Three local teams win medals at the TOHRS National Championship
The Virginia Patriots, a travel tournament inline hockey team based in Warrenton, had great success at the Tournament Of Roller Hockey Series (TOHRS) National Championship. Maintaining a consistently strong presence in national competition, the team has an established base in the area; the players come from Warrenton or the surrounding areas of Winchester, Richmond, Fredericksburg, Woodbridge and Madison. This year, the National Championship brought the team to Tampa, Florida. From July 5 to 13, they competed against hundreds of regionally accredited teams from across the country.
The Virginia Patriots included three teams: 18 and under (18U), 12 and under (12U) and 10 and under (10U). All three of these teams competed for the national title and were coached by Karl Fischer and Chad Laskaris. Team 18U persevered with great defensive hockey to win gold for the second time in a row in the A Division Championship. After dominating their previous rounds, 12U won silver (also for the second time in a row) in the A Division Championship. Team 10U took home the gold in the AA Division Championship after a close game.
This hasn’t been the Patriot program’s first taste of success–in addition to each placing highly in last year’s National Championship held in Indiana, the three teams attend seven to eight tournaments a year. Collectively, they have received 33 gold or silver metals.
The inline hockey players receive a similar experience to ice hockey, competing with one less player on a sport court (instead of ice). Inline hockey has launched the skills of several professional ice hockey players, such as the Washington Capitals’ T.J. Oshie and former Capital Joel Ward.
With a scholarship from Rink Rat Wheels earlier this year, the Patriots program will continue building their skills. Coaches Fischer and Laskaris praise the Patriots’ teamwork, attitude, and athletic talent as the attributes that have brought them consistent success.
For more information on the program or recreational inline hockey, check out FCRHL.org.
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