Bullfrogs Hope Experience on Ice Pays Off : Roller hockey: All members of the team, which begins its inaugural season tonight, have been professional ice hockey players.

Talk about a change in philosophy.

When the Bullfrogs open their inaugural Roller Hockey International season tonight at the Anaheim Arena, they will have no players remaining on their squad from the league’s April 24 player draft.

“How cruel is that?” Anaheim Coach Chris McSorley said.

Anaheim’s roster now consists entirely of minor league ice hockey players.

“We just started putting guys together that I had coached or coached against in the minors,” said McSorley, brother of King defenseman Marty. “It takes about two weeks to adjust from ice skating to in-line skates. But all the basic skills are the same. Every team in the league is aware of our plan, but we’re the only ones with 100% ice hockey players.”

The Bullfrogs are hoping their skills and size will give them an advantage.

Center Brad McCaughey, a prospect in the Kings’ system, team captain Kevin Kerr and Mike Butters are among Anaheim’s top players.

Butters, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound defenseman, is the only player on the squad with NHL experience. He played with the Quebec Nordiques last season and the Detroit Red Wings in 1991-92.

“Roller hockey is a great way to keep in shape,” Butters said. “You’re working the same muscle groups, you get to work with a stick . . . I love it.”

McCaughey, a center who is 6-1, 195, spent last season in Phoenix after leading Toledo of the East Coast Hockey League in goals in 1991-92.

Kerr, a right wing who is 5-10, 190, earned first-team all-star honors in the ECHL last season with the Birmingham Bulls. Bullfrog center Victor Gervais also was an ECHL all-star last season for the Hampton Roads (Va.) Admirals.

“Our aim is to whet every entertainment appetite,” McSorley said. “If you want to see a big hit? You’ll get that here. If you want to see a nice goal? You’ll get that. We’ll even have a few guys who can get into an odd tussle now and then if that’s what you’re looking for.”

The Bullfrogs expect a crowd in excess of 10,000 for the opener against the Utah RollerBees tonight. Last summer, an exhibition game between the United States’ and Canada’s national teams drew 6,165 fans at the Great Western Forum.

As an opening-night special promotion, the Bullfrogs are offering a two-for-one special on $6 and $8 seats.

“Anyone can get you into the building once,” McSorley said. “The trick is to keep the fans coming back. Hopefully, the people will feel they got a good value for their entertainment dollar.”

Bullfrog Facts

League: Roller Hockey International, North America’s first professional roller hockey league.

Rules: Roller hockey is similar to ice hockey with a few variations. The game is played in a traditional hockey rink on playing surfaces including wood and plastic. The Bullfrogs will play on concrete at the Anaheim Arena. There are five players per side instead of six, and there are no blue lines. Regulation hockey goals are used with a specially designed puck. No high-sticking or fighting is allowed. Games consist of four 12-minute quarters instead of three 20-minute periods. If regulation play ends in a tie, a shootout determines the winner.

Teams: Buss Division--Bullfrogs, Los Angeles Blades, Oakland Skates, San Diego Barracudas. King Division--Calgary Rad’z, Portland Rage, Utah RollerBees, Vancouver VooDoo. Murphy Division--Connecticut Coasters, Florida Hammerheads, St. Louis Vipers, Toronto Planets.

Notes: Teams will play an eight-week regular season which began July 1. . . . Eight of the 12 teams will qualify for the playoffs beginning Aug. 23. . . . A total of $672,000 in prize money will be awarded. . . . Ticket prices for the Bullfrogs range from $6 to $50. Phone number for tickets is (714) 939-7663. . . . Ralph Backstrom, who won six Stanley Cup championships as a member of the Montreal Canadiens in the late 1950s and 1960s, will serve as the league’s commissioner.

Bullfrog schedule (home games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted): July 2--Utah, 8 p.m.; 3--at San Diego; 8--at Los Angeles; 11--at Oakland; 15--at Calgary; 17--Oakland; 18--Los Angeles; 20--Los Angeles; 22--San Diego. Aug. 1--San Diego; 6--at San Diego; 13--at Oakland; 15--at Los Angeles; 22--Oakland.