1. What do you mean by State/Provincial Teams and what is State Wars?
Players will be chosen to represent the state/province in which they live (ie. Team Michigan). State Wars is a major roller hockey event that will take place each summer (dates and location changes each year). All the state/provincial teams will compete for the United States Roller Hockey Championship.
2. Who runs the tryouts?
The State Wars Hockey (SWH) staff will act as the unbiased selection committee to choose the top roller hockey players in the United States & Canada. The SWH staff will hold open state or provincial tryouts and will choose the best players in each age year to represent their home state/province at State Wars.
3. How many players will be selected for their state/provincial team and in what age divisions?
This year we will be holding tryouts for up to two State/Provinical teams. We will be selecting a maximum of 8 skaters and 2 goalies at tryouts. If one goalie is superior at tryouts, we will only select one goalie for the team. The SWH staff reserves the right to add 1-2 skaters to the final roster in situations where it is in the best interest of the team.
Divisions: Select 6 & under, Select 8 & under, Select '14, Select '13, Select '12, Select '09, Select '08, Select '07, Select '06, Select Juggernaut (2003 & younger), Select Junior (2000 & under), Select Senior AA (17 & older), Select Senior A/B (17 & older), Select Women's, Select Girl's, Select Masters (35 & Over), Select Masters (45 & Over), Select Masters (55 & Over) and PAMA Pro Invitational.
4. So except for the OPEN divisions, all other divisions single birth year?
Yes, all of the other divisions are based solely on the year in which a player is born. We feel that in a traditional two-year age division many of the first year players aren't given a fair chance against players a year older. At State Wars, all players will only compete against the top players of their own birth year. Female players may play down one birth year. In cases where not enough players are registered in a certain birth year division, players will be moved up one division in order to help field a team. If a strong player decides to tryout for a team in a higher birth year, the SWH staff my elect to choose them for the team if they see fit.
If a player has a history of playing for a specific state/province and moves to a state/province that doesn't field teams for them to continue playing at State Wars. State Wars Hockey management may allow a player to continue playing with the state/provincial team that they has been playing for in the past. Such players or parents must contact our office to discuss. Goalies are the one position that the State Wars Hockey staff may assign to a team from a different state/province/country if one cannot be found, this is purely a last resort and handled by our discretion.
5. Any restrictions besides birth year as to who can play in State Wars and for which teams?
Yes, what makes State Wars so unique is players can only play for their home state/provincial team, that is, the state/province of their primary residence. Players can not jump around to the teams that give them the best offer, they are restricted to playing for one team only. And not only must players live in that state/province, but every player must attend the state tryout and be selected by the SWH staff to play at State Wars. There are some instances for exception to this rule. If a team absolutely cannot find a goalie, State Wars Hockey may help supply a goalie from outside the home state or province. Also in our youngest divisions, players may be put together to form a "mixed state" team or certain individuals may be added to a team that is very short on their roster and in need of some help. This is purely one by the State Wars Hockey staff's discretion. ***free agent individuals may be placed on a roster only by SWH staff and not selected by coaches to just come and join their team. This is purely at the discretion of the SWH staff***
With State Wars becoming global, we are seeing more and more teams from all around the World attending State Wars. Teams that come from outside North America, if approved, must have rosters of players that live in the country they are representing.
PLAYERS THAT MOVE TO A NEW STATE or PROVINCE
If a player has played for a MINIMUM of 2 years at State Wars with their home state/province and after moves to a new state/province that player will have a choice to continue to play with the state/province they have represented or play with their 'new home'. However, once a player plays for their new state/province, that is now considered their official residence and any past residence is washed away.
EXAMPLE : Johnny has played for Team New York in 2020 and 2021, his parents have since moved to New Jersey. Johnny may play in 2022 with either New York or New Jersey. But once he plays for Team New Jersey at State Wars, he man no longer play for Team New York unless he moves back there.
6. May a player play for more than one age year if he/she is good enough?
A player may TRYOUT for an olderage group, but must also be trying out for their own birth year. A player may only 'skip' their birth year division and play 'up' if approved by SWH staff. The main accpetable reason for this would be if the player is very strong and the team in his/her birth year will be playing in a lower division. The cost for this 2nd team is $150. When a state is unable to field a team in a certain age year then a player may play "up". A player who is 18 years of age or older may also play in the Select Senior division. A female player who is 14 years of age game day may also play in the Select Women's division. If a full team is selected but cannot field two goaltenders, a goaltender from a younger age group may also play up with the older team, in addition to their own team. If a player is strong enough he/she may play 'up' in a higher division if the SWH staff sees fit. All final decisions are made by the SWH staff.
