National Roller Hockey League

The National Roller Hockey League (NRHL) is an inline hockey league based in the United States. The league was established in 2014, and played two seasons from 2015–2016 before going on hiatus for three years, and then returning in 2020 with different teams. As of 2020, the league has four teams — three in Michigan and one in St. Louis, Missouri.

National Roller Hockey League (NRHL)
SportInline hockey
FoundedNovember 2014
Inaugural season2015
CEOMatt Wiedenhoeft
CommissionerBob Clouston
No. of teams4
CountryUnited States
HeadquartersDetroit, Michigan
ContinentNorth America
Most recent
champion(s)		Detroit Bordercats (2016)
Most titlesDetroit Bordercats (2)
Official website

History

First seasons (2015–2016)

Founded in late 2014, the NRHL began its inaugural season on February 20, 2015.[1][2] Four teams (Alkali Revive, Alkali Surge, Canfield Chiefs and Detroit Bordercats) played a 12-game regular season followed by playoffs.[3] Following an undefeated regular season, the Detroit Bordercats needed three games to eliminate Alkali Revive to advance to the Commissioners Cup Finals where they swept the best-of three series against Alkali Surge. Kyle Siciliano was named playoffs MVP.

NRHL switched to a winter schedule for its second season, which begin on December 18, 2015.[4] Returning to defend their title was the Detroit Bordercats along with a rebranded Motor City Revive and Shelby Surge. The Canfield Chiefs franchise was replaced by the Detroit Stars. The Bordercats would continue their regular season undefeated streak until February 13, 2016 when the Stars handed them their first loss. On April 10, 2016 the Bordercats would exact some revenge, sweeping the Stars in two-straight games to capture their second NRHL Commissioners Cup.

After two seasons NRHL went dormant as the administration developed a strategic plan to move forward as a national league.[5]

Return to play (2020)

It plans to return in 2020 with a summer season running May through August.[6][7] With a national league in mind, St. Louis Vipers were announced as an expansion franchise in August 2018.[8] Port Huron was the next city announced by NRHL.[9] The Detroit Dragons and Grand Rapids Warthogs have also been announced.

Teams
NRHL teams
Team City Home Arena 1st season
Detroit Dragons Fraser, MI Fraser Hockeyland 2020
Grand Rapids Warthogs Grand Rapids, MI DeltaPlex Arena 2020
Port Huron Yeti Port Huron, MI McMorran Place 2020
St. Louis Vipers St. Charles, MO Family Arena 2020

Past teams
  • Canfield Chiefs (2015)
  • Detroit Bordercats (2015–16)
  • Detroit Stars (2016)
  • Motor City Revive (2015–16)
  • Shelby Surge (2015–16)

Champions
NRHL Commissioners Cup
Season Champion Runner up Results Playoff MVP
2015 Detroit Bordercats Alkali Surge 7-3; 9-6 Ryan Perry, Bordercats
2016 Detroit Bordercats Detroit Stars 7-4; 9-4 Ryan Kish, Bordercats
2020 TBD

Awards
NRHL Awards
Season Player of the Year Top Forward Top Defensemen Top Goaltender
2015 Ryan Perry, Bordercats Ryan Perry, Bordercats Eric Purcell, Chiefs Matt Koleski, Bordercats
2016 Ryan Perry, Bordercats Ryan Perry, Bordercats Corey Hodge, Stars Jason Stross, Bordercats
2020 TBD

References
  1. "There's a new professional roller hockey league coming to town". Michigan Hockey Magazine. February 5, 2015.
  2. "NRHL "New Pro-League on the Rise"". Roller Hockey Alliance. February 8, 2015.
  3. "New hockey league rolls into town Friday night". The Oakland Press. February 19, 2015.
  4. "The National Roller Hockey League". Mike Farinelli's Blog. October 15, 2015.
  5. "National Roller Hockey League is back". Roller Hockey Hub. August 23, 2017.
  6. "National Roller Hockey is coming to Detroit: Here's what to know". Detroit Free Press. May 4, 2018.
  7. "The National Roller Hockey League". The Mirror News. June 18, 2018.
  8. "National Roller Hockey League franchise ticket drive". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. August 9, 2018.
  9. "National Roller Hockey League franchise coming to Port Huron". EBW TV. May 20, 2019.
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