High School Inline Hockey

[AZHockeyGuy]

As for AZ's highschool hockey situation, AZiiha is no more, and the AIHA has started it for this season. In our inaugural season we are starting out with 8 teams. Not bad for us. It's a start. Check it out at AIHA.info.

[zipyaj]

Thank you for the updater on the AZiiHA organization and best of luck with your season!

I have visited your web site and would like to learn more about Arizona Inline Hockey Association (AIHA) as an organization and its teams. I see that you are AAU sanctioned and run games on the two period USARS format. I am curious to learn how the high school teams are structured. For example, are they "pure" as in only from the high school they (unofficially) represent, or are they "draft" teams comprised of players from one or more schools in an area, home schoolers, etc.? I realize that this policy varies from league-to-league. For example, our IHF league players can only be from the high school they attend whereas I observe some teams such as the Santa Barbara High School team (from the Central Coast High School Hockey League) is made up of players from all three local high schools.

I also saw Centennial HS compete at the NARCh Winternationals here in Irvine. They did AZ proud in the high school division!

I am also the DMOZ editor for the High School Roller Hockey category. If you'd like to prepare some description of your league for me I would gladly edit and enter it into this free directory (http://www.dmoz.org/Sports/Hockey/Roller_Hockey/High_School/).

Thanks again and good luck AZHockeyGuy!

[AZHockeyGuy]

Well, this is our first season in the High school division so we are taking it slow. 6 of the teams are pure teams and 2 are co-op teams. The 2 co-op teams are from geographically limited regions of AZ. We are nurturing this division along as it represents a large amount of players and a big stepping stone for the sport.

As for the AIHA it began back in 1999 as a coalition of rinks that banded together to create their own tournament series and share revenue. It is primarily a grass roots style organization because at the time of its inception there was nothing like it. The corporate tourneys (which were the only things going at the time) didn't, and still don't, serve the kids and the adults that can't compete with the best in the country. That is where the AIHA comes in.

Also, it serves as a significant financial support mechanism for rinks that choose to build the sport and offer recreational leagues. Once rinks meet a number of criteria such as participation and new player development through recreational leagues they are granted a hosted tournament. Through the AIHA rinks pledge to send their teams to each others tournaments to continue hosting a tournament. During a one weekend tournament a rink is generally maxed out on one pad (that's all we poor arizonans can muster ) at approximately $220 an hour after paying refs and scorekeepers. It sure beats the $75 an hour that NARCh usually pays and helps keep rinks afloat. Plus it creates a legitimate state championship with full state representation.

I think you will notice a striking resemblance between the AIHA and other fairly recently created organizations such as WIHA. This is a very watered down version of the history and ongoings but it's a start.

[zipyaj]

Switching gears just a bit....

Further to the on-going dialogue regarding high school roller/inline hockey and all parties concerned, you may find an interesting read in an article posted by Inline Hockey Central's Richard Graham earlier today. In his article WRAPPIN’ UP A look back at the 2008 Let’s Play Hockey International Expo, Richard reveals that he was was flown in and set up in a hotel room at the show by AAU National Chair Keith Noll. Aside from the expected industry coverage, Richard's article obviously includes numerous references to the AAU and to the high school roller hockey topic.

In my opinion, there are good reasons for the AAU to invite Richard's presence; not only is Inline Hockey Central a great voice for and champion of roller hockey, but Richard has done a lot of research on the high school (scholastic) hockey topic - just read this High School Inline Hockey forum string dating back to March 2005 for example.

IF you are an AAU affiliated high school roller hockey organization you may have been in attendance at the Let’s Play Hockey International Expo and the AAU/USA events including a gathering of high school coaches and administrators. If you are not, then you'll have to rely on sources such as Richard. Even so, you may recognize the powerhouse names present for their exhibits and sessions such as George Pickard of USARS; Jon Roux of the PIRHL (PA) and AAU Western PA District; Eddie Delgado of the Colorado High School Inline Hockey League; Ian Mackie of the Missouri Inline Hockey Association; and Ken Murchison of the Anaheim Hockey Club of Corona (CA) - a recent union with the NHL's Anaheim Ducks franchise, to name a few.

