Hockey is one of the most challenging and complicating games there is. Most sports like football, basketball, soccer, require a mastery of mobility on foot which is the default method of transportation for most people. Hockey requires the same mastery of mobility yet on skates. Think about learning how to play basketball and learning how to walk and run at the same exact time. Hockey is physical, technical, requires surgically precise motor skills and at the same time raw strength and power. Unlike in football or basketball or even soccer, the focus of attention in the game of hockey (the puck) can't even be touched except by proxy through a stick 3-5 feet away from the body.
Did you think we were just talking about Ice hockey? Inline hockey or Roller hockey as it is called is 99% the same as ice hockey. It requires all of the exact same fundamentals and they directly translate because they are the same exact motor functions. Not only are the skills the same, the equipment is exactly the same. Skating, passing, shooting, stick-handling, and teamwork are all the same. If you could only watch a game from the ankles up it would be hard to even tell the difference. Teams skate 4 on 4 instead of 5 on 5 giving more space for players to get around and with less opposition. The rules of icing and off-sides do not exist which ultimately means that the puck may be controlled more and there are fewer stoppages. This makes roller hockey a simpler game with more opportunity to hold the puck longer and develop as a player.
Everyone involved with the Bend Bullets love both Ice and Inline and encourage everyone to play both sports. The sports compliment each other tremendously. Roller hockey can add skill & finesse to an ice hockey player and playing ice can bring grit and power to your roller hockey game. Ultimately we want to help players fall in love with the game, and go as far as they want to in the sport of hockey if that means playing in the NHL or even playing roller hockey in college, we will do everything in our power to use both sports to accomplish the goal.
Still not convinced, take a look at the following list below of NHL players known to have played roller hockey in their development.BOBBY RYAN
Bobby Ryan (born Robert Shane Stevenson on March 17, 1987) is an American winger currently playing for the Ottawa Senators. Ryan grew up in Collingswood, New Jersey.
JASON ZUCKER
Jason Zucker (born January 16, 1992) is an American ice hockey player currently playing for the Minnesota Wild[1]. Zucker participated in the 2010 World Juniors for Team USA and won the gold medal.
JOEL WARD
Joel Randal Ward (born December 2, 1980) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Washington Capitals of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has also played for the Nashville Predators.
PAT MAROON
Patrick Maroon (born April 23, 1988) is an American professional ice hockey left winger who currently plays for the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League (AHL).
PAUL STASTNY
Paul Stastny (born December 27, 1985) is an American professional ice hockey center, an alternate captain for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL).
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RYAN KESLER
Ryan James Kesler (born August 31, 1984) is an American professional ice hockey center for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL).
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SAM GAGNER
Sam William Gagner (born August 10, 1989) is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing with the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted by the Oilers in the first round (6th overall) of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft.