The City of Sunrise unveiled its new three-rink hockey complex Sept. 7, and, while Sunrise is one of the last municipalities to construct its own in-line facility, theirs was well worth the wait.

The three new rinks are accented in teal, coral and Sunrise’s trademark sandy beige. The seating areas include covered and lighted bleachers.

“We didn’t want to build a second-rate facility; we wanted it to be state-of-the-art,” said Commissioner Joseph Scuotto, who was instrumental in spearheading the project. “We wanted a whole, complete complex where we can have a major-size league, three different games going on at the same time and eventually entertain tournaments.”

Darren Jones, 5, of Sunrise, gave a big thumbs-up to the new rinks.

“These are good,” he said. “They look like ice!”

Each rink has players’ benches and scorekeeper’s booths and the facility includes restrooms, a food vending area and parking for 110 cars

The grand opening of the roller hockey complex featured live steel drum music, special guest appearances by Panthers’ defenseman Branislav Mezei and club mascot Stanley C. Panther, food and beverages, and the Panthers’ Inflatable Slap Shot skills challenge.

The rinks drew raves from the city’s hockey players, who traditionally had to play on makeshift surfaces at home, or travel to other municipalities, if they wanted to participate in the sport.

“These are great, and they’re close to home,” said Tom Lunsford, who previously trekked to Deerfield Beach, Pembroke Pines and Davie to find a game.

Darren, on the other hand — too young to drive — has been playing at home, coached by his dad. In fact, his mom said, Darren has developed an unwavering routine: “He comes home, puts his books down, puts on his skates and plays non-stop — he absolutely loves it”

Sunrise has begun registration for its inaugural season, when the league will welcome boys and girls ages 6-14. The fall league will feature competition in four age divisions: 8-, 10-, 12- and 14-under. Practices will begin in October, with games set to start in November.

In the meantime, the rinks are open and staffed daily 5-9 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

“It will be open free for skating during those hours, and we’ll have one rink set up for pick-up hockey,” said Don Campbell, leisure services director.

The Sunrise Complex is at 5201 NW 103rd Ave., located within Sunrise Commerce Park. From Nob Hill Road, turn west on NW 53rd Street, then south on NW 103rd Avenue.

For more information, call 954-747-4600.

FYHL UNDER WAY

The Florida Youth Hockey League opened its season Sept. 7-8, with a small slate of games, and gets into full swing this weekend when all divisions are going full tilt.

Pee-wee Division results

Tampa Bay Junior Lightning 5, Florida Jr. Panthers 2.

Tampa Bay 2, Jr. Panthers 1.

Bantam Division games

(Results not available)

Pines Golden Wolves A at Orlando Solar Bears.

Florida Jr. Panthers at Miami-Kendall Hurricanes.

Palm Beach Panthers B at Pines Golden Wolves B.

Midget under-16 Division results

Palm Beach Panthers 1, Orlando Solar Bears 0.

Panthers 1, Solar Bears 0.

Midget under-17 Division results

Palm Beach Panthers 7, Sunrise Ice Sharks 2.

Panthers 9, Ice Sharks 0.

Tampa Bay Junior Lightning I 3, Pines Golden Wolves 1.

Golden Wolves 7, Junior Lightning 3.

NEW Collegiate SEASON

The Collegiate Roller Hockey League recently announced an alliance with USA Hockey InLine for the upcoming season. The alliance officially links CRHL, recognized as the governing body for collegiate roller hockey in the United States, with USAHIL, the official in-line hockey program of USA Hockey.

The union is significant to Florida’s hockey community, as nearly every major college and university in the state currently fields at least one entry in the CRHL, as part of the orgainization’s Southeast Region.

Founded in 1999, the collegiate league consists of over 200 college teams within several membership organizations. Florida entries are represented in the league’s Southeast District, which includes club teams from nearly every major college and university in the state.

For the past four seasons, the CRHL has hosted the country’s only national collegiate roller hockey championships.

The alliance offers member organizations the option of aligning with USAHIL for its membership coordination and player insurance and includes rules standardization, referee training and joint marketing efforts.

Andrew MacMillan, executive director of the CRHL, described the alliance as “an exciting moment for college roller hockey.”

Gary Del Vecchio, Director of USAHIL, sees the growth potential for the joint endeavor as “unlimited”, as it can help transition young players from their first hockey experience into the collegiate ranks.

