MHS grad promoting inline hockey
By: Justin Feil
Joe Darcy intends to play club ice hockey for the College of Holy Cross this year, at least until he can find or start a roller hockey team.
"I’ve tried ice hockey off and on, but I really like roller hockey," said the Belle Mead resident. "I’ve been playing roller hockey since second grade. I started off playing in Kendall Park in a league that doesn’t exist anymore.
"The style of play is totally different from ice hockey. It’s 4-on-4, not 5-on-5. There’s no offside, no checking, no icing. It’s more fast-paced. It’s more organized with the lanes you’re skating in. It’s a lot higher scoring. It’s not uncommon for games to be 6-5, and they’re shorter. For nationals, we only play two 12-minute halves. It’s always been more enjoyable to me. In college, (Holy Cross doesn’t) have a club yet. If I meet some guys, I’d love to get involved."
Darcy is one of two students nationwide recently awarded a $500 college scholarship from USA Hockey InLine’s College Scholarship Program. The program was started to help qualified high school inline players fund their college education. It seemed a fitting reward for the Montgomery High School graduate, who is an ambassador for roller hockey.
"I definitely am very humbled and feel honored to receive it," he said. "Roller hockey is not a glory sport. There’s no upper level. You don’t have the NHL. It’s about fun. Hopefully, you’re on a team playing with a great group of guys. That’s what I’ve found. My teammates are my best friends. Anything I’ve put in it, it’s to make sure everyone has a good time. I’m very humbled to receive the scholarship."
Darcy, who did not play ice hockey for MHS, began as a roller hockey player in the in-house leagues before moving up to serve as an administrator and player on more serious national tournament contending teams. Three years ago, he helped form the New Jersey Salsa after the Bridgewater Wolfpack team he was a part of lost its home rink. The Salsa grew to four teams in levels U-12, U-14, U-16 and U-18. Finding places to play and players can be difficult, unless you know where to look.
"Sometimes ice players will just pick up roller hockey because it’s more predominant in summer and spring," Darcy said. "It is almost like a different sport. I’ve only played in house leagues until three years ago, which was my first travel season."
Last summer, the Salsa Under-16 captured the bronze medal at the 2006 North American Roller Hockey Championships, or NARCh. His younger brother, Terry, who will be a sophomore at MHS, was also a member of that team. This year, Darcy created and played for the U-18 Inman Force., for whom he served as team manager and captain.
"We returned to the national championships this year and didn’t do so well," Darcy said. "Two years ago it was in Toronto, and this year was in Fort Myers, Fla. My teammates and I are the anomaly. We have some from Pennsylvania, and our goalie is from Alberta. He only played the team national competition with us. He did a great job last year and we had him come over again."
Their other goalie for the Force is fellow MHS student Seje Omieno.
"We’re the only two, and my brother, that play roller hockey in Montgomery, that I know of," Darcy said. "Throughout high school, I tried to get roller hockey to catch on. It didn’t quite stick, especially with the success of the ice hockey team."
Darcy, though, considers himself lucky to live in one of the more popular areas for roller hockey. On the national level, New Jersey is well represented.
"In our division, there was one other New Jersey team this year," Darcy said. "New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania is one of the hotbeds in the country for roller hockey. Our area is big in roller hockey. California is the biggest. In terms of overall skill level and popularity, New Jersey is up there.
"With my team," he added, "we played tournaments from September to August. We do play year-round. At different times than others, it’s more heated. The primary season is March through July. Right now, we’re in a lull, especially with guys getting ready for school."
The Inman Force will go its separate ways for college, but intends to reunite for next summer’s action. With summers off from school, they can aim for the most prestigious target, NARCh.
"Next year’s national championship is in San Jose, Calif.," Darcy said. "We definitely want to go again. You have to attend one regional qualifying event. Last year, we qualified in Rahway. You can qualify anywhere. There was a team that went up to Canada to get experience against some different teams."
In the meantime, Darcy will be looking to stay sharp at Holy Cross. He may begin on the ice, but he is hoping he can find some interest in Worcester, Mass., for a club team.
"Club roller hockey started with a couple kids playing," he said. "Now Rutgers fields three teams a year.
"There is college club, the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association. It’s more big schools, but there are also some small schools. Cornell has a team and there are some community colleges in there. The association is growing. It’s a lot smaller than ice hockey. It’s growing. It has a lot to offer."
Joe Darcy was hooked early, and he continues to try to give others the chance to enjoy the sport he’s loved for a decade.

