NEWS

In May 2014, at the American Inline Hockey League (AIHL) Finals in Feasterville, PA, league President Keith Noll named Empire State Legends coach/founder Richard T. Ritchie the recipient of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) President’s Award.  Mr. Noll explained “The AAU President’s Award was created by the AAU hockey programs executive committee for the AAU national chair and the AIHL president to recognize an individual/s who has gone above and beyond normal expectations on behalf of the Athletes in promoting our sport.”

 

In recognizing Mr. Ritchie, Keith explained “Ritchie is definitely one of the iconic individuals in the sport of inline hockey.  His level of commitment to the sport dates back to the Pro Team league. He was instrumental in developing the Scholastic League in New York.  Despite his recent health concerns Ritchie has remained steadfast in his love for the sport.”

 

Richard Ritchie is currently the GM/Head Coach of the AIHL’s Empire State Legends. He founded the team in 2012 when his relationship with the New York Terror ended, shortly after taking the first year team to the Eastern Conference Finals in California.   Ritchie came to the Terror in 2011 having parted ways with the front office of the first place Long Island 495ers in 2010, whose management didn’t see eye-to-eye with Ritchie.  While it’s been an eventful run of late, it would be a disservice to limit the scope of Ritchie’s career to his AIHL chapters. 

 

If you ask people familiar with Richard Ritchie, you won’t get a mild response, you will get a variety of responses.  Everyone has a story, whether or not they are willing to share.  And, seemingly, none could resist needling Ritchie!  Almost all who contributed admit to butting heads with Rich at some point, some never got over it.  Asked to explain why, his high profile player Joe Mazzie explained, Rich is “the most passionate, loyal person there is. Better than anyone, Rich knows how to separate business from friendship. Not everyone can handle that.”

 

Richard Ritchie, “Richie Rich” as he introduces himself was athlete in his own right.  He grew up playing roller hockey on the streets of New York City.  He played baseball in high school, and attended some professional try-outs.  He played organized hockey in Reading, PA.  He recently pitched modified softball in Queens.  He was the head referee for the IHSRH, referees and organizes the Queens Lighted Softball Association.  Ritchie founded the Queens Roller Hockey Association.  While with the QRHA, Ritchie organized an all-star team, the NYC Molson / Bauer Blaze, later the NYC Bauer Hyper Cyclones.

 

This man has been involved with many facets of the game, and has seen it evolve into the sport we know now.  Back in the day, the game was played in the streets or on drained ice rinks, on quads, with a puck that was, in 1992, “probably the only time RHI used Type 88A electrical tape as a puck” according to one time NARCH owner Paul Chapey.  “I recall the tape worked beautifully on the polished concrete.”

 

Fellow New Yorker, Paul sketched in some historical details: “It was probably 1990 but definitely around November and Richie ran a top team tournament at a rink in Princeton, NJ. I coached the San Diego Hosers at the time, we came.  Other teams were the St Louis Blast and Detroit System, Richie's team was there and another NY team. Those were by far, the top teams in the country at the time. The St Louis Blast were the USARS national champions and the Hosers were just starting their dominance, eventual 4 time national champions.  It was a pretty large roller rink with a maple floor. I worked with Richie before the event to try to modify the tape to get it to slide better. We both came up with the velcro idea and it worked very well. Later Daryn Goodwin ran with this design, and developed the Rocket Puck and has since sold his interest.”

 

To better acquaint readers with Ritchie, Paul shared a story about the first try-out camp for Roller Hockey International (RHI) in 1992 at the Ocean Ice Palace in Brick, NJ. “There were a lot of New York players and also the Fort Hamilton League and they were on quads. I think there were more quad players than inline. “Richie Rich” and I were impartial evaluators. It was our job to filter out players and the final exercise was a scrimmage game. This was a big deal. We played no off-sides, no icing, but full checking. Ritchie coached one team and I the other. These were the best of the best guys.  I had a guy who was placed on "my team" from Florida. He wore a cowboy hat off the ice at all times and he was very vocal throughout the tryouts. He was a very good inline skater and certainly a decent player. Ritchie gave him the nickname of “Cowboy Joe.” So, the kid has the puck along the boards, right in front of Richie's bench. Ken Downey, a big, aggressive defenseman, who played for Rich's travel team at the time - lines up “Cowboy Joe” and just crushes him into the boards. Cowboy Joe tumbles right in front of Richie. Now keep in mind Richie is supposed to be an impartial evaluator. Cowboy Joe is squirming on the ground, in pain and Richie leans over the bench and shouts out, loud enough for all of Brick, NJ to hear in a wicked Queens accent: "Hey Florida, welcome to Big Apple Hockey!"  He's grinning ear to ear, really enjoying the moment. It was difficult for Ritchie to be impartial as he was just intensely loyal towards "his guys."

