Hi Folks,

I've tried to post this, along with other information, in the past two days, but IHC's server has been down. I understand that Microsoft.com has been down recently as well, so apparently, it's only happening to the biggest sites... [img]/wtimages/icons/wink.gif[/img]

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HUGO SIGNO
Hugo Belanger will join Team Canada for September 13 inaugural SpeedHockey game at UC Irvine.

August 7, 2003

The International SpeedHockey League, a new major professional inline hockey league, has reached an agreement with Hugo Belanger, who will play in SpeedHockey's inaugural game on September 13 at UC Irvine's Bren Center.

"We're ecstatic that Hugo will be participating in our inaugural event," said Bob Elder, SpeedHockey's commissioner. "His participation in the game is a great endorsement of our sport, especially considering his position as captain of Canada's national inline hockey team for the world championships and the upcoming Pan American Games. Hugo was one of the most popular members of the Anaheim Bullfrogs, and we're thrilled that Southern California fans will have the opportunity to see Hugo demonstrate his talents once again."

An outstanding player on any hockey surface, Belanger starred in Roller Hockey International and Major League Roller Hockey. The 6-foot, 190-pound forward led RHI in scoring while playing for Long Island in 1996 (48-53-101), and again in 1999 (37-43-80) as a member of the Anaheim Bullfrogs. He also registered an incredible 79 goals and 158 points (79-79-158) for the Virginia Vultures during the 1998 MLRH season.

Belanger, an eighth round selection (163rd overall) of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 1990 NHL entry draft, played four years of college ice hockey at Clarkson University and is third on that school's all-time scoring list (Los Angeles Kings general manager and former NHL all-star Dave Taylor is first. Belanger, a native of St. Hubert, Quebec, has played professionally for the United Hockey League's Adirondack IceHawks the past three seasons. He has notched more than 100 points in each of those three seasons, including 42 goals and 143 points (42-101-143) during the 2002-2003 campaign. His 143 points led the UHL (the second-leading scorer finished with 98 points) and his 101 helpers also led the UHL (the runner-up in that category finished with 72 assists). He led the UHL with a plus-minus rating of +50 and tallied a league-high seven shorthanded goals.

SpeedHockey will play its inaugural exhibition game at UC Irvine's Bren Events Center on Saturday, September 13; game time is 7:35 p.m. The game will pit Team USA against Team Canada. In addition to Belanger, other players signed to play in the game include goaltender Rob Laurie, Tony Szabo, CJ Yoder, and Jami Yoder.

Fans can purchase their seats at the Bren Center box office and all Ticketmaster locations (including Robinson's-May, Tower Records, Wherehouse Music, Ritmo Latino and Tu Musica), www.ticketmaster.com, and Charge-by-Phone (Orange County 714-740-2000; Los Angeles 213/480-3232; San Diego 619/220-8497). Tickets may also be ordered by phone from the Bren Center box office, at 949/824-5000. Seats are priced at $15 and $10.

SpeedHockey represents the new generation of professional hockey--a sport designed to utilize the best aspects of ice hockey and inline hockey, and is played on an 85' x 85' surface. It is played three-on-three, plus goaltenders. The sport includes recessed goals (preventing players from taking the puck behind the nets and slowing the pace of games). To further increase the speed of play, there are no icing or offside rules. There will also be a two-point goal circle to reward slapshots from the perimeter. These and other measures will provide great excitement for both players and fans as well as a uniqueness that will distinguish professional inline hockey from ice hockey. SpeedHockey will be the fastest professional team sport in the world, say its organizers.

For more information about SpeedHockey, please visit the league's Web site at speedhockey.org.

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Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central