Pro Inline Hockey Criteria

[MDE3]

We see a lot of discussion in here about "Pro" and elite level hockey. Most of it is directed at the problems of creating a league and drawing a paying audience, how to market the game, what the rules of the game should be, how to get sponsors, how to get television contracts, everything but how to be a professional player.

We have long worked on the assumption that by fielding the best players available in a region - we have got the foundation for a "professional team". This is an illusion.

There needs to be league criteria on skating ability, shooting, stick handling, and game play. This may sound "impossible" or even "unfair" but if we are trying to makrket a product to the public, then we better be sure that this product is sellable.

I propose that any league with aspirations to be considered a "professional" league have a unilateral proficiency standard which each player trying out for a "pro" team must pass. This would be both an on rink as well as off rink test. The off rink part being a written exam about the game, covering both rules and situations and reactions. The "on rink" test would be comprised of skating and speed evaluations with and without the puck through a variety of drills both done both forwards and backwards and timed - as well as checking ability and performance while being checked.

A minimum performance benchmark would then be established before a player would be allowed to continue to participate in the "tryout". This would be the same test used for every team and to which there would be no exceptions. If a player who has a lot of experience but feels he cannot make the grade on the physical test but thinks he can contribute and still wants to try out and to play, then he is required to upgrade his conditioning and performance to meet the criteria - no exceptions!!!

By establishing this kind of benchmark, injuries to players will also be reduced, and the quality of games will be greatly enhanced. This will also create a benchmark for youth players to strive for - and make them work much harder to become a "qualified" player - the existance of "the test" of itself will become a unique marketing tool. As time goes on and players get better and better - this bar can be raised.

[thunder35]

I agree with all that you are saying here. The one thing I am trying to figure out is how everyone seems to think that the only skilled positions are forward and defense. You forgot to include goalie in your criteria. I feel there should be standards set for goalies also. Yes, I am being bias as I am a goalie, and I do realize this may take away some of the leagues goalies, but it is one of the ways to make EVERYTHING equal!

[MDE3]

I agree with you actually - but what criteria do you use for a goalie? Ultimately it is stopping pucks - there are different styles used and the skills needed for each are a bit different. I could see having a goalie pass all the technical criteria but not be able to stop the puck, but I guess the same goes for forwards and defensemen too in a game situation.

Obviously if he can't stand up on his skates, effect rapid lateral movement, pedal backwards quickly and be able to drop and recover back to standing position ie go through all the normal practice drills effectively he could be cut.

A Written test evaluating positional play would be part of this as well - testing his/her knowledge of the odds and percentages of a particular position or play.

By putting all of these criteria in place for goalies as well as skaters, I think the league would see a dramatic improvement in the parity of teams as well as the quality of play. What might suffer however is the total number of teams - in the beginning - from the difficulty of fielding enough players who meet the criteria. However more importantly, the integrity of "the product"(games) would be maintained.

As the leagues reputation improved however I think even more quality players would come out to tryouts.

[drewski]

You make things so technical. Do you think Patrick Roy (yeah I know...it's NHL, but still) ever actually sat down and said "Yeah...he tried to come at me with a 62 degree angle and slide it across the ice at approximately 84mph to the winger who was skating in at about 17mph. In the end, I clearly knew that the answer was to slide from the left to the right as it would be a one timer." Um...Yeah...Speaking as a goalie, I know angles and I know what to do in certain situations. However, I've never seen anyone actually document the EXACTS on everything...so maybe I'm wrong, but that seems pretty crazy to me. Of course, it would still be funny to take, say, a situation of 4 on just me as the rest of my team is stuck at the other end, either fallen or the what not, and be able to write in my answer "I'm screwed."

Drewski Da Goalie /wtimages/icons/cool.gif

[sactosaxons]

LOL - But Drewski: Giving up on the play so soon???? C'mon now.....

[MDE3]

Actually yes - that was why I originally did not include golaies in the evaluations because so much is instinct and not technically defineable, except maybe the skating part.

[drewski]

lol...I'd definitely try my best to stop the puck...and most of the time the guy forgets about his teammates and brings it in by himself...so yeah...as long as he did that I'd make the save 9 out of 10 times...but you start passing that puck around and I'll make it probably 2 out of 10 lol

Drewski Da Goalie /wtimages/icons/cool.gif

[yokes]

Not only skating as much as positioning. In MLRH all the rink sizes vary along with where faceoff circles are and etc. If you are not a good position goaltender and you get used to say your home rink, when you travel and say it is a smaller rink you still look at the faceoff circles to set up your angles they could be way off. Then there is the Hasek theory...which I personnaly love, if it dont go in then im happy as s#$%.
Mike as for the subject of these tests, many teams dont get very elaborate with their drills during tryouts, you would have to figure in more rink time and more time for someone or more having to evaluate these tests. Who is to say the evaluator is right in the situation at hand. I dont want to knock that test criteria theory but I think that is further down the road where you have coaches dedicated to watching tape and are considered professionals themselves. I would see that being a full time job for someone and we arent there yet. As far as testing the hitting I think that can and should be evaluated and taught at every opportunity.

