2005 USA Hockey InLine Announces
National Junior Program Dates and Sites

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- USA Hockey InLine has announced the dates and sites for the 2005 National Junior Regional Tryout Camps and the 2005 National Junior Festival. This program is designed to provide the highest level of skill development opportunities for inline hockey players ages 15-18.

The National Junior Program returns for its fifth year, offering four Regional Tryout Camps, which will culminate with the National Junior Festival to be held June 3-5, 2005, at the Capital Clubhouse in Waldorf, Md.

"This year's Regional Camps should be the most competitive we've seen yet," said Dan Brennan (Colorado Springs, Colo.), manager, USA Hockey Ice & InLine Coaching Program. "I'm looking forward to working with great young players as well as an excellent volunteer staff."

Each Regional Tryout Camp will accept a maximum of 100 players (84 skaters and 16 goaltenders). Participants in each camp are guaranteed three one-hour games and two practices equaling one-and-a-half hours. Following a comprehensive evaluation, 10 skaters and two goaltenders will be selected from each camp to compete in the National Junior Festival. Five alternates per camp will also be chosen. USA Hockey InLine will provide airfare, meals and housing to players who qualify for the National Junior Festival.

A minimum of four players from the festival will have a chance to tryout for the 2005 USA Hockey InLine National Team that will represent the United States at the 2005 International Ice Hockey Federation InLine Hockey World Championships. Two graduates of the National Junior Program, Lee Sweatt (Colorado Springs, Colo.) and Pat Lee (Schaumburg, Ill.), have competed in two IIHF InLine Hockey World Championships, most recently winning the gold medal in Bad Tolz, Germany with the 2004 National Team.

The 2004 USA Hockey InLine National Junior Program saw over 400 players around the country participate in the four Regional Tryout Camps.

The following are the dates and sites for the 2005 Regional Tryout Camps:

Dates Facility Location
May 6-8 Healthsouth Training Ctr.El Segundo,Calif.
May 6-8 The Cooler Alpharetta, Ga.
May 13-15 Skaters Choice Sewell, N.J.
May 13-15 Megaplex Homer Glen, Ill.

Registration information for the National Junior Program can be found at www.usahockeyinline.com or by calling (719) 576-8724.

Highlights Of The National Junior Inline Hockey Program

-The age determination date for the 2005 National Junior Program is December 31, 2004. All eligible players must be 15-18 years of age as of that date.
-The cost for each player to participate is $195.00. Current USA Hockey InLine members pay $145.00.
-Each player who participates is guaranteed three (3) one-hour games and two (2) practices equaling one-and-a-half hours (90 minutes).
-Each player will receive a complete camp evaluation in the mail following the event.
-Each player will receive top instruction from USA Hockey InLine coaches and National Team staff.
-Each player will receive an official USA Hockey InLine National Junior Program jersey.
-At least four players attending the festival will be invited to participate in the USA Hockey InLine National Team Selection Camp with possible advancement to the 2005 USA Hockey InLine National Team's final roster.
-Each camp can accept a maximum of 100 participants (84 skaters, 16 goaltenders).
-All players selected to participate in the National Junior Festival will receive airfare, meals and housing from USA Hockey InLine.

Sincerely,

Richard Graham
Editor
Inline Hockey Central