crhl - western

We are the only region not stirring it up with pre-season rankings. So I guess I will be the person to start. These are four year colleges who have committed to the play this season.

1.) Cal Poly SLO
2.) Cal Poly Pomona
3.) CSU Chico
4.) UC Santa Barbara
5.) UC Davis
6.) UNLV
7.) San Diego
8.) CSU Monterey Bay
9.) CSU Sonoma
10.) Sacramento State

Hope I didn't hurt any feelings out there. This is based only on the word heard around the rinks. I am sure there will be some big surprises from every team.

-Travis Burkhardt
Chico State Inline Hockey

Hi Travis,

Which San Diego school? San Diego State or UC San Diego? I'm an Aztec alumnus, so I'm not too happy about the low ranking...

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

I understand it is San Diego State, but could be wrong. They are a new team to the region this season. They have been long time college competitors, but never officially a CRHL member until now.

Information about the new San Diego team is available on the western region website under "members". Click on the San Diego point on the map and it will link you to their official website.

Sorry about the low ranking for a few of those teams. Like I said before, I bet there will be some upsets.

-Travis Burkhardt

Hi Travis,

I was just kidding about being upset. Hey, if my old Aztecs haven't proven themselves yet, they shouldn't be ranked very high. The Aztec football team, back in the day, usually had 10-0 seasons... as soon as I showed up, they started losing games. So if I stay away, SDSU might do fairly well in inline hockey :)

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

Well Travis...I thought that I would give everyone my thoughts on the upcoming season....

CRHL-Western Region
1) Cal Poly SLO
2)Cal Poly Pomona
3)UC Santa Barbara
4)UNLV
5)UC Davis
6)CSU Chico

7-10 is a toss up to me......

1. I think that SLO will continue to be very strong this year providing that they get a goalie...but they are in good hands with freshman Ian Gould and the returning squad
2. Pomona will have almost the same team as last year, and if I remember right they beat SLO 2 or 3 times!
3. UCSB lost the Wagners which was the backbone of that team, but I am sure that they still have the talent to be #1 in the division
4. IF UNLV can get their whole team to the tournaments, they are a formidable opponent with a great goalie

Paxton Sheldahl
Former CPSLO
5. Davis and Chico can battle for the 5th and 6th spot. I think the #3 ranking for Chico was a little high if we are going on last years performance.

Based on last year performances, sure I would agree with your rankings. However, my ranking are based on the changes that have occurred to teams over the summer and what I am guessing will occur at the start of this season. This is based only on rumors, known roster changes, organizational changes, and similar standards.

1.) SLO will be a great team this under under some good leadership. They did lose their goalie, but i am sure will find quite a few prospects at tryouts. In fact, I know of a great goalie that is a freshman there this year.

2.) Sonoma is the same team with the same stars. Tom Wiebe is awesome and will be a big force for that team and will score a good amount of goals. Their defense is the weakness.

3.) Chico State has worked for two years to bring together the team they have this year. Heavy exposure to high school players and travel teams from around the state has proven successful. They are 3/4 freshmen or sophmore players and will be a challenge for the next few years.

4.) UNLV is burdened with organizational problems as far as player attendance. With their entire team together they are a force, but that is not very often. They may be a surprise this season baded on full player support.

5.) UC Davis has lost some very key players. They will rely on their younger additions and second team players from last year. Bart Zeydel will be graduating in winter and will be a strong player to compete against although he no longer runs the organization of the team.

The remaining teams have not made any additions or changes. Many of them are still getting used to play in the CRHL and will show some growth since last season. However, they still need some key elements to make their teams league dominators. Sonoma State and Monterey have some good players and have added coaching staff. They will be strong.

Best of luck to all teams this season, it will be a great one.

-Travis Burkhardt
Chico State Hockey

Sorry San Diego State fans, but the school participating is the University of San Diego. They have been playing in the Western Region since 1995, when the division was called College Inline USA. Anyways here are my rankings, w/out explanations...


1.) Cal Poly SLO
2.) Cal Poly Pomona
3.) UC Santa Barbara
4.) UC Davis
5.) Chico State
6.) UNLV
7.) San Diego
8.) CSU Monterey Bay
9.) CSU Sonoma
10.) Sacramento State