Its just not fun unless you stand in front of it!

[yokes]

Let them make more passes, that many guys they usually screw it up and all you end up with is a dribbler. A two on 0 is scarier than a 4 on 0.

Its just not fun unless you stand in front of it!

[MDE3]

Well having conducted these kinds of tryouts myself - I can tell you it's not all that difficult to set up. The cones are placed a specific distance (measured) apart for these "trials" which are timed. Each player goes through a basic series of timed trials and gets to repeat them 3 times. These players must meet the criteria for at least one attempt at each one of the trials. These measure skating speed over a fixed lap distance, and over a predetermined slalom course with so many cones spaced so far apart, both forwards and backwards, and both with and without the puck. There are basically only two different courses one for slalom and one for pure speed(lap) trials.

Each player gets three try's at each skill test and there are a total of 8 different skill tests used - mostly mirroring backwards and forwards execution, with one test including a passing format - making and recieving and one test for hitting.

So each player will have a total of 24 attempts each attempt taking approximately 20 seconds to 30 seconds. By using multiple timers and a split rink more than one player at a time is being tested. The tryout group is divided in three with one third taking a written knowledge test while the other two are on the floor. One course is set up on one end of the rink and the other course at the opposite end, groups rotate through the different elements. Total floor time required is about 3 hours for 30 players.

[MDE3]

I've seen more 2 on o's end up without a shot than a single breakaway. The success percentage seems to go down as the number of players increase. It also depends who the players are. Which would you rather face - Ron Tracy and CJ together or individually lol?

[yokes]

But given those numbers, and consider you were at the Grenades tryouts which was and hour I think the first night and another hour the next doesnt leave time for that. Added onto that was the amount of people i believe more than 30. Yes it is a good idea but the problem is rink time and a moniter or evaluator that knows how to do this correctly.

Its just not fun unless you stand in front of it!

[yokes]

Together so they can only score once!

Its just not fun unless you stand in front of it!

[MDE3]

Charge more for tryouts - the player is recieving a "professional evaluation" - look at other sports and what it takes to "get your card". Believe me - while this is not done at the NHL level, it is done at many levels underneath the NHL so that by the time the player reaches a level where he is being considered a prospect, it is not the basic skills that are used as the criteria. Everyone of the prospects skills has been defined and enumerated by scouts.

We are talking about a minimal additional up front investment to insure a more quality product. Remember we cannot just look at these leagues as being "adult travel leagues" and randomly throw the word "Pro" into the mix. If we are serious about Inline Hockey becoming a true professional sport, then taking an additional three or four hours up front should not be a problem. For their money each player would recieve a professional critique of his performance as well. So a tryout now costs $150.00 - is that outrageous to be part of something which now really adds some meaning to the word "professional"

[MDE3]

Good answer - rofl.

[drewski]

Bring it on...I'd take them each one on one...I'm better off that way anyhow!(or at least I'd like to think)

Drewski Da Goalie /wtimages/icons/cool.gif

[MDE3]

Hey Yokes - should we??

[sactosaxons]

School is now in session....

[Superstar9]

I dont think that it is totally a bad idea but, if a player doesnt "make the grade" in te hitting department he shoud have to go back and get bigger? If a player isnt pro because he cant hit we would never have had gretzky or bure or quite a few other players.. hitting, for the billionth time, does not make a good hockey player and is definitely not near the most important skill in hockey, its not even a crucial one.

[Superstar9]

before I go too far on the hitting topic.... just for the record... were you talking about testing their hitting ability or testing to mae sure they hit safely? if its hitting ability (as in effectiveness to level people etc) then I dont think its important at all because its not nearly as important as skill.. if it meant testing the ability to hit safely and cleanly.. Im all for the testing. I just dont believe that hitting is a neccessary skill to be a "PRO"

[MDE3]

It means testing that the player knows how to position themselves to A: make a hit, B Take a hit, If you have grown up playing only non contact hockey - your defensive body positioning may well be different than if you grew up playing full contact hockey.

When the first priority is to poke check it usually is not the going to put you in the best position to "ride off" the body, or if needed - make a hit (not the same thing), conversely - if you are commited to taking the body first, you may not be in the best position to make a stick check or poke check. Ideally when positioning yourself to take the body in a one on one situation, you have also learned to poke check from that position as well.

Taking the body does NOT necessarily mean "taking someone out", but means you have successfully taken their skating direction/speed/space away and created a turnover of the puck - which should always be the first priority. In fact overcomitting to taking the body will so often take the aggressive player out of the play, that unless he is well supported by a team mate - the opportunity to create a succcessful turnover is lost.

