FLASH: USA Hockey will no longer offer an inline membership program after 2010-11 season.

(Hat Tip to Ben Picker)

From the USAHIL website:

Agreement Strengthens Inline Hockey Industry

May 10, 2011

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – In an effort to strengthen the inline hockey industry and focus on its primary role as the national governing body for ice hockey in the United States, USA Hockey announced today it will no longer offer an inline membership program after the 2010-11 season. USA Hockey will encourage its inline members to register with USA Roller Sports, the national governing body for roller sports, including inline hockey.

“With our growing ice membership and the implementation of the American Development Model, it’s important we focus our time and resources on our primary function as the national governing body for the sport of ice hockey,” said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. “We also believe that supporting USA Roller Sports' efforts as the national governing body for roller sports will help solidify the inline industry.”

USA Hockey will continue to offer inline registration online at USAHockeyRegistration.com through May 31 for the 2010-11 season. Beginning on June 1, USA Hockey will no longer register inline hockey members and encourages all leagues and players to register with USA Roller Sports here (.pdf).

“We look forward to welcoming USA Hockey’s inline membership and believe, like USA Hockey does, that having one central voice for inline hockey will strengthen the sport,” said Richard Hawkins, executive director of USA Roller Sports.