You Smell Scared

[NoSnivlers]

Hey Mr. Webmaster, I don't know you and you don't know me, but you sure smell scared. Why does this Mark Ellis guy scare you?

I can't believe what I was reading in your post:

You said::: "It will free up time for me to editorialize, something that I admit I've let lapse, ever since Sealweenies.com came on the scene. Mr. Mark Ellis has a million opinions, and I've allowed him to steal IHC's fire. That was a mistake."

If he put out your fire, then it must not have been very hot!

You said::: Hell, I was working in media when Ellis was in diapers, and I can kick his ass editorially from here (Las Vegas) to the East Coast with both hands tied behind my back and both my eyes blindfolded. There's more to the news biz than simply having opinions; you have to have some humility and common sense in addition to having an opinion. Every *censored* has an opinion, and Mark Ellis is living proof of that. (His son, whom I met at NARCh Winternationals a few years back, however, is a class act.)"

If you are such a great editor, then hang up this lame website and go start a new paper!

You said::: On the other hand, I'm not a lawyer, and perhaps Mr. Ellis will sue me for these comments and shut IHC down. If that happens, at least you'll know that IHC went out with a bang, and not a whimper."

There is no way he can put you out of business if you tell the truth.. if you lie like a piece a crap, wantabe editor, then you deserve to go under!

Why don't you focus on the sport, the kids and be better than your aponents.

Good luck,
Just another hockey parent

[RichardGraham]

Hi Mr. Anonymous,

Good to hear from you. I'd expected to hear from Mr. Ellis rather than a proxy, but that's fine. I'm sure that he appreciates your support.

Put your name and identity behind your post; I won't debate anyone who's too cowardly to own up to their own opinions.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[NoSnivlers]

Hello Mr. Richard

I am not hiding, I have no reason to "debate" with you. I don't even know Mr. Ellis. I am actually a first time reader of your site. I was blown away with you flamboyent and big headed comments, thats all. Don't cry about it. Just go out and try to keep making more enemies in the little hockey world.

I must say that I have been a Sealweenies.com visitor for years and have NEVER read anything bad or anything about your site. I did not even know about your site.

You said that you could "Kick Mr. Ellis's Ass editorially" or something like that.

Well....

I know that I could kick you ass... litterally!

Big Smile... Big Smile...
Be nice to people, you accuse me of hiding behind a screen name, well you hide behind a website bulletin board. If you really want to know me, send me your email address and I will accomindate you.

Just a question?... Is Mr. Ellis your biggest threat? If so, you are pathetic.

See ya Pal,
Just another loser parent

[MartyAlexander]

In my humble opinion Mr. Richard Graham has done more for the sport of inline hockey than anyone I can think of, and at times I think, at great personal sacrifice.

Thus, I find your post and in turn the comments totally inappropriate and completely unnecessary.

I suspect being other regular IHC readers will tell you the same.

Marty Alexander
Communications & Promotions Coordinator
Hockey Alberta In Line Committee

[cyclonewinger]

Anyone heard of the game of "Life"?

I have, and I have one too.

So, please everyone chill out and get a real life.

[ScrappersSponser]

Marty you are right on the head with regards to Richard. Richard don't stoop to the classless level of a person who has to hide behind a made up name. Keep on trucking as you have given us a wonderful avenue to express our opinions regarding the sport we love!

Jeff Haze

[SpeedDemon]

Calling people out on a messageboard anonymously puts you at a lower level than any you claim anywhere else is.

Are you really a parent? I find it hard to beleive a parent would be so immature as to post this drivel. Let's all be big boys and girls, people.

[NLane]

To quote Ben Loyall of the Williamsburg Warriors..."Don't feed the trolls". RG got the response he was looking to get and those of us who follow and use this board know the deal. I do wish there was a better spell check on this board!

[thebenchman]

Well I DO know Mark Ellis PERSONLALLY. I do know what he thinks and why things are as they are. I like him and have had the pleasure of coaching with him and participating with him in many instances. I think this guy who came on here to make the threats over exageratted the statement Mr Graham made. He was stating his idea and making it easier for him to manage the website. In previous time there HAVE been attacks on him. Mark has had the same on his site.