Boston/ Canada’s  own Michael Hunt skated for Team Canada in the World Championships, founded Rink Rat, won NARCH & TORHS with Team Rink Rat numerous times) shared the history of Ritchie’s hybrid Boston/New York hybrid team that came together after meeting in the finals of a tournament won by Hunt’s Boston team.  “After we won I got a call from a guy,Jimmy Vivona, who asked if myself and a few of our guys wanted to join the Cyclones and this invitation was extended by Rich. So we did, it was great because Ritchie gave us all free skates, wheels, gloves, etc.”  They played and traveled together.  “A year later and we’re in Disney, we win it all against the Czechs, this is cause for celebration, right? So we decide to go to Universal Studios and hit the bars, rip it up real good.  We have the rental van and Michael Enright is driving and in charge of the keys, well Enright decided to dance like an army guy, marching all over the bar and loses the keys.  So there we are at 2:30 AM, with no keys.  We have to call Richie.  After a 45 minute drive, Ritchie shows up to pick us up and he's wearing a pajama outfit - you know the ones they wore in the 1800's?  The man dress and sleeping cap!  We couldn't even get in the car we are laughing so hard, he's fuming, and we’re buckled over dying because he looks like Charles Dickens, only with red face!”

 

On a serious note, Mike continued; “One of my greatest hockey memories was built out of tragedy, I was playing for the NY Cyclones with my good friends Jimmy Vivona, Paul Rogers, Chet Wakie, Michael Enright, Eddie Bohan and Sean Davis when the towers got hit. Along with our Coach Richie Rich we played a benefit outdoor roller hockey game in NY and raised over $5000.00 for the (victims) families.  Eddie Bohan was and still is a NYC firefighter and Chet is NYPD.  That game was cool because we had 3 Boston guys mixed in with all the NY guys. Top 3 hockey games I have ever played in.”  In summing up their time together, Mike offered “You know, we aren't Red Sox /Yankees but it was still quite a combination he (Richie) put together and how it all happened was pretty cool.  Because of it, Mike Enright and myself and Penneke and all the guys are life-long friends. That alone makes our meeting Ritchie all the more special”

Before parting, Hunt offered this concise tribute to Ritchie; “He is a pioneer to the sport and even though we had our differences from time to time I respect the man and love him for who he is.  Roller hockey would be very different in the Tri-State area and nationally without his contributions.” 

 

Daryn Goodwin, who now owns NARCH, recalls “I used to play against the Cyclones when he coached them.  He worked for me too as a ref.  Whenever there was a ref missing for a game we knew it was Rich outside smoking :)   In all seriousness, (a) great guy, (who) deserves recognition. I’d love to roast him!”

NYC’s own Jimmy Vivona recalled “I can tell you that I played for Richie's Bauer Cyclones Team from 1992-2007, and was the Captain for most of it. I always referred to Richie as "The Don King of Roller Hockey" due to his salesmanship and promises of grandeur!! Lol!! I would say his best attribute was his organizational skills.”

Paul Rogers, another long-time Boston player who played NARCH, PIHA, AIHL was pleased to hear the news of Ritchie receiving the Presidents Award.  “Great Choice, that guy has done so much for roller hockey over the years. I remember playing against his teams when I played with the Franklin (MA) Heat. We used to make fun of him a bit, that’s what Boston guys do.”  He continued; “Over the years, playing against him, a lot of us Boston guys became friends with his players, we would start to hang out and drink and talk stories ‘til all hours. I am sure Ritchie hated it, ‘cause he wanted his guys in bed early to play us in the finals the next day!” When pressed for Richie’s insight into the game, Paul offered “He knew the basis of the game, but he had a good idea how to manage all the egos, and who to put out there in situations to get the job done. (A sentiment echoe by Joe Mazzie) There are a lot of guys that don’t like the way he coaches, it is mostly the newer generation, but I like the way he coached.” Asked why players are so loyal to the man, Paul responded “I only played a couple tourneys with them. (But) Once you are friends with Ritchie and play for him, it is really tough to not stand by him. He always comes give me a big hug and same to my wife anytime he sees us.”  Like fellow Bostonian Mike Hunt, Paul concluded “Some of my best friends in the sport originate from one way or another from his teams.”

 

 

 

 

Coach Mario Sousa is the former owner/Head Coach of the Northern California Mustangs AIHL present day 18U Midget Head Coach for the San Jose Inline Sharks. “Ritchie is a great ambassador for the game. His experience and knowledge goes way back before my time (1993) with inline hockey. Ritchie is a competitor and a class act. His level of care and professionalism is unmatched in the sport. I personally feel that Ritchie has always held his professional standard very high.” 