“USA Hockey InLine is excited to join forces with the CRHL”, Del Vecchio said. “This newly formed partnership brings together two organizations who share common goals, such as developing the sport nationwide and creating a solidified structure for collegiate roller hockey.”

To learn more about the organizations, go to For more about the Southeast Region, visit its new Web site at For USAHIL information, go to

SPORTS MALL ADULTS

FOUR-ON-FOUR: The Sports Mall’s Adult 4-on-4 Roller Hockey League, set to start Oct. 1 at the indoor Deerfield Beach sports complex, will feature 12-games plus playoffs. All games will be played Tuesday nights. Registration should be completed ASAP, as scheduling must be finalized this week.

The Sports Mall is also registering teams for its other adult divisions, including: Sunday A and B leagues: Season starts Nov. 3. Monday B, C1 and C2 leagues: Start Nov. 25. Thursday A, B and C leagues: Start Oct. 24.

The cost for all adult leagues is $1,695 per team, including 12 games, playoffs and accident insurance. Individual players can participate at $150 per person. They will be placed on a house team, and their fee will include a Sports Mall jersey and player insurance.

The Sports Mall is at 3680 SW 10th St., at the intersection of Powerline Road and the Sawgrass Expressway. Call Ray Singh, hockey director, at 954-429-0009.

ADULT SAFE HOCKEY

The Adult Safe Hockey League is accepting registrations for its Fall Season, set to begin Oct. 6 at Sunrise Ice Skating Center.

The league stresses safe, fun ice hockey competition for men and women, 17-and-over. To promote parity, no A-level players are allowed to participate.

Games are played Sundays, at 6:20 or 9:40 p.m., or Wednesdays, at 9:25 p.m. The season consists of 16 games plus playoffs. The cost is $335 per player or goalie, $4000 per complete team, with a maximum of 18 players per roster. Individual players will be placed on a team. Full payment must be accompanied by completed roster. The registration deadline is Sept. 29; an added administration fee of $15 form individuals, $150 for teams, will be added for entries received after Sept. 29. Space is limited; entries will be accepted on a first-come basis.

For more information, or team entry details, contact Phil at 954-741-2366 or . Sunrise Ice Skating Center is at 3363 N. Pine Island Road.

YOUTH HOCKEY

LAUDERHILL: The city’s Parks and Leisure Services Department are accepting registrations for its Youth Roller Hockey League, which features both Foot Hockey and Roller Hockey divisions for boys and girls ages 5-16.

The Foot Hockey program is designed for youngsters with no skating experience. Games are played exactly like roller hockey, except that players wear sneakers instead of skates. This is an ideal way for new players to learn the game — including basic skills, rules and strategy — before making the transition to skates and a traditional in-line hockey program.

The registration cost for the Foot Hockey and Roller Hockey programs is $50 per person, including a jersey. Registration locations and schedules:

Lauderhill Sports Park; Mondays – Fridays, 5-9 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; 7500 W. Oakland Park Blvd. (954-747-3369.)

Veterans Park, Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; 7600 NW 50th St. (954-730-2985).

West Wind Park, Mondays – Fridays, 9 a.m.-9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; 4550 NW 50th St. (954-730-2992).

Sadkin Community Center, Mondays – Fridays, 5-9 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 1-5 p.m.; 1176 NW 42nd Way (954-321-2450).

There is a special registration session today at the Lauderhill Sports Park where coaches will answer questions from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information, call 954-730-2985 or 730-2992.

MARGATE BLAZE: The City of Margate Parks and Recreation Department will accept registrations for its Margate Blaze Hockey League, a recreational in-line hockey program for boys and girls, ages 5-16, through Sept. 29. Standout Blaze players will be eligible for selection to Broward Cup 2002 teams.

Register through Sept. 29, at Firefighters Park, 2500 Rock Island Road, weekdays from 4-10 p.m. and weekends, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.

The Blaze also seek coaches in most age divisions, and instructors to teach skating and hockey fundamentals in the Margate Small Stix Division, an entry level program for children ages 5-7. For more information about the Margate Blaze program, including coaching/instructors information, call Firefighters Park at 954-255-3501.

POMPANO BEACH: Registration is underway for the City of Pompano Beach Youth In-Line Hockey program, with games set to start in October. Some limited travel is required, as Pompano participates in a modified municipal travel league that includes Fort Lauderdale and Oakland Park.

The league is open to boys and girls ages 5-16. The fee is $45, $90 for non residents, including a 12-game season and a free monthly skills clinic. Registration will be at the Pompano Beach Civic Center Mondays-Thursdays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., and also Fridays and Saturdays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For additional information, call Nick Lazazzara at 954-786-4119.