7. How many teams from each state/province are permitted at State Wars?
This is another area that makes State Wars so special. Each state/province may only field a maximum of (2) two teams in the same skill level division of that birth year. Teams will be placed based on their talent level as evaluated at tryouts. The only exception being the hosting HOME state of the event, where there will be no limit to the amount of team that can be fielded per birth year.
8. If a player makes their state/provincial team what uniforms will they wear?
State Wars Hockey will supply each team and player with their own home/away jerseys designed by ProJoy. All jerseys, while having the same design and style, will have their own state/provincial colors and names along with players' last names and jersey numbers. Custom State Wars Hockey teams pants will also be provided by our major sponsors. Team uniforms are the players' to keep.
9. What sponsors are supporting State Wars?
When the idea for State Wars Hockey was brought to light, finding sponsors was not difficult. We have received the support of basically every major company in the roller hockey world. Check out our sponsors/partners by clicking here.
10. Who will run the State Teams?
The SWH staff will be appointing a Director or a Board of Commissioners in many states/provinces. The role of these important individuals is to promote the tryouts and to make coaching suggestions to the SWH staff. Anyone interested can get involved with their state coaching staff, if interested please contact your director or State Wars Hockey. Not until after tryouts are complete will the coaching staff selections be made. Many states/provinces do not have a specific director, in these cases we lean on local coaches, parents, managers to help promote the local tryouts and build the state/provincial program.
11. How will state/provincial teams be selected at tryouts?
To insure an unbiased selection process, the SWH staff will run the tryouts and act as a non-bias selection committee. State Wars Hockey will be sending members of its staff to each of the state/provincial tryouts. This staff will be comprised of some of the most knowledgeable and respected members of the roller hockey community, which have no affiliation with the state the tryout is being held. All decisions made by the SWH staff are final.
Now that State Wars has grown globally, we are getting teams from all over the world coming to compete at State Wars! For many of these countries outside of North America, they will run their own tryouts and field their own teams to come and compete.
12. Is State Wars looking to compete with NARCh, TORHS, or other tournament series?
Not at all - local club teams should play in other tournaments and State Wars Hockey supports that. The only way to continue to improve as a roller hockey player is to play more and more quality tournaments. We support anyone who promotes the growth of roller hockey. Remember, State Wars is not a tournament series, it is an event, and we will be providing tryouts during the year to determine who will compete in it for the United States Roller Hockey Championship.
13. How do I register for my state/provincial tryouts?
To register for your state tryout you must complete the online tryout registration form. Once you have registered and paid online you will receive a confirmation e-mail stating that you are confirmed into your state tryout. The specific times will be posted at least one week prior to the scheduled tryout and you will receive an email with the necessary information. This information will also be posted in the tryout information section and state information pages on the web site. YOU MUST REGISTER ONLINE TO TRY OUT FOR YOUR STATE TEAM. Each state will have one tryout that occurs between January and June each year.
14. What does it cost to register for my state/provincial tryout?
There is a tryout fee of $60 for all players who wish to tryout for their state/provincial team. This fee will be paid online by credit card when you register for your state tryout. No player has a secured spot in their tryout until this non refundable fee is paid and all registration information is completed. At the tryout, all registered players will receive a State Wars Hockey practice jersey. If a player attends their tryout (both hours) and is not selected, they will receive a full $60 tryout fee refund. Tryout fees are NOT refunded if player misses part of tryout or chooses not to attend for any reason.
15. When will I know if I am selected?
Shortly after the tryout evaluation is over, the State Wars Hockey staff will post a list on site of who was selected for the team.
16. If I am selected, what is the cost to play at State Wars.
If selected, the cost to play at State Wars is $330. This fee will cover:
- entry fee into State Wars, 5 game minimum
- custom home AND away jerseys (with players last name and #)
- custom State Wars Hockey pants
- Free Live Stream to the event
If a player is playing on more than one team, the cost for each additional team is $165
The only other fee would be the requirement to have the RHA membership insurance. There are two options here, (1) to have the yearly membership which cost $35 or (2) to pay $15 for the weekend warrior membership for that one tournament. To get RHA membership click here
17. Are there any individual awards at State Wars?
Yes. Awards are presented to the High Scorer, Best Defensive Player, and Most Valuable Goaltender at the conclusion of round robin games.
High Scorer : most points. If more than one player is tied with most points, the most goals is the first tie breaker.
MVG : based on save %, if tied than the goalie with most saves will be first tie breaker.
Best Defensive Player : voted on by coaches ballots.
The SWH staff will also name Team World for each youth division. The top 10 skaters and 2 goaltenders in each division will receive custom Team World jerseys from Empire Sportwear. The Most Valuable Player will be determined at the conclusion of the championship game and this extraordinary talent will be awarded a prize by State Wars Hockey.