For a full contact league, it is imperative that the coaching staff verify that players do anticipate the correct body position on both sides of "contact".

[NLane]

He just doesn't know, does he?

[missionhockey21]

Thats true, a lot of goalies might not be technically sound, but put them in the net and the instincts kick in and they look like a great goalie.

[MDE3]

/wtimages/icons/wink.gif

[missionhockey21]

I agree, the more players, the more elaborate of a play they try to accomplish.

[missionhockey21]

Good point :p

[missionhockey21]

>We are talking about a minimal additional up front >investment to insure a more quality product. Remember we >cannot just look at these leagues as being "adult travel >leagues" and randomly throw the word "Pro" into the mix. >If we are serious about Inline Hockey becoming a true >professional sport, then taking an additional three or >four hours up front should not be a problem. For their >money each player would recieve a professional critique of >his performance as well. So a tryout now costs $150.00 - >is that outrageous to be part of something which now >really adds some meaning to the word "professional"

I totally agree, I think this is a must before we continue trying to become a true professional sport.

[missionhockey21]

Good idea. lol

[missionhockey21]

"Americas Funnies Home Videos" anyone? lol j/k

[missionhockey21]

I think this should also be taught in roller hockey about hitting. In ice we learned how to take and give a hit. I have seen many roller kids who have no idea what they are doing throwing their body around, and that could hurt themself or others.

[drewski]

If it means winning $10K, I'll do anything!

Drewski Da Goalie /wtimages/icons/cool.gif

[missionhockey21]

Same here. lol

[MDE3]

Hey drewski - you know we were having a little fun at your expense - just wondered if you know who those guys are or had ever had the chance to see them play. Yokes plays on the same team with them for the Gladiators - which is what made his reply to my question so funny. They are two of the greatest goal scorers in the world in inline hockey.

[yokes]

CJ has the distict ability to undress even the best. Ronny, what makes him so effective is his incredible wrist shot, if you havent seen it it is unbelievable.

Its just not fun unless you stand in front of it!

[yokes]

Im always willing to watch someone learn out the hard way who they are.

Its just not fun unless you stand in front of it!

[NLane]

Yokes, I bet you like them better looking at their backs moving away from you, then their faces coming at you with the puck!

[yokes]

That would be a wise bet!!!

Its just not fun unless you stand in front of it!

[dude10k]

i totally agree. i think very rarely u would have to HIT the player hard. all u really have to do is stay center put your stick between his legs and play the body or better yet the hip. not unless he is a super stud that is so fast with the crossovers and he is built like a brick sh*t house then i think u might have to put some more effort into it. also enough i hate to say this but hard hitters and so called goons r needed in the game. reason? if i was goin into the boards and this guy plays me well and slams me in the boards i'm goin to think twice before i do that again. if he is goin to start a fight with me sometimes it does throw me off my game. which is very smart but that should only be for the game. if the so called goon is doing it to be a d*ck and trying to hurt someone then that is way uncalled for. so u got to think r they doing it to be smart in the game or doin it just to be all stupid and an ass. any of u guys agree?

[missionhockey21]

I can 2nd that, they are a few of the "house hold names" in roller hockey.

[Superstar9]

ok. w/ all that I agree, just wanted to clear things up and get a more detailed opinion.. Im not against checking, I do however think checking has gotten away from its original purpose of seperating the player from the puck and is now rewarded and praised for destroying the opponent, even if thats the case, thats fine. My biggest concern w/ hitting is the dangerous hits from behind (yeah I know, once again.lol)

[Superstar9]

personaly.. I hate goons.. no talent hacks who cant stop me so instead have to cheat or take cheap shots just to keep me from destroying his team on the scoreboard... if it was up to me. put em in front of a firing squad.... no pads.. yeah, I hate em that much

[missionhockey21]

You have had some bad experience with goons, right Superstar? I dont blame you for feeling that way, and I feel the same way even though I have never been injured badly by them.

[SpiderRat]

I'm with you Thunder. To see a MLRH, or any other Pro/Elite game with scores like 23 to 2, is crazy. Did someone forget to tell the goalies they picked that there are going to be some great scorers out there and if you can't stop a house league shot, what makes them think they can stop an "elite' players shot? Hello. Come on, raise the bar all the way around. Great topic by the way.

[SpiderRat]

I had the opportunity to play against CJ at the TORHS national last year. On breakaways, he had one goal, I had one stop. 50/50. Not bad considering inline hockey is a shooters game. Wait a minute, it's coming back to me now. On that one that I stopped, he sort of ran out of room and hit the side of the net. That still counts as a save doesn't it?

[SpiderRat]

Hey Yokes, are you playing this weekend in New York? I'd like to finally meet up with you and talk goalie talk?

