Building from the foundation of the success of the AIHL Elite Adult Program, the Junior Program is designed to offer our hockey families the “Ultimate Hockey Experience” through a series of regional events, a regional championship and an invitation to participate in the 2010 AAU Junior Olympic Games for Inline Hockey or the 2Hot4Ice National Games.

In addition, for the first time, the Gulf Coast Region will be represented in the International Division at the AAU Junior Olympic Games for Inline Hockey, to be held in Huntington Beach, CA, as a part of the AAU/USARS Team USA JR Prospects Program. Tryouts for Team USA Gulf Coast will be held on Saturday May 8, at the Topshelf Sports Arena in Youngsville, LA.

Tournament Dates

Apr 23-25 Austin Sports Arena – Round Rock, TX

Jun 4-6 Slapshot Hockey Arena – Richardson, TX

Jun 18-20 Topshelf Sports Arena – Youngsville, LA

Jul 30-Aug 1 3StarIce Arena (Gulf Coast Regional Championships) – Shenandoah, TX

Registration

Deadline to register your Team(s) for a Full League Membership is March 15!

Independent teams may register for these events after March 15, pending rink availability!

Contact us for more information:

Calvin Ahia, AIHL Gulf Coast Junior Program Director

(337) 319-4756

cahia.topshelfsports@hotmail.com



Division I

Long Beach State was the only Division I team in action this weekend, playing 1 game against Saddleback College. Long Beach State won that game, as well as won their last 2 games in the Las Vegas event on Feb. 13. Long Beach sits in the #2 spot heading into Regionals.

The #1 spot has been clinched for some time by 18-1 Arizona State University. Their loss was the first game of the 2009-2010 season, and they have not looked back since, outscoring opponents 159-49.

UC Santa Barbara, UNLV and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo round out the top 5 in Division I. These teams will play in a 5-team round robin at Regionals, playing all teams once, with the top 4 teams making the semifinals.

Division II

In Division II action, there were several matchups that will repeat at Regionals. UC San Diego defeated UC Berkeley by a score of 5-4, the first loss for UC Berkeley to a Division II team all season. Chico State then defeated UC San Diego by a score of 8-7, this game was an absolute nail-biter. A late faceoff in the Chico defensive zone gave UC San Diego an opportunity to tie, but there was not enough time to get a shot on goal.

UC Davis won 4 straight this weekend to earn a playoff berth, and they sit in the 5 spot.

UC Santa Cruz sits in the 3 spot, after winning 3 straight after losing the first game, with a huge 4-2 win against UC Berkeley. USC barely missed the playoffs after their starting goaltender gets injured in 2nd game of the weekend.

6 teams in Division II will play for the Regional Championship. Teams will be split into 2 pools of 3 teams each, playing in 2 round robin games. The top team in each pool will advance to the semifinals, while the bottom 2 teams in each pool will play in a quarterfinal game prior to that.

Junior College Division

A full Citrus College squad won all 5 games this weekend, including a 6-2 win against JC Division rival Saddleback College. Saddleback will be the WCRHL’s #1 seed for Nationals, due to defeating Citrus 8-2 earlier in the season, and their other meeting this season ending in a tie. Citrus will be the WCRHL’s #2 seed for Nationals, and West Valley JC will be the WCRHL’s #3 seed.

B Division

In B Division action this weekend, there were some definite Regional Championships caliber games taking place. UCSB B Gold defeated Saddleback B 6-4. This was only a few hours after Arizona State defeated Saddleback B 8-5, in what was arguably the best B Division game of the last several years. Arizona State finished with a perfect 16 game, undefeated season, outscoring opponents 140-33. Cal Poly Green earned the final spot in the playoffs, sitting idle this weekend and squeaking in by 1 point over UC Irvine B.

8 teams in the B Division will play for the Regional Championship. Teams will be split into 2 pools of 4 teams each, playing in 3 round robin games. The top 3 teams in each pool will advance.

All championship games will be played in the morning on Sunday, March 7th. The website for the Regional Championship Tournament is: http://wcrhl.com/schedule.php?event_id=1016

You can also view the schedule by date:
March 6 – http://wcrhl.com/schedule.php?&show_date=2010-03-06
March 7 – http://wcrhl.com/schedule.php?&show_date=2010-03-07

All bids to the National Championships will be determined on Selection Monday, March 8, 2010, and posted on the NCRHA website at www.ncrha.org. The only automatic bids to the National Championships are the Regional Champions in Division I, II and B. All other bids are determined by the NCRHA Selection Committee.

