major league roller hockey

[mrcool92501]

any update on teams b located at???

[dmbishop]

Haven't heard anything other than the initial announcements. With 4 months to go before the start, I doubt it's going to come off in any meaningful fashion. The only national roller hockey league currently playing is the PIHA.

http://www.thepiha.com

[major league]

It's "All Systems Go" as MLRH Returns to Full Pro Status beginning April, 2008

Grand Rapids, MI - In the few short months since Major League Roller Hockey (MLRH) announced that they will, once again, be the only professional Inline Hockey League in North America, the league has engineered a dramatic turnaround for a sport in need of new excitement and direction including a league-wide TV deal that will make every MLRH game available to hockey fans world-wide.

B2 Network to show every game and playoffs

"This is the breakthrough the sport has needed," said MLRH CEO Matt O'Neill. B2 is the same network that provides coverage for the American Hockey League, IHL, ECHL, Major League Lacrosse as well as major college football. "It's the kind of exposure the sport has needed," enthused O'Neill. "The MLRH brand of pro roller hockey will be shown side-by-side with the major sports leagues and showcase MLRH world-wide.

MLRH will return to an April through August season and will continue with it's full-contact brand of roller hockey. "MLRH brings an intensity and excitement that can only come with the contact game. Anything else is like flag football compared to the NFL," joked MLRH Commissioner Dave Vernier.

MLRH will also continue their policy of only one team per major market. “It's the only way to present a high quality product” said Vernier. To that end, MLRH has adjusted it's season to an April through August schedule. “Beginning play in April allows us to take advantage of several minor league venues with enhanced seating. Additionally, it frees up the best hockey players, ice or roller, from college and pro teams as well as some of the established players currently playing in MLRH.”

League officials indicate that, to increase the competition, players will be paid for every win and receive a lesser amount for losses. Coaches will be paid with incentive contracts as well. Play begins on April 19th with the ESG Cup Finals set to wrap up the weekend of August 15 th

A return to glory days

MLRH was founded in 1998 by entrepreneur Bill Raue. While MLRH operated successfully in it’s inaugural years (attracting as many as 10,000 fans at the Pond in Anaheim for it’s Championships), the league fell victim to the demise of a rival league and was brought down as pro roller hockey flamed out in 1999. “There were so many bad feelings when RHI folded with $40 million in losses that it was virtually impossible to play at the professional level,” said Raue.

MLRH has operated throughout the Midwest and Eastern seaboard playing with primarily amateur players. “It was a good way to keep our name in front of the public,” said Raue. “We had a lot of fun but, realistically, we were not going to get back to the Glory Days depending on some of the guys that drifted through the league.

[robster2001]

You have to admire MLRH's persistence, but if they honestly think they can relaunch in April -- 10 weeks from now -- with no advance publicity and no franchises assigned... well, they're persistent but deluded. In addition, top-level minor pro players will be playing well into May.

This appears to be more Bill Raue's refusal to admit that the roller hockey ship has sailed than any realistic attempt to restart the league.

[major league]

I am interested in how this league turns out. A buddy of mine is running the team here on Long Island. The team has been practicing for a while now. So I would like to see how things turn out on game day. Hopefully there is one.

[robster2001]

Does the LI team have a website? The MLRH site doesn't list teams, so I can't read up on progress...

[major league]

I checked and they didn't have one yet. I am going to call the coach over the weekend to find out more information about the team and the league. I will post any new news that I find out from him.

[ca]

i thought detroit was getting a team ? if so any idea where theyll play ?

[major league]

I checked the site and found an email address to the league (promlrh@mlrh.com). Maybe they might have some answeres on what is going on with the league.
I am still working on my contacts to find out what is going on with the league.

[major league]

Looks like the season for the MLRH will be cancelled for this season.

We need to say the following: Major League Roller Hockey (MLRH) is no longer operated by the Elite Sports Group, LLP and MLRH is not responsible for any contractual obligations, real or implied.



Raue retakes control of MLRH

In a press release issued to the Inline Hockey Central web site on April 9, Bill Raue, President and Founder of MLRH,confirmed that MLRH has dissolved their operating agreement with the Elite Sports Group.



While I was no longer involved in the operation of MLRH, as the guy most associated with the league, I was becoming inundated with phone calls and e-mails, all asking, "What is going on with MLRH? Quite frankly, I had no clue and none of my calls were returned either. As I valued the loyalty of MLRH fans, players and supporters, I could not stand aside and see the MLRH brand tarnished Fact is, I Was even asked to operate a team in Washington and could get no answers.



So what's next?

Obviously there can be no Summer season as advertised but I am working on a blockbuster MLRH event for this Summer. I will have an announcement shortly pending signed confirmation of agreements already in place.



In the meantime...

Got a question?..No-one returned your calls or answered your e-mails? Let me hear from you and I will keep you in the loop. Send your love letters (and hate mail) to: bill@mlrh.com



Stay tuned!

[dmbishop]

What I really love is the Contact Page on mlrh.com

If you want to send us a sack of money, mail it to:

[BCRantzilla]

And God help anyone who did...