Richard's article calls to his reader's attention something that many of us, AAU affiliated or not, can likely agree with through the comments of Keith Noll when speaking on the significance of high school inline hockey being a bright spot in the sport.

(excerpt) “That’s the fastest growing segment in roller hockey – the scholastic divisions,” Noll said. “For this sport to be very successful in the long term, that is where it’s going to come from for the most part. You create that interest at the school level, and everybody wants to wear their school colors.”

Already being on record that scholastic leagues are likely to power the future growth of our sport, I am in accord with Mr. Noll's position. From the top ranks of the NHL to the bottom of the pyramid and youth rec. programs, this sport has also recognized the importance of scholastic hockey for sometime. Observe, for example, when the Carolina Hurricanes provided seed money to the Central Carolina Hockey League to organize middle school and high school inline programs, or when the Thrashers hit the streets and went to the rinks in the area, whether ice or inline or church gyms, that created interest in hockey and the subsequent growth of Georgia's High School Roller Hockey League. Even Hollywood has influenced this sport when, on October 2, 1992, Coach Bombay introduced the Flying "V" and the Mighty Ducks were launched by Disney and spawned a growth phenom for this industry. Today, those little kids who watched that movie are playing high school roller hockey! And there are more.

Aside from the obvious values and benefits of interscholastic competition for student athletes, the high school program also provides role models and a platform for youth players and to the future both in terms of their longevity in the sport and the fiscal health of the facilities and industry alike. Our high school ranks also feed the ever-growing collegiate roller and ice hockey programs.

In Southern California, our high school leagues are flourishing. The San Diego area can boast having the only state CIF santioned league. Northward to the IHF league in Orange County, growth has been from a handful of teams to today with 55 teams and 29 high school clubs from four counties. Northern California's Central Coast High School Hockey League and others also continue to demonstrate both growth and interest.

In light of the growth, there are still obstacles ahead for scholastic roller/inline hockey. That being said, I will simply refer to the following quote:

“There has been so much fragmentation in the sport. It doesn’t matter whether it’s USA Roller Sports or USAHIL fighting with each other… it goes all the way through the sport – manufacturers can’t even agree which show to attend. Now you’re seeing that the Let’s Play Hockey is the best show, no doubt about it, it’s the place to be. People understand – support one major group in all this stuff and you’re going to be better off in helping the sport get there. You can’t just keep fighting with each other.”
– Keith Noll, Amateur Athletic Union

But questions remain...

As always, this observer strives for answers and remains receptive to your observations and opinions.

[indiangoalie33]

i love chsiha its an amazing league it doesnt cost that much either, i like everything about it and love the colorado competition. but one thing i would change is some of the rules they are way to strict or maybe change some of AAu's rules, but i love it and arvada west high school owns everyone (my school) another thing is we should pressure the schools and state programs to make roller hockey a letter sport or a school sponsored one, there are over 600 players in our league i think which is crazy!

[zipyaj]

indiangoalie33

You are indeed fortunate to participate in the Colorado High School Inline Hockey League (CHSIHL) created through the hard efforts of Eddie Delgado and others. It's a first class league, well-organized and respected around the country. I am pleased to hear how much you like the competition and appreciative for your comments in this thread. And hoorah for your school spirit!

As a native of Lakewood but long-since transplanted to California, I still like to follow the local sports scene (Go Bronocs!, and even the Avalanche, but not when they're playing the Ducks). I also have two young nephews who play at Rocky Mountain Roller Hockey (RMH) and they, like their older cousin who plays for his Varsity team here in our IHF league, have high hopes to play for their school teams one day soon.

As for gaining state sanction, we all have that similar goal and share in some common pains. However, you would do well to trust in the capable hands of the CHSIL and continue to do everything you can to positively promote the sport and represent yourself with good sportsmanship in high school roller hockey play.

Go Wildcats!

