The Offical British Ice Hockey Thread

Post by **Calv** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:27 pm

It was the awards night tonight with the following winners announced:
Best British Player: Jonathan Weaver - Coventry Blaze
Coach: Dave Matsos - Sheffield Steelers
D-Man: Rod Sarich - Sheffield Steelers
Fans Fave: David-Alexandre Beauregard - Manchester Phoenix
Forward: David-Alexandre Beauregard - Manchester Phoenix
Hard as Ice: Brett Clouthier - Manchester Phoenix
Netminder: Jody Lehman - Sheffield Steelers
Newcomer: David-Alexandre Beauregard - Manchester Phoenix
Player of the Year: David-Alexandre Beauregard - Manchester Phoenix
Outstanding Achievement: Tony Hand - Manchester Phoenix

Post by **Calv** » Fri Apr 03, 2009 10:29 pm

Clean sweep for Beauregard, and great to see so many Phoenix winners, despite them being a smaller club and not winning any silverware on the ice

Post by **Calv** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 3:24 pm

Sheffield 5-2 Cardiff
Jonathan Phillips Unassisted 5:52 PP
Doug Sheppard Assists : Ashley Tait, Robert Dowd 23:28
Brad Voth Assists : Tyson Teplitsky, Jay Latulippe 25:20
Matt Elich Assists : Mike Prpich, Jason Silverthorn 25:39
Jeff Legue Assists : Rod Sarich, Ashley Tait 31:22 PP
Robert Dowd Assists : Ryan Finnerty, Scott Basiuk 49:55
Randy Dagenais Unassisted 58:40 ENG

Post by **Calv** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:10 pm

Nottingham 6-2 Coventry
Bruce Richardson Assist : Jade Galbraith 8:19 PP
Brendan Cook Assist : Jade Galbraith 11:14
Corey