[Superstar9]

YUP..BAD EXPERIENCE.. goon boarded me from behind and ended my season in january... Im still feeling it in my shoulder every once in awhile.

[yokes]

Absolutely, in my eyes you forced him into that shot. He had nothing else to shoot at because of your great positioning. By the way I get to play him and the rest of his bomb squad tom., so ill let you know how I did.;)

Its just not fun unless you stand in front of it!

[yokes]

I just found out tonight that my sis is having surgery on her neck so I had to cancel on DC. I was asked to play adult with them. I am really disappointted but family is priority here. Will you be in Detriot (AAU)or Marple(NIKE), ill be at both along with my usual breakout team in Columbus. Also ill see what happens with NIKE's Narch pro team, ill be at there tryout.

Its just not fun unless you stand in front of it!

[thunder35]

OK, you bring in patrick Roy.....well, if you were to ask him about technical stuff like angles and speed and all that jazz he would most likely be able to tell you that within5 to 10 mph or degrees. That is why he is a PRO! But that isn't what i was talking about. There are plenty of goalie drills out there that work on ANY goalies technique and would tell just about anyone who has played this game at a high level if that goalie can handle the MLRH or even Elite level. I'm not trying to say to give them a written test as everyone know goalies have to be dumber that anyone else for playing that position (just kidding). What I am trying to say is that instead of focusing in on all the skating, passing and shooting drills for forwards or defense, do some more drills for the goalies. There are plenty of skating drills we (yes I am a goalie) can do, and believe it or not some of us can shoot the puck. Work on our passing skills or clearing the puck out of the zone if need be. Also, do drills that are going to make the goalie have to think about the play as it is going on instead of letting them just stand there and take the shot as it hits them. yes, lateral movement is a big thing when it comes to goaltending, and I see way to many goalies out there that can't even come out of their net and challenge a shooter, and be able to get back and across the crease to make a save off of a pass attempt. If you look at our game as it is today, there are so many goalies that are 6'4" and can get away with sitting back in their net and don't have to move. you get the puck passing around the perimeter and they are screwed. They can't see the puck through a crowd, and the shot will most likely come from the side of the net. And as for a 4 on just the goalie, no, your not screwed unless you believe you have no chance (not saying that we don't think of that). All that I am saying is that goaltending is much harder that most people think, and the skills of goaltending should be worked on more to produce a much better, more entertaining game.

[dude10k]

i had some bad experiences too. i had 3 concussions, a fracture jaw and torn lig on my right knee last seasons from goons and the fact that no one from the team i was on is willing to go in there and get the job done. i hate goons too.

[SpiderRat]

I will not be in Detroit or Marple. We will be in Rochester, then at the NARCH nationals. I hope you make the Nike team. That would be great. Maybe then we can not only hook up and chat, but maybe we will play against each other. I think we will be playing in Conn. at the end of August for the MLRH tournament. Rumor has it that the Virginia Storm may be based in Boston this up coming season. Let me know if you are going to make the trip up. The ZRink is a great place to play.

[CMc62480]

And leave the comforts of The Shoebox?? Say it ain't so! With all the hockey talent up there, the league needs another strong team in New England.

[StormOwner]

/wtimages/icons/wink.gif

[StormOwner]

/wtimages/icons/wink.gif/wtimages/icons/wink.gif

[StormOwner]

I ran across this 1998/1999 interview and thought it provided an interesting look back on the MLRH in its early days. Thought you all would like to check it out......

THE WORD FROM THE TOP
An interview with Bill Raue, president of Major League Roller Hockey.
by Richard Graham

June 9,1998?It all began with a yard sale and a $1 pair of cursed inline skates. Two years later, the $1 skates have spawned Major League Roller Hockey, a 20-team professional league with international aspirations.

In the summer of 1996, Lindsay Raue returned from a yard sale with the infamous skates. The previous owner's initial skate proved disastrous with the end result being a broken wrist. Convinced they were cursed, he offered to sell them for $1 to the first taker. So for the price of $1, Mrs. Raue inadvertently purchased the start of MLRH. Bill Raue, a self described "old goalie from Wisconsin," immediately became immersed in inline hockey.

Over the past three years, Raue, owner of an Alexandria, Virginia-based public-interest graphic design firm, has become surrounded by inline hockey-related businesses, including rink construction, dasher board manufacturing, Sk8 Magazine and eventually Major League Roller Hockey.

When Raue first acquired the skates, there were no inline hockey facilities in the Washington, DC area.

"We'd go out and play on basketball courts until the authorities chased us off," Raue said. "I was the oldest juvenile delinquent in Alexandria, VA."

The lack of a suitable roller hockey rink prompted Raue's involvement in rink construction and then "one thing just led to another."

In its inaugural 6-week 1997 season, MLRH debuted with teams in Washington, New York, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and four in the United Kingdom. This season the MLRH will play in 20 cities around the world, with 14 teams in North America and six in the UK. Major League Roller Hockey rosters include some of the world's top inline and ice hockey players.

