North Pittsburgh Hockey League

[NPHLfalx]

If anyone in the southwestern Pennsylvania area is interested, there is a new outdoor inline hockey league starting up for the 2004 fall season. The league features 4 on 4 play, plans to have 6 teams, and will be free to join. We are currently looking for teams in the area, specifically northern Allegheny County. Most players in the league are in high school, but we will allow some older players. If you are interested, please email me at nphlinline@yahoo.com. You can check out our website at http://www.nphl.cjb.net. Thanks!

[Magnum357]

Just out of curiosity, is this some sort of "Junior Inline League"? If so, this is an interesting concept. I have never heard of Professional Inline Junior leagues before.

[NPHLfalx]

The league is neither "Junior" nor "Professional." It is just a local league for anyone who wants to play. I am hoping to get quite a few teams in from my area and we will be well organized, but far from professional :D . Why, you are probably wondering, did I post this on a minor league information website? Simply because I know a lot of people will stumble across it because if the same general topics, hockey!

[Magnum357]

I see, interesting info. Although I would be careful about advertising your league here. This is technically a Professional Minor league message board, not sure if Semi-pro leagues are allowed too advertise here.

One think I must ask, would this league use old RHI rules or something else? I always liked the RHI and wouldn't mind too see the league resurrected.

[NPHLfalx]

Our rules are a bit different from old RHI rules. We play 15 minute running clock periods with a shootout style OT (except in the playoffs when there is normal OT). There are 3 periods in each game. There is no icing or offsides because the courts/rinks are not NHL size.

[Magnum357]

I see. Why not use Offsides and Icing (or also known as Clearing)? I never can understand why many Inline leagues never use Clearing or Offsides rules. Even the RHI didn't use offsides rules.

The reason why they implemented Icing and Offsides in Ice Hockey long ago was too keep competitive balance. It keeps team from just easily passing the puck down the ice too an offensive guy and score. I think people get this confused all the time with the "No Two-line" pass rule which was implemented in the NHL too keep Goalies and Defensmen from shooting the puck too Forwards in the Neutral Zone. But in Inline Hockey with its 4-on-4 play, their is no need too worry about this because the play is wide open with 2 less people on the playing surface. I really think if the RHI had implemented an Offisides rule (it all ready had illegal clearing rules) that it would have kept a lot of the imbalanced scores, down some.

I think you should at least consider an offsides rule in my opinion.

[NPHLfalx]

As much as I like offsides playing both ice and roller hockey myself, it would not be practical because of the small size of the rinks. Because of the running clock, it would also be tougher to have a lot of faceoffs. Our league is almost like a combination of Speed Hockey International and the RHI. It is still 4 on 4 (and goalies) but we also have the running clock, smaller rinks, and less faceoffs.

[Magnum357]

Just out of curiosity, how big are your rinks usually? Are they the same size as the old Pro Beach Hockey rinks use too use a few years ago (about 160 feet by 65 feet).

Also, I disagree about not using an offsides rule. I can understand what you mean with the "continues clock" rules you have, but if I recall the PBH also had a continues clock too (15 minute halfs) but they still had the clock running when their was a dead ball. I don't see why you couldn't have a continues clock even if an offsides did occur. If your worried about the final minutes of a Period/Game, just have it similar too how Indoor Football has its 2:00 timing rules. If your in the final minute of a Period and their is a dead puck/ball, you would stop the clock. But if its out side the final minute then it would be continues clock.

Like I said, I think an Offsides rule would help balance your game even with the smaller rink.

[NPHLfalx]

Nothing is out of the question for this league, and, because I like offsides I will probably discuss it with other team managers as teams join this summer. If you or anyone else has any suggestions for what the rules should be like, just post up and I'll take them all into consideration. Thanks.

[Micro67]

Cool site - check out http://www.singaporeicehockey.com for some possible competition and good luck.