Jay

[indiangoalie33]

*more info on league*
I love my CHSIHA league in Colorado its amazing. Well organized, fun, and good structure. Its the best league I've played in but im usually a tourney goalie. The only problem I have with it is some of the rules but I guess they cant change them for insurance purpose's but I also have one of the best coach's in the country coaching me. And the penelty rules are also good like if you get more then 42 minutes of penalties through the season you are kicked out of that season. Also the teams are really equal because there are 4 sub-divisions. There are also (about) 60 teams so like around 600 players making the league pretty cheap 175$ for 14 games with 2 goalies and usually 2 scorekeepers plus playoffs. Eddie Delgado set up the league very well, every high school inline hockey program should be based on this league.

*zipyaj i cant believe you know our mascot lol. *

[zipyaj]

indiangoalie33

LOL back at ya... it's not just that I know your mascot's name, even more amazing is that I can still remember it (I graduated a Lakewood Tiger back in '72) and we used to kick some serious you-know-what all across Jeffco!

On a more serious note, I am passionate about scholastic roller hockey and watch your league and others a lot. Heck, you can even find me in your Colorado high school league website... see "AAU High School National Championships 2007 - May 26-28, 2007 at Anaheim Hockey Club" (see who wrote that one!).. http://chsiha.org/colorado/HS_nation...Nationals_2007

Like Colorado, there are some very fine high school league models across the country. PIRHL of PA is a good one, as is the growing Georgia league. And don't discount Missouri.

One thing our So California league doesn't do that some others allow is for Combo teams - combining more than one school or, in some cases, even allowing a draft to build a team. I realize that combo teams are needed in rural areas and take no exception with that. We don't have rural communities nearby. As a result, our league has 29 "pure" high school clubs in this season with 56 teams in the four different divisions - that's almost 650 players.

We also watch our players pretty tight for sportsmanship and infractions. While we do allow for a rougher game than the in-house HS programs that run outside of our league season, we send players off the rink for three penalites in one game, suspend for fights and unsportsmanlike behavior, and even enforce infractions that occur away from our games but at the rinks with matching suspensions. Many of our coaches also match discipline to what the league gives; get suspended by the league for a fight, the team also suspends for a game.

Meanwhile, keep practicing and playing hard, and keep pluggin' for high school roller hockey!

Best!

[rback]

H
I run a league named Buffalo In-line Hockey Group in Buffalo New York and our story is almost the opposite of those posted here. We are a non-profit organization with the board of directors, staff and coaches recieving zero compensation. We rent our rink at $145/hr. Our organization and profesionalism I believe is top notch as well as the caliber of play. We currently have 24 house teams broken into high school and middle school divisions in addition to tournament teams. Our house league runs split seasons; Sept.-Christmas and Jan-June. Any single team in either division will have players from many seperate school systems and are constructed via a draft. We find it impossible to gain support for a school supported league. Every AD that we have spoken with has indicated something like-If it is any more work for me, no deal. Of course there will be some work for the AD therefore no support. The Sabres have repeatedly refused to even acknowledge (sp?) in-line hockey much less offer any support. Corporate support has been minimal averaging maybe $100 per season.The programs I have read about in this post appear to be well run and the players and parents involved in these programs should realize how lucky they are. Despite the headwinds we expect our league to grow to 30 teams in September and 36 in January. We do this because of the kids and for no other reason. That alone provides our impetus for continuing and improving.

[zipyaj]

Dear rback;

Thank you for joining this important post! Input from leagues and teams and players alike can only help to contribute to the common cause of promoting scholastic roller hockey. Get the ideas flowing: One Community!

I/we do empathize with the lack of support from schools and districts. Even here, support is spotty at best and even getting teacher sponsors can be difficult for many school hockey club wannabes. As for the ADs, yes indeed they're overworked and underpaid. With 29 santioned sports in our community, the last being lacrosse, they dig their heels in tough when it comes to roller hockey! Nonetheless, a concerted effort to help relieve them of their fears by the promise of parental support for team and/or club management and dollars not out of their budgets has been marginally successful at the public school sector. The private school sector on the other hand has been FANTASTIC!

Of our current 29 high schools, we can count 5 private schools who each provide a great deal of support to their roller hockey programs. And most of them have tow and up to for full teams along with an abundant tryout roster for each season.

It should be noted, however that district, county or even state support for the sport wanes yet cries to be heard.