A unique twist to MLRH requires four players on each team's 14-player roster to live within 100 miles of the team's home arena. This is designed to create hometown heroes and the opportunity for amateur inline hockey players to make the jump to the professional ranks.

MLRH has elected to play in smaller, less expensive arenas.

"We want to be around for a long time, and affordable venues make sense," Raue said. "When we fill the 7,000 seat buildings, we'll move up to the mega arenas."

This season, most teams will play in buildings with a 3,000-8,000 seat capacity. The Anaheim Bullfrogs, easily inline hockey's most successful team, will play at the Arrowhead Pond, while two teams will play in new rinks with only 1,000 seats.

"It was important not to let the professional game die," said Raue. "If necessary, we will play in the occasional 1,000-seat building until better facilities are available."

Teams with small capacities will play at least one showcase game in a large arena as part of a Roller Hockey Festival format to promote the sport and MLRH.

Inline Hockey Central: Do you inline skate or play inline hockey?

Bill Raue: I still play goalie at our local Alexandria rink. My big stat is that I'm 5-1 in shootouts giving away an average of 30 years to opposing goalies.

IHC: How much does a MLRH franchise cost, and what are the league dues each season per team?

Bill Raue: Charter members paid $50,000, the most recent franchise sold for $100,000, so I guess that's the new asking price.

IHC: What do the teams expect in return from the league's leadership?

Bill Raue: Most importantly a sense that we are a league of equals. Anybody can keep stats and make a schedule. Our job is to make every team successful.

IHC: What qualities were you looking for in a Commissioner?

Bill Raue: Someone with a roller hockey background who had experience in successful pro hockey programs.

IHC: Do you feel you found them in Shawn Jones?

Bill Raue: Shawn Jones' resume is the perfect profile for the job. Shawn built an organization (NIHA) from the ground up. He has great organizational skills and is a problem solver. Shawn commands respect in the inline industry as well as in professional sports.

IHC: What are your duties as President, Shawn's as Commissioner, and Matt Katlen's as Director of Player Personnel?

Bill Raue: I am the resident dreamer! I deal with marketing and promotion, Shawn has far more hockey experience than I do-he's the hockey guy. Matt deals with player contracts and trades. He also co-ordinates with Howe Sports Data. Matt basically keeps track of who plays for whom and whether they are eligible to be in uniform for that particular team.

IHC: What errors has MLRH already made and learned from?

Bill Raue: I took a number of people at their word back in the fall of 1997. A lot of promises were made to MLRH and without getting too specific, in some cases, I was let down badly. I'm much more cautious based on what I've learned.

IHC: There seems to be a lot of team venue and name changes just before the start of the season. Why is that, and is there anything that can be done in the future to solidify the divisions sooner in the future?

Bill Raue: Yes, the first year with a franchise is always the hardest. In at least three cities, we were assured of suitable venues and they failed to materialize. We had one team in America and two in the UK committing to play before they had an arena deal. As a result, we were forced to scramble. All I can say is if starting a league were easy, everybody would do it.

IHC: RHI often had two or three thousand fans in a 15,000-seat arena. What is the "perfect" arena size for MLRH?

Bill Raue: 3,000-5,000, unless in the case you can fill a larger venue like Anaheim.

IHC: Some people say that pro inline hockey will never succeed because fans don't want to be inside arenas on warm summer nights. What's your response to that argument?

Bill Raue: Arena football sells out in a lot of cities, that's a summer game. Last time I checked it's warm in Anaheim in the summer! Additionally, in the right circumstances, I still believe the sport can be played outside.

IHC: Many people believe that losing its ESPN television contract ruined RHI's chances for success. Is MLRH working on getting its games televised?

Bill Raue: We are working to create a network built around regional sports cable networks. We will produce the games and supply them to cable outlets. At a minimum, we hope to televise our "Final Four."

IHC: Why is MLRH creating a United Kingdom Division? Wouldn't it be more effective to make pro inline hockey fly in North America before stretching the league's reach so thin?

Bill Raue: The UK and Europe are the great frontiers of this sport. The only thing holding us back is suitable venues. Somebody has to take the first step and we're prepared to do that.

IHC: Last year's play in MLRH was highly aggressive and full of contact. Can we expect more of the same this season?

Bill Raue: Yes! But we do not intend to be a "goon league." Last season, a lot of guys were getting their first opportunity to play and their enthusiasm showed.

IHC: The power base of MLRH has a decided East Coast leaning. Will MLRH have more teams in the West in 1999?

Bill Raue: I can announce today that we have sold the rights to Arizona, so we are making our way West.

IHC: Will Canadian franchises play a legitimate part in the future of MLRH?

