Bullfrogs Will to Return to RHI

The Bullfrogs have committed to return to Roller Hockey International this summer after their one-year foray into Major League Roller Hockey, and founder Maury Silver said he wants to keep the team in Anaheim.

The Bullfrogs have played all six of their seasons at the Arrowhead Pond, but Silver owes the Ogden Corp., which operates the building, more than $80,000 in back rent.

“I love playing at the Pond, but if it doesn’t work, I’ll have to take the next step, which is the Anaheim Convention Center,” Silver said.

RHI President and CEO Bernie Mullin confirmed Wednesday that Silver has signed his team with RHI, which plans to start up again on June 4 with a 26-game regular-season schedule and 10 teams.

RHI had ceased operations since going broke at the end of the 1997 season. Last summer, Silver moved the Bullfrogs into MLRH and won the league title.

Bill Raue, president of MLRH, said last week he has already made a proposal to the Pond to put a team there.

Pond General Manager Tim Ryan could not be reached Wednesday, but he said last week he hasn’t shut the door completely on the Bullfrogs.