THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 14, 1996 TAG: 9607120190
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BILL LEFFLER, CURRENTS SPORTS EDITOR
LENGTH: 85 lines
Roller hockey, one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation, is starting to get a foothold in Portsmouth.
Plaza Skating Center now has more than 75 enrolled in its roller hockey program. Officials at the Hodges Ferry Road rink are looking for more than 100 to join in when the fall competition starts in September.
The spring league, in operation for the second year at Plaza, began in March and is winding down now.
Plaza is fielding teams in the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League, which includes the Hampton Mustangs, the Franklin Flames, the Kempsville Kamikazees and the Haygood Sharks.
Plaza has teams in the Pee Wee (8 and under), Bantam (9-10), Elementary (11-12), Freshmen (13-14), Junior (15-16), Open (17 and over) and Senior (30 and over) divisions. All the Plaza teams use the nickname Grizzlies.
Plaza's Pee Wees finished second in the league championship competition. The Bantams and Freshmen both were third.
Some of the teams competed in the Virginia State Games. Both the Pee Wees and the Bantams placed second in their groups. The Freshmen team was third.
Kevin McCaskill, son of the operators of Plaza Skating Center, heads up the program and is assisted by four volunteer coaches - Bob Horne, David Joyner, Joe Marsit and Tommy Cole.
``We are fortunate to have these coaches,'' said McCaskill. ``All have been involved in coaching and skating. And with ice hockey.
``We're not only teaching the kids and adults how to play hockey but we're teaching skating skills and teamwork skills.''
The ages of participants range from 5 years old to 40. Males and females compete and teams are mixed. Summer Knight, 8, and Jessica Johnson, 12, are two female regulars at Plaza.
The standout performer is Cory Joyner, who just turned 11 and will be moving into the Elementary division next season. He was the most valuable player in the Bantam League and the leading scorer. He racked up 44 goals.
Senior Bill Bigelow is a former ice hockey player and can send the puck flying at speeds exceeding 90 mph. His 5-year-old son, Nick, is a goalie on the Pee Wee team.
Cory Gilliam is another star Pee Wee player. David Stone excels in the Elementary division and Jason Lilley is a top prospect in the Freshmen category.
The coaches view Alex Pendleton, a junior, as the most improved skater on the squads.
``The sport is quite similar to ice hockey except for the fighting,'' said McCaskill. ``We stress a fun and safe environment. All of our kids must wear protective equipment, such as a helmet with a full faceguard, mouthpiece, gloves and shin and knee guards.
``We teach them how to be aggressive in a clean way. There is no fighting, no cursing. And if you fight, you are out of the league. The basic difference in roller hockey and ice hockey is that we have no contact.
``There are a lot of tactics and tricks. Of course, being a good skater is the biggest part of it. Skating is 80 percent of it. You can be taught hockey.
``Our program is controlled and organized. Street playing can be dangerous. This takes the risk out of it.''
Practice sessions run about two hours. Games are played on Sundays. ``We do this because so many of the youngsters are involved in other programs, such as Little League. We try not to conflict with the other activities,'' said McCaskill.
A monthly membership fee of $25 is charged on one of the Grizzlies teams. This includes teaching and playing, and allows members to attend public skating sessions. ``Some skate three or four times a week,'' pointed out McCaskill.
McCaskill said new members will be signed up in August. ``We can work with beginning skaters, and no knowledge of hockey is necessary,'' he said. ``We can accommodate up to 125 or more.'' MEMO: For information about joining in roller hockey, call 488-7751. ILLUSTRATION: Photos by L. TODD SPENCER
Plaza Skating Center on Hodges Ferry Road has more than 75
youngsters enrolled in its roller hockey program.
Cory Joyner, 11, was the most valuable player in the Bantam League
and the leading scorer this year with 44 goals. Joyner will be
playing in the Elementary division of the Mid-Atlantic Hockey League
during next season. by CNB