The problem is those who do choose to attact and verbalize this make themselves look like a buffoon. We wonder why we are having a cycle down ward in the game? Too many people have tried to be the top and walked on everyone else in the same sport. I will admit I have never mentioned Richard, but I have not seen him attack anyonE on here. I FIRMLY disagree with USA hockey as a leader in the sport. I am not called on it. It is MY opinion. I am in complete agreement with AAU/USARS. I feel that they are and will soon be shown to be the only leader to see that this sport stops the spiral down trend we are now seeing.

Roy


Die hard hockey nut.

[DannyG]

Now that this thread has degenerated into a legitimate opinion forum once again, I'll chime in...

I have not met Mark, I have only briefly corresponded with him a single time, great respect for his efforts.

I have met Richard, have played on the blue floor with him, have great respect for all his efforts as well.

Both these guys do what they do because they give a heck about our sport.

Mr. N.S. kinda missed the point, I can't think there is anything other than a journalistic challenge in Richard's comments, from one journalist professional to another, "friendly banter" is how I took it.

Ya want opinions?

USARS/AAU program has entirely the wrong focus. AAU is concerned only with developing AAU, not the sport of inline hockey. AAU only took over the USAR's abandoned ship three years ago, and has spent all the time since in selling memberships in its program.

USA Hockey Inline has the correct focus on the growth and development of the sport. Each year, they attempt several program components and services that enable the sport to grow and develop. You might well note, that after the demise of AIRHS, several national tournament organizations have begun to afilliate at various levels with the USAHIL program. This is not by accident. It is because before this decade is out, USAHIL will have established itself as the [/i]de facto[/i] "governing body" of the sport in this country. They will be so, because they care about everybody's program, not just their own, not just the tournament players, but all players...on and on...

Those that view national organizations such as USARS/AAU or USAHIL as only "insurance programs," are missing the boat, maybe they will catch up sooner or later.

Last month, I had the privilege of sitting in a room with Daryn Goodwin (NARCh), Tim McManus (Mission Empire Snipers, State Wars), Todd Griswold & Bill Elder, two major rink proprietors/league directors, Gary Del Vechhio & Jeremy Kennedy, two top USAHIL guys, and Ron Foyt and Jon Elvey, two preimenant referees in the inline hockey world.

My assertion is that "things are going in the right direction in our sport." The current perceived 'downward' trend in participation is but a shaking out, an aberration, a part of a cycle that will come back on the other end once again...count on it.

You can look to USA Hockey Inline to come up with several unbeliveable program opportunities over the next few years, together with other national organizations. As the IIHF gets off its butt and develops programming on the international level, USA Hockey Inline will have their national-level program components already in place.

In contrast, USARS, the Federation Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS) affiliate quit inline hockey three years ago, and then farmed it out to AAU. That's it. When and if "Roller Sports," which may or may not include inline hockey (It will include 'short stick' "roller hockey," though, count on it!) ever makes it to the Olympics, FIRS has no real need to even consider inline hockey as part of the package. They frankly have no intrinsic interest in the sport.

Unfortunatly, the IIHF has been dragging its feet as well. Either of the international organizations could be sprinting far out ahead in providing tremendous program opportunities, but they haven't, to date...

In the meantime, USAHIL has been very quietly making everything happen on the national level, in preparation for when the international level opportunities might come about...

USARS doesn't even run inline hockey any more.

AAU is concerned with building the AAU program, period.

Watch these developments over the next three years, and you'll see what I mean.

How'se that for opinions???

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[MDE3]

Well the gaunlet was dropped and this is the best challenge?.....Hmmm I was at least expecting a platoon....not an errant sniper hiding in a tree...(house)

[NLane]

Every year I get return address labels with USA Hockey at the top and I send them a small check. I have emailed them and written them (total of 3 times) for labels with USA Inline Hockey instead of the other and have received NO response. I'd maybe send a larger check if I knew it would be for the inline branch of the organization. Do you know what percentage of total monies the inline side receives? Just curious.

[thebenchman]

Danny G

Thnks for your opinion. I completly DISAGREE. I wont go any further. I can tell you I was in the past thinking that BOTH USA and AAU/USARS were both pieces of garbage. I did my home work. Came to my own comclusion. I appreciate yours. We will agree to disagree.

Good Luck

Roy

Die hard hockey nut.

[GROWL]

That website is a piece of trash. Sealw**nies is where all of the inline hockey idiots go to trash talk, instead of have intellegent or simple light hearted hockey conversation. I respect the job that the &quot;webmaster&quot; has done and I applaud him for it. He is on top of every post and is quick to get the garbage topics off. You do a terrific job, don't listen to this none sense.

