American Inline Hockey League
Encyclopedia
The American Inline Hockey League (AIHL) is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates an elite inline hockey
league
of 40 franchised member clubs, all of which are located in the United States
. Headquartered in Menomonie, Wisconsin
, the AIHL is widely considered to be one of the top inline hockey leagues in the United States. The Champions Cup is awarded annually to the league playoff champion at the end of each season
.
The league was organized in 2008
in Orlando
, Florida
, United States
with 21 organizations from a predecessor organization, the Professional Inline Hockey Association
(PIHA), founded in 2002. It started with 31 teams, and through a series of expansions, contractions and relocations, the league is now composed of 40 active franchises.
(PIHA) between disgruntled team owners and league management led to a meeting about the future of the sport. Realizing the owners limited voice in the PIHA, nineteen teams, representing the Boston Swamp Rats
, East Bay Jawz
, El Paso Black Diamonds
, Hartford Fire Ants
, Long Island 495ers, Maryland Crusaders (formerly known as the Maryland Knights, later renamed back to the Maryland Knights in 2009), New Jersey Nightmare (formerly known as the Philadelphia Revolution
), New Jersey Surge (formerly known as the New Jersey Stampede
), Northern California Mustangs, Philadelphia Growl
, Phoenix Dragons
, Raleigh Dragons (formerly known as the Raleigh Assault), Richmond Robins, San Jose Pirates
, Scottdale Inferno
, Southampton Cyclones (formerly known as the Feasterville Fury
), Steel City Phantoms (formerly known as the Pittsburgh Bandits
, later renamed back to the Pittsburgh Bandits in 2009), Tucson Desparados
(later renamed to the Tucson Slayers in 2008) and Virginia Generals (formerly known as the Winchester Generals, later renamed back to the Winchester Generals in 2009), voted to defect from the league, and on June 16, 2008, formed the American Inline Hockey League. The Philadelphia Growl organization would fold a few weeks later to be replaced by the expansion Philadelphia Brawlers. 12 organizations would join the league as expansion franchises to bring the total to 31 teams. The Garden State Savage Wolves
, Georgia Syndicate, Massachusetts Mulissha, Northern California Riot, Oakland GoodLife
and Suffolk Sharks all joined from existing PIHA locations, and six teams joining from new areas; the Corona Jr. Ducks
, Huntington Beach Elite
, Irvine Anarchy and Pama Cyclones from Southern California
, and the Las Vegas Aces
from Nevada
. With the first games being played four months later on October 25, the AIHL's inaugural season was generally considered a successful one.
The Steel City Phantoms won the first Champions Cup, defeating the San Jose Pirates three games to one in the final. Later that summer, the AIHL had its first series of expansion and contraction. The Beantown Braves, Cajun Voo Doo, Houston Sabre Cats, Mile High Mayhem, Ripon Savage, Rocky Mountain Talons and Texas Terror all joined as expansion franchises. The New Jersey Grizzlies
and Potomac Mavericks
both joined the league from the Professional Inline Hockey Association, although New Jersey would compete in both the AIHL as well as the PIHA. The Oakland GoodLife and Raleigh Dragons both folded after only one season in the league.
In another big step for the league, the final three rounds of the 2010 Champions Cup playoffs were played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the Milk House. Also, the 2010 Champions Cup Final was shown live on ESPN3 on May 30, which saw the Huntington Beach Elite defeat the Long Island 495ers 5–2 to capture their first Champions Cup.
ensues. During the regular season, overtime is a five-minute, three-player on three-player sudden-death period, in which the first team to score a goal wins the game. Until the 2008–09 season
, if the game was tied after regulation, the game ended in a tie.
Beginning in the 2008–09 season, if the game is still tied at the end of overtime, the game enters a shootout. Three players for each team in turn take a penalty shot
. The team with the most goals during the three-round shootout wins the game. If the game is still tied after the three shootout rounds, the shootout continues but becomes sudden death. Whichever team ultimately wins the shootout is awarded a goal in the game score and thus awarded two points in the standings. The losing team in overtime or shootout is awarded only one. Shootout goals and saves are not tracked in hockey statistics..
Shootouts do not occur during the playoffs. In the playoffs, sudden-death 15-minute four-on-four periods are played until one team scores.
AIHL rules do not divide the rink into zones marked by lines. Therefore, no penalties or play interruptions exist in the rules pertaining to shots crossing multiple zones or players being "off-sides". Near the end of both ends of the rink, there is a thin red goal line spanning the width of the floor, which is used to judge goals.
, it differs slightly from those used in other inline hockey leagues. Infractions of the rules can lead to either the stoppage of play or a penalty call for more serious infractions.
The current league organization divides the teams into two conferences: the Eastern Conference
and the Western Conference
. Each conference has four divisions, and each division has between four and six teams. The current organization has roots in the 2010–11 season
when a league realignment added one division to bring the total number of divisions to eight; the current team alignment began with the 2010–11 season when the AIHL added it's eighth division.
AIHL teams are located throughout the United States. While most teams are in divisions with other teams in close proximity, teams in the Gulf Coast and Southwest are more widely spread out. This results in significant travel time for those teams.
in order to advance to the next round. The final remaining team is crowned the Champions Cup champion.
During the regular season, each Eastern Conference
team plays 32 games; 10 games at home, 10 games on the road and 12 games at one of two Jamborees. Each team plays 20 games in its division
(4 against each divisional opponent), and 20 games against non-divisional intra-conference opponents. That is, 1 game against each team in its conference, but not in its own division.
