1. What do you mean by State/Provincial Teams and what is State Wars?
Players will be chosen to represent the state/province in which they live (ie. Team Michigan). State Wars is a major roller hockey event that will take place each summer (dates and location changes each year). All the state/provincial teams will compete for the United States Roller Hockey Championship.
2. What is the USRHC?
The USRHC (United States Roller Hockey Commission) is a national roller hockey organization that was formed to act as the unbiased selection committee to choose the top roller hockey players in the United States & Canada. The USRHC will hold open state tryouts and will choose the best players in each age year to represent their home state/province at State Wars.
3. How many players will be selected for their state/provincial team and in what age divisions?
This year we will be holding tryouts for up to two State/Provinical teams. We will be selecting a maximum of 8 skaters and 2 goalies at tryouts. If one goalie is superior at tryouts, we will only select one goalie for the team. The USRHC reserves the right to add 1-2 skaters to the final roster in situations where it is in the best interest of the team. There are 19 different divisions at State Wars. What makes State Wars unique is that age groups are determined by single birth years with the exception being in the Juggernaut, Select Junior, Select Senior, Select Women's, Select Girl's and Select Masters Divisions.
Divisions: Select 2005, Select 2004, Select 2003, Select 2002, Select 2001, Select 2000, Select '99, Select '98, Select '97, Select '96, Select '95, Select Juggernaut (1993/1994), Select Junior (1990 & under), Select Elite AAA (1996 & older), Select Senior AA (1996 & older), Select Senior A (1996 & older), Select Women's, Select Girl's (1998 & younger) and Select Masters (35&Over).
4. So except for the OPEN divisions, all other divisions single birth year?
Yes, all of the other divisions are based solely on the year in which a player is born. We feel that in a traditional two-year age division many of the first year players aren't given a fair chance against players a year older. At State Wars, all players will only compete against the top players in the United States of their own birth year. Female players may play down one birth year. In cases where not enough players are registered in a certain birth year division, players will be moved up one division in order to help field a team.
5. Any restrictions besides birth year as to who can play in State Wars and for which teams?
Yes, what makes State Wars so unique is players can only play for their home state/province team, that is, the state/province of their primary residence. Players can not jump around to the teams that give them the best offer, they are restricted to playing for one team only. And not only must players live in that state/province, but every player must attend the state tryout and be selected by the USRHC to play at State Wars.
6. May a player play for more than one age year if he/she is good enough?
A player may only TRYOUT for their own age group. But if a team is unable to field a full 8 skaters at tryouts, a younger player may be added to a 2nd roster to complete the team (as long as this player isn't taking away a spot from a player at tryouts) The cost for this 2nd team is $100. When a state is unable to field a team in a certain age year then a player may play "up" one division only. A player who is 18 years of age or older may also play in the Select Senior division. A female player who is 14 years of age game day may also play in the Select Women's division. If a full team is selected but cannot field two goaltenders, a goaltender from a younger age group may also play up with the older team, in addition to their own team. All final decisions are made by the USRHC.
7. How many teams from each state are permitted at State Wars?
This is another area that makes State Wars so special. Each state/province may only field a maximum of (2) two teams in a birth year division. Teams will be placed based on their talent level as evaluated at tryouts. The only exception being the hosting HOME state of the event, where there will be no limit to the amount of team that can be fielded per birth year.
8. If a player makes their state/provincial team what uniforms will they wear?
State Wars Hockey and the USRHC will supply each state team and player with their own home/away jerseys designed by ProJoy. All jerseys, while having the same design and style, will have their own state colors and state names along with players' last names and jersey numbers. Custom state teams pants will also be provided by our major sponsors. Team uniforms are the players' to keep.
9. What sponsors are supporting State Wars?
When the idea for State Wars Hockey was brought to light, finding sponsors was not difficult. We have received the support of basically every major company in the roller hockey world. Currently we have the support of Mission, Tour, Warrior, Alkali, Revision, Labeda, Rink Rat, Phat Tape, Rocket Puck, USA Clinics, Blade Tape, and ProJoy.