Leading Scorers

Division I

Brian Ganz and Tyler Koressel from Arizona State led all Division I players in scoring. The Arizona State goaltending duo of Stephen Back and Clay Taylor led in both GAA and Save %.

Click the following link to see all Division I Scoring and Goaltending Leaders: http://wcrhl.com/stats.php?regional_division_id=6

Division II

Steven Inouye and Sam Robinson from UC Berkeley, along with Kenny McCubbins and Troy Miller from UC San Diego and Chase Norman from Chico State make up the top 5 in Division II scoring.

Several goaltenders are in the top 5 in either GAA or Save %. Justin KleinSmid from UC Santa Cruz led all Division II goaltenders in Save % stopping 88.4% of all shots faced.

Click the following link to see all Division II Scoring and Goaltending Leaders: http://wcrhl.com/stats.php?regional_division_id=7

Junior College Division

Tyler Lakes (Saddleback) and Georgie Barber (Citrus) each reached the 50-point mark this season in the Junior College division. Taz Viloria (Saddleback) and Albert Flores (Citrus) finished 1,2 in both GAA and Save % this season.

Click the following link to see all JC Division Scoring and Goaltending Leaders: http://wcrhl.com/stats.php?regional_division_id=62

B Division

The top 5 scorers in the B Division are made up of players from the top 3 teams. Jeffrey Stern and Zach Medlock (Arizona State), Gavin Torres (Saddleback) and Max Ryan and Travis Faught (UC Santa Barbara) make up the top 5.

Ryan Baird (UC Santa Barbara) and Dylan Taylor (Saddleback) were the top 2 goaltenders in both GAA and Save %.

Click the following link to see all B Division Scoring and Goaltending Leaders: http://wcrhl.com/stats.php?regional_division_id=8

Division III

Jonny Simkin led the Claremont team with 30 points, followed closely by Kirby Haraguichi with 26. Simkin led in goals, while Kirby led in assists.

The goaltending duo from Claremont split the honors, with Brad Davis leading in GAA and Michael Mulroy leading in Save %.

Click the following link to see all Division III Scoring and Goaltending Leaders: http://wcrhl.com/stats.php?regional_division_id=9

That expansion has continued in recent weeks as the Wildcats announced this past week the addition of an inline hockey program to the school’s sports team list.

Matt Swinea will be the coach for the team. He has been the sports information director for the Wildcats since 2007 and is in transition from SID to coach. Swinea is also a cohost of The Pressbox, a sports talk show on FM 96.5 WBFG with Jim Steele.

“This is a dream come true for me,” Swinea said. “If you’d told me five years ago I’d be coaching a college hockey team in McKenzie, Tenn., I’d say you were crazy.”

Swinea played college hockey at Alabama-Huntsville and has been playing recreational hockey around West Tennessee, including the adult inline hockey league last spring.

Swinea said he has already been recruiting and picked up four recruits, three out of the Nashville area and one from Henry County.

“There are a few schools who have a team around Nashville, and we’ve picked up some pretty good players who made the Metro All-Star team,” Swinea said. “Middle Tennessee State is the only other college in Tennessee who has a team right now, so that means the players committing to us are kids that really want to play hockey.”

Swinea said the team’s home-game location is still up in the air, but groups of teams will meet for a few games each weekend in one place for most of the games.

“We’ll probably get four or five games in each weekend at different places,” Swinea said. “We’ll be playing against schools in all different levels of collegiate athletics.”

Swinea said the Wildcats will be playing club teams from schools as near as MTSU, programs like Florida and other NAIA schools like Lindenwood in St. Louis.

“I’m looking forward to getting started,” Swinea said. “There are a lot of people on campus who have told me they’re excited about coming out and watch, and the kids I’ve talked to about coming are excited.

“It’s hard for me to believe there aren’t more hockey programs in the state with an NHL team in Nashville, but we’ve got kids ready to get here and play for us.”

-By Brandon Shields

TCS Regional Qualifier
The Sportsplex
1331 O’Reilly Drive – Feasterville, PA 19053

Date: April 3rd 2010
Entry Fee: $495
Age Divisions: 8u, 10u, 12u, 14u, 16u, 18u, 21u, Women’s (14+), Adult (18+), & Masters (35+)

•Stop Time (Only way in tournament play)
•Blade Tape Player of the Game
•Tournament’s MVP, Playmaker, & MVG Awards
•1st & 2nd place: Team Trophies & Individual Awards
•Registration Incentives
•Free Raffle for all Participants
•Inline Warehouse Nation-Wide Skills Competition -
Fastest Shot, Fastest Skater, & Breakaway Challenges.
Results will be posted on our webpage creating a national
competition.
•Highly Experienced Staff Present at All of our Events
•Roller Hockey Alliance (RHA) Sanctioned Event
•Entry into our National Tournament in Chicago, IL – June 17th-20th, 2010

