Questions & answers
New to inline hockey?
Everything new families ask about the game, the gear and the season. Don’t see your question? Email the board.
The game at a glance
- 4 on 4plus a goalie on each side
- 3 × 15 minrunning-clock periods
- No checkingno offside, no icing
- 7–12 skatersper team, usually two lines
What is inline hockey?
Inline hockey and roller hockey are the same sport, and the names are used interchangeably. It’s played indoors on a plastic sport-court rink, on skates with four softer wheels that grip and stop well. Compared with ice hockey, it’s played 4-on-4 with a hard plastic puck, and there’s no offside, no icing and no checking. Teams carry 7 to 12 skaters and a goalie, usually rolling two lines, and games are three 15-minute running-clock periods. It’s fast, fun and affordable.
I've never played. How do I get involved?
New players are always welcome. Come to a practice for your age group to try it out, and reach out to any coach or board member with questions along the way.
What equipment do I need?
- Certified hockey helmet
- Mouthguard
- Elbow pads
- Hockey gloves
- Padded inline shorts
- Cup
- Shin pads
- Inline skates
- Stick
What's the regular season like?
- Practices start in September on Thursday evenings. Each age group skates for one hour between 6 and 10 pm.
- Games usually begin in September. Teams play about 18 games, and the season wraps up with the PIRHL playoffs in February or March.
- Tiers are reviewed around Thanksgiving and again before the playoffs to keep games competitive.
How do age groups and tiers work?
The number of teams each season depends on how many players sign up and their ages. The league places each age group into tiers so teams play opponents at a similar level. Tier 1 is the highest skill level, and a team’s tier can change during the season based on its seeding.
I still have questions. Who do I ask?
Email the board at ptinlinehockey@gmail.com, or read the PT Inline Hockey Handbook for club policies and details.
Still have questions?
The board is happy to help. Send us a note, or dig into the club handbook.