The British Hockey Thread 2015-2016

[Calv]

I am hoping that there is a shift in the Elite League to focus more on bringing on the British players. Planet Ice teams have historically been quite good at playing and bringing through British players. With 2 EIHL teams, I'm hoping they are pushing for a decrease in the import levels and more involvement with junior development. On one hand, it's a shame that MKL have stepped up as they could have been a springboard for PI players to go from EPL to the EIHL (with Storm).

[marksbros6]

I can see MK Thunder stepping up to be a proper feeder team in the EPL for Lightning. Also Leeds or Blackburn (if they join the EPL) could feed into Storm.

Hopefully Brits will get their chances, will be out of necessity I think, if MK or Storm want competitive imports I can't see them affording 15 of them each!

[MWE]

That's awesome news that MKL are moving up hopefully there will be another announcement regarding another team to keep things even plenty of time for that though

[rmt_1982]

That's awesome news that MKL are moving up hopefully there will be another announcement regarding another team to keep things even plenty of time for that though

From what I've heard, its either London, or Peterborough.

[archibalduk]

It seems every summer there's some sort of disruption to the norms in British hockey!

I'm not sure what I think about this change. Does Planet Ice/Silverblades really have the money to fund the calibre of team needed to be competitive in the league? It'll be interesting to see how Storm fare next season. Putting together the team last summer was a rush and so it's understandable they struggled this year. I think Storm's performance next year could be a good comparator for MK the following season. It's nice to see the EIHL on the up with expansion, increased attendances and a sell out for the playoffs, but I do often wonder how long Edinburgh will remain in the league.

I wonder where this all leaves the EPL. Presumably we're looking at the likes of Blackburn or Invicta (although I'm guessing Blackburn would be in prime position to take any vacancy in the Gardiner as London would be very far south for the 12th EIHL team without some form of realignment). With an EIHL team in MK, would there really be enough interest in an MK Thunder team in the EPL... Regardless of who it is, it'll likely require a complete overhaul of an NIHL team's rosters. Last season's EPL/Crossover Cup demonstrated the gulf between the very best NIHL teams and even the weakest EPL teams. It feels like the EPL is in a precarious position given Bracknell and Manchester's places are rather insecure at the moment. It's definitely going to be a tough summer for Bracknell. If they go then I guess we'd be down to 8 teams in 2017/18 (on the assumption the loss of Bracknell were to mean there is no longer a need for a PI team to balance the numbers).

Hmm lots of possible permutations by the looks of things. No doubt it'll all be last minute and there will be plenty of rumours abound!

[marksbros6]

Hoping that with regards to an Elite Roster that Griffin, Cownie, Hook and Chamberlain are all given a chance, hopefully Jaimo (as he can stay local in MK and play Elite League, as opposed to his previous sojourn with Belfast) and Tom Carlon (another Brit with Elite experience) would not look out of their depth 'playing up' either.

So that's 4, possibly 6 Brits already.

Can see us going with an Import Goalie next season, maybe Baston if he's available? And be interested to see if we retain our current imports for one last hurrah (before 'all-change' in the summer) or recruit some on 2 year contracts with a view to forming the import quota for our Elite debut.

The news has gone down like a lead balloon on the MK Forums, but I'm excited. Will miss the easy away games to get to though!

[Garethw87]

It seems every summer there's some sort of disruption to the norms in British hockey!

I'm not sure what I think about this change. Does Planet Ice/Silverblades really have the money to fund the calibre of team needed to be competitive in the league? It'll be interesting to see how Storm fare next season. Putting together the team last summer was a rush and so it's understandable they struggled this year. I think Storm's performance next year

Well ticket prices are in line with the rest of the league now, so more income and we've already been told by GM that the team needs 1,800 avg attendance to make it work out financially... but that is without sponsorship and other sales included. I imagine the ice to have no clear sports left this season as we can actually get some businesses on board

So looking at the average of around 1,200 + new sponsors I think they have a nice little set up going. Obviously not having to pay for the rink helps a whole lot too I'm sure!

[Calv]

I think Storm do pay for the rink rental (they are two separate companies afterall).