Points are awarded for each game, where two points are awarded for a win, one point for losing in overtime or a tie, and zero points for a loss in regulation.
At the end of the regular season, the team that finishes with the most points in each division is crowned the division champion. In divisions with 5 or 6 teams, the division winner along with the three other teams in the division with the next highest number of points, for a total of 4 teams in the division, qualify for the playoff
s. In divisions with 4 teams, the division winner along with the two other teams in the division with next highest number of points, for a total of 3 teams in the division, qualify for the playoffs. Champions Cup playoffs
is an elimination tournament
, where two teams battle to win a best-of-three series in order to advance to the next round. The first round of the playoffs, or division semifinals, consists of the first seed playing the fourth seed and the second playing the third in divisions with 4 qualifying teams, or the second playing the third and the first seed receiving a first round bye. In the second round, or division finals, the remaining teams in each division play each other, with the division champions proceeding to the conference finals. In the first two rounds the higher-ranked team is said to be the team with the home-floor advantage
. All three games are played at this team's home venue.
In the conference finals, the three division champions in each conference play each other once in a round robin
, with the team with the best record in these games receiving a bye to the conference finals, while the second and third seed play in the conference semifinals. The winner of the second and third seeds advance to face the first seed in the conference finals with the winner advancing to the Champions Cup finals. The conference semifinals and finals are both best-of-three series at a neutral site.
The Champions Cup finals is a best-of-five series between the two conference champions at a neutral site.
The American Inline Hockey League presents a number of trophies each year. The most prestigious team award is the Champions Cup, which is awarded to the league champion at the end of the Champions Cup playoffs. The team that has the most points in the regular season is awarded the Best Overall Record. There are also numerous awards that are awarded to players based on their statistics during the regular season; they include, among others, the League Leading Scorer for the league scoring champion (goals and assists) and the Top Goal Scorer for the goal-scoring leader. For the 2010–11 season these statistics-based trophies were awarded to Tyler Walser and Denny Schlegel, both of the Buffalo Fusion.
The most prestigious individual award is the League Most Valuable Player which is awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player
awarded to the player who is adjudged the most valuable to his team during the regular season. The Most Valuable Goaltender is awarded annually to the person deemed the best goalkeeper. The Most Valuable Defenseman is awarded annually to the American Inline Hockey League's top defenceman, and the Sportsmanship Award is awarded to the player deemed to combine the highest degree of skill and sportsmanship.
In addition to the regular season awards, the Playoff Most Valuable Player is awarded annually to the most valuable player during the AIHL's Champions Cup playoffs. Furthermore, the top coach in the league wins the Coach of the Year. The American Inline Hockey League publishes the names of the top nominee from each division for all awards, and then names the award winner during the NHL Awards Ceremony.
were Brian Ingram (90), Kelly Spain (83), Jim Redstreake (82), Dustin Roux (77) and Brian Fischer (76). The top goal scorer Jim Redstreake (59), Brian Fischer (52) and Jordan Snead (51). The top four scoring defencemen (by points) were Danny Marmorstein (100), Jonathan Mosenson (80), Casey Kennedy (73) and Michael Downey (63). The top goaltenders (by wins) were Tony Hartman (20), Kevin Colombo (20), Sal Capito (20), Matt Beam (19) and Kevin Silva (19).
Inline hockey
Inline hockey, often referred to as roller hockey in the United States, is a sport similar to ice hockey but played with inline skates. Like its parent sport, skaters on two teams use hockey sticks to direct a disk-shaped puck into the opponent's goal; however, various details of the game, such as...
league
Sports league
League is a term commonly used to describe a group of sports teams or individual athletes that compete against each other in a specific sport. At its simplest, it may be a local group of amateur athletes who form teams among themselves and compete on weekends; at its most complex, it can be an...
of 40 franchised member clubs, all of which are located in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Headquartered in Menomonie, Wisconsin
Menomonie, Wisconsin
Two other spellings of the name appear elsewhere, see Menomonee and Menominee. For the town, see Menomonie .Menomonie is a city in and the county seat of Dunn County in the western part of the U.S. state of Wisconsin. The city's population was 16,264 as of the 2010 census...
, the AIHL is widely considered to be one of the top inline hockey leagues in the United States. The Champions Cup is awarded annually to the league playoff champion at the end of each season
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
.
The league was organized in 2008
2008–09 AIHL season
The 2008–09 AIHL season was the 1st season of the American Inline Hockey League. It began on October 25, with the regular season ending on June 6.-Regular season:...
in Orlando
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
with 21 organizations from a predecessor organization, the Professional Inline Hockey Association
Professional Inline Hockey Association
The Professional Inline Hockey Association, often abbreviated to the PIHA, is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates an elite inline hockey league of 16 franchised member clubs, all of which are located in the United States. Headquartered in Middletown, Pennsylvania, the PIHA...
(PIHA), founded in 2002. It started with 31 teams, and through a series of expansions, contractions and relocations, the league is now composed of 40 active franchises.
History
A series of disputes in the Professional Inline Hockey AssociationProfessional Inline Hockey Association
The Professional Inline Hockey Association, often abbreviated to the PIHA, is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates an elite inline hockey league of 16 franchised member clubs, all of which are located in the United States. Headquartered in Middletown, Pennsylvania, the PIHA...
(PIHA) between disgruntled team owners and league management led to a meeting about the future of the sport. Realizing the owners limited voice in the PIHA, nineteen teams, representing the Boston Swamp Rats
Boston Swamp Rats
The Boston Swamp Rats are a professional inline hockey team based in Holbrook, Massachusetts. They were members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the Professional Inline Hockey Association up until the 2008 season but the moved to the American Inline Hockey...
