After the overnight deflation of Lethbridge’s last in-line hockey program, Ted Zylstra president of the Alberta Minor Roller Hockey Association remains hopeful this program will stay afloat.
“Prior to 2005 there was a league,” says Zylstra. “We were affiliated with a national organization prior to NIHA forming.
“Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, were all a part of it. Once everyone signed up, they pulled the plug on the whole thing – it died overnight.”
Since then nothing has changed for the in-line hockey fans in Lethbridge.
Newly transferred to Lethbridge, Ivan Dominguez plans to change all of that. Dominguez used to work with a league affiliated with the Edmonton In-line Hockey Association.
Having coached his son for eight years, Dominguez has the experience to bring a change to the current state of in-line hockey in Lethbridge.
Dominguez was also director of the Roller Buddies from 2009-2011. The Roller Buddies are a youth in-line hockey program in Edmonton, comprising children ages 5-7.
“Coaches need a lot of patience. Most of them were beginners and had trouble using ice skates,” Zylstra says. “So he’s worked with people who can’t play the sport yet.”
Dominguez has made the necessary calls to city hall requesting time for rink use. The Lethbridge In-line Hockey Program will be sharing the field, with both ball-hockey and lacrosse teams.
The idea for the program is based around smaller towns and cities in Alberta. Zylstra says that they aren’t expecting more than two teams per age group to sign up.
“Once we get a team or two, we can work the age groups into teams,” Zylstra says. “Ideally by two-year increments, like U14, U16, or however you have to organize them to make the teams even.”
Participants in the in-line hockey program can expect anywhere from 10-15 home practices and games. Weekends will consist of designated and organized tournaments to participate in.
Players can expect to spend $190 to $230. This would cover all home practices, games and tournament entries; excluded are hotel and gas costs.
“Once we get a couple of teams off the ground, parents can get together and throw ideas at each other for fundraising,” Zylstra says. “They will see right away this is a sport they want to get into.”
The first tournament is set to take place April of this year with the season winding down at the end of June. Deadline for registration is April 1. If you have any questions concerning registration, contact Ivan Dominguez at lethbridge.inline.rollerhockey@gmail.com.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding equipment, rules or just want to watch an actual inline hockey game, visit www.amrha.com/about-roller-hockey.