Bill Raue: Yes, I may have been a bit over-enthusiastic in hoping to create an Ontario Division for this season, but we'll be stronger in Canada next year.

IHC: What makes you feel MLRH can flourish when RHI seems to have lost momentum and direction?

Bill Raue: We have great enthusiasm within our ownership groups. Plus new markets where MLRH is viewed as a welcome addition with affordable family entertainment. Also, it costs us much less to operate. We run a very tight ship. This is an entrepreneur league, not a millionaire's league. While we do have some very wealthy ownership groups, all of our teams will be run like a small business with committed, hands-on owners.

IHC: What has Major League Roller Hockey learned from Roller Hockey International's experience, both positive and negative?

Bill Raue: I always said that RHI put a very entertaining product on the floor. I just never felt the owners were all on the same page. You've got to have a shared vision.

IHC: What will MLRH do differently from RHI?

Bill Raue: Most importantly operate with a sensible budget. This will translate to more teams and great regional rivalries. Additionally, given another year, the international element will add some sizzle.

[StormOwner]

RAUE RETURNS
With plans to bring back Major League Roller Hockey... and more.

by Richard Graham

October 9, 1999?In 1997, Major League Roller Hockey came out of the East Coast to challenge Roller Hockey International for the loyalty of pro inline hockey fans. It was a huge undertaking, considering that RHI already had four seasons under its belt, and that league was struggling. However, Bill Raue sensed an opportunity, and he put together Major League Roller Hockey. In 1998, when RHI went on the same "hiatus" status that had previously sidelined so many of its own teams, Raue took the opportunity offered and stepped up to fill the gap. Battling low attendance, some underfinanced teams and a bouncing puck, MLRH still gave professional inline hockey fans their fix.

This year, however, the wheels fell off for Raue and his league, as team owners and upper management battled for control, and over money. The league's third season died before it could start. Now Raue's back, and his plans are nothing if not expansive?he wants to bring back Major League Roller Hockey, a semipro league called MLRH AAA, and a women's professional league.













Inline Hockey Central: Last season, MLRH failed to even get out of the gates. Aren't you biting off way more than you can chew by attempting to revive the league, and have a semipro league, and create a women's league?

Bill Raue: No. Number one, these things do not operation at the same time. Number two, the semipro league will give us a structure and allow us to reach down to the grassroots of the sport and make the connection that we need. These things will be the foundation for the pro league, as opposed to the other way around. There's real enthusiasm for the project. I really believe this is a foundation to build on, reach to the facilities around the country, and make them aware of MLRH. And then go from there. If the kids see semipro play in their building and become aware of MLRH, that's a good thing. We'll provide the structure and public relations; it may sound ambitious, but at the end of the day, we can handle it.

IHC: According to one of IHC's readers, for MLRH to be taken seriously, it will take at least two years of quality hockey without interruption for MLRH to gain back some credibility... and that's just not going to happen. How do you answer that?

Bill Raue: I don't believe that. The credibility will be established by the quality of the game and the play. Judge us by what we do. I don't think it requires a timeline. We didn't play in 1999, but at the end of 1998, we had the best league that every played professional inline hockey. What we accomplished in three months was stunning. It was disappointing not to play, but we made a prudent decision to be able to live to play another day. In some ways, that gives us credibility, because we made the tough decision. Could it have been orchestrated better? Sure. I have enough ego to think we could have found a way to pull it together. I expect to be judged by what we do. We didn't make huge promises, we didn't lie about [having] a television contract.



IHC: Another IHC reader wants to know if there is a possibility of merging with RHI, or taking some of the Eastern teams if RHI should become a West Coast league, as rumored.



Bill Raue: The answer is yes, but they would have to play within our budget restrictions and have a shared vision with other MLRH owners on the direction we want MLRH to take.

Text of the MLRH press release from MLRH.com.


After standing down for its third (1999) season, Major League Roller Hockey (MLRH) is back with a vengeance, according to league president Bill Raue. Besides the summer professional league, the resurrected MLRH will introduce a national semipro league called MLRH AAA and a women's professional league. "This sport badly needs a little excitement, " Raue said, "and I believe this is the way to generate it."

MLRH 2000 re-enters the sports world with a greatly revised ownership structure. "Teams need additional revenue streams, " Raue explained. "Owners that make a long-term commitment to operating an MLRH team will own a piece of the league and all its various programs. Their income will not be limited to just 'bums on seats' in their arena. MLRH 2000 will be a vertically integrated, youth to professional, Internet-driven league. We will soon announce marketing partnerships with 'high-tech heavyweights' to build roller hockey, the sport, as well as MLRH worldwide."

MLRH 2000 will continue to operate within the league's original budget restraints, with a weekly payroll capped at $6,000, plus housing. Players will also share in a prize pool for play-off teams.

Describing his motives for reviving MLRH in the millennial year, Raue pointed to the broad appeal of roller hockey, and the need for a structure that links young amateurs with semi-pro and pro players.

