Piha International

[scotty b]

So how did the piha international turn out? Anyone have any details about the games?

[umsl_player_38]

I played in the piha international thing and it was the best roller hockey I played in. I would compare it to the level of narch but the best thing about it was that we acctually got treated like we where pros. Before every game our equpment was layed out, kids came and watched and got autographs, interviews, just the whole nine yards, it was just an amazing exprence and everyone that played in it all said the same thing. I hope that this is going to be the next step and hope people get into it.

[Berry_Bramble]

I know people are mad about the whole money side of things with the PIHA league. But in all honesty you know as much I do that it is a business. Now I was not there, and I won't clame to be. But people know me and I have talked to a bunch of people who had been there.

This year PIHA had record numbers and I definitely think some things should be cleaned up for next season.

As for PIHA International...All I heard was great things about it! Sure I know people were upset that they didn't have representatives but that is probably one of the reasons why they didn't have an all star game. You cannot choose everyone::cough...cough:: With a ridiculous amount of teams this year not every team would have had a representative. So you are going to hear the complaints either way! The league treated these players the way a PRO should be treated from what I hear. Not going to get into details but I know for a fact everyone there was very impressed. Now let me ask everyone this question? If these players from PIHA international decide to play PIHA what is everyone else going to do? Obviously these are the cream of the crop players in the country. Why would you want to go down in competition? Wouldn't you want to play the best? PIHA is on the right track and hopefully next year will be their turn around yr..

I'm hearing big things about PIHA International! So I know everyone has their panties in a bundle about where the money is going...At least it is going back into our sport. They are trying to take it to the next level. You need players like this to represent the sport of Inline hockey. I know people are upset but everyone cannot be involved..

[MrCanada]

Well I guess for those of you who wondered where the money was going, you have your answer!

[rolla420]

I know people are mad about the whole money side of things with the PIHA league. But in all honesty you know as much I do that it is a business. Now I was not there, and I won't clame to be. But people know me and I have talked to a bunch of people who had been there.

This year PIHA had record numbers and I definitely think some things should be cleaned up for next season.

As for PIHA International...All I heard was great things about it! Sure I know people were upset that they didn't have representatives but that is probably one of the reasons why they didn't have an all star game. You cannot choose everyone::cough...cough:: With a ridiculous amount of teams this year not every team would have had a representative. So you are going to hear the complaints either way! The league treated these players the way a PRO should be treated from what I hear. Not going to get into details but I know for a fact everyone there was very impressed. Now let me ask everyone this question? If these players from PIHA international decide to play PIHA what is everyone else going to do? Obviously these are the cream of the crop players in the country. Why would you want to go down in competition? Wouldn't you want to play the best? PIHA is on the right track and hopefully next year will be their turn around yr..

I'm hearing big things about PIHA International! So I know everyone has their panties in a bundle about where the money is going...At least it is going back into our sport. They are trying to take it to the next level. You need players like this to represent the sport of Inline hockey. I know people are upset but everyone cannot be involved..

Just a thought here, but I'm pretty sure that it takes more than 2 teams of all-star players to make a league. I agree that the players in that game were some of the top ones in the sport, but that really has nothing to do with whether or not, "PIHA is on the right track" or not.

And, I was just wondering why it was/is called PIHA International when there were no international players. From what it sounds like, it was just an All-Star game where players (some not even from PIHA) were paid with everybody else's money. Maybe I'm wrong on this, and if I am then please correct me, but that's what I've heard/read.

[TourBandits]

Vio, I think the problems go a little deeper than PIHA International.

[Berry_Bramble]

It is not a perfect league. Look at all the changes the NHL made in the past 4 or 5 years. I just think PIHA is on the right track. For more pro leagues to pop up and say they have all the answers is well, rubish. Do they have to say that? Absolutly, they are competing for some of PIHA's teams. But the minute things don't go peoples way or they don't win, people want to jump ship. Look at the PIHA International as a showcase, nothing wrong with that.

So someone is going to start a non profit league, great. Though most of the time you get what you pay for. I know zero of the details, guess because I am not in the AAU loop. Will have to wait and see who is involved and what not.....

[minutemen]

Happy it turned out good, and people enjoyed it. Happy the fans enjoyed it as well. I understand that every team could not have a representative, but players that do not play in the league should not have played. Now I was not part of PIHA this year, but have been an owner and player 4 years prior. I am back next season where ever we play. But if I was involved this year I would have been upset. Someone made a statement it is business, well I guess you did not pay for your team. There are many owners that put up most or all the money for there teams and trust me they are upset. There are players that paid to play for there team and they are upset.

The problem is, when owners of teams become part of the league, they have guidelines to follow in the contract. The same should be for the league and not make promises it can't keep. The 2 Tour and the 2 Mission Representatives should not have played. There are players that busted there butts this year and should have been there. My questions is, why was this not publicized until the very last moment by the league. All teams were told no All Star game, then last moment this. I feel the reason why no international players were there, is because people found out and were upset. So the league decided not to. I could be wrong but it makes sense to me.

