Middle Georgia roller hockey raising hockey awareness

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Minor league hockey returns to Middle Georgia next month when the Macon Mayhem hits the ice for their first season.

There’s a different kind of hockey you may not have known about.

Twice a week, boys and girls of all ages play roller hockey at the Bibb Skate Arena on Hawkinsville Road.

The objective is the same: get the puck in the net. The difference is instead of ice skates, the players are on roller blades.

“Playing ice hockey is much more difficult, because the blades actually dig into the ice,” says Michael Slavin with Middle Georgia Hockey. “So it’s a lot more strenuous, whereas the in-line skates, you kind of glide a little more.”

Their focus is to bring Middle Georgia kids into the sport, because there aren’t really many outlets for hockey except for there at the arena, according to Slavin.

If you’d like to check out the sport or get involved yourself, visit the arena on Sundays from 5 to 8 p.m. and Tuesdays from 6:30 to 9 p.m.

For more information, check out Middle Georgia Hockey on Facebook.