My advice to this &quot;hockey parent&quot; is to set a better example for your child and act like one.

Anthony Flynn &lt;--- look there is my name coward
Owner/GM TOur Growl

[DannyG]

Grimmy...

Having looked at your profile and seeing the a.k.a., I now recognize your posts. I am impressed that you have indeed shown yourself to be knowing and familiar with our sport on a national level. I respect your opinion.

Here's your chance to perhaps change (or tilt in the other direction a little) mine:

Since dealing with USACRS and NIHA since 1987, I originally became discouraged with USARS in the early 90's because their national team program was a farce...twenty guys, almost all from St. Louis, with seemingly no opportunity to get into the program from anywhere else in the country.

Of course, much has changed over the past 15 years,

-but-

I still see AAU as non-representative of, nor open to, all of us with their national team program, their regional and national playoffs, their administration of officiating and coaching programs, etc. I contrast this with the (albeit also still developing) programs of USAHIL, and there ain't no contest.

Obviously something to your knowledge tips the scales far in the other direction. Please allow me to ask you what that might be. I try to be thoughtful in these things, and open to others' opinions, but I can't see it.

Lemme know, eh? Thanks!


<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[DannyG]

look up Gary Del Vechhio's extension on the inline web page and give him a toll free call, 1-800-888-4656...he will make it work for you.

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

[thebenchman]

Danny G

I just read and re-read your post and while I am not sure the intention of your first line, Let me assure you showing my self and the nature of as you say &quot;your&quot; sport.

I have not left in any way but was a regular visitor the this board. I did not choose to post and actually only till a few weeks back did I talk to Richard to get my password back.

Now, On the AAU/USARS vs USA inline. There is no way you can make me feel that USA inline does more for the sport and growth than AAU/USARS. To be honest I was a supporter of neither one till this past summer. I was really into the NARCH and TORHS type of tourneys. I was believing that that was the end all beat all. The TOP for the game I so passionately love. After doing my own personal research and finding out how the AAU/USARS are the group that is trying to go beyond our borders to get this game more in and to educate other countries and teach them the game. They send personnel not only to teach but to build and to assist in building the facilities to continue the sport after they have gone. This goes beyond the sanctioning of the US Congress and their grant to give the Olympic Rings to them as to represent the USA in the Olympics.

There has been so much said even by me on how they choose the players for the tryouts and who picks the players for the TEAM USA squad. Just like any other organization you have to attend a tourney in their regionals to be qualified. This is in no way different that Narch All Stars, TORHS Team or any other tournament series. BUT...
As your child plays in a High School league, like here in STL, MOIHA, top players are ALSO voted into the tryouts.

I appreciate your passion for USAHIL, and give you respect for your stance, however, you will not change me, nor will I change you.

I am proud to say that I feel the AAU/USARS is the NEXT level for any player who wants to go beyond a &quot;National&quot; and go &quot;World&quot;, and have the thrill of playing for not only your team, or for your state but for your COUNTRY.
I cant wait to be a part of hearing the USA USA chants and seeing players that I know personally play and have coached take this great opportunity to represent me and my country in the Olympics for TEAM USA!

Roy

Die hard hockey nut.

[DannyG]

Grimmy:

I'll go along with all that you have just noted, and even:

Let's have this same conversation on January 19, 2007...I am betting that the very reasons that you have given for your support of AAU, will before then have caused you to become as fervant a supporter of USAHIL as myself.

While I hope to perhaps even skate with you out on the blue floor way before then, and certainly to have met you prior to a two year period, what I am telling you is that I am seeing definite things that tell me this prediction will indeed happen. We will watch and see...please just remember where you heard it, and give me the footnote when you quote me on it...

<font color=purple>DannyG</font color=purple>

p.s...you really disagree with this statement?

"In contrast, USARS, the Federation Internationale de Roller Sports (FIRS) affiliate, quit inline hockey three years ago, and then farmed it out to AAU. That's it. When and if "Roller Sports," which may or may not include inline hockey (It will include 'short stick' "roller hockey," though, count on it!) ever makes it to the Olympics, FIRS has no real need to even consider inline hockey as part of the package. They frankly have no intrinsic interest in the sport. "
<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by DannyG on 01/19/05 03:17 PM.</EM></FONT></P>