Canadian Pro Roller is here!

by Rick Stonewall

Canadian Roller Hockey is gearing up for another epic summer of Roller, and I couldn't be more excited. As NHL playoffs and Summer Roller going on it couldn't be a better time to be a Hockey fan of both ice and roller hockey, seeing the convergence of these two worlds is a dream come true. The NSIHLA and the Alberta Pro Inline League are leading the charge, showcasing a pretty deep pool of talent on Roller and ice. I have a feeling The Canadian Roller Hockey scene is going to be massive soon, I remember when Leggat, Woodsie, Footer, French were the guys you thought about when talking Canadian Roller. Now the years have changed and you will start to hear about the next generation. In this blog we will showcase two leagues up North that have been producing talent.

NSIHLA

(Pictured Conor Bedard - photo by Breakoutg)

Let's start with NSIHLA, a league that has become synonymous with unreal summer Roller hockey. They've managed to assemble an incredible lineup of players, many of whom have made a name for themselves on the ice. I'm talking about the likes of Conor Bedard, Kent Johnson, Elijah Vilio, Angus Crookshank, Andrew Cristall to name a few. These young players have brought their immense skills to the roller rink, creating a level of excitement that is simply unmatched. Which I am sure you have seen their highlights on Spittin Chiclets or Bardown! But let's not forget about players like Matty Garb and Stefan Virtanen, who are staples in Roller and bring passion into every game. It's an absolute pleasure to watch the unreal talent up North.

Alberta Pro Roller Hockey

On the other hand, we have the Alberta Pro Inline League, which is making a triumphant return after a challenging hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This league has always been home to some of the biggest names in Canada inline hockey, and this year is no exception. Brendan Baumgartner, Cole Sonstelie, Chris Rauckman, and Cull Scott are just a few of the incredible players lighting up the rink with their extraordinary skills. And let's not forget about the goaltenders who stand tall between the pipes, like Lane Hartwell coming off an unreal College Run at ASU and the legendary Ewen Macpherson from Bethel back in the day. Watching these studs play in net is a real treat.