ECHO Hockey Inc.

By Larry Hartstein
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 06/19/08

One hundred inline hockey teams are descending on Snellville for the East Coast Hockey Organization National Championships.

Today through Sunday, teams hailing from 12 states and the Turks & Caicos Islands will battle at the South Gwinnett Athletic Association Dual Deck Hockey Arena. The teams will compete in various age divisions, from 8-and-under to adult.

This is the first time Gwinnett has hosted the event.

"ECHO chose to move its national championship event to Gwinnett because of our excellent sports facilities and great hotels," said Rob Patton, sports marketing director for the Gwinnett Sports Commission. "The SGAA Dual Deck Hockey Arena has two rinks within one facility to maximize the tournament schedule. A two-rink facility like the Dual Deck Arena was really needed to accommodate the growth of the men's division, as well as the addition of the women's divisions to the championship."

ECHO was established nine years ago to promote the sport of roller hockey and to provide opportunities for local and national competition.

The national championships will draw teams from Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi, Maryland, Virginia and Ohio. Atlanta Thrashers forward Eric Perrin will sign autographs from 2 to 3 p.m. today at the arena, and the Thrashers' mascot Thrash will entertain at noon Saturday.

SGAA is located at 2115 McGee Road in Snellville, and the event is free for spectators. For the full schedule, log on to www.echohockey.com.