 

Chris Roche, present day AIHL referee adds “My interaction with Ritchie began when he was coaching the Bauer Cyclones in the mid 1990s. I knew he was a competent hockey man having single-handedly run the most successful full contact roller hockey league during the eighties while everyone wore quads. He would have his referees assist him in building the rink every weekend in Rockaway. A friend of mine, Mike Sessa, was his lead official and he had his jaw broken breaking up a fight in that league. That was old school.” A lively conversationalist in and out of stripes, Chris offers this assessment of Ritchie; “he and I always butted heads regarding officiating when he was a coach and when he reffed with me. I'm rulebook and clinic-oriented. Ritchie is whatever-works-for-him and to-hell-with-everyone-else. We had wars and our friendship always had ups and downs. I don't think we ever lost respect for each other though.”

 

Mike Scardigno, 2014 regular and post-season Most Valuable Defenseman from the Long Island 495ers White (AIHL) Championship team, can attest to Ritchie’s ability to coach.  “I did play for Rich in high school and I can say that our team was awful before him (2-17-1) in our freshman year. In our last 3 years we had a combined record of 40-16-4. He had his moments, but his dedication to us and the game was never in question. During his first year as our coach we practiced every Saturday for two or three hours every single week and it paid off. We became a much better team and there's no question that it wouldn't have had happened without him.  Also, many of our players went on to do great things.”  For his efforts, Ritchie was named ‘Nassau/Suffolk IHSRH Varsity Coach of the Year’ in 2002-2003.

 

Jim Tamburino coached Hofstra University’s inline team to the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Championship’ Final Four in 2014, while also playing for Ritchie’s Empire State Legends.  When asked about following the coach from team to team, Jim offered this: “I know the reasons are a lot more than just hockey-related-“  Then he elaborated, offering these observations about Ritchie: “He is one of a kind. I have to admit, he has his ways, he is difficult to deal with at times, he's known for his antics, but I will say... He does have a heart of gold if you take the time and have the patience to get to know him.  After dealing with everything he has going on his life (health issues), at the end of the day, aside from his wife and daughter, this … league is what he lives for.  In return, despite his antics, we play for him.  It keeps him going, motivated, and I guess brings some excitement and joy to his life.  He loves what he does.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Mazzie is the most high profile player currently associated with Ritchie.  Team USA Gold Medal winner and Captain of the Empire State Legends, Mazzie’s youth games were reffed by Ritchie, who later coached him in high school.  Joe has been affiliated with Ritchie on the 495ers, Terror and now the Legends.  When asked about why he followed Ritchie from team to team to team, Joe said “Me and Rich are a team, we have similar ideas…. He always trusted me, understood how much the game meant to me.  We have a ‘partnership’- He does the scheduling and the managing, and I do the recruiting, talk to guys about playing… “  Later, Mazzie issued this challenge on Ritchie’s behalf; “I dare someone to match his intensity or devotion.” When his relationship with the Terror deteriorated, Mazzie consoled Rich, “We’ll start again….we’ll find guys to play.”  He added that it wasn’t just he that followed Ritchie; “He has always been loyal to our guys: Rotola… Florio… Tamburino…”  Joe continued “Its not a dictatorship, Ritchie wants feedback, wants a consensus.  He always asks me about the mood in the room.  And he’s the only guy who leaves a message ‘Hey, I’m calling you from Poland, I just want to talk to you about the season….’”

 

According to Joe Mazzie, Ritchie is famous for asking, mid-conversation, “What do apples have to do with oranges???” – The absurd question prevents anyone from straying from the topic at hand, or missing the point Ritchie is trying to make.  It seems an appropriate question to ask the here, as conclusions are drawn.  If you tally wins and losses, you might realize Ritchie has been around a while, done pretty well, and you might begin to think he’s one of the better coaches in the game.  BUT, recognizing him as a coach would be inadequate.  It wouldn’t account for the effort he has made over the years as he built up and ran leagues, assembling teams, courting sponsors, identifying prospects, strategizing, making arrangements with facilities, running practices, preparing for games, arguing calls… all while battling diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, hip replacement and cancer….  But that’s what Ritchie does, who he is, these are the “Apples” in this opinion.  The “Oranges” are the many players who skated in his leagues, in games he reffed, or scheduled, on teams he ran, and the opponents he or his squads battled.  – All these individuals benefit from the opportunity to play, to compete - because of the work he has done, does to this day; the effort he put in, and all the time he spends cultivating the game of roller hockey.  In this case, Rich, the apples and oranges have everything to do with one another.

Photo provided by Thomas Rugg Photography