Each NCRHA Member Organization has been planning for the kickoff of the 2008-2009 season, and it is finally here!  Some Member Organizations have already kicked off their season, or held pre-season tournaments, on the first weekend in October.

The RMCRHA held it’s annual pre-season event at the Bladium in Denver, Colorado on October 4th and 5th.  There were several new or out-of-town teams in attendance.  The RMCRHA has grown this year not only in the sense of a couple more teams, but the new regime of young players adding depth to the existing teams out here. The event was a success in that all the teams were able to knock off the summer rust. As always the RMCRHA is ecstatic that Kansas State made their yearly trip out to participate. K-State was a much-improved program that got a lot of attention from some of the RMCRHA teams. Northern Colorado and Front Range CC battled for the varsity championship, both teams led by very strong goaltending and some new young legs.  Northern Colorado defeated newcomer Front Range CC by a score of 6-2 for the Varsity championship, while a PIHA Denver team defeated Colorado State B by a score of 3-2 for the JV title.  The RMCRHA kicks off its regular season on October 18th at the Bladium in Denver, CO.  Stay tuned to www.rmcrha.net for more information as the date approaches.

The SECRHL officially opened its season at the SGAA Dual Deck Hockey Arena in Snellville, Georgia on October 4th and 5th.  Twenty-five teams in 4 divisions participated in the season opener.  In Division I action, both Florida and Florida International finished 3-0, with Central Florida just behind with a 3-1 record.  Division II undefeated teams include Western Carolina, Tampa, South Florida, and Kennesaw.  2007-2008 Junior College National Champion Broward Community College was strong, going 4-0 on the weekend and outscoring opponents 46 to 20.  The 3 B Division teams had a tough weekend, mostly due to losses against Division II schools.  The next SECRHL event is slated for October 25th at SuperGoose SportsPlex in Savannah, Georgia.  For more information on the SECRHL Season Opener, click here: http://www.secrhl.org/article.php?article_id=52912

The ECRHA’s Columbus Day Kickoff is taking place this weekend, October 11th and 12th at the Sportsplex in Feasterville, Pennsylvania.  This pre-season event features over 60 games on 3 rinks from 8am Saturday morning until mid-afternoon on Sunday.  For more information on the event, click here: http://www.ecrha.net/article.php?article_id=52902

The GPCIHL will open on November 1st at Matteson Square Gardens Tri-Plex in St. Peters, Missouri.  Stay tuned to www.greatplainshockey.com for more information as the date approaches.

The MCRHL will kick off on October 18th at Central Ohio Roller Hockey in Grandview Heights, Ohio.  Stay tuned to www.mcrhl.com for more information as the date approaches.

The SCHL’s first event will be held on October 25th and 26th.  Stay tuned to www.schl.org for more information as the date approaches.

The WCRHL will kick off on October 25th and 26th at Rollin’ Ice in San Jose, California, home of the 2008 NARCh Finals!  Twenty-six teams will participate in the season opener.  Definite matchups will include: Central Coast rivals UC Santa Barbara taking on Cal Poly SLO (both teams have competed in the WCRHL since 1995 without any hiatus, hence the rivalry), a newer rivalry in UC Irvine vs. Long Beach State, brand-new Junior Colleges Saddleback College and El Camino College (both schools rejuvenating programs after a good 10-year hiatus), and Division II UC rivals UC Berkeley (Cal) vs. DII National Final Four finisher UC San Diego.  New teams include: Saddleback College (JC and B teams), UC Santa Cruz (DII and B teams), San Diego State (DI), CSU Northridge (DI), El Camino College (JC) and Sonoma State B.  Stay tuned to www.wcrhl.com for the complete schedule, which will be up by Monday, October 13th.