Cathy Isom
Staff Writer
It all started one day on the blacktop. A dozen guys on rollerblades with hockey sticks, one puck and two goals.
The idea - get the puck into the net.
Hockey has taken new form, moving from the ice onto pavement. Roller hockey, a spin-off of ice hockey, is played on asphalt, concrete and sport court.
Indoor roller hockey arenas, such as RPM Hockey in Fresno, use sport court for its rinks. Sport court is made of a plastic called polyprophylene.
For years, Randy Kanta and Matt Bukilica met on the blacktop of several Fresno-area parks to square off with the puck.
Today, Kanta and Bukilica have brought roller hockey under one roof and off the pavement..
RPM Hockey, located inside the Fresno Fairground's Junior Exhibit Hall, is Fresno's newest member to indoor roller hockey.
After a year and half, RPM was off the ground. Most of that time was spent looking for a suitable building appropriately zoned for an indoor skating rink.
"It was hard finding a place just right for the size and occupancy," Kanta said. "We looked for over a year."
"We looked at places such as the old Rollertowne in northwest Fresno," Bukilica said. "It would have been nice, except there's weeds growing through the wood floors, and it had a lot of problems. We were happy to find this place, we got a great deal."
After months of red tape and planning, RPM was ready to roll.
The next step is getting the word out.
Kanta and Bukilica relied mainly on word of mouth. Fliers were also passed out at area schools and parks. KFSR, the campus radio station, was also helpful in spreading the word.
The turnout at RPM has grown tremendously in just under a year.
"We started out with about six teams and now have 40," Bukilica said.
RPM Hockey offers organized teams for men, women, co-ed and youth.
California Highway Patrol sponsors a Men's team of officers while the Fresno Police Department has its own Men's and Women's team.
Leagues are divided into three categories: beginners, intermediate and high comp, or high competition, for the more advanced skaters. RPM also provides instructional clinics.
Ages range from five to 50 years old.
The popularity of roller hockey has soared but it's not just another short-lived fad.
"It's something new, but I don't see it as a fad sport like beach volleyball," Bukilica said. "It's an alternative to ice hockey and other sports like basketball and football."
Roller hockey, unlike ice hockey, is designed as a non-contact sport. That means no fighting or cross checking.
Ten-year-old Eddie Ballesteros has only been skating since RPM opened. He has since joined a team and loves the game.
"I like the managers, my teammates and I like to fight," Ballesteros said.
Robert Fitzgerald used to play roller hockey in an underground parking garage. Since RPM has opened, Fitzgerald has moved on to the sport court.
"I've always been athletic, but I fell in love with roller hockey," Fitzgerald said. "It's a good way to work out aggression after a hard day. After a good workout, I feel I can go home and relax."
RPM is open 10 months a year and seven days a week. It closes during September and October for the Big Fresno Fair.
RPM will continue to call the Junior Exhibit Hall home while it searches for another location.
Bukilica said he is looking for a building possibly north of Herndon Avenue. The facility will include other indoor sports including hockey, soccer and lacrosse.
Registration cost $75. An additional $25 annual fee for medical coverage is required through the National Indoor Hockey Association.
RPM also provides a pro-shop located inside the facility for all roller hockey needs.
"Anything you need, we can get," said Bukilica. "Gloves, helmets skates, whatever, we can get it."
Ten-year-old Eddie Ballesteros has only been skating since RPM opened. He has since joined a team and loves the game.