In this installment of ‘News at Noon’ meet the next pair of key figures in the merger between PIHA and the AIHL, CJ Yoder and Jim Miller.

CJ Yoder, 44, now lives in Colorado Springs where he plays for the Colorado Springs Thunder (PIHA) and the Tour Mudcats, all while coaching hockey at Monument, CO. He also functions as the President of PIHA.  CJ Yoder ranks as one of the greats of the inline game and was, at his peak, in the conversation about the best player in the game.  CJ has been “the face of the league” according to his father.  He is well-known, well-liked, and well-respected.  He has the ear of the promoters of the largest tournaments (NarcH, TORHS, State Wars) in the sport and “can’t walk across a rink in less than five minutes” due to his recognizability and comfort in the spotlight. 

Going forward in this new incarnation of the league, CJ will oversee Central Scouting and Special Events Bureau.  Central Scouting is a database created for 15-year-old players, a who’s who of ‘players to watch’ in the future, this supports Draft Day, a fan/fantasy draft of 15-year-old prospects.  And the Special Events include but are not limited to the Hall of Fame and the National Finals (future News at Noon). The Finals have been a signature event for the Yoders, creating a comfortable, enjoyable environment for the players has been a challenge they have welcomed, and look forward to as well this year.

CJ's favorite player was, is - Wayne Gretzky.  He’s an idol for all the obvious reasons: electrifying talent, creativity in incorporating playmaking from behind the net, leadership and championship pedigree.  The path cut by 99 is one often imitated, and the bar set pretty high.  CJ Yoder has followed his example and brought elements of Wayne Gretzky’s success to everything he has touched.

Jim Miller, 39, a resident of North Haven, CT, co-founded the Hartford Fireants (formerly Connecticut Fireants) with fellow player Matthew Zuba in 1998.  Jim played both forward and defense, and served as the captain/GM and president for the Fireants at both the pro/elite and minor levels, eventually joining the PIHA as a franchise in 2004, followed by joining the AIHL.  He and his team were an integral part of the formation of the American Inline Hockey League in 2007 and for its first five years, Jim served on the league's executive committee, with other responsibilities as the New England and East East Coordinator.  He has been named Coach of the Year and also won the AIHL’s President’s Award.  In his real life, Jim is an audit partner with Marcum LLP, an international accounting and financial services firm.  Jim and his wife Laura, a former Division I hockey player, who he met at a rink while playing a PIHA game against the Boston Swamp Rats in Holbrook, MA.  Jim has three children, 6-year old twins and a 3-year old. 

Jim Miller will be the player's executive committee representative for the Players Association (PIHAPA) and all multi-media aspects. Jim will represent the player's voice to help make the league a player-friendly league that represents the voice of all of the players within the league.  Jim’s ability to play the game as a competitor allows him to see the game from the floor level and have people relate and reach out to him, which makes him an ideal candidate for this position.  He will also oversee the league's multi-media efforts using his youth to embrace the ever-changing world of social media and live streaming capability.  As such, Jim will oversee the campaigns to elevate the profile of the league and the sport.

Jim was a die-hard Hartford Whaler fan, with his favorite player being Ron Francis.  Although the Brass Bonanza theme still burns in his heart, once the Whale left town, Jim became a fan of the new franchise at the time: the Tampa Bay Lightning.  Jim's favorite player all-time was Martin St. Louis.  St. Louis will be remembered as a talented player who’s compete-level was second-to-none and a class-act, the same might be said of Jim Miller.