Whether it's inline hockey or roller hockey, the game is the same.
For youth and adult players, the wheels are now in motion for a season which starts in May.
Al Hines oversees the Northern B.C. Youth Inline and the Prince George Adult Roller Hockey League as administrator of both leagues and says now is the time to sign up.
The youth league is geared to players aged five to 15 who will play a two-month season in May and June.
The adult league is for the 16-and-older crowd and games will also be played over the next two months at Kin 3 and the Coliseum. The plastic floor at Kin 3 made specifically for inline hockey will be installed later in May, after trade shows booked for the arena have come and gone.
Free tryout sessions will be announced once Hines works out a schedule with the city.
"We'll have some times towards the end of April to come out and give the sport a try, and/or to register," said Hines. "The adults will play 16 games, twice a week. The youth teams will be up to 16 games."
Hines says inline is similar to ice hockey, but with teams playing 4-on-4 there's a lot more floor space which encourages creativity among the players and helps them develop their scoring skills.
"There's no red line, no offsides, it's straight offence and God help the goalies," said Hines.
While league fees could fluctuate depending on the number of players who sign up, Hines said each youth player can expect to pay $150 for the season, which includes membership in B.C. Youth Inline. The youth league will have peewee and bantams combined. Hines is hopeful enough novice-aged (under 10) players will register to form a division.
Adult team fees are set at $1,300 per team.
Hines is trying to build up a supply of skates and equipment for the league to help launch a fall league for minor players and also wants to get schools involved in inline hockey.
For more information, Hines can be reached by phone at 250-612-3933 or through email at [email protected]. The league website is at www.recsms.com.