, East Bay Jawz
East Bay Jawz
The East Bay Jawz is a semi-professional inline hockey team playing out of the in Alameda, California. The competes in the Pacific North Division of the American Inline Hockey League....
, El Paso Black Diamonds
El Paso Black Diamonds
The El Paso Black Diamonds is a professional inline hockey organization located in El Paso, Texas. The Black Diamonds have been part of the Professional Inline Hockey Association since late 2007. The Black Diamonds play their home games at the Nations-Tobin Recreation Center in northeast El...
, Hartford Fire Ants
Hartford Fire Ants
The Hartford Fire Ants are a professional inline hockey team based in Glastonbury, Connecticut, and competing in the American Inline Hockey League....
, Long Island 495ers, Maryland Crusaders (formerly known as the Maryland Knights, later renamed back to the Maryland Knights in 2009), New Jersey Nightmare (formerly known as the Philadelphia Revolution
Philadelphia Revolution
The New Jersey Nightmare is an inline hockey team based in Voorhees, New Jersey and is a Member of the American Inline Hockey League in 2008.The Flyers Skate Zone in Voorhees is their current home....
), New Jersey Surge (formerly known as the New Jersey Stampede
New Jersey Stampede
The New Jersey Stampede are a professional inline hockey team based in Morristown, New Jersey, and competing in AIHL....
), Northern California Mustangs, Philadelphia Growl
Philadelphia Growl
The Philadelphia Growl were a professional inline hockey team based in Voorhees, New Jersey. They were members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the Professional Inline Hockey Association . The team was founded in 2003 as one of four original expansion franchises of the...
, Phoenix Dragons
Phoenix Dragons
The Phoenix Dragons are a professional inline hockey team based in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the Professional Inline Hockey Association . They are currently the defending Founders Cup champions.As of the 2009 season the...
, Raleigh Dragons (formerly known as the Raleigh Assault), Richmond Robins, San Jose Pirates
San Jose Pirates
The San Jose Pirates are an expansion teams in the AIHL new Pacific North Division.-External links:*...
, Scottdale Inferno
Scottdale Inferno
The Scottdale Inferno are a professional inline hockey team based in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and competing in PIHA....
, Southampton Cyclones (formerly known as the Feasterville Fury
Feasterville Fury
The Feasterville Fury are a professional inline hockey team based in Feasterville-Trevose, Pennsylvania, and competing in AIHL....
), Steel City Phantoms (formerly known as the Pittsburgh Bandits
Pittsburgh Bandits
The Pittsburgh Bandits are a professional inline hockey team based in Harmar Township, Pennsylvania, and competing in the AIHL, having previously competed in the PIHA....
, later renamed back to the Pittsburgh Bandits in 2009), Tucson Desparados
Tucson Desparados
The Tucson Desperados are a professional inline hockey team based out of Bladeworld Indoor Sports Center in Tucson, Arizona, United States. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the Professional Inline Hockey Association .As of the 2009 season the Tucson Desperados...
(later renamed to the Tucson Slayers in 2008) and Virginia Generals (formerly known as the Winchester Generals, later renamed back to the Winchester Generals in 2009), voted to defect from the league, and on June 16, 2008, formed the American Inline Hockey League. The Philadelphia Growl organization would fold a few weeks later to be replaced by the expansion Philadelphia Brawlers. 12 organizations would join the league as expansion franchises to bring the total to 31 teams. The Garden State Savage Wolves
Garden State Savage Wolves
The Garden State Savage Wolves are part of the American Inline Hockey League. The team debuted in the Inaugural Season of the AIHL in 2008-2009. They're based out of the Inman Sports Club in Edison, New Jersey. They are in the Eastern Conference....
, Georgia Syndicate, Massachusetts Mulissha, Northern California Riot, Oakland GoodLife
Oakland GoodLife
The Oakland Goodlife is a semi-professional inline hockey team playing out of in Oakland, California. The Oakland Goodlife competes in the Pacific North Division of the American Inline Hockey League. The Goodlife players have experience in the elite levels of Ice and Inline Hockey with most having...
and Suffolk Sharks all joined from existing PIHA locations, and six teams joining from new areas; the Corona Jr. Ducks
Corona Jr. Ducks
The Corona Jr. Ducks are a professional inline hockey team based in Corona, California. They compete in the American Inline Hockey League and in NARCh Pro....
, Huntington Beach Elite
Huntington Beach Elite
The Huntington Beach Elite are a professional inline hockey team based in Huntington Beach, California. They compete in the American Inline Hockey League and in NARCh Pro....
, Irvine Anarchy and Pama Cyclones from Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
, and the Las Vegas Aces
Las Vegas Aces (inline hockey)
The Las Vegas Aces are a professional inline hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were a member of the inaugural season of the American Inline Hockey League in 2009. The Aces colors are red, blue and white and play their games at the Las Vegas Roller Hockey Center on 953 E. Sahara Ave....
from Nevada
Nevada
Nevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
. With the first games being played four months later on October 25, the AIHL's inaugural season was generally considered a successful one.