10. Who will run the State Teams?
The USRHC will be appointing a State Director or a State Board of Commissioners for each State. The role of these important individuals is to promote the state tryouts and to add make coaching suggestions to the USRHC for all the state teams. Anyone interested can get involved with their state coaching staff, if interested please contact your state director or State Wars Hockey. Not until after tryouts are complete will the coaching staff selections be made.
11. How will state/provincial teams be selected at tryouts?
To insure an unbiased selection process, the USRHC has designed a non-bias selection committee. The USRHC will be sending members of its staff to each of the state tryouts. This staff will be comprised of some of the most knowledgeable and respected members of the roller hockey community, which have no affiliation with the state the tryout is being held. This selection committee will be comprised of members of the USRHC. Therefore, the USRHC will be the ones selecting the players. All decisions made by the USRHC are final.
12. Is State Wars looking to compete with NARCh, TORHS, or other tournament series?
Not at all - in fact, NARCh, TORHS, 2Hot4Ice, ECHO and others are supporters of State Wars. Playing NARCh, TORHS, and any other tournaments is what State Wars encourages. The only way to continue to improve as a roller hockey player is to play more and more quality tournaments. We support anyone who promotes the growth of roller hockey. Remember, State Wars is not a tournament series, it is an event, and we will be providing state tryouts during the year to determine who will compete in it for the United States Roller Hockey Championship.
13. How do I register for my state/provincial tryouts?
To register for your state tryout you must complete the online tryout registration form. Once you have registered and paid online you will receive a confirmation e-mail stating that you are confirmed into your state tryout. The specific times will be posted at least one week prior to the scheduled tryout and you will receive an email with the necessary information. This information will also be posted in the tryout information section and state information pages on the web site. YOU MUST REGISTER ONLINE TO TRY OUT FOR YOUR STATE TEAM. Each state will have one tryout that occurs between January and June each year.
14. What does it cost to register for my state/provincial tryout?
There is a tryout fee of $60 for all players who wish to tryout for their state team. This fee will be paid online by credit card when you register for your state tryout. No player has a secured spot in their state tryout until this non refundable fee is paid and all registration information is completed. At the tryout, all registered players will receive a State Wars Hockey practice jersey. If a player attends their State tryout (both hours) and is not selected, they will receive a full $60 tryout fee refund. Tryout fees are NOT refunded if player misses part of tryout or chooses not to attend for any reason.
15. When will I know if I am selected?
The USRHC will let all players know during the course of the weekend if they were selected for their state/provincial team. During the tryout weekend, we will hold a parents/players meeting with all those who will be having the honor to represent their home state at State Wars. At this mandatory meeting, players will be able to try on team uniforms to determine sizing, choose uniform numbers, pay player fees, and complete player profiles. Team rosters and player profiles will be listed on the web site.
16. If I am selected, what is the cost?
If selected to your state team by the USRHC, you and your parents will attend a mandatory State Wars meeting during the course of the tryout weekend. At this meeting all players and parents will receive any information they will need to know about attending State Wars. There will be a fee of $280 for all players selected to their state team. This fee will include the custom home and away team jereseys by Projoy, custom State Wars Hockey pants supplied by Mission and Tour Hockey, and the tournament fee for which each team will be guaranteed 5 games minimum. This fee will be paid at the State Wars meeting and all players will be sized for their uniforms and photographed for their team page on the State Wars Hockey website.
17. Are there any individual awards at State Wars?
Yes. Awards are presented to the High Scorer, Best Defensive Player, and Most Valuable Goaltender at the conclusion of round robin games. The USRHC will also name Team America for each youth division. The top 10 skaters and 2 goaltenders in each division will receive custom Team America jerseys from Projoy. The Most Valuable Player will be determined at the conclusion of the championship game and this extraordinary talent will be awarded skates by a State Wars sponsor.
18. What Open Divisions are offered at State Wars?
There will be a Select Girl's, Select Junior, Juggernaut, Select Elite, Select Senior, Select Women's, and Select Masters division at State Wars.
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