PIHA expansion

[calihockey]

Any word on if there is going to be any more expansion for next season?

[TheSnake22]

i think this is something you might be interested in...

http://www.pihapacific.com/

[GROWL]

Other definite expansion includes a southeast division.

Teams will be in the following areas:

Cary, North Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, SC
Greenville, SC
Savannah, GA

For Info contact Chris Havelock

I'm also pretty sure that a few teams in Maryland and Virginia have been added as well. Best to contact Charley or Richard kent on this one.

I think the league is considering two options as far as realignment. One would include moving the two eastern pa teams (Fury & Glads) to the northeast division, and adding the new Virginia teams into the Mason Dixon along with the Harrisburg teams and western pa teams.

However what I think they are really hoping for is to create four divisions, but I think everything needs to fall perfectly into place for that to happen. The two harrisburg teams would be in a division with the maryland/virgina teams. The Fury and Glads would make a new division with the Growl, MM, & Grizzlies (not sure if they are returning). While the remaining four Northeast teams might pick up a team out of Rhode Island (presumably the defending Roller Rats/Storm, but under a new team name). This would leave the two Pittsburgh teams to join with Cincinnati, plus an additional team from Cincinnati, and a team from Columbus. Though that is the region I know the least about.

Dave Garland can tell you more about the Gateway obviously, but I think they are in negotiation with Chicago, which would free up Cincinnati to move to the much closer Western, PA & Columbus division. We could have as many as eight divisons next season if all that works out.

I know there is also some talk about Arizona & Texas, but I'm not so sure how far along that is.

Please don't take any of this as absolute fact, it's just what i've been told here and there. If you know or have heard otherwise, please feel free to dispute me.

[calihockey]

Thanks for all the quick responses...Unfortunately the plans here look like Nor Cal. I don't blame PIHA for being hesitant with So Cal. Hopefully we can pan something out...

[InlineMBA]

Any word on teams that are considering not returning for the 2008 season?

Steve Inge

[GROWL]

well i know that the eXpress are out, because the league wont let them back after failing to playing in the playoffs.

The only other team that I think is in question right now is the Grizzlies. There has been no return communication from Frank or Dennis with the league. When I last spoke with Dennis at a TORHS event a while back, he stated that he isnt going to be directly involved next season, but he thought frank was still going to run things. We've been trying to set up a division recap meeting and the only team not to respond has been the Griz.

[GROWL]

Thanks for all the quick responses...Unfortunately the plans here look like Nor Cal. I don't blame PIHA for being hesitant with So Cal. Hopefully we can pan something out...

I think it is more that there is no one to lead things in that region. The PIHA expansion plan is fairly simple. The first rule is that their must be a proven leader to handle an expansion area. If there is someone in the southern cal area that wants to head man that project, then we need to get them in touch with the league.

[whjs416]

i just want to say that the piha is awsome and i think it is great that they are expanding t shows that roller hockey is not falling off as some would say its exciting it really is

[Wooten #21]

Other definite expansion includes a southeast division.

Teams will be in the following areas:

Cary, North Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach, SC
Greenville, SC
Savannah, GA

For Info contact Chris Havelock

I'm also pretty sure that a few teams in Maryland and Virginia have been added as well. Best to contact Charley or Richard kent on this one.

I think the league is considering two options as far as realignment. One would include moving the two eastern pa teams (Fury & Glads) to the northeast division, and adding the new Virginia teams into the Mason Dixon along with the Harrisburg teams and western pa teams.

However what I think they are really hoping for is to create four divisions, but I think everything needs to fall perfectly into place for that to happen. The two harrisburg teams would be in a division with the maryland/virgina teams. The Fury and Glads would make a new division with the Growl, MM, & Grizzlies (not sure if they are returning). While the remaining four Northeast teams might pick up a team out of Rhode Island (presumably the defending Roller Rats/Storm, but under a new team name). This would leave the two Pittsburgh teams to join with Cincinnati, plus an additional team from Cincinnati, and a team from Columbus. Though that is the region I know the least about.

Dave Garland can tell you more about the Gateway obviously, but I think they are in negotiation with Chicago, which would free up Cincinnati to move to the much closer Western, PA & Columbus division. We could have as many as eight divisons next season if all that works out.

I know there is also some talk about Arizona & Texas, but I'm not so sure how far along that is.

Please don't take any of this as absolute fact, it's just what i've been told here and there. If you know or have heard otherwise, please feel free to dispute me.

If there is a team being put in Savannah GA. Will there be open try-outs for the team.

[SandeHockey17]

Try-Outs for the Savannah team are being organized by EJ Alley, formerly of the NJ Minutemen. EJ will be making the move down to Savannah sometime in the next couple of weeks. I know he's already recieved a ton of interest. If you would like his info or any other information, contact me at [email protected] I'll give you all the essential info.

-Chris Havelock

[Wooten #21]

Try-Outs for the Savannah team are being organized by EJ Alley, formerly of the NJ Minutemen. EJ will be making the move down to Savannah sometime in the next couple of weeks. I know he's already recieved a ton of interest. If you would like his info or any other information, contact me at [email protected] I'll give you all the essential info.

-Chris Havelock

Thanks man.

[calihockey]

If there are any players down in so cal that are interested, we are putting together a team here as well. The final details of what involvement we will have with PIHA this season are still being worked up, but we are hoping it will be a spring board to having a division down here in 08-09.

[ngodavid]

i think this is something you might be interested in...

http://www.pihapacific.com/

hey i play at rollin ice thats awesome but then isnt most of the teams in piha located on the east coast?

[GROWL]

Yes that is true. In the past two years we have expanded pretty well into the country. For two seasons we have been in Colorado now and last year we had a very successful expansion into St Louis and Cincinnati. The California expansion should be a smooth one with CJ Gamble heading it up.

Your question makes me think you are worried about travel. Teams play with in there division, until the playoffs. No major travel is necessary until playoff time in PIHA.