The Steel City Phantoms won the first Champions Cup, defeating the San Jose Pirates three games to one in the final. Later that summer, the AIHL had its first series of expansion and contraction. The Beantown Braves, Cajun Voo Doo, Houston Sabre Cats, Mile High Mayhem, Ripon Savage, Rocky Mountain Talons and Texas Terror all joined as expansion franchises. The New Jersey Grizzlies
New Jersey Grizzlies
The New Jersey Grizzlies are a professional inline hockey team based in Wallington, New Jersey, and competing in PIHA.-External links:*...
and Potomac Mavericks
Potomac Mavericks
The Potomac Mavericks are a professional inline hockey team based in Chantilly, Virginia. They compete in the AIHL. The team played its first 2 seasons within the PIHA, before moving to the other Elite Professional League....
both joined the league from the Professional Inline Hockey Association, although New Jersey would compete in both the AIHL as well as the PIHA. The Oakland GoodLife and Raleigh Dragons both folded after only one season in the league.
In another big step for the league, the final three rounds of the 2010 Champions Cup playoffs were played at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in the Milk House. Also, the 2010 Champions Cup Final was shown live on ESPN3 on May 30, which saw the Huntington Beach Elite defeat the Long Island 495ers 5–2 to capture their first Champions Cup.
Game
Each American Inline Hockey League regulation game is played between two teams and is 30 minutes long. The game is composed of two 15-minute periods with an intermission of 1 minute. At the end of the 30-minute regulation time, the team with the most goals wins the game. If a game is tied after regulation time, overtimeOvertime (ice hockey)
Overtime is a method of determining the winner and loser of an ice hockey match when the scores are tied after regulation. The two main methods are the overtime period and the shootout.-Overtime periods:...
ensues. During the regular season, overtime is a five-minute, three-player on three-player sudden-death period, in which the first team to score a goal wins the game. Until the 2008–09 season
2008–09 AIHL season
The 2008–09 AIHL season was the 1st season of the American Inline Hockey League. It began on October 25, with the regular season ending on June 6.-Regular season:...
, if the game was tied after regulation, the game ended in a tie.
Beginning in the 2008–09 season, if the game is still tied at the end of overtime, the game enters a shootout. Three players for each team in turn take a penalty shot
Penalty shot (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, a penalty shot is a type of penalty awarded when a team loses a clear scoring opportunity on a breakaway because of a foul committed by an opposing player. A player from the non-offending team is given an attempt to score a goal without opposition from any defending players except...
. The team with the most goals during the three-round shootout wins the game. If the game is still tied after the three shootout rounds, the shootout continues but becomes sudden death. Whichever team ultimately wins the shootout is awarded a goal in the game score and thus awarded two points in the standings. The losing team in overtime or shootout is awarded only one. Shootout goals and saves are not tracked in hockey statistics..
Shootouts do not occur during the playoffs. In the playoffs, sudden-death 15-minute four-on-four periods are played until one team scores.
Hockey rink
American Inline Hockey League games are played on an oblong inline hockey rink, similar to a rectangle with rounded corners, and surrounded by a wall. It measures between 65 and 100 feet in width, and between 130 and 200 feet in length.AIHL rules do not divide the rink into zones marked by lines. Therefore, no penalties or play interruptions exist in the rules pertaining to shots crossing multiple zones or players being "off-sides". Near the end of both ends of the rink, there is a thin red goal line spanning the width of the floor, which is used to judge goals.
Rules
While the American Inline Hockey League follows the general rules of inline hockeyInline hockey
Inline hockey, often referred to as roller hockey in the United States, is a sport similar to ice hockey but played with inline skates. Like its parent sport, skaters on two teams use hockey sticks to direct a disk-shaped puck into the opponent's goal; however, various details of the game, such as...
, it differs slightly from those used in other inline hockey leagues. Infractions of the rules can lead to either the stoppage of play or a penalty call for more serious infractions.
Teams
The American Inline Hockey League originated in 2008 with 31 teams, and through a sequence of team expansions, reductions, and relocations, the AIHL currently consists of 40 teams, all of which are based in the United States. Three teams have won the Champions Cup on one occasion each. The 2011 edition of the Oakland Goodlife were the most successful team in the league's history, losing only twice through the regular season and playoffs, with a combined record of 32–2–0 en route to the franchise's first championship.The current league organization divides the teams into two conferences: the Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (AIHL)
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the American Inline Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
and the Western Conference
Western Conference (AIHL)
The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the American Inline Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference....
. Each conference has four divisions, and each division has between four and six teams. The current organization has roots in the 2010–11 season
2010–11 AIHL season
The 2010–11 AIHL season was the 3rd season of the American Inline Hockey League . The season started on December 4, 2010. The inaugural All-Star Game was held at Bladerunners Ice Complex in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home arena of the Pittsburgh Bandits, after the conclusion of the Champions Cup...
when a league realignment added one division to bring the total number of divisions to eight; the current team alignment began with the 2010–11 season when the AIHL added it's eighth division.
AIHL teams are located throughout the United States. While most teams are in divisions with other teams in close proximity, teams in the Gulf Coast and Southwest are more widely spread out. This results in significant travel time for those teams.
