Who's representing Beantown?

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

It's great to see that leagues such as the XIHL, MLRH, and PIHA have had some success over the last few years. But there's one thing missing this season. Where is Boston's entry. Three leagues and not one team from Boston. What's the scoop? There is a ton of talent up here.

It's a shame to see players have to travel on weekends to play hockey for a team based in another city when there is more than enough talent to put together an extremely competitive team right here in the city of champions.

If anyone has any information as to what has happened to Boston based teams, like the Storm, please let the inline hockey world now what's going on. Speaking for myself, it was a lot of fun to go see some of the guys that I played with, or against, during the week, show their stuff at such a high level of competition on the weekends.

[minutemen]

Yes it is true Boston is the city of champs. I am down in Jersey, but i was born and raised in MA. I quess the reason is because teams got sick of the traveling. Both Ma and NJ,Pa. The problem is most of the teams are down here and there are no teams between nj and ma. so it makes it tough. I am the owner of the Morristown Minutemen and the mORRISTOWN Roller hockey rink, and my guys do not even want to travel 2 hours away, let alone travel 5 hours to boston.. I quess we have to get more teams form new england. Lets go pats.

Morristown Minutemen Pro Minor Hockey Organization.

[MDE3]

Actually there is a team in between..people keep forgetting about the Ct Thunder, who have faithfully represented themselves and New England in both MLRH and XIHL.....They have been one of the top teams who always sends a full squad, and usually has the best attended games in the league...in one of the nicest facilities around.

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

Yes, the Thunder certainly has a quality team, but they really don't draw from the same talent pool that I was referring to in the Boston area. It's those guys, and the powers that be in this area, that I'm wondering what has happened to the whole program.

[FAfromCT]

Ct also has the CT Fireants. We may not play in the MLRH, PIHA or XIHL, but we did place 2nd in the MLRH AA 2 yrs ago. We would be up for any challenge from any team that wants a hard fought game.

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

Yes I am familiar with the FireAnts. My team played one variation of your team in the East Coast Roller Hockey Association tournament finals in Revere, MA last season. But again, my question is in regards to the guys from the Boston area. Guys like Darell Intebartelo, Tony Silvestri, Bret Wickman, Jeff Goulet, and all of the other guys associated with last years team. That's some top shelf talent. Why hasn't someone been able to get all of these guys together and enter a team in one of the major leagues that I mentioned in a previous post?

[MDE3]

I was responding to the post by "Minutemen"..who said there was nobody else in New England to play against, necessitating a 5 hour ride to the closest team. And the games between the Storm and the Thunder were all very close, so the "talent pool" is not too much different...although granted the Storm always had a good team, it was not the dominant team in MLRH.

[SWAMPDONKEYS29]

Let me clear this up before anyone takes it the wrong way. When I mentioned two different talent pools, I was refering to the players themselves, not their talent levels. It would be foolish to do so. If I'm not mistaken, the Thunder is the team that beat the Storm in the MLRH semi-finals last season. So please, you guys from CT, this question that I posted is directed towards players in the Boston area and why there is not a team from here. It is in no way meant to disrespect anyone.

[Brooklynite10]

If your team is so good, why doesn't your team play in the XIHL,MLRH or PIHA ?

[FAfromCT]

For 1, some of our guys play in the XIHL already with the Thunder. And 2, some of our guys don't want to dedicate themslves to a "Semi-pro" league as it "Cost effective" for them......Some just don't want to play that level (I can't speak for everyone either). I will say this, we have always considered playing in PIHA, however, the traveling would NOT be to our benifit. Need I say more?

Again, we do accept any challange, and we would travel for certain challanges, but I will say this much this time, we do not consider ourselves as a pro level team........we are a solid and very competetive tournament team who can give any other team a run for their money!

[Brooklynite10]

Fair enough. Didn't know that you have players already on the Thunder. Just thought that another team from CT would be a great benefit to the XIHL.

[FAfromCT]

I do agree. I also agree that a team from Mass would also be of great benifit to the league as there is a great talent pool in Mass. Maybe someone should make some phone calls...........HHHHMMMMMMMMMMM...........

[XIHL]

Actually, the Boston Storm was very close to being part of XIHL for this recent "Festival" season. They couln't find a suitable facility. They eventually did, but the team operators felt that is was too close to the start of the season to put together a competitive, cost-effective team. Our hope is that the Boston Storm can be a part of XIHL for our first full season in the Fall of '05.

Benny Gulakiw
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
eXtreme Inline Hockey League

[rlrhky13]

Ruppy stop causing trouble... Just kiddin... I know that at the beginning of the season they struggled to get a facility to play at.. Talking to Darrel he had said they didn't want them back in Tewksbury or any of the other facilities associated with Boston Indoor.. More of an issue of violence of the game I guess.. ( not sure so don't everyone start yelling at me) I think Darrel is playing in VA but again I am not sure.. He is also playing on the Rink Rats pro team. As for the rest of the guys I am not sure where they are right now.. Its more of an issue of facility than anything else...

[BkHdTpShlf]

To finally answer your question, the Storm did try to put a team in XIHL this year but for whatever reason our owner Marty had some issues with insurance I believe. Since then those issues have been cleared up and the Storm will be back for next season. I hope we can still field the majority of our last years team. We had a very talented squad with Silvestri,Goulet & Millette leading the way for us. As far as MLRH, I had no clue about the league until it was to late to enter. This past week we tried to get into the league but they were already two games into the season. So yes the Storm will be back next season in MLRH or XIHL. We'll just have to wait and see which league gets their act together and whick league works best for our team, as far as cost and scheduling. For any guys from Boston on here, please keep your ears open for any nice rinks that could host the Boston Storm next season. Thanks guys, later.

Darrell Interbartolo