The Utah RollerBees, one of 12 entries in the new Roller Hockey International professional league, are hosting some 45 hopeful team members this weekend.
This includes draftees and free agents who were invited to work out, some traveling from as far as Nova Scotia and paying their own way to the tryouts. They will be reimbursed for travel expenses if they make the final roster of 12 players and three alternates."Name" players expected to be with the RollerBees in this first season include Rich Chernomaz, all-time leading scorer and long-time team captain of the Salt Lake Golden Eagles, and his Eagle teammate, Todd Harkins.
RollerBee workouts, under supervision of coach and general manager Brent Meeke, the former Golden Eagle player and BYU coach, began this morning. There was a practice from 3-5 p.m., and there will be workouts Friday and Saturday at 8:30-11 a.m. and 7-9:30 p.m. at the team's home rink at South Towne Center in Sandy.
Meeke must pare down to 18 players by Saturday evening.
Roller hockey is similar to ice hockey but played on in-line skates with only five men to a side, rather than six. Surfaces may be made of plastic, wood or Sport Court, which is what the RollerBees will use.
The Utah franchise is the only one that plays outside; the others are in arenas such as the new Anaheim Arena in California. That is where the RollerBees will play their first game, against the Anaheim Bull Frogs, on July 2.
The RollerBees' home opener is against the Portland Rage on July 3 at 7 p.m. The season is eight weeks long - 14 games plus playoffs.
The RollerBees will be in the King Division, one of three in the league. It is named for Larry King, a co-founder of the league and former co-founder of World Team Tennis. Also in the division are the Calgary Rad'z, Portland and Vancouver (British Columbia) Voodoo. Portland will play in Memorial Coliseum, and Vancouver in the Agradome. Calgary hasn't yet named an arena.
RHI players will be paid $2,200-$7,917 for the season; a total of $672,000 in prize money will be awarded to teams and players in the inaugural season.
1993 schedule:
JULY: 2 - at Anaheim; 3 - Portland; 8 - Vancouver; 9 - Portland; 10 - Vancouver; 16 - at Calgary; 22 - at Vancouver; 31 - at Vancouver.
AUGUST: 7 - Calgary; 10 - at Portland; 13 - San Diego; 14 - Calgary; 17 - at Portland. Playoffs (eight teams) to follow.
Home games 7 p.m., South Towne Center, Sandy; ticket information 576-1891; season tickets $56 adults, $42 under-18.