Southland, Event a Perfect Fit

The 1997 In-Line Hockey World Championship, which begins Thursday at Disney Ice in Anaheim, is being staged by the world’s two largest ice hockey organizations.

The International Ice Hockey Federation and the National Hockey League have joined forces with an eye toward getting a foothold in the booming in-line business that claims 4.2 million participants.

The first World Championship was at two small rinks near St. Paul, Minn. Anaheim offers the Pond and Disney Ice, nearby beaches and loads of young in-line skating enthusiasts.

“Southern California is outpacing the rest of the country in total participation of in-line skating,” said Ken Yaffe, NHL vice president for fan development. “We really wanted to come to ground zero, where the heart and soul of the in-line movement, where the beaches and rinks have inspired thousands of people. . .to pick up the sport.”

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In a preview of the world championship event, the United States faces Russia in an exhibition game at 6 tonight at the Circuit Skate Center, 18060 Euclid, Fountain Valley. For information, call (714) 432-0200.

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One thing missing from the tournament is checking, which international in-line hockey rules prohibit.

Penalties have been shortened 30 seconds to 90 seconds each, which conforms with RHI standards. At last year’s event in St. Paul, two-minute penalties were in force.

According to NHL spokesman Andy McGowan, the International Ice Hockey Federation is studying whether to allow checking at future events.

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There is a definite Roller Hockey International flavor to the tournament.

Defensemen Joe Cook will skate for the United States and Doug McCarthy, a native of Edmonton, will skate for Canada. Tuesday, Cook announced his retirement from the Bullfrogs. McCarthy will miss three RHI games during the tournament.

Former Bullfrog defenseman Sean O’Brien, who is sitting out the 1997 RHI season, also is on the U.S. roster.

The Blades also will be well represented. Defenseman Scott Drevitch and goaltender Billy Pye, the RHI career leader in victories, are expected to play for the U.S. team. Wingers Doug Ast and Steve Wilson will play for Canada.

The United States beat Canada, 13-5, in the 1996 championship game.

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Several RHI owners grumbled last season when the in-line championships were being planned. They didn’t want to release players in the middle of the season to play in the international event.

One reason was the timing of last year’s first world championships. They were held in the first two weeks of August, which corresponded with the final two weeks of the RHI regular season when teams were jockeying for playoff positions.

This year, the bulk of the United States and Canadian rosters is made up of current or former RHI players. In addition, several other countries are expected to add an RHI player or two by the time the event opens.