List of teams
| Division | Team | City/Area | Arena | Founded | Joined | Head Coach | Captain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Conference Eastern Conference (AIHL) The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the American Inline Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference.... |
|||||||
| Colonial Colonial Division (AIHL) The AIHL's Colonial Division was formed in 2009 as part of the Eastern Conference in a league realignment. All five teams are within 337 miles of each other.-Current lineup:*Harrisburg Lunatics*Pittsburgh Bandits*Potomac Mavericks*Richmond Robins... |
Harrisburg Lunatics Harrisburg Lunatics The Harrisburg Lunatics are a professional inline hockey team based in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania, and competing in the PIHA. Harrisburg is one of two teams that were original members of PIHA that are currently competing in the PIHA, the other is the Pennsylvania Typhoon... |
Lemoyne, Pennsylvania Lemoyne, Pennsylvania Lemoyne is a borough in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, United States. Lemoyne was incorporated as a borough on May 23, 1905. As of the 2000 census, the borough population was 3,995. It was formerly named Bridgeport. Lemoyne lies across the Susquehanna River from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania's capital... |
Susquehanna Sports Center Susquehanna Sports Center The Susquehanna Sports Center is an indoor arena located in Lemoyne, Pennsylvania , in the United States. It is the home arena of the Harrisburg Lunatics and Pennsylvania Typhoon of the PIHA.... |
2002 | 2002 | Todd Wiley | |
| Pittsburgh Bandits Pittsburgh Bandits The Pittsburgh Bandits are a professional inline hockey team based in Harmar Township, Pennsylvania, and competing in the AIHL, having previously competed in the PIHA.... |
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States... |
Blade Runners Ice Complex | 2006 | 2008 | Jon Roux | ||
| Potomac Mavericks Potomac Mavericks The Potomac Mavericks are a professional inline hockey team based in Chantilly, Virginia. They compete in the AIHL. The team played its first 2 seasons within the PIHA, before moving to the other Elite Professional League.... |
Chantilly, Virginia Chantilly, Virginia Chantilly is an unincorporated community located in western Fairfax County and southeastern Loudoun County of Northern Virginia. Recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census designated place , the community population was 23,039 as of the 2010 census -- down from 41,041 in 2000, due to the... |
The Box | 2007 | 2009 | |||
| Richmond Robins | Midlothian, Virginia Midlothian, Virginia Midlothian is an unincorporated community in Chesterfield County, Virginia, United States. Founded over 300 years ago as a coal mining village, it is now a suburban community located in the Southside of Richmond well beyond the city limits of Richmond in the Richmond–Petersburg region.It was named... |
Shooters Indoor Sports | 2006 | 2008 | |||
| Scottdale Inferno Scottdale Inferno The Scottdale Inferno are a professional inline hockey team based in Mt. Pleasant, Pennsylvania, and competing in PIHA.... |
Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania Mount Pleasant is a borough in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It stands 45 miles southeast of Pittsburgh. Population in 1900, 4,745 people; in 1910, 5,812 people; and in 1940, 5,824 people... |
Hot Shots Indoor Sports Arena | 2005 | 2008 | Tim Davis | ||
| Great Lakes | Buffalo Fusion | Williamsville, New York Williamsville, New York Williamsville is a village in Erie County, New York in the United States. The population was 5,573 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Jonas Williams, an early settler... |
Epic Center | 2010 | Patrick Bernas | ||
| Chicago Carnage | Chicago, Illinois | 2010 | Kenny Van Sky | ||||
| Grand Rapids Assassins | Cedar Springs, Michigan Cedar Springs, Michigan Cedar Springs is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan, 20 minutes north of Grand Rapids. Known as "Red Flannel Town", the city is home to an annual Red Flannel Festival... |
Cedar Rock Sportsplex | 2010 | ||||
| Michigan Havoc | Rochester Hills, Michigan Rochester Hills, Michigan Rochester Hills is an affluent city in northeast Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 70,995. The city of Rochester is bounded on the north, south, and west by Rochester Hills... |
Rochester Hills Skating Center | 2010 | ||||
| Motor City Phoenix | Rochester Hills, Michigan Rochester Hills, Michigan Rochester Hills is an affluent city in northeast Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 70,995. The city of Rochester is bounded on the north, south, and west by Rochester Hills... |
Rochester Hills Skating Center | 2010 | ||||
| Mid Atlantic Mid Atlantic Division (AIHL) The AIHL's Mid Atlantic Division was formed in 2008 as part of the Eastern Conference in the creation of the league. All six teams are within 110 miles of each other.-Current lineup:*Marple Gladiators*New Jersey Grizzlies*New Jersey Nightmare... |
Marple Gladiators Marple Gladiators The Marple Gladiators are a professional inline hockey team based in Broomall, Pennsylvania, and competing in the Professional Inline Hockey Association.... |
Broomall, Pennsylvania Broomall, Pennsylvania Broomall is a census-designated place in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 11,046 at the 2000 census. The community was named after John Martin Broomall, a 19th century U.S... |
Marple Sports Arena Marple Sports Arena The Marple Sports Arena is an indoor arena located in Broomall, Pennsylvania , in the United States. It is the home arena of the Marple Gladiators of the Professional Inline Hockey Association .... |
2002 | 2010 | Lee Strofe | |
| New Jersey Grizzlies New Jersey Grizzlies The New Jersey Grizzlies are a professional inline hockey team based in Wallington, New Jersey, and competing in PIHA.-External links:*... |
Wallington, New Jersey Wallington, New Jersey Wallington is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 11,335.Wallington was created as a borough on January 2, 1895 , at the height of the "Boroughitis" fever then sweeping through Bergen County... |
Inline Skating Club of America | 2006 | 2010 | Denis Jelcic | ||
| New Jersey Nightmare | Voorhees, New Jersey | Flyers SkateZone | 2007 | 2008 | John Louden | ||