"While the amateur game has continued grow," he said, "I believe that a pro game is essential to establish roller hockey as a legitimate sport. We've got to reach out and bring more players into the game. I'm talking about eight-year-old players as well as the financial players. To that end, we're creating a Major League Roller Hockey Players Association. Players, youth to professional, will be able to join on-line at no cost. They'll receive a benefits package and, for the first time, the sport will be able to identify its fan base."

The 1999 Hiatus
Speaking of his abrupt decision to abandon the 1999 season, Raue said that claims by a competing league, Roller Hockey International (RHI), had created an atmosphere in which MLRH's chances of success seemed greatly diminished. In the event, RHI's promise of a television contract and funding for every team proved empty.

"Their plan could not and did not work," Raue said. "For MLRH to succeed in the future, I had to step aside and allow RHI to fail one more time."

But Raue also shouldered some of the blame for MLRH's troubles, noting that, coming to the sports world from another business environment, he had not prepared himself for some of the machinations of a professional league. "The league operated as a loose confederation of teams, and the league office depended on member teams to pay their share in order to operate.: When some owners failed to rally around the MLRH flag, Raue explained, and stopped contributing their franchise fees and league dues, his league could no longer afford to operate. "Several MLRH teams were looking for a financial handout and we could not afford to go down that road."

On the up side, the 1999 hiatus showed where MLRH had real strength.

"The good news," Raue said, "is that many owners and fans have been incredibly supportive. While not playing this summer was a huge personal disappointment for me and for MLRH loyalists, our being able to bring the league back to life is a huge vindication of all our hopes and aspirations for the sport.

"Everyone has to understand that there's no free lunch in the sports business. But I'm pleased to be able to announce that the MLRH affordable lunch will soon be back on the menu."

MLRH AAA
Major league Roller Hockey (MLRH) has unveiled its plans for a national semipro league to be called MLRH AAA. MLRH president Bill Raue believes the league will provide new excitement for the sport.

"Cheering for the home team is fundamental to all sports--except roller hockey," Raue said, "with few exceptions, roller hockey has evolved into a tournament-bsaed sport. Most tournaments are at a neutral site, and the teams represent nothing but themselves or a sponsor. MLRH AAA will have regional divisions with teams playing 'home and home' series with division winners advancing to playoffs and a National Championship just prior to the start of our pro season."

Raue believes the time is right for this semi-pro league. "We could easily have six-team divisions in Florida, Northern and Southern California. In other areas, teams would compete in 2-3 state groups with a maximum travel time of 2-3 hours." All games would be on weekends. "We can create rivalries and inject some much-needed passion into the sport," Raue added.

MLRH AAA was designed to accommodate the many new roller hockey specific facilities that have been built recently. "Over the past few years, I've talked with hundreds of players, teams and facility owners that loved MLRH, but did not have the seating capacity or the resources to operate a fully professional team," Raue explained, "MLRH AAA is the perfect vehicle for bridging the gap between the amateur and professional game."

The new league was created for elite roller hockey players with a limited number of former professional players to provide coaching and a professional attitude. Charter AAA teams would not pay a franchise fee. All teams would be required to pay $2,500 league dues and post a $5,000 letter of credit to the league to ensure that games are played as scheduled. A team that fails to appear for a road game would be fined $2,500, and the fine would be awarded to the home team as compensation. A second 'no-show' would result in suspension from the league. Additionally, each team must have a GM, Coach and media representative. "These can be unpaid, volunteer positions, but if MLRH AAA is to succeed, each team must present itself in a professional manner," Raue said.

"This makes sense for the roller hockey industry as well," Raue continued. "Manufacturers can reach players at a grassroots level. Young fans can see the players using their product and walk 50 feet to the pro shop and buy it. Facility owners can use the team as an incentive for young players to stay in their leagues. It will give the kids something to aim for."

An MLRH organizational meeting is scheduled for Nov. 20 & 21 in Washington, D.C.

[StormOwner]

The NHL has come a long way since its inception in 1917. It started with 6 teams and now has expanded to 30, all with players that have multi-million dollar contracts. What about roller hockey? How often can you turn on ESPN and catch a good roller hockey game. The answer is never. If one would say that this is so because there isn?t a professional roller hockey league then they are sadly mistaken. There is a pro roller hockey league now, and there has been at least one league since 1993!


