National Roller Hockey League

National Roller Hockey League [NRHL] (2014 – Present)
Sport Inline hockey
Founded 2014, Washington, MI
President Matt Wiedenhoeft
Commissioner Robert Clouston
No. of teams 4
Country United States
Headquarters Washington, MI
Continent North America
Most recent
champion(s)

2015 Detroit Bordercats

2016 Detroit Bordercats
Official website The NRHL

The National Roller Hockey League (NRHL) is a professional roller hockey league. The National Roller Hockey League, LLC was created in November 2014.[1] The NRHL is headquartered in Washington, MI – a suburb of Metro Detroit. The NRHL dropped the puck on its inaugural season on February 20, 2015.[2]

The National Roller Hockey League opened its inaugural season with four franchises located in the Metro Detroit region: Detroit Bordercats, Alkali Surge, Alkali Revive, & Canfield Alkali Chiefs. The teams are composed of players with different levels of experience. NRHL players have professional, NCAA & ACHA college, and Junior ice hockey and semi-pro & college roller hockey experience.

The National Roller Hockey League is the premier roller hockey league in the world. The players have the ability for compensation through bonuses & awards and do not pay to play and .

History

The National Roller Hockey League was established in November 2014. Robert Clouston developed the NRHL. Robert Clouston initially had the idea of a premier roller hockey league for players to participate in between tournaments. But it became a reality. Matt Wiedenhoeft was brought into the fray by Clouston to assist in establishing the league. The two have worked tirelessly to establish a league to last. Mr. Clouston & Mr. Wiedenhoeft are the co-founders/owners of the National Roller Hockey League.

The NRHL named Robert Clouston as the first Commissioner and Matt Wiedenhoeft as the first President. The NRHL held its first league introduction meeting on November 25, 2014 at Joe Dumars Fieldhouse in Sterling Heights, MI. The National Roller Hockey League was officially established at the conclusion of the meeting with the signing of its first franchises. The league's first franchise – the Detroit Bordercats – signed its agreement November 25, 2014. The Canfield Alkali Chiefs were the second franchise to join the NRHL the same evening. The third franchised announced was the Alkali Surge a few weeks later. Alkali Revive signed its franchise agreement as the fourth team for the inaugural season shortly after.

The Original Four franchises include: Detroit Bordercats, Canfield Alkali Chiefs, Alkali Surge, Alkali Revive.[3]

Mission – Vision – Purpose

Mission

The NRHL provides fast paced and fan-friendly professional roller hockey at affordable prices. Maintain the integrity of the sport of roller hockey, while providing a professional league for elite players to compete. Uphold integrity and an ethical business model to induce positive growth.[4]

Vision

The National Roller Hockey League will become the professional roller hockey league in the world. Build the base around character, communication, and professional personnel. Quality and professionally operated franchises will operate to achieve similar goals. Success is measured in stable growth of the fan base. It is important to the NRHL to develop an increased awareness of the sport.[5]

Purpose

Other leagues have focused on fast expansion, growing beyond the means of the league and the individual teams. The NRHL will focus on maintaining regionalized play to keep costs low in order for owners to maximize their team’s operating capital. The purpose of the National Roller Hockey League is to serve as a training ground to develop premier players, coaches, and personnel on and off the rink. Emphasis is placed on fundamental development, career development, community involvement, and education to everyone involved with the league.[6]

Staff

The National Roller Hockey League staff is composed of professionals with various experience. The Commissioner, President, and Director of Hockey Operations all have professional hockey experience as players – the Commissioner & President also possess junior, college, and professional ice hockey coaching experience.[7]

Commissioner

Robert Clouston

President

Matt Wiedenhoft

Director of Hockey Operations

Ryan Webb

Referee-In-Chief

Josh Stockel

Director of Public Relations

Matt Mackinder

D. Peter Valiotis

The Game

Teams will be given an 8-minute warm-up, which will take place 20-minutes before the posted game time on the schedule. After the warm-up, teams will return to their locker rooms for 7 minutes for final preparations.

The NRHL is (3) 15 minute stop time periods. We have a 10-minute intermission between periods. This allows fans a chance to pick up a beverage or get a quick snack. However, keep in mind, we have some promotional things going on out on the floor as well, and many times there will be fan involvement or simply a very entertaining youth hockey mini-game that you may not want to miss.

There is no mercy rule in the NRHL. Some tournaments have an 8 or 10 goal rule, but we do not; the GAME must go on!! Another important thing to keep in mind is how the penalties work. A minor penalty will be 1:30, a double minor is 3:00, and a major penalty when called will be 4:00. If opposing players each receive a minor penalty, there is a chance to see 3 vs. 3 or even 2 vs. 2 action. (Incidentally, if a team receives a major penalty they will remain shorthanded regardless of how many goals the opposing team scores).

In the case of a tie game, teams will switch ends and play a 5-minute 3 vs. 3 sudden death period. If neither team scores, then they will proceed to a 3-player shootout. IF, the game remains tied after the 3-player shootout, a sudden death shootout proceeds.[8]

2015 Regular Season

The 2015 inaugural season is 24 games, with each team playing a total of 12 regular season games.[9]

2015 Playoffs

The playoffs are slated to begin May 2015. All four teams will qualify for the playoffs. Both rounds will be a best of 3. If the third game is a 20-minute mini game – if needed.

Teams

Name Sponsor Rink Founded
Alkali Revive[10] Alkali Jewish Community Center 2014
Alkali Surge[11] Alkali Joe Dumars Fieldhouse 2014
Detroit Stars [12] Alkali Canfield Alkali Arena 2014
Detroit Bordercats[13] Mission-Bauer Joe Dumars Fieldhouse 2014

Ypsilanti Yeti

NRHL President tweeted that he was working on an expansion for the league. Rumors suggested Toledo and or other midwest teams. For now it looks like no Canadian teams will be in the NRHL.

League Sponsors

The National Roller Hockey League partnered with big names in the sport, with the entire league being powered by Alkali Hockey. Rink Rat Hockey, a major player in hockey wheels, and Rocket Puck, the #1 puck used in the major roller hockey tournaments, also partnered with the NRHL. Two startup companies, Tendy Problems & All Black Hockey Sticks, are also league sponsors.[14]

More sponsors will soon be announced. As part of the expansion, The inaugural NRHL draft will also be announced soon with the Alkalai Canfield Chiefs selecting first

Players

Not all players in the National Roller Hockey League are only roller hockey players. The NRHL have players whom possess professional, college, & junior ice experience.[15]

Year-End Awards

The end of the season awards are sponsored by Rink Rat Hockey. The following awards are slated to be awarded at the conclusion of the inaugural 2015 season.[25]

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 9/9/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.