I hope everything works out for next season. I loved PIHA and I think it can be something great but a lot of people are upset and there questions were ignored by the front office. Now the AIHL has been formed. They have been in contact with me and it sounds like they have a good way of running the league. But I will see what they have to say at the meeting. I am also giving PIHA a chance to explain and take about next year. I am a firm believer that the owners should have some control of the league, not just the front office.

[Doug Jones]

My experiences with PIHA left me with one quote I will never forget:

"We both have full time jobs, we do this part time and don't have the time to deal with everything"

Charlie Yoder, President and founder, PIHA
commenting on why issues in our division were NOT resolved

[SPORTSPLEXJEFF]

My favorite quote of the year

"We both have full time jobs, we do this part time and don't have the time to deal with everything"

Charlie Yoder, President and founder, PIHA
commenting on why issues in our division were NOT resolved

Then I guess our full time jobs meant nothing. Reading that statement made me spit out my coffee. I am sorry but I work to hard at my team besides my two full time jobs and I deal with everything for my team.

[Doug Jones]

I know people are mad about the whole money side of things with the PIHA league. But in all honesty you know as much I do that it is a business. Now I was not there, and I won't clame to be. But people know me and I have talked to a bunch of people who had been there.

This year PIHA had record numbers and I definitely think some things should be cleaned up for next season.

As for PIHA International...All I heard was great things about it! Sure I know people were upset that they didn't have representatives but that is probably one of the reasons why they didn't have an all star game. You cannot choose everyone::cough...cough:: With a ridiculous amount of teams this year not every team would have had a representative. So you are going to hear the complaints either way! The league treated these players the way a PRO should be treated from what I hear. Not going to get into details but I know for a fact everyone there was very impressed. Now let me ask everyone this question? If these players from PIHA international decide to play PIHA what is everyone else going to do? Obviously these are the cream of the crop players in the country. Why would you want to go down in competition? Wouldn't you want to play the best? PIHA is on the right track and hopefully next year will be their turn around yr..

I'm hearing big things about PIHA International! So I know everyone has their panties in a bundle about where the money is going...At least it is going back into our sport. They are trying to take it to the next level. You need players like this to represent the sport of Inline hockey. I know people are upset but everyone cannot be involved..

Vio:

Good points, but then in San Jose at the NARCh finals you can see all these guys and more in the pro division. Why recycle what is already being done better, with more promotion and fanfare and without segregating a league.

I've never been to a NARCh final where I get charged to watch a pro game and or playoff either...just wanted to throw that in.

Doug

[Berry_Bramble]

Vio:

Good points, but then in San Jose at the NARCh finals you can see all these guys and more in the pro division. Why recycle what is already being done better, with more promotion and fanfare and without segregating a league.

I've never been to a NARCh final where I get charged to watch a pro game and or playoff either...just wanted to throw that in.

Doug

No you don't get charged...but you don't get charged to come in and watch that event either..NARCh TORHS or even AAU, so why would you charge for that tournaments PRO division...they are two different things that need to stay different.

This was my first year dealing with PIHA and honestly it was 100% more then I thought it was going to be. Is it perfect...no. But and Jones I do not mean you. Some of the problems can be put on owners and the players just as easily as the people in the front office.

I do think the owners need to have more of a say, without running the league themselves. Have owners meetings and vote on things etc. I think people should look to try to implement these types of changes into PIHA before up and starting another league.

[William Bourque]

My experiences with PIHA left me with one quote I will never forget:

"We both have full time jobs, we do this part time and don't have the time to deal with everything"

Charlie Yoder, President and founder, PIHA
commenting on why issues in our division were NOT resolved

Then why not use all the money that is being collected and hire someone to do the job full-time, im sure if you looked hard enough, you could find someone out there willing to run the league full-time for a small yearly salary.

[Doug Jones]

No you don't get charged...but you don't get charged to come in and watch that event either..NARCh TORHS or even AAU, so why would you charge for that tournaments PRO division...they are two different things that need to stay different.

This was my first year dealing with PIHA and honestly it was 100% more then I thought it was going to be. Is it perfect...no. But and Jones I do not mean you. Some of the problems can be put on owners and the players just as easily as the people in the front office.

I do think the owners need to have more of a say, without running the league themselves. Have owners meetings and vote on things etc. I think people should look to try to implement these types of changes into PIHA before up and starting another league.

I agree, all I want is assurances how THINGS next year will be different. Not an invoice for $4,500 with no updates, changes and no progress showing me the efforts being made to make this work for all involved in 2008 - 2009.

My recommendation for Gary Bettman's job would be Todd Wiley. He cares, he knows and he would make an excellent liason for all of us with the league office.

What team were you a part of? and did you get your paperwork in on time?

[Berry_Bramble]

495ers...we had enough of our own problems...but like I said, I wen't into the league not expecting much and it was much much better then I thought. But then again, who am I that it would matter what I think.