LEAGUE NEWS |
RIHL : Since 1967
Richmond’s Premier Hockey League
The R.I.H.L. began shortly after Minoru Arena was built. The “I” stood for “Industrial” as this was the era when men would play sports sponsored under their ‘company’ name. The original teams included C.P. Air (Canadian Pacific Airlines), Air Canada, Laportes Moving, and true industrial companies like Liquid Carbonic.
The RIHL continued play at Minoru’s Silver Rink in the 80s and up to 1994 when the league moved to the Richmond Ice Centre. Most seasons had six teams, but over the past 25 years, the RIHL has had from 4 to 8 teams.
Play was suspended in March, 2020 … and now, the RIHL looks to return in September, 2021 for a full season with plans building to be at six teams again.
The teams are highly competitive with league standings being tight through the regular season and into the playoffs. Team rosters have most players in their 30s. Scores, stats and standings are updated weekly following Tuesday and Thursday games.
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RIHL 50 Years: 1967-2017
Our league has been the premier men’s hockey league in Richmond for 50 years. The tradition continues with a full 28 game regular season schedule for the Blackhawks, Cowboys, Raiders, Plugs and Rockets. For the 2017-18 season, each week, there’s two games on Tuesday and another on Thursday at the Richmond Ice Centre.
All RIHL teams have rosters with experienced, skilled players, with the majority of players being in their 30s. The teams will be even more competitive this year with any team capable of winning on any given night. This website provides the scores and the stats, updated on a weekly basis. Bookmark us and follow the game results and watch the standings right up to the playoffs in late March.
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Game On!
The 2016-2017 Season is ready to start with just 5 teams in the RIHL. The Pioneers only survived one year before falling out the bottom of the league. They were very close in many games, but in the end found the competition a little too tough. It's a loss to the RIHL, forcing a longer 32 game schedule between just 5 teams, who will become very familiar with one another over the course of the regular season.
The Cowboys, who also struggled last season, granted yet another age exemption in order to help them compete in a very tough league. Ex-pro, Adam Basford joins his brother Mike on the team, while brothers David & Robert Savage along with Kevin & Trevor Kutny team up, a giving the Cowboys a total of 4 brother combinations in their line up.
It is expected that the Raiders will also be looking for the same favour as they are now the oldest team in the league, finding the middle of the pack are harder place to remain.
The Blackhawks and the RIHL say farewell to the high scoring veteran, Brad Swanson, who has retired due to health issues. This prompts a change in leadership for the Hawks, a new new chapter for the Blackhawk dynasty.
The Rockets will welcome Rob Williams back into their line up after a discriminatory barring from the RIHL when the Rockets joined two seasons ago.
The Plugs will return another year older, but will continue to be the team to beat.
The season promises to be extremely competitive with any team capable of championship.
Good luck all!
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"I didn't wear a visor because I thought I could see better without one." |
It Happens in the Blink of an Eye!
On January 13th, while playing in an over 50 league, RIHL League President Doug Collins was struck in the eye with a hockey puck requiring an emergency surgery in order to save a ruptured globe. A second surgery followed 10 days later to repair a detached retina (and other damage). Only after a long recovery period will we know if sight can be fully restored, but the doctors are optimistic.
There is currently no requirement in the RIHL to wear facial protection, but Doug urges all players to not to take the same chance he did. "It's just not worth the risk. Believe me, you do not want to have to go through this." is Doug's advice to all players.
Vice President Don Taylor will assume presidential duties during Doug's recovery.
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Merry Christmas Len!
The RIHL gives a special Christmas thank you to the leagues most valuable asset. Len Kusch is our stalwart scorekeeper and his work is appreciated by all.
CLICK TO VIEW CARD>>
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The RIHL Welcome the Pioneers!
After competing well in last season's RIHL Invitational Interlock Schedule, the Pioneers have decided to step up into the regular schedule this year.
Finishing second place in Div 1 of the Coast Hockey League, the move to the RIHL should prove to be challenging. However, they should be able to improve their 2 - 4 - 0 Invitational record of last year with more of their regular players participating.
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Maroons Fold
Despite an enjoyable inaugural season with the RIHL last year, their bottom place finish was disappointing.
The loss of a number of key players just prior to season start this year has forced the team to fold in the eleventh hour. This reduces the RIHL back to 6 teams again and with extra ice time already booked, the RIHL will have to extend the playing season from 25 to 30 games... not a bad thing, but the search for additional teams will continue.
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2015-2016 begins with a Strong 30 Game Schedule
Parity in the RIHL has long been a problem, with top teams making it difficult for lower teams, eventually causing them to fall out the bottom of the league.
With the Pioneers replacing the Maroons, we expect the situation to finally be corrected. Any team could find themselves in last place this season, and with this year's extended schedule a move from last place to first place is not out of the question.
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