Roller hockey league sets up shop in ESP

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This article was published 23/03/2018 (3086 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to spring hockey, get inline.

This spring, Central Canadian Roller Hockey will call the East St. Paul Arena (266 Hoddinott Rd.) home.

The sport is getting a second life in Winnipeg thanks to Michael Hunt, a Winnipegger who has competed and coaches internationally for national roller hockey teams.

“When I started this up again in 2016-17, it was dead in the city,” Hunt said of the sport that has been his life for the past 26 years.

Hunt believes that roller hockey offers an affordable alternative to hockey that highlights what he considers the best parts of the game.

“The game is four-on-four, no icing, no offsides, no body checking,” Hunt explains. “It begs kids to be creative. You do not give the puck up, you do not shoot the puck from bad angles, if you have no chances, you bring it back and try again. The benefit for the kid is it opens up their mind, the cerebral part of their game.”

With such a wide-open format, Hunt also argues that it teaches defensive responsibility as well.
“There’s nowhere to hide,” he said. “If you don’t have the puck, you need to be with your guy.”

Hunt is quick to point to a long list of current NHL players who either got their start playing roller hockey, like Winnipeg Jets prospect Chase De Leo, who was introduced to the game as a kid in California. Not only does he believe it is a great way to hone ice hockey skills during the offseason, but a great sport in and of itself.

“We have Team Canada tryouts every year here in Winnipeg,” he said. “There are opportunities in roller hockey to compete at a high level, to represent your country.”

Recently, Hunt had the opportunity to play and coach the Canadian men’s team at the world championship, alongside his son Cameron.

“It might be the first time a father-son combo have ever played for Team Canada,” Hunt said with a chuckle.

Hunt and Cameron, 23, both coach in the CCRH program.

“Everybody involved in the league is or was a member of Team Canada, and many are a world champions,” Hunt added.

The cost of the three month CCRH program is only $375 for kids or adult men, which includes 18 games April through June, or $220 for a 12 game women’s league. Goalies can sign up for $199.95, or $100 for the women’s program. First-year goalies play for free.

Every weekend, a two-hour skills development session is also offered at the Hockey Barn in Rosser, which Hunt also owns.

Apart from the cost savings of playing roller hockey rather than a spring camp, Hunt is a big believer in getting off of the 12-month ice cycle.

“You have to get kids doing something different,” he said. “Everything you do on the ice, you can do in roller hockey, it’s just a lot more open.”

All kids who already have hockey gear need to play roller hockey are inline skates.

“We supply the indoor wheels,” Hunt added. “There’s not a lot of crossover expense.”

On Thurs., April 12 and Fri., April 13 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., and Sat., April 14 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., the CCRH is offering three opportunities to try the sport for free. For more information, or to register for spring roller hockey, visit www.ccrh.ca