Image Courtesy of ISU Roller Hockey
NORMAL, Ill. – The Illinois State Roller Hockey team has received a back-to-back bid to compete in the national championships.
Held in Auburn, Maine, the championship games will take place April 17-22 with roughly 25 teams representing Division III. Round robin play will determine the team’s placement in the tournament-style bracket.
ISU Roller Hockey Captain and President Vinnie Bonamici explained that Illinois State’s 16-5-1 record and second place finish in the Division III Midwest Conference secured their ticket to Maine. He also shared that the tournament serves as the final opportunity for the team to play together.
“We have six seniors on the team, so almost half the team is going to be graduating after this season, so it’s kind of a last dance,” Bonamici said.
He went on to detail some differences between ice hockey and roller hockey.
“We don’t have offsides or icing in roller hockey. It is also played four-on-four while ice hockey is five-on-five,” he explained. “Roller hockey is a little more skilled based rather than physical based.”
Bonamici noted the expenses the team will face as well, since they are player funded.
“We have a GoFundMe up right now that is going to help us with our airfare and hotel costs, along with the league fee to get into nationals,” he said. “It is greatly appreciated any donations we get.”
As Bonamici’s time with the team comes to an end, he expressed well wishes going forward.
“I hope they get a lot of new, good players next year, and I hope they can keep our national streak going,” Bonamici said. “We’ve made it the past two years, and like I said, we’re going to be losing a lot of the team after this season to graduation, but I hope they get to rebuild fast and get back to nationals.”