Playoff weekend starts in a few hours when I get on the train to Nottingham Both EIHL and EPL playoffs are tough to call, I've no idea who is going to win either

[marksbros6]

Enjoy it mate. Wish I'd been able to go to Coventry, never sampled the playoffs. Will go next year hopefully.

Never mind who you think will win; who do you want to win the Elite Playoffs?

Obviously you're rooting for Guildford in the other one!

[Calv]

Ha unlike my brother I have no affinity to the Flames

I think I'll be supporting Fife in the EIHL games, and of the EPL teams I am probably least ambivalent to MK, so I'll go for them!

[marksbros6]

Go MK!

I think it's going to be a tough ask to get through Bison. If we do though I might watch the stream of the final. Won't be near a decent internet connection tomorrow for the Semi though.

Good luck to Fife, got no REAL alliegence to any Elite teams (till 2017 anyway). A bit of a goalie-geek though so if anything I suppose I'd root for the Devils with Bowns.

[archibalduk]

Yeah I'd love to see Fife win the Playoffs. Or at least anyone but Nottingham! If the Flames don't make it to the finals, I'll be rooting for Peterborough for the EPL.

It's been a rough month or so at work and I could really do with a lie-in, but I'll be getting up at 5am tomorrow to get the flight to Manchester and then a train to Nottingham all in time for the first semi-final. Assuming of course there's no delays!...

[Thomaxius]

Ah yes, the english hockey league.. the beer league.. the graveyard of hockey players..

Is Matt Nickerson still going strong? Was it so that being n1 in the standings is more an accompshilement than winning the playoffs, cause you guys are more of a football nation?

[Calv]

Ah yes, the english hockey league.. the beer league.. the graveyard of hockey players..

It's better than nothing

Is Matt Nickerson still going strong?

He missed a lot of this season with a relatively serious knee injury (therefore it's been a while since he did anything silly....)

Was it so that being n1 in the standings is more an accompshilement than winning the playoffs, cause you guys are more of a football nation?

Kind of, there are a few logistical (and financial) reasons that mean it would be difficult to have a series-type playoffs in the UK

[Thomaxius]

Ah yes, the english hockey league.. the beer league.. the graveyard of hockey players..

It's better than nothing

I didn't mean it as a bad thing. It's just that when you read about some player going to play in England, France, Italy, Hungary, etc. you think "Oh, he finished his professional career" cause It's unlikely they'll come back to the "big leagues" from there, as they usually play a few seasons and then retire.

I've watched a few games and clips and it seems like good hockey to me - very fast paced. And some teams have good crowds, so I'd say the atmosphere is even better then in here in most games (the Liiga is dying slowly)

Kind of, there are a few logistical (and financial) reasons that mean it would be difficult to have a series-type playoffs in the UK

I also read that some teams have financial problems due to high upkeep costs and whatnot, and finding sponsors not being an easy task.

[marksbros6]

Perhaps one of you fella's in attendance can explain what exactly happened to the Devils against Coventry? Lol

Was it just that I vouched for them earlier in the thread?

[archibalduk]

They were very poor. Lots of possession but did little with it. Coventry took every chance they had.

[marksbros6]

So MKL v Flames for the only trophy worth winning (right?)

Just glad we beat the Bison to be honest!

[archibalduk]

Yeah I'm pretty surprised. I thought it'd be Bison v Phantoms. Tough one to call!

Neither of the EIHL games were particularly exciting today. I'm expecting Nottingham to win it tomorrow.

[marksbros6]

You do realise Arch: if your lot win tomorrow I'm not going to be speaking to you...
...at least until I next need to post in the Researchers forum

Watched Oxford City Stars v Streatham myself. Was a good game, 2-0 to Oxford, doing well going into tomorrow's game.

[marksbros6]

"Pitter-patter lets get at 'er..."

[marksbros6]

"TOP SHELF where you keep the PEANUT-BUTTER!!!" ???

[archibalduk]

I did not expect a scoreline like that! Really great to hear Hemmings scored one.

[archibalduk]

Greg Rockman is retiring..

[Calv]

"TOP SHELF where you keep the PEANUT-BUTTER!!!" ???

How was the coverage?