In 1993, Dennis Murphy created the RHI (Roller Hockey International). There were 12 teams; they played 4 periods, totaling 12 minutes a period. They played 4 on 4, and didn?t have such rules as offside; they scored an average of 17 goals a game, and took it to a shoot out if it was tied after 4 periods of play. In 1994 the 12 teams expanded into 24 and David McLane, founder of a made for television hockey league, the world roller hockey league, brought a contract from ESPN. Soon afterwards the 24 teams diminished to 18 teams in 1997. Then some time later, in 97, a new league came to challenge the RHI. This new league was called MLRH (Major League Roller Hockey), and these two leagues battled with each other for the spotlight for pro roller hockey. Things became really hairy that summer and even more so in 1998. David McLane left the RHI. ESPN and ESPN2 announced that on June 8th 1998 they would broadcast 26 original games of a new league, the PBH (Pro Beach Hockey) which was founded by McLane, and they would do so for 3 years.This looked like big trouble for the other two leagues, which would have very little coverage on T.V. The PBH contained a bunch of new rules, this included non-geographical team, a 2-point line, and ramps at each end of the rink. All the games would also be played at the same rink in Huntington Beach, California. Even though this league had ESPN, they weren?t that big of a threat because many pro roller hockey fans didn?t take it seriously. Then on May 24th 1999, just 10 games into their new season, the MLRH ran into some problems. There 14 teams diminished into 6 and on June 25 Commissioner Bill Raue Announced that the league would not operate for the rest of 1999 season. It would appear as if the RHI had won the battle, receiving little competition. But this would only last for a short while, because by the end of the season, do to lack of fan support, they had to shut down as well. When all hope seemed to be lost, in 2000 the MLRH came back, this time with a new infrastructure with a minor and women?s league. After the PBH 2000 season, ESPN decided not to offer them another contract and the PBH went down

[BkHdTpShlf]

I don't know exactly what he meant but I took it as just hit safely. Which I too agree with. There is just way to many guys in contact leagues that were never taught how to hit and many players retaliate to what they thought was a cheap shot. In most cases the player throwing the hit just doesn't know how to hit.

Darrell Interbartolo
Boston Storm GM/Coach

[MDE3]

The word I used was "checking" as opposed to "hitting".

Maybe therein we see the difference in perspective about what full contact hockey is about? Body positioning with a purpose is implied with "checking" and "hitting" simply implies making contact.........an entirely different perspective.

Using the body to take away floor/ice space and separate a player from the puck(checking)is the primary directive for "full contact". The "hitting" part is for "show" and used to get the fans and team mates into the game on an emotional level.

Knowing when and how to give or take a check, is a fundamental skill to the game of hockey, as it allows a player, and a team with the skills to take "good body position", to play much better defensively, and offensively too when anticipation of contact has become second nature.

Players must become more heads up, more agile, and overall better skaters to play "full contact" hockey. Conversely, cheap "hits" from behind, or "reaching" "hits" which result in knee on knee contact or other dangerous contact, must be severely dealt with. Both these instances may more reflect a desire to "hit" another player, and not to necessarily "check" this player which is what the true spirit of full contact was designed to be.

To reduce the number of "bad hits" I have proposed this "testing", which has as much to do with skating and positional evaluation as well as the actual "throwing" of the "hit".

If a player has his head down through the middle of the rink, it is part of the game that he is fair game for contact. My point is that at a professional level, going through the middle of the rink with your head down, or recieving a "buddy pass" without checking your "six", is unnaceptable, and dangerous to players who otherwise may have great skills for non contact hockey. Being equipped with "heads up hands", and rapid lateral as well as fore and aft agility, is just part of the repertoire necessary for a "professional level" player. Verifying these skills is what the testing is about.

The presence of full contact tends to improve these skills, as long as the hit's/checks allowed are within the context of the rules. These rules are essentially that a player can only be hit or checked, when he has a fair chance to avoid the contact. IE 180 degrees from the shoulders, and forward.

So testing and then teaching a clinic on when and how to "hit" within the rules, seems to me to be a no brainer for the level of hockey we are looking to promote.

[NLane]

And a good ref would know the difference and make the call if necessary!

[MDE3]

Ummm.....reference last game with the Birds and the Ottakringer..... only a 2 minute minor was issued for a full on check from behind right in front of you, which resulted in only a minor injury (thank goodness) and was a classic case of a "non call" for a major offense.

That is exactly what we are talking about policing, where the potential for serious injury from this kind of check exists.

I did not complain about this hit on here, and that is not the intent in this post either......it is just to illustrate that the severity of the results from checking from behind, is more good luck than good management, and that the ref's must make those calls automatically when a clear cut case exists. The criteria cannot be whether or not a serious injury results from the check, but whether the check could have caused serious injury.

That is one of if not the only way to get the message across, and to maintain and control proper checking.

In a game which was not decided in any way shape or form by the referrees and which refs I thought otherwise did a very credible job of policing the game, I only point out the event to illustrate that your comment about "any good ref" etc., is not unilaterally true. These were in my opinion, "good refs" who let a call go(meaning making a "boarding" call instead of a checking from behind call) that should in principle always be called, so that everyone knows that type of check will never be tolerated.

[Superstar9]

ok, in that case, I agree with what youve suggested

Street