National Roller Hockey League Explained

National Roller Hockey League
Pixels:180px
Sport:Inline hockey
Founded:November 2014
Inaugural:2015
Ceo:Matt Wiedenhoeft
Commissioner:Bob Clouston
Headquarters:Detroit, Michigan
Teams:4
Country:United States
Continent:North America
Champion:Detroit Bordercats (2016)
Most Champs:Detroit Bordercats (2)
Website:Official website

The National Roller Hockey League (NRHL) is an inline hockey league based in the United States. The league was established in 2014, and played two seasons from 2015 to 2016 before going on hiatus for three years, and then announcing a return in 2020 with 4 different teams. The league has not announced anything since 2020 and as of today has continued to be on hiatus.

History

First seasons (2015–2016)

Founded in late 2014, the NRHL began its inaugural season on February 20, 2015.[1] [2] Four teams (Alkali Revive, Alkali Surge, Canfield Chiefs, and Detroit Bordercats) played a 12-game regular season followed by playoffs.[3] Following an undefeated regular season, the Detroit Bordercats needed three games to eliminate Alkali Revive to advance to the Commissioners Cup Finals where they swept the best-of three series against Alkali Surge. Kyle Siciliano was named playoffs MVP.

NRHL switched to a winter schedule for its second season, which begin on December 18, 2015.[4] Returning to defend their title was the Detroit Bordercats along with a rebranded Motor City Revive and Shelby Surge. The Canfield Chiefs franchise was replaced by the Detroit Stars. The Bordercats would continue their regular season undefeated streak until February 13, 2016, when the Stars handed them their first loss. On April 10, 2016, the Bordercats would exact some revenge, sweeping the Stars in two-straight games to capture their second NRHL Commissioners Cup.

After two seasons NRHL went dormant as the administration developed a strategic plan to move forward as a national league.[5]

Return to play (2020)

There were plans to return in 2020 with a summer season running May through August.[6] [7] With a national league in mind, St. Louis Vipers were announced as an expansion franchise in August 2018.[8] Port Huron was the next city announced by NRHL.[9] The Detroit Dragons and Grand Rapids Warthogs have also been announced. As of summer 2021 there has been no league announcements or activity in over three years.

Teams

NRHL teams!Team!City!Home Arena!1st season
Detroit DragonsFraser, MIFraser Hockeyland2020
Grand Rapids WarthogsGrand Rapids, MIDeltaPlex Arena2020
Port Huron YetiPort Huron, MIMcMorran Place2020
St. Louis VipersSt. Charles, MOFamily Arena2020

Past teams

Champions

NRHL Commissioners Cup!Season!Champion!Runner up!Results!Playoff MVP
2015Detroit BordercatsAlkali Surge7-3; 9-6Ryan Perry, Bordercats
2016Detroit BordercatsDetroit Stars7-4; 9-4Ryan Kish, Bordercats
2020TBD

Awards

NRHL Awards!Season!Player of the Year!Top Forward!Top Defensemen!Top Goaltender
2015Ryan Perry, BordercatsRyan Perry, BordercatsEric Purcell, ChiefsMatt Koleski, Bordercats
2016Ryan Perry, BordercatsRyan Perry, BordercatsCorey Hodge, StarsJason Stross, Bordercats

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: There's a new professional roller hockey league coming to town. February 5, 2015. Michigan Hockey Magazine.
  2. Web site: NRHL "New Pro-League on the Rise". February 8, 2015. Roller Hockey Alliance.
  3. Web site: New hockey league rolls into town Friday night. February 19, 2015. The Oakland Press.
  4. Web site: The National Roller Hockey League. October 15, 2015. Mike Farinelli's Blog.
  5. Web site: National Roller Hockey League is back. August 23, 2017. Roller Hockey Hub.
  6. Web site: National Roller Hockey is coming to Detroit: Here's what to know. May 4, 2018. Detroit Free Press.
  7. Web site: The National Roller Hockey League. June 18, 2018. The Mirror News.
  8. Web site: National Roller Hockey League franchise ticket drive. August 9, 2018. St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
  9. Web site: National Roller Hockey League franchise coming to Port Huron. May 20, 2019. EBW TV.