SPORTS MALL: Sept. 28 is the registration deadline for boys and girls planning to participate in the Sports Mall Youth Hockey League’s fall season, when the league will expand to include an additional age division.

With the fall season, the league will feature separate 14- and 16-under divisions, plus its traditional 8-, 10- and 12-under divisions. They also will offer a 6-under Developmental Division, a clinic-style program that prepares first-time skaters for their entry into league competition..

The league format calls for five-on-five competition, plus goalies. Games are played Saturdays, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. The registration fee is $150 per player, $125 for each additional sibling. The cost includes a Sports Mall hockey jersey, 10 games, 10 practices and 30 open skate sessions.

Player drafts and evaluations will be conducted Oct. 19, scheduled by age division:

6-under Division: noon-11 p.m. (this division is conducted as an introductory hockey clinic); 8-under: 11 a.m.-noon; 10-under: 10-11 a.m.; 12-under: 9-10 a.m.; 14-under: 8-9 a.m.; 16-under: 1-2 p.m.

The Sports Mall is at 3650 SW 10th St., at the intersection of Powerline Road and the Sawgrass Expressway.

For information, call Ray Singh, hockey director, at 954-429-0009.

SUNRISE: Boys and girls ages 6-14 may participate in the city’s first roller hockey league, and help break in the three new rinks that comprise the Sunrise Roller Hockey Complex.

The registration deadline is Oct. 11. Practices will start in October, with the season scheduled to begin in November and continue through January. Participants will be notified of the evaluation/rating schedule.

The league will offer competition in four age divisions, including 8-, 10-, 12- and 14-under. All participants must provide their own hockey gear and protective equipment.Volunteer coaches are also needed.

The rinks are at 5201 NW 103rd Ave., within Sunrise Commerce Park.

For information, call 954-747-4600.

TAMARAC HOCKEY: The Tamarac Hockey Club has scheduled registration for its 2002-03 roller hockey season. The league, open to boys and girls ages 5-17, will begin in October, and continue to February.

The open registration date is today. The cost will be $30 for Mites, $80 for all other divisions. Late registration will be conducted Sept. 21 and 22; the late registration cost will be $35 for Mites, $90 for other divisions. There will also be a $20 fee, for all participants, for mandatory TAF Insurance. There is also a $40 fee for non-residents. All registration sessions will be conducted 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Tamarac Recreation Center, 8601 W. Commercial Blvd.

The Tamarac program also fields the Tamarac Knights, competitive travel teams that participate every spring in the annual Broward Cup. Teams are comprised of players selected from the rec league.

For more information, visit or call the club’s information line at 954-808-9190.

BENGALS TRYOUTS

A tryout is scheduled for Piper High School students interested in playing on the Bengals ice hockey team: Sept. 23, 9:10-10:10 p.m., at Sunrise Ice Skating Center, 3363 N. Pine Island Road. The tryout fee is $20 per session. Contact coach Matt Clemo at 954-577-8876 or team manager Skip Theile at 954-748-3944.

PLANTATION ROLLERS

Registration for the Plantation Athletic League In-line Hockey recreation season continues Friday, 6-9 p.m., and Saturday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., at Plantation Community Center, 5555 Palm Tree Road. The league welcomes boys and girls ages 6 through high school. Divisions include 8-, 10-, 12- and 14-under, and High School/18-under.

Vipers’ travel All-star Broward Cup 2003 teams will be selected from the PAL rec league. Tryouts will be in October, and teams announced in November. Practice begins in mid-November. The 12-game season begins the first week of December and concludes in February.

The registration fee is $90. for residents, with a $50. surcharge for non-residents. A copy of player’s birth certificate and proof of residency is required at registration. A late fee of $35 will be added to all registrations received after Saturday. Call the PAL information line at 954-422-1494.

ICE SHARKS PEE-WEES

The Sunrise Ice Sharks Pee-wee Minor travel team seeks a few players to round out its roster for the 2002-03 season.

The Ice Sharks compete in the Florida Youth Hockey League and occasional tournaments.

This is an opportunity for a few select travel players to join one of Florida’s premier Pee-wee travel teams. Contact coach Dan Serafini at 954-401-1325 or visit

To submit information for this column, please call Maureen Boyce at 954-761-7675 or fax to 954-761-2311 or e-mail .