Posted - 12/16/2003 : 17:06:13 Monday, December 15
The new franchise, to be named the Buffalo Roller Lightning, will be operated by Buffalo Lightning Junior A ice hockey assistant coach Tony Pierino and Cheektowaga Recreation Department staff member Eric Godzich. Junior A players' ages range from 16 to 21.
The Roller Lightning will not be directly affiliated with the Lightning ice hockey franchise. However, the West Seneca based ice club has given Pierino permission to use the name and a modified logo for use with his roller team, which will begin play in May 2004.
The Great Lakes Inline Jr A League is already composed of eleven Ontario-based clubs, most operating within Southern Ontario (Burlington Wave, Hamilton Power, Brantford Rolling Thunder, Oakville Coyotes, Mississauga Rattlers, Kitchener-Waterloo Rage, London Fury, Chatham Rolling Cobras, Toronto Tigers, Brampton Radicals and Sarnia Bulldogs).
The league awarded Pierino and Godzich a franchise at a league meeting in Cambridge, Ontario, last week. The Roller Lightning will host tryouts in early 2004, and has already established an informational web site which can be accessed at www.eteamz.com/buffalorollerlightning/
President of Canada Inline, Dave Easter, says " the addition of the Buffalo Rolling Lightning Jr A team to the Great Lakes Inline Jr A League for 2004 is a positive step for this league. The expansion of the league into Buffalo, NY is only the first step to adding more USA teams in the future. This league is about providing top competition for players 17-21 years of age on a regular weekly basis through a community based program, which is the foundation of Canada Inline and it's member leagues. For this sport to continue to grow, the community programs like the Great Lakes Inline Jr A League, must be the basis and focus of the future, along with the grassroots development and high quality inline events".
For more information contact the Canada Inline office:
