World Roller League Web-Site Now UP

[wrlpres]

The World Roller League is pleased to announce its web site is now up and running. The web site is not totally amazing but gives you and insight into the league. The address is: www.freewebs.com/wrl/

Regards,
Marc Lefebvre
President, World Roller League

[missionhockey21]

I'll be sure to check it out. Thanks

[calihockey]

how many games are you looking at for the first season? varies on number of teams or is there a set number you are looking at?

[wrlpres]

I am looking at 10-16 games for the first season.

Regards
Marc Lefebvre
President, World Roller League

[columbus_RHstar]

Marc, like the website, very informative, just one question though. Why only one penalty box attendant, souldn't there be 2?

[wrlpres]

columbus, its basically up to the home team whether or not if they want to have a second penalty box attendent.

Regards,
Marc Lefebvre
President, World Roller League

[Hystyk28]

What is going to set your league apart from either PIHA or MLRH? Yours sounds very similar to their league plans/concepts.

[wrlpres]

To answer your question guys is quite simple:

1. by having a non-contact "elite" league, it helps to bring out the skill that is supposed to be displayed in this great sport. It allows for a more wide open game. This, I believe shows that this will be more exciting than other leagues like MLRH.

2. As for the money. If you read it properly, it will be used to PROMOTE the league in different publications. I feel with promotion on the web, in the hockey news, sports illistrated, etc...This will help create a fan base to an outside audience.

Regards,
Marc Lefebvre
President, World Roller League

[wrlpres]

Seminole,

I did NOT intend my post to come out sounding rudely and I apologize for that. I want this league to be able to bring the best roller hockey players from across North America together under one league. With this happening, this allows the league to be more marketable.

Regards,
Marc Lefebvre
President, World Roller League

[RichardGraham]

Hi Seminole,

If I'm not mistaken, English may be a second language for Mr. Lefebvre, and that might be why something was "lost in translation."

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central

[MDE3]

I beg to differ on the contact and excitement part - but we could go at that discussion for a while.

[MDE3]

Marc we get to see both PIHA and MLRH games regularily here as my son plays in both leagues. Honestly except for maybe a couple of teams - I would not rate PIHA(as a non contact league) as any more exciting than MLRH as a lot of players do both. Frankly I think the element of full contact adds a degree of excitement to the contest. Because it is 4 on 4 there is less full contact than you would see in an ice game and the floor is still much more open even with the single offside rule. It does however provide a much more challenging chase of the puck on the boards or in the corners, and probably makes the skill moves even more exciting when they are not used just to move the puck, but also to avoid a major collision - and still keep the puck.

MLRH is NOT just goon hockey although there have been a few instances well documented - and some serious efforts to avoid those problems in the future. As far as fighting goes - I have seen almost as many fights in PIHA as in MLRH - maybe just the nature of the game.

Keep an open mind - people want to see "Professionals" at the top of their game, and playing with full contact seems to add credibility to their perception of the sport - maybe because of years of relating to ice hockey. The game is still different enough from ice to be identified as a different sport, and nothing is really lost in the translation with full contact.

As i've said in many other posts - full contact develops better skaters and more heads up players when learned at a young age. It does limit the end to end, "toe dragging", heads down, "one man team" guy though. Even TORHS has "limited full contact up against the boards. Talk to the guys who play both(versions of roller hockey) before you make up your mind(if that's not already done).

[calihockey]

i disagree with the contact. i think it does have a place eventually in a pro league, but not in an elite league. some of the guys who played mlrh out here in cali had no clue how to hit and hurt people. last i heard mlrh doesnt pay the bills. when the guys get compensation for taking that risk, then i would support full contact. for now i would say no checking (obviously its hockey so bodying up and some contact will occur)

[MDE3]

You do make a good point and the contact has to be policed. But if MLRH is trying to grow the sport into a true "Pro League" they probably need to keep the contact in their game to keep their identity and the fan's attention.

The real problem is not so much "Roller Hockey guys not knowing how to hit" because the majority of the guys playing at this level - although certainly not all - have played some serious ice hockey as well. By the way - just because someone has been taught to hit in ice hockey does not mean they hit clean either!!! I can't tell you how many nasty "illegal" and dangerous hits I have seen in ice hockey. Just watch any Pro Minor League !!

The biggest problem in both versions of the sport is guys who are brought in "to be physical" who really have more limited hockey skills and maybe experience, and who have trouble skating with the more skilled players. Their "job" is supposed to be "physical intimidation"

To accomplish their job, they are more likely to take a "blind side" shot, or make a knee to knee hit because that may be the only chance they have to do their "job", or be as close as they can come to it.

I have also seen several posts in here complaining about people "ducking under hits" as a dangerous practice. We are not talking "turtling" someone - but "ducking under a hit" causing a problem for the hitter and maybe resulting in injury. First of all ducking a hit is simply smart hockey and survival. Second if you are making a hit so out of control and with your hands held high - you better expect someone will duck under the impact. Knowing how to hit or be hit means above all - being in control of your own body. We are not talking dropping into a ball to have the "hitter" fly over the player - which is certainly illegal, just moving your head and upper body out of the way. The problem is too many players consider a "good hit" one that results in injury to an opponent - even when it is a "clean" hit. That is intimidation. A good hit in hockey - separates the puck carrier from the puck while still leaving the hitter under enough control to regain possession. If intimidation is the purpose - then the other team will go back and get a "badder" intimidator and things just get out of control.

By having a "skill evaluation try out standard" set for these leagues - some of the weaker caliber "physical players" can be eliminated. This type of program is all part of "being professional" at any sport. Look at the "master coaches manual" for ice hockey if you have any doubt that this type of evaluation process does take place.

[Hystyk28]

Marc,

First of all, I am by no means trying to tear down your efforts. But I asked what was going to differentiate your league from BOTH PIHA and MLRH.

BUT you wrote:

1. by having a non-contact "elite" league, it helps to bring out the skill that is supposed to be displayed in this great sport. It allows for a more wide open game. This, I believe shows that this will be more exciting than other leagues like MLRH.
(Sounds like PIHA to me!)

and you wrote:

To answer your question guys is quite simple:

To answer the question is simple. To do what is said is difficult. My friend...there is nothing simple in running anything in life..especially trying to put together a league for roller hockey. I do wish you the best.