The North division had the opportunity to see two of the top players in the world play, with 2009 IIHF Team USA silver medalist teammates, Pat Lee from the Mission Syndicate, a home town favorite of the Chicago Roller Snakes, and Itan Chavira from the LA Pama Cyclones, playing on the Michigan Thunder. This was the first appearance of the season for both players and they did not disappoint the crowd of 200 onlookers watching anxiously. Lee helped his team clinch another overtime win against the Detroit Revolution on Saturday night.  Chavira, powered up the Thunder to help them prove that they will be a contender in the future. Both players met face-to-face Sunday in a high scoring game.

When Lee and Chavira faced off on Sunday their coaches attempted to match them up against each other as much as possible. Lee and Chavira had numerous chances to show their stuff to the crowd’s delight and “walked” through the opposing team numerous times.

Steve Tomszack(#29), Chicago’s goaltender, was on fire and robbed Chavira repeatedly as Itan shook his head, looking at his stick blade as if to say, “What do I have to do to get a goal ?”. Being the tremendous team player he is, and recognizing he was falling short to a hot goaltender, Itan, did only what a talent player of his caliber could do, he focus on setting up his teammates for some incredible goals. The final score ended in a 9-5 Chicago victory.

Chicago and Detroit met in the “AAA” division and gave the crowd something to cheer about as Neal Gerber (#26) of the Snakes was on fire, scoring 5 of his teams 6 goals. Gerber got the game winner as he broke the 4-4 stalemate and with less than two minutes left in regulation he added his final goal of the game which was an empty netter from well inside his teams zone to the crowd’s delight.

The DC Filibusters have been slipping under the radar and are going to be a force to be reckoned with when playoffs begin. The DC team has been winning a majority of their games, and most teams who have been underestimating their skill and the work ethic of the team. DC could become the dark horse in MLRH when the playoffs begin. Look for them to make an aggressive move on the playoffs at their home Festival, March 13th and 14th.

The Regional Qualifying Season is here!

We have 3 great events coming up later this month:

March 19-21st at Skate Zone in West Palm Beach, FL
March 26th-28th at ISCA in Wallington, NJ
March 27th-28th at Silver Creek Sportsplex in San Jose, CA

The regional entry form, regional schedule, and regional confirmation packet can be found at http://narch.com/Regional_Info/roller_hockey_0108105060.html

There’s been a lot of talk about our regional qualifier coming up in Hawaii on May 15th and 16th. It will be an amazing trip that ties in some great hockey along with a wonderful vacation. To encourage participation we are lifting the PLAYER MOVE RULE for this event, which means that teams can combine to come experience Hawaii if their whole team can’t make the trip. This will not jeopardize their eligibility for the FINALS on their regular team. We want to give as many players as possible an opportunity to experience NARCh on the Islands.

If you have players looking to make the trip to Hawaii or have a team that’s motivated to make the trip and just need a few players, feel free to use the announcement board on narch.com.

It’s hard to believe that we’re in our 17th year of NARCh. Each year we try to improve to bring you the best experience that the sport has to offer. We look forward to seeing you at a regional qualifier and we’re very excited to be heading back to the Silver Creek Sportsplex in San Jose for the NARCh FINALS.

If you have any questions about a Regional Qualifier or the FINALS, feel free to call 760-943-0049 ext 110 or email daryn@narch.com

See you at the rink!

-By Daryn Goodwin, from narch.com

NAYRHL would like to extend an open invitation to all teams that would like a chance to play NAYRHL in the 2010 season.

These teams would have the opportunity to compete in a series of festivals this spring to qualify for the 12 games needed to attend the 2010 NAYRHL Playoff and Championship weekend, June 24th-28th, in Mt Pleasant, Pa.

-        All teams must meet NAYRHL territory rules and comply with all NAYRHL playing standards.

-        Upon completion of the 12 games each team will be evaluated by the NAYRHL league comittee board and placed in the proper division, (Either AAA-AA-A) for the 2010 playoffs.

-        All new teams will have a representative to the board.

-        Teams may apply to host a NAYRHL festival at their home rink this season.

