MLRH Weekly Newsletter June 24th

MLRH Management Team Set For Another Blockbuster Year

In what may be the worst kept secret in sports, Major League Roller Hockey has announced that the league has reached an agreement with Doug Jones to continue as MLRH Commissioner. Additionally, Bill Raue, MLRH President has confirmed that Jones has been awarded a minority ownership share of the league and it’s Roller Hockey TV Network.

In making the announcement, Raue said, “We have just concluded a great season and the excitement continues to build with new teams, an MLRH Europe Division and record viewing numbers for Roller Hockey TV.

With Doug on board, we have a one-two punch in a guy who knows everything and everybody in the sport who also happens to be a very engaging TV personality.” While Raue and Jones may appear to be the odd couple, their unique talents compliment each other as Jones is the “hockey guy” and Raue is able to draw on a 25-year career in advertising and marketing to promote the league and it’s teams.

“This league is about developing a fan base.” Raue added. “We’re building brand names for our teams and creating a star system for a sport that badly needs a jump start. Doug shares my vision and this agreement allows us to take the long view toward building the sport.” MLRH and Roller Hockey TV have attracted tens of thousands of viewers in the first year and the league has attracted fans world-wide. One game between the Pama Cyclones and Mission Axion attracted over 12,000 viewers, previously unheard of numbers for roller hockey.

MLRH has retained all of it’s key players for the 2011-12 season. In addition to Raue and Jones, CBS award-winning announcer Chris Madsen will continue as lead announcer for Roller Hockey TV and, as recently announced, Mick Payne will head MLRH Europe.

Hat Tricks To Benefit St. Judes Children’s Hospital

MLRH has announced that it will honor every player who has a hat trick in the 2011-12 season with a $25 donation to St. Judes Children’s Hospital in Memphis TN. Doug Jones, MLRH Commissioner, has been a long-time supporter of the hospital and it’s outstanding work on behalf of kids.

Surprisingly, in the high-scoring world of roller hockey, there were only five hat tricks recorded throughout the 2010-11 season. “I’m telling our refs to keep an eye on those defensive guys,” a laughing Jones added. “This is a great program and I want to see a lot more hat tricks and a bunch of donations next year.”