Category: Roller Hockey International

1994 Pittsburgh Phantoms Media Guide from Roller Hockey International

Pittsburgh Phantoms (1994)

December 12, 2023

The Pittsburgh Phantoms were a one-and-done professional roller hockey promotion that played at the Civic Arena during the summer of 1994. The club was owned by Pittsburgh Penguins owner Howard Baldwin and had a heavy Pens flavor, featuring former NHLers Bryan Trottier, Warren Young and Alain Lemieux (older brother of Mario) on the roster. Former Penguins star Rick Kehoe coached the team, which performed well and reached the Roller Hockey International playoff quarterfinals. But the team disbanded after one season due to Baldwin’s unhappiness with the league’s management.

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Calgary Rad'z Roller Hockey International

Calgary Rad’z

December 7, 2021

The Calgary Rad’z were one of twelve original franchises in Roller Hockey International (RHI) during the summer of 1993. RHI was an effort to convert the recreational craze for in-line skating (AKA “roller blading”) during the early 1990’s into support for a fully professional team sport. The Rad’z, founded by Calgary Stampeders owner Larry Ryckman, lasted two seasons at the Saddledome and the Max Bell Center.

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Detroit Motor City Mustangs Roller Hockey International

Detroit Motor City Mustangs

April 1, 2021

The Motor City Mustangs were a pro roller hockey promotion that played one season at Cobo Arena in the summer of 1995. Detroit Red Wings star Shawn Burr owned the club, possibly along with Red Wings teammate Dino Ciccarelli, who was cagey at best about his participation in the adventure. Tony Szabo, a veteran of Northern Michigan University’s 1991 NCAA ice hockey national championship team, scored 50 goals for the Mustangs and was named Roller Hockey International’s 1995 Player of the Year. But the Mustangs were a flop at the box office and went out of business after just one season.

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Montreal Roadrunners Roller Hockey International

Montreal Roadrunners

December 20, 2020

The Montreal Roadrunners were a summertime pro roller hockey promotion that drummed up a modest following at the Forum and the Molson Centre during the mid-1990’s. The Roadrunners borrowed their nickname from Montreal Canadiens Hall-of-Famer Yvan Cournoyer, who served as the club’s head coach & general manager for their first two seasons.

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Florida Hammerheads

December 7, 2020

The Hammerheads were a particularly shaky entry in Roller Hockey International during the in-line skating league’s first two seasons. The team wobbled through two difficult seasons at Miami Arena and the West Palm Beach Auditorium before calling it a day at the end of the 1994 season.

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