-        Each Festival will consist of between 4-6 games per team

-        Age divisions 8u 10u 12u 14u 17u

-        All players must be a current AAU member or register with AAU online at www.aausports.org

Both Events Nearly SOLD OUT

Only a few more days to get your team in Winter Wars East, as we have extended our deadlines to give teams who are just having their tryouts a chance to get in these great events.  The East coast event will be HUGE once again as nearly 90 teams are already registered, including SIX 8under teams!!!  Some of the top teams from the east coast are going out in full support including the Marple Gladiators, Tour Road Runners, Richmond Rattlers, Mission Black Ice, Mad Dogs, Cougars, Grizzlies, East Coast Impact, Speed, Team Carolina, Tour Excitement, Vitamin Water Revolution, Fire Ants, Brawlers, Sting, Suffolk Sharks, the Stealth and the Liberty.  If you would still like to enter this event make sure you contact our office in the next few days as we are beginning to work on schedules!

The Winter Wars West event is also going to be great as usual.  I am personally looking forward to it as it will be my first trip to Colorado since 2005 and I am so excited to check out RMR, the rink I have heard so many wonderful things about.  With so much local talent like the Kodiaks, Mission Wolverines, Tour Stealth, Toy Soldiers, the Raptors, OD’s Daredevils, and Crash Test Dummies this event is always first class.  There will be some great out of state teams making their way in including the Tour Scorpions, the Sabrehawks from Illinois, the West Coast Warriors, and the Tour Sting.  Those teams looking to get into Winter Wars West must reach out to us this week to get in.

Winter Wars East

Sportsplex in Feasterville, PA

March 12-14

Winter Wars West

Rocky Mountain Roller Hockey in Lakewood, CO

March 19-21

The deadline to enter a team for both of these great events is a month prior to the start date.  In each of the past two years, both events have filled up very quickly, so if you plan on entering a team please contact the State Wars Hockey main office right away.

To register a team, please contact Tim McManus 516.377.5957

Winter Wars Highlights

• Single birth year divisions
• Championship team trophies
• Awesome 1st and 2nd place custom medals
• 3 game guarantee
• All players must live in same state or province on a team
• Warrior Hockey MVP Awards
• Incredible atmosphere filled with sponsors and fun
• Players may play “up” or in multiple divisions
• Scores, Blogs, and Photos online
• Play teams from out of your local area

Winter Wars Important Information

Divisions: 2001/under, 2000, ‘99, ‘98, ‘97, ‘96, ‘95, ‘94, ‘93, ‘92, Junior (1991-1987),  Women’s, Senior AAA and AA, and Master’s

Team entry forms, roster forms, and waivers available here

Host hotel info available here

Team Fee is $650

($400 for 2001/under division)

Teams must be prepared to play Fri-Sun

The Sting and Team Blue met twice during the regular season. The Sting took both games in hard fought battles. The PIHA Championships would be a different story. Game 1 of the championship went to overtime, and the Sting eventually won, despite Team Blue’s numerous opportunities in the overtime. With both teams having played several games already that day, it was obvious that game four would be won by the team in better shape. Team Blue came out hungry, and skated hard for both 10 minute halves to take a convincing 5-1 win. This was the Sting’s first loss of the season. Games 3, 4, and 5 would be the next morning. Sunday morning brought game three of the minor championship. Again, it was the Sting out playing Team Blue and taking the game 4-2. Knowing if they lost one more game they would lose the championship, Team Blue buckled down and played a great game to win game four 3-1. The series was tied at two, and the winner of game five would be named the 2009-2010 PIHA Minor Division Champion. The Sting took a 1-0 lead on a shorthanded goal, but would not be able to score again as Team Blue goalie Joe DiNapoli played an amazing game. Team Blue also scored in the first half on a one-timer power play goal by Colt Solliday. The score going into the second half of the game was 1-1. The second half was all Team Blue as Nate Klusewitz scored on the power play to give Team Blue a 2-1 lead. Chris Lerch would then lock things up with a goal to make the score 3-1. A costly 5 minute penalty on the Sting in the last four minutes of the game ended any chances the Sting had at making a come back. Team Blue won the game, and the championship with the 3-1 win.

Georgia is one of the areas we are proud to call home. We have hosted our Regionals and Nationals in the state and we wanted to give something back to the area. How about playing a fun weekend of hockey for only $485? That’s right; we are rolling back the prices for this weekend only.

The March 5-7 weekend in Georgia will have the excitement that only George Brown can bring. TORHS will be having raffles, music, pictures and videos, and all the excitement that you need in one weekend.

Do you have an 8-and-under team? TORHS will be offering our always-low price of only $30 per player. Build a team for the event and have some fun.

TORHS America is also offering discounts to teams that travel out of the area for the event. If you want some different competition, then this is your chance at a great price.

We only have 40 spots available for this weekend and the deadline to register is March 1! For more information, please email George Brown at GBrown@torhsamerica.com or call him at (716) 481-6016.

Get registered today!

www.torhsamerica.com