have a big hill to climb, gaining the acceptance needed to grow not only your league but also, roller hockey in general.... and by learning from the mistakes of the "other pro leagues". I for one would LOVE to see one rulebook, (case in point, the posts on blade curvature), and one governing body that can oversee everything. One assosciation to PROMOTE ROLLER HOCKEY IN GENERAL...Get in the local schools to form intra-mural roller hockey, get the local pro leagues to run clinics at the local rinks, get the word out on how fast, safe, and fun roller hockey is to the kids.... there is so much more that can be done.... USA INLINE has tried and probably has the best chance, although they are strictly an amateur assosciation, they in my opinion aren't taking it far enough. I also believe that to have the best shot, it would be to the benefit of any assosciation to contact GRETZKY roller hockey. Seems that just his name alone would gain the attention needed, as found in all his hockey rinks and leagues. And.... well... I am tired of blabbering.. someone else take it from here eh?

laters, j-bo
editor and webmaster
Baton Rouge Hockey Report
http://zip.to/brhockeyreport

[j_bo]

Ooops.... guess I shoulda looked at your site before I commented. So.. disregard much of what I said earlier... seems you aren't too interested in the lil folks(amateurs)... or actually real roller hockey in the sense of what it has traditionally been over the last few years...looks like you want to sell a "product" instead.. sorry...and, by the way... what kinda circus are you going to run? 3rd "quarter" checking??? I hope that your advertising doesn't start out with "SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY"!!!!!! good luck. j-bo

[ucsbhockey06]

My name is Jacob Drucker and I am strong believer that roller hockey will become a great sport and that many people will learn to love it. I think that many people still have that roller hockey isn't hockey and that it will never be as exciting. I am not going to disagree because there is no alternative to ice hockey, but I think that with a few changes roller hockey can become as exciting as ice hockey.
First of all, there needs to be contact. Maybe not open surface contact, because unlike ice hockey, once you hit the ground you will not slide, but there definitely needs to be checking allowed on the boards and in the corner.
Second, there needs to be offsides and icing. Many youth leagues play with no offsides and icing and this makes the game move much slower. People can cherry pick, and if they get tired, there is no consequence of just icing the puck. If you implement offsides and hopefully even blue lines, this will force players to skate more, make faster passes and liven up the game. ]
I would be glad to share more ideas with you. SO you know my qualifications in the sport of hockey, I have played ice hockey since I was 4 years of age. I played on every all star team from the California Wildcats to the Junior Kings. I made a showing at the Select 15, played on team Cali for the Chicago Showcase and am currently one of the coaches for the UCSB roller hcokey team. I love hockey and would love to see it thrive.

Jacob Drucker

[XHILEAGUEOFFICE]

Jacob, no icing and no offsides are part of the biggest appeal our game has in creating a wide open style of play. Thanks for your comments and let's hope our debate in future years is in front of fans in standing-room-only arenas.

Michael Joseph, Director of Public Relations, Extreme Hockey International

[XHILEAGUEOFFICE]

I agree with many of your points. Let's hope XHI can supply some of what our sport needs.

Michael Joseph, Director of Public Relations, Extreme Hockey International

[XHILEAGUEOFFICE]

It beats ramps and balls. By the way, read our rules on the web site. Contact is allowed going for loose pucks or along the boards, just no flat out lining guys up against the boards --- except in the 3rd Quarter when cheap shot artists better keep their heads up. We're preparing a promotional video, make sure you get a copy. It includes a mini clinic by some of our star players. And unlike the federal warnings of NHL videos, copy it as many times as you like and pass it on to amateur roller hockey coaches and youth players. Thanks for your comments.

Michael Joseph, Director of Public Relations, Extreme Hockey International

[John]

Did I miss something?

Extreme Hockey International (XHI). What is that?

Is this another aberration of Mike Killbreath's harbinger of a Great Lakes League?

Having witnessed Mike's tenure on the sport last year, it will take some momentous yawning on my behalf to achieve an appropriate level of enthusiasm.

John