Shame on the Sabres! Ignore a fan base and contributor to the sport overall? It is my opinion that all NHL teams should be working closely with the scholastic leagues to promote the sport in general... many roller players also play ice, and some go on to play pro level, too!

We're fortunate that our local Ducks organization is beginning to realize the importance of roller and of scholastic hockey. But even that didn't come over night. With the buyout from Disney, the new owners are, thankfully, very community centric and realize that their stadium seats and merchandise are bought by us. They're giving back, investing into the community and reaping the benefits as will the sport in the long view!

Like you, our organization is also 100% volunteer and without private dollars to fund operations. But we go on!

We're in the process of producing our first-ever All-Stars game next week and have been lucky to garner support from some industry suppliers and local merchants to help, but its mostly done by passionate people who want to give our kids something extra. Check us out: http://www.ihf-hockey.org/allstars2008.htm

Is your organization USA Hockey Inline or AAU affiliated?

Regardless of affiliation, with more collaboration into creative suggestions and How Tos, we can work together to help us all.

Thanks again for your input and for allowing me back onto my soapbox.... now off.

Regards,
Jay

[RichardGraham]

Hi Jay,

I believe every NHL team should have a minor league inline hockey team affiliate. The teams that don't are absolutely wearing blinders.

[zgoalscorer]

I definitly agree

[zipyaj]

Richard,

As you know, working with the NHL to garner support at any level has its respective challenges. And while I profess a certain ignorance to the subject of minor league roller hockey affiliation, I am proud to know that the Anaheim Ducks and some others have implemented grass roots youth and scholastic programs in their support of the sport.

I am also very proud to announce that the Anaheim Ducks will be recognizing 14 outstanding high school roller hockey "special achievers" at the April 19th IHF All-Star event by a letter of recognition from Ducks general manager, Brian Burke.

The special achiever awards recognize student-athletes who have excelled in their academic accomplishments and contributions to their community, to their school and to their sport. Some of our special achievers have been mentioned in the context of Inline Hockey Central before, Mary Quayle for example, some are high achieving scholars and some are also outstanding athletes who will be playing on our All-Star teams. There are some pretty amazing stories to be told of the accomplishments by these young people.

The recognition of these special achievers further demonstrates the depth of commitment that the Anaheim Ducks organization has in youth hockey in our community and marks a first for their recognition for scholastic roller hockey and the IHF.

Our organization is working diligently to promote scholastic inline hockey everywhere and couldn't be more proud to have established a foothold with an NHL, Stanley Cup Champion team to support our community.

One step at a time!

Meanwhile, I am heading off to the California State High School Championship in Huntington Beach. Good luck to you and to everyone in Colorado Springs for the NCRHA nationals.

Regards,
Jay

IHF All-Stars 2008
http://www.ihf-hockey.org/allstars2008.htm

[harppraise]

Richard...thank you for all of the information you have written here...it is very informative...unfortunately our school which is located in Orange County CA, is one of the ones that refuse to recognize hockey as a sport...this year is the first year we have had a team...it took alot of work on our part just to get them to have a club on campus...we had to fight to wear t-shirts with the team name on them (we had to take off the school name)...what can we do to get this moving toward being a recognized sport? How can we become CIF? I heard you had a poll vote on State Santioned Hockey that I missed...just for the record...I vote YES!!!

[zipyaj]

Dear harppraise;

Welcome to IHC! Indeed Richard has invested greatly into the topic of scholastic hockey (and many other topics as well!!!!).

You wrote: I heard you had a poll vote on State Santioned Hockey that I missed... Please see the IHC thread at:
http://www.inlinehockeycentral.com/f...ad.php?t=32313
While too late to participate in the poll, your comments therein are also welcomed!

Your comments regarding recognition and sanctioning have also been heard and shared by many. Each are aligned and require a concerted effort if the objectives are to be met. That said, you and your Orange County-based club do have resources available to call on and to work with in helping meet both objectives! Feel free to comment here or contact me directly to learn more!

INTERSCHOLASTIC HOCKEY FEDERATION (IHF)
Jay Piz, President
Irvine, CA
www.IHF-HOCKEY.org
[email protected]