| New Jersey Surge | Morristown, New Jersey Morristown, New Jersey Morristown is a town in Morris County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the town population was 18,411. It is the county seat of Morris County. Morristown became characterized as "the military capital of the American Revolution" because of its strategic role in the... |
Inline Morristown | 2004 | 2008 | Carl Giaguinto | ||
| Philadelphia Brawlers | Sewell, New Jersey Sewell, New Jersey Sewell is an unincorporated area within Mantua Township in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States. Sewell also refers to part of Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, which is not part of Mantua Township. Locals refer to the Sewell part of Mantua as Old Sewell... |
Choice Inline | 2008 | Brian Trohalidaes | |||
| Philadelphia Liberty | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,... |
Northeast Racquet Club | 2010 | Chalie Sgrillo | |||
| New England New England Division (AIHL) The AIHL's New England Division was formed in 2008 as part of the Eastern Conference in the creation of the league. All six teams are within 191 miles of each other.-Current lineup:*Beantown Athletics*Hartford Fire Ants*Long Island 495ers*NY Terror... |
Beantown Athletics | Holbrook, Massachusetts Holbrook, Massachusetts Holbrook is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States. At the 2010 census, the town population was 10,791.- History :Before European settlement, the area now known as Holbrook, Massachusetts, like all of New England, had long been inhabited by Algonquian-speaking peoples.Holbrook was... |
Holbrook Sports Centre | 2010 | Paul Rogers | ||
| Hartford Fire Ants Hartford Fire Ants The Hartford Fire Ants are a professional inline hockey team based in Glastonbury, Connecticut, and competing in the American Inline Hockey League.... |
Glastonbury, Connecticut Glastonbury, Connecticut Glastonbury is a town in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States, founded in 1693. The population was 31,876 at the 2000 census. The town was named after Glastonbury in Somerset, England. Glastonbury is located on the banks of the Connecticut River, 7 miles southeast of Hartford. The town... |
Z Rink Z Rink The Z Rink is an indoor arena located in Glastonbury, Connecticut , in the United States. It is the home arena of the Connecticut Blaze of the PIHA and Hartford Fire Ants of the AIHL.... |
2006 | 2008 | Roger Levesque | ||
| Long Island 495ers | Old Bethpage, New York Old Bethpage, New York Old Bethpage is a hamlet located on Long Island in the Town of Oyster Bay, Nassau County, New York, USA. The population of the CDP was 5,523 at the 2010 census.It is served by the Old Bethpage Post Office, ZIP code 11804.... |
Skate Safe America | 2007 | 2008 | Michael Manara | ||
| NY Terror | Setauket-East Setauket, New York Setauket-East Setauket, New York Setauket-East Setauket is a census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island along the "Gold Coast." As of the United States 2000 Census, the CDP population was 15,931. It is one of the most affluent communities in the state and is among the wealthiest towns... |
World Gym Arena | 2011 | TBA | Vacant | ||
| Rhode Island Mulissha | Warwick, Rhode Island Warwick, Rhode Island Warwick is a city in Kent County, Rhode Island, United States. It is the second largest city in the state, with a population of 82,672 at the 2010 census. Its mayor has been Scott Avedisian since 2000... |
Team Works | 2008 | Tom Halpin | |||
| Suffolk Sharks | Mount Sinai, New York Mount Sinai, New York Mount Sinai is a hamlet and census-designated place in Suffolk County, New York, USA. The population was 8,734 at the 2000 census.-Geography:... |
Inline 1 Sports Center | 2008 | Ken Baldwin | |||
| Western Conference Western Conference (NHL) The Western Conference is one of two conferences in the National Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Eastern Conference.... |
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| Gulf Coast | Georgia Syndicate | Snellville, Georgia Snellville, Georgia Snellville is a city in Gwinnett County, Georgia, United States, east of Atlanta. The population was 15,351 at the 2000 census. The city's mayor, Jerry Oberholtzer, was elected to a 4-year term in 2007. The city's commercial and residential development has grown enormously in recent years... |
SGAA DualDecks | 2008 | Billy Gabelman | ||
| Louisiana Sharpshooters | Louisiana Louisiana Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties... |
2010 | Richard Benson | ||||
| Mississippi Rolling Surge | Gulfport, Mississippi Gulfport, Mississippi Gulfport is the second largest city in Mississippi after the state capital Jackson. It is the larger of the two principal cities of the Gulfport-Biloxi, Mississippi Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is included in the Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, Mississippi Combined Statistical Area. As of the... |
Harrison County Hockey Complex | 2010 | Wendall Olk | |||
| Texas Terror | Denton, Texas Denton, Texas The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex... |
Lone Star Indoor Sports Center | 2009 | ||||
| Pacific North Pacific North Division (AIHL) The AIHL's Pacific North Division was formed in 2008 as part of the Western Conference in the creation of the league. All five teams are within 80 miles of each other.-Current lineup:*East Bay Jawz*Northern California Mustangs*Oakland Goodlife... |
East Bay Jawz East Bay Jawz The East Bay Jawz is a semi-professional inline hockey team playing out of the in Alameda, California. The competes in the Pacific North Division of the American Inline Hockey League.... |
Alameda, California Alameda, California Alameda is a city in Alameda County, California, United States. It is located on Alameda Island and Bay Farm Island, and is adjacent to Oakland in the San Francisco Bay. The Bay Farm Island portion of the city is adjacent to the Oakland International Airport. At the 2010 census, the city had a... |
Bladium Sports Club | 2007 | 2008 | John Carey | |
| Northern California Mustangs | San Jose, California San Jose, California San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay... |
SilverCreek SportsPlex | 2007 | 2008 | Mario Sousa | ||
| Oakland Goodlife Oakland GoodLife The Oakland Goodlife is a semi-professional inline hockey team playing out of in Oakland, California. The Oakland Goodlife competes in the Pacific North Division of the American Inline Hockey League. The Goodlife players have experience in the elite levels of Ice and Inline Hockey with most having... |
Oakland, California Oakland, California Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724... |
Dry Ice | 2008 | 2010 | Soob Patel | ||
| Ripon Savage | Ripon, California Ripon, California Ripon is a city located in . The population was 14,297 at the 2010 census.-History:Ripon, on the site previously known as Murphy's Ferry, Stanislaus City, & Stanislaus Station, was renamed for , which was itself named for a city in Yorkshire, England... |
Powerplay Sports Arena | 2009 | Wayne Taylor | |||
| San Jose Pirates San Jose Pirates The San Jose Pirates are an expansion teams in the AIHL new Pacific North Division.-External links:*... |
San Jose, California San Jose, California San Jose is the third-largest city in California, the tenth-largest in the U.S., and the county seat of Santa Clara County which is located at the southern end of San Francisco Bay... |
SilverCreek SportsPlex | 2007 | 2008 | Randy Cech | ||
| Pacific South Pacific South Division (AIHL) The AIHL's Pacific South Division was formed in 2008 as part of the Western Conference in the creation of the league. All five teams are within 39 miles of each other.-Current lineup:*949 Anarchy Red*Corona Ducks*Huntington Beach Ducks... |
949 Anarchy Red | Irvine, California Irvine, California Irvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California... |
949 Roller Hockey Center | 2008 | Ray Olinger | ||
| Corona Ducks | Corona, California Corona, California Corona is a city in Riverside County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 152,374, up from 124,966 at the 2000 census... |
The Rinks – Corona Inline | 2008 | Chris Minucci | |||
| Huntington Beach Ducks | Huntington Beach, California Huntington Beach, California Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 189,992; making it the largest beach city in Orange County in terms of population... |
The Rinks – Huntington Beach | 2008 | Scott Pincus | |||
| Irvine Anarchy Black | Irvine, California Irvine, California Irvine is a suburban incorporated city in Orange County, California, United States. It is a planned city, mainly developed by the Irvine Company since the 1960s. Formally incorporated on December 28, 1971, the city has a population of 212,375 as of the 2010 census. However, the California... |
949 Roller Hockey Center | 2008 | David Reskey | |||
| Pama Cyclones | West Covina, California West Covina, California West Covina is a city located in Los Angeles County, California. Located some east of Downtown Los Angeles in the eastern San Gabriel Valley, it is a mostly middle class suburb of Los Angeles... |
West Covina Roller Hockey | 2008 | Rob Chornomud | |||
| Southwest | El Paso Black Diamonds El Paso Black Diamonds The El Paso Black Diamonds is a professional inline hockey organization located in El Paso, Texas. The Black Diamonds have been part of the Professional Inline Hockey Association since late 2007. The Black Diamonds play their home games at the Nations-Tobin Recreation Center in northeast El... |
El Paso, Texas El Paso, Texas El Paso, is a city in and the county seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States, and lies in far West Texas. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 649,121. It is the sixth largest city in Texas and the 19th largest city in the United States... |
Nations-Tobin Recreation Center | 2008 | 2008 | ||
| Las Vegas Aces Las Vegas Aces (inline hockey) The Las Vegas Aces are a professional inline hockey team based in Las Vegas, Nevada. They were a member of the inaugural season of the American Inline Hockey League in 2009. The Aces colors are red, blue and white and play their games at the Las Vegas Roller Hockey Center on 953 E. Sahara Ave.... |
Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nevada and is also the county seat of Clark County, Nevada. Las Vegas is an internationally renowned major resort city for gambling, shopping, and fine dining. The city bills itself as The Entertainment Capital of the World, and is famous... |
Las Vegas Roller Hockey Center | 2008 | Daniel Corsatea | |||
| Phoenix Dragons Phoenix Dragons The Phoenix Dragons are a professional inline hockey team based in Phoenix, Arizona, United States. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the Professional Inline Hockey Association . They are currently the defending Founders Cup champions.As of the 2009 season the... |
Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix, Arizona Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data... |
Castle Sports Club | 2008 | 2008 | Dave Marmorstein | ||
| Tucson Slayers | Tucson, Arizona Tucson, Arizona Tucson is a city in and the county seat of Pima County, Arizona, United States. The city is located 118 miles southeast of Phoenix and 60 miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border. The 2010 United States Census puts the city's population at 520,116 with a metropolitan area population at 1,020,200... |
Tucson Indoor Sports Center | 2008 | 2008 | Javier Zuniga | ||
Season structure
The American Inline Hockey League season is divided into an exhibition season (October), a regular season (from the first week in November through early to mid April) and a postseason (the Champions Cup playoffs). During the regular season, clubs play each other in a predefined schedule. The Champions Cup playoffs, which goes from April to the beginning of July, is an elimination tournament where two team play each other to win a playoff seriesPlayoff format
There are several different Playoff formats used in various levels of competition in sports and games to determine an overall champion. Some of the most common are the single elimination, the best-of- series, the total points series, and the round-robin tournament.-Single elimination:A Single...
in order to advance to the next round. The final remaining team is crowned the Champions Cup champion.
During the regular season, each Eastern Conference
Eastern Conference (AIHL)
The Eastern Conference is one of two conferences in the American Inline Hockey League used to divide teams. Its counterpart is the Western Conference....
team plays 32 games; 10 games at home, 10 games on the road and 12 games at one of two Jamborees. Each team plays 20 games in its division
Division (sport)
In sports, a division is a group of teams who compete against each other for a championship.-League system:In sports using a league system , a division consists a group of teams who play a sport at a similar competitive level...
