WHAT IS RLH STREET & INLINE AND WHAT PROGRAMS CAN I GET INVOLVED IN?

RLH STREET & INLINE HOCKEY MISSION

RLH Street & Inline Hockey is in its first year of developing “dek”, street and inline hockey programming for players 12 & under in the DC area with the following goals:

1. Introduce beginner players to hockey whether they plan to play ice, inline or dek hockey;
2. Offer affordable local hockey programming to MD, DC, VA residents;
3. Offer programming for hockey players that only want inline or dek hockey programming;
4. Offer inline, dek and street hockey programs that are excellent supplemental skill and fitness builders for those that play or plan to play ice hockey;
5. Offer opportunities to play hockey outdoors.

WHAT ARE “STREET”, “DEK” AND INLINE HOCKEY?

Street hockey is a recreational form of hockey typically played on an outdoor surface without skates. It is possible to play with either a puck or ball. Minimal equipment is required as physical contact is not part of the game. Dek hockey is essentially the same as street hockey, but refers to hockey played on a paved, gym or sportcourt surface typically indoors.

Inline Hockey also known as Roller Hockey, refers to hockey played on inline skates, known by many as rollerblades. Inline hockey can be played on any surface suitable for skating indoors or outdoors, can be played with a puck or ball. Inline hockey rules regarding physical contact, off-sides and icing vary.

WHY STREET, DEK AND INLINE HOCKEY?

Street, dek and inline hockey are all great games unto themselves and are also the best supplemental skill training an ice hockey player can have. These versions of hockey are more affordable, are more accessible and can be played outdoors.

Former NHL All-Star and NYC Native Joe Mullen on Roller Hockey…

“ Let me say right off the bat that if it wasn’t for roller hockey, I wouldn’t be where I am today. The thing that was so important about the roller side was that it was so easily available for me. I’d walk out of the house, go across the street and I would be playing. It didn’t matter if it was hot or cold, raining or snowing. The availability gave me a chance to play every day, and since I played every day I was learning how to shoot, pass and stickhandle—all the assets I would need for ice hockey. I’ve said it before: roller hockey can’t do anything but help kids who want to become ice hockey players.”

SO WHAT’S NEXT FOR RLH STREET & INLINE?!

- RLH Street & Inline is developing a website to be launched in early fall to keep you updated on programming and to make online payments for various programs.
- RLH will have 3 – 4 “MiniCamps” for Dek and Inline hockey this summer (2009) at one or more of the venues listed below. Stay tuned for dates and locations.
- RLH will be putting together a local fall dek league and a local inline hockey league at one or more of the venues below to run during September and October. Details forthcoming.
- RLH will resume the dek and inline hockey leagues for a spring season from March – June.
- RLH will be assembling a team(s) for 2-3 travel tournaments for those interested in the spring/summer of 2010. Possible tournaments include the NARCH Inline Hockey Tournament, The ECHO Inline Hockey Tournament, The Egg Harbor, NJ Dek Harbor Tournament.
- 2010 Summer Day Camp in DC area
- Host 2nd Annual Adult National Inline Hockey Open Tournament (summer 2010)

RLH STREET & INLINE LOCAL VENUES
Wells Rink – College Park, MD
Wheaton Rink – Wheaton, MD
Kensington Inline Rink – Kensington, MD
Rockville Sportsplex – Rockville, MD
Rush Rink – Washington, DC
Ridge Road Rink – Germantown, MD