Eleven of the State’s best 13-15 year olds brought home the gold medal for the State Wars Roller Hockey tournament that was held in Bensenville, IL on August 5-8, 2006. Team Maryland ’91 beat teams from Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia and Hawaii to become the first Maryland team to win a State Wars championship.
Team Maryland ’91 is made up of players from across the State including Bel Air, Columbia, Ellicott City, Emmitsburg,
Frederick, Mechanicsville, Pomfret, Solomons, and Waldorf. Four of the eleven team members represented southern Maryland. The four are Gordy Bonnel of Mechanicsville, Eric Blankenship of Solomons, Andrew Jackson of Pomfret, and Steven Blankenship of Waldorf.
Maryland sent a total of 4 teams to Bensenville this year–up from 3 teams last year. Head Coach Eric Larsen noted that, “[the teams] represented the State well as we are starting to generate respect in the roller hockey community.” Other Maryland teams that participated this year were the ’93, 86-87’ and 83-85’ birth year teams. The 86-87’ team also had the distinction of capturing the bronze medal in their division. Mark Price of Waldorf and Chris Jackson of Pomfret represented southern Maryland on the team.
State Wars is the major roller hockey event that takes place every summer. Teams from states across the country compete for the United States Roller Hockey Championship. The tournament gives selected participants a feeling of pride and honor to represent their home state. Governed by the United States Roller Hockey Commission (USRHC), and guided by experienced and motivated coaches, roller hockey players of the same birth year are given the opportunity to tryout for their state team and compete at State Wars for a chance to win the national championship.
RELATED INFORMATION:
State Wars Roller Hockey website
http://www.statewarshockey.com/