(4 against each divisional opponent), and 20 games against non-divisional intra-conference opponents. That is, 1 game against each team in its conference, but not in its own division.
Points are awarded for each game, where two points are awarded for a win, one point for losing in overtime or a tie, and zero points for a loss in regulation.
At the end of the regular season, the team that finishes with the most points in each division is crowned the division champion. In divisions with 5 or 6 teams, the division winner along with the three other teams in the division with the next highest number of points, for a total of 4 teams in the division, qualify for the playoff
Playoff
The playoffs, postseason, or finals of a sports league are a game or series of games played after the regular season by the top competitors, usually but not always with a single-elimination system, to determine the league champion or a similar accolade.In the U.S...
s. In divisions with 4 teams, the division winner along with the two other teams in the division with next highest number of points, for a total of 3 teams in the division, qualify for the playoffs. Champions Cup playoffs
Season structure of the AIHL
The structure of the American Inline Hockey League season is divided into the regular season and the Champions Cup playoffs. In the regular season, teams play 24 games which determine their standings...
is an elimination tournament
Tournament
A tournament is a competition involving a relatively large number of competitors, all participating in a sport or game. More specifically, the term may be used in either of two overlapping senses:...
, where two teams battle to win a best-of-three series in order to advance to the next round. The first round of the playoffs, or division semifinals, consists of the first seed playing the fourth seed and the second playing the third in divisions with 4 qualifying teams, or the second playing the third and the first seed receiving a first round bye. In the second round, or division finals, the remaining teams in each division play each other, with the division champions proceeding to the conference finals. In the first two rounds the higher-ranked team is said to be the team with the home-floor advantage
Home team
In team sports, the term home advantage describes the advantage–usually a psychological advantage–that the home team is said to have over the visiting team as a result of playing in familiar facilities and in front of supportive fans...
. All three games are played at this team's home venue.
In the conference finals, the three division champions in each conference play each other once in a round robin
Round-robin
The term round-robin was originally used to describe a document signed by multiple parties in a circle to make it more difficult to determine the order in which it was signed, thus preventing a ringleader from being identified...
, with the team with the best record in these games receiving a bye to the conference finals, while the second and third seed play in the conference semifinals. The winner of the second and third seeds advance to face the first seed in the conference finals with the winner advancing to the Champions Cup finals. The conference semifinals and finals are both best-of-three series at a neutral site.
The Champions Cup finals is a best-of-five series between the two conference champions at a neutral site.
Trophies and awards
| Team | Titles | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland Goodlife Oakland GoodLife The Oakland Goodlife is a semi-professional inline hockey team playing out of in Oakland, California. The Oakland Goodlife competes in the Pacific North Division of the American Inline Hockey League. The Goodlife players have experience in the elite levels of Ice and Inline Hockey with most having... |
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| Huntington Beach Ducks | 1 | ||||
| Pittsburgh Bandits Pittsburgh Bandits The Pittsburgh Bandits are a professional inline hockey team based in Harmar Township, Pennsylvania, and competing in the AIHL, having previously competed in the PIHA.... |
1 | ||||
| – One championship while known as the Huntington Beach Elite Huntington Beach Elite The Huntington Beach Elite are a professional inline hockey team based in Huntington Beach, California. They compete in the American Inline Hockey League and in NARCh Pro.... . – One championship while known as the Steel City Phantoms. |
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The American Inline Hockey League presents a number of trophies each year. The most prestigious team award is the Champions Cup, which is awarded to the league champion at the end of the Champions Cup playoffs. The team that has the most points in the regular season is awarded the Best Overall Record. There are also numerous awards that are awarded to players based on their statistics during the regular season; they include, among others, the League Leading Scorer for the league scoring champion (goals and assists) and the Top Goal Scorer for the goal-scoring leader. For the 2010–11 season these statistics-based trophies were awarded to Tyler Walser and Denny Schlegel, both of the Buffalo Fusion.
The most prestigious individual award is the League Most Valuable Player which is awarded annually to the Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
awarded to the player who is adjudged the most valuable to his team during the regular season. The Most Valuable Goaltender is awarded annually to the person deemed the best goalkeeper. The Most Valuable Defenseman is awarded annually to the American Inline Hockey League's top defenceman, and the Sportsmanship Award is awarded to the player deemed to combine the highest degree of skill and sportsmanship.
In addition to the regular season awards, the Playoff Most Valuable Player is awarded annually to the most valuable player during the AIHL's Champions Cup playoffs. Furthermore, the top coach in the league wins the Coach of the Year. The American Inline Hockey League publishes the names of the top nominee from each division for all awards, and then names the award winner during the NHL Awards Ceremony.
Notable active players
The top five point scoring forwards in the 2008–09 season2008–09 AIHL season
The 2008–09 AIHL season was the 1st season of the American Inline Hockey League. It began on October 25, with the regular season ending on June 6.-Regular season:...
were Brian Ingram (90), Kelly Spain (83), Jim Redstreake (82), Dustin Roux (77) and Brian Fischer (76). The top goal scorer Jim Redstreake (59), Brian Fischer (52) and Jordan Snead (51). The top four scoring defencemen (by points) were Danny Marmorstein (100), Jonathan Mosenson (80), Casey Kennedy (73) and Michael Downey (63). The top goaltenders (by wins) were Tony Hartman (20), Kevin Colombo (20), Sal Capito (20), Matt Beam (19) and Kevin Silva (19).
See also
- List of defunct AIHL teams
- List of AIHL records (individual)
- History of the American Inline Hockey League
- List of AIHL records (team)