Extremz.com

GAME ON!

Roller Hockey

by Les Reynolds

Publication Date: November 1996

Five skaters, one goalie. Players scoot rapidly over a sheet of ice. The strongest players rifle a small puck toward the goal at nearly 120 mph.

It's not hard to identify ice-hockey. Now, how 'bout roller hockey? Roller what?!

Roller Hockey: Four skaters, one goalie per team. Players glide around on in-line skates on a wooden floor. The little, orange "no-bounce" ball may be fired up to 85-90 mph at a goal four feet high by six feet wide. And, oh, yes, one other noticeable difference, you won't go to a fight and see a roller hockey game break out.

Whatever their differences or similarities, the newer and increasingly popular sport of roller hockey has gained a foothold in the Louisville area with both adult and youth leagues going full tilt.

One venue where roller hockey is played most any winter weekend is Champs in Crestwood (Oldham County). Four adult (16-and-older) and eight youth (under 11 and 12-15) teams compete there.

A few of the adults, including the rink manager, shared their knowledge and opinions concerning roller hockey prior to a recent, late Sunday afternoon game...

Don Hall, 32, Louisville, with seven total years hockey experience (three on ice) is an out-sourcing manager by occupation and coaches, plays and referees. He's also the youth league coordinator. Ed Rooney, 29, a three-year veteran and a counselor at Brooklawn, also does triple duty with both leagues. Lori Hernandez (whose family owns Champs), is the rink manager. She's never coached or played, but coordinates the leagues with help from Hall and Rooney.

Teams usually have seven to nine players on the roster, may or may not have a sponsor, and uniform jerseys may arrive mid-season. Some teams are named simply by jersey color; some just use a number.

There are two 25-minute halves, with a five-minute half-time. Youths play 18 minute halves. There's only one time-out allowed per team per game. Clocks are stopped for controversies or during the game's final two minutes whenever the whistle blows if the deficit is three or less.

Rules could be a source of controversy, since there is nothing set in concrete for roller hockey. However, the National In-Line Association rule book can be consulted should the need arise, but seldom does, Hernandez claimed. "Referees are usually respected," she added. There are also the house rules, which most skaters and players willingly obey. However, NILA membership has proven too costly; fees are already $110 per person excluding player-supplied equipment. Rooney guessed an entire setup could run to $500, including skates.

Hall noted physical 'checking' is strongly discouraged, especially on the boards and there's a "zero-tolerance rule for violence." There's very little, if any, bad language. "Ninety-five percent of the players are levelheaded," Hall noted.

Along with rules come safety concerns. Hernandez explained that there are no equipment rules for adults. "Some of it is just using your head," Hall said, pointing out the common use of shin guards, helmets and visors. Rare injuries usually occur as a result of a high-speed collision. Rooney also said the lightweight equipment is easier on the playing surface and vice versa, and added "wood is a lot softer than ice in a fall."

In fact, all that only helps a player stay in the league longer as well as being able to begin at a younger age without fear of a debilitating injury. (The youngest player there is seven, the oldest 48.) Both players and audience can concentrate on simply doing their best and enjoying the game. In fact, the consensus among these three adults is that the Cadets (12 to 15-year-olds) provide the most excitement. "They make the adults look bad lots of times."

Teams are formed from a core group of players with the highest abilities. "I've had success with youth leagues," Hall noted, "and knew the players from the clinics. So, I just built teams around key players." Teams are made up basically upon playing ability. "It makes it more competitive," Hernandez said. Rooney backed her up saying, "Yeah, we don't want anybody trounced 30-2." In fact, following this interview, the Teal and Blue squads, which Hernandez said are possibly the two most competitive adult teams, went at it. The Teal team rallied for a 5-4 sudden death, overtime victory.

Hernandez, who said the Teal team is known for being explosive late in the game, described a typical match-up this way: "You'll see guys who are very competitive and eager to play. There's lots of action, cracking noises, falling down and players losing equipment." It proved an accurate assessment. Also Rooney explained that there are no true, set positions except goalie in roller hockey. However, play appears organized and plays well executed.

From what can be observed at Champs, roller hockey is indeed a popular sport and one that's here to stay. Late teens appear to dominate the activity, and Rooney said most adults begin in their mid-20s. Another skater, Doug Van Meter (Teal Team) believes it's one of the - if not THE - fastest-growing, recreational sports in America today (including in-line skating) and has actually helped ice hockey regain its popularity. Rooney noted that UofL began a roller hockey club last year and Hernandez said a neighborhood team expressed interest in playing at Champs next season.

"It's certainly a popular sport," Hall said. "Just look on any street," and at Champs, of course.