PICKUP ARTISTS; CASUAL PLAY DRAWS ROLLER HOCKEY PLAYERS OF ALL AGES, ABILITIES.

Byline: Rich Hammond Staff Writer

Eight skaters and two goalies trickle out onto the court shortly before 9 p.m. on a Friday night, dressed in full hockey gear and ready for action, but not cut-throat competition.

``I have a good time out here,'' said Chris Bello of Santa Clarita, one of the regulars at the Santa Clarita Roller Hockey Center's pickup games, which are held three nights a week and include co-ed and beginner games.

``This is really the only place around here to play, and I probably play three of four nights a week.''

The pickup games are mainly comprised of league players, such as Bello, who are looking for more time on the court without the serious level of competition.

``You've got cliques of players who know each other,'' said Bello, whose wife and son also play in leagues at the center. ``There's one group of 15, and we usually go out and do stuff together.''

Unlike some sports, roller hockey is far from being dominated by adult males. Santa Clarita resident Lindsay Konecko plays pickup games Fridays and competes in an adult league Saturdays.

``I started playing because I was working here,'' Konecko said. ``In hockey, the girls can compete with the guys pretty well, and I usually play against guys, I'm used to it.

``This place has a good atmosphere. At most rinks you don't really hang out and talk to people, but all of the regulars pretty much know each other and are friendly.''

On this particular Friday, when the turnout is low and everyone gets a chance to play, Konecko's blond pony tail stands out, but she is not the most conspicuous player on the court.

That would be 10-year-old Andrew Jackiel, who pumps his short legs up and down the court in an attempt to catch up with the adults.

``If this wasn't a pickup game, there's no way I would let him out there,'' said Andrew's mother, Cheryl, with a laugh. ``His brother is the goalie, and his twin sister is out playing ice hockey right now.''

Andrew's brother, Steve, is only 13, but stands nearly 6-feet tall. Steve Jackiel competes in the midget and bantam leagues at the center.

``These guys are all older than me, but they asked me to come out because they usually don't have enough goalies,'' Steve Jackiel said. ``Some of these guys are really good.

``I played ice hockey for a while, but it's much more competitive and there's all these different travel teams. This is more fun.''

Cheryl Jackiel estimates that she spends 25 hours a week at the rink watching her sons play. She brings a book to the pickup game, but spends more time encouraging her sons and checking on their equipment.

``The adults let Chris play, which is nice,'' Cheryl Jackiel said. ``I think he's a little safer being in goal, plus he's a big boy for his age and most of the players don't get hurt at all.

``It's a nice group of people who run the center, and they go out and play too, so it's a good environment and it's fun to watch. It kind of makes my husband and I wish we knew how to play, but it's tough to learn how to skate.''

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Photo: (Color) Although the Santa Clarita Roller Hockey Center caters to league teams, such as the two above, it also has pickup games that some competitors find more fun and relaxing.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer