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Hockey in Toledo isn’t slowing down this summer. It’s speeding up. Faster, tighter, and played on wheels instead of blades.
This summer, the Huntington Center is trading ice for a hard playing surface, transforming the arena into a roller hockey stage built for speed and constant motion. The eXtreme Roller Hockey League, or XRHL, will launch its inaugural season in downtown Toledo beginning July 10, bringing a new style of professional hockey to the Glass City.
For league founder and commissioner Adam Stio, the concept has been years in the making.
“The sport of roller hockey got really big in the nineties, but over time, there hasn’t really been anything consistent at the professional level,” he said.
“We felt the sport needed more.”
That idea led to Toledo becoming the league’s launch point.
Four teams, one summer showcase
The pilot season will feature four Toledo-themed teams, including Glass City Pain, Ghost Frogs, Sasquatches and the Bladers. The names were intentionally crafted around local ties and minor-league-style creativity.
According to Stio, the teams will compete across 21 dates from July 10 through Aug. 15, including 18 regular-season games, two semifinal matchups, and a postseason that will feature single-elimination semifinals culminating in a championship game.
More than $100,000 in prize money will also be distributed throughout the season, with players earning bonuses for wins and championship performance.
The condensed summer schedule is also expected to fill the seasonal gap in the city’s sports calendar. With the Walleye season wrapped up and fewer indoor sporting events, the XRHL provides another reason for fans to head to the Huntington Center throughout July and August, with many of the games scheduled around the Toledo Mud Hens’ road trips.
A faster version of the game
Fans familiar with traditional ice hockey will notice the differences immediately. Roller hockey removes offsides and icing, creating a faster, more open style of play.
“It’s four-on-four, there’s a lot more possession, a lot more puck movement, and the puck is lighter, so the game moves faster,” Stio said.
“You’re not going to be able to keep up with the puck. It’s going to be so fast, your head’s going to be turning.”
“There’s going to be crashes, there’s going to be contact, and you never know what’s going to happen.”
So yes, hockey fans rejoice, there will be fights.
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Familiar names taking the floor
And it wouldn’t be Toledo hockey without a few familiar names, right?
Toledo Walleye captain Brandon Hawkins has already been announced as captain of the Glass City Pain.
Stio also confirmed that former Toledo standout Shane Berschbach, recently inducted into the Toledo Hockey Hall of Fame, will be part of the league and serve as a team captain.
And Toledo hockey veteran Iain Duncan, a former Toledo Storm forward with NHL experience and a national championship at Bowling Green State University, will be involved as one of the league’s coaches.
Additional players from Fort Wayne, Cincinnati, Indianapolis and other regional hockey markets are also expected to participate, along with experienced roller hockey players and athletes who have represented Team USA in international competition.
Players interested in joining the league can apply through the XRHL website, with tryouts consisting of multiple games, evaluation sessions, and opportunities to test league rules. Jerseys and shirts will also be provided to participants.
Building something bigger
Toledo serves as the starting point for what Stio hopes becomes a multi-city operation.
“Our concept is to create four teams this year, prove a concept, and try to grow into multiple cities next year.”
The long-term plan includes gradual expansion across Midwest markets, with Toledo serving as the foundation.
At its core, Stio says the league is about accessibility and expanding hockey beyond traditional ice rinks.
“You can grab a pair of roller blades, a stick and go play in your neighborhood.”
“There’s so many different ways to play the game, and that’s what we want to do. We want to help grow hockey.”
That accessibility, combined with recognizable names and fast-paced play, is what Stio hopes will resonate with Toledo fans.
“We want people to come in, have a great experience, and want to come back,” he added.
Single-game and season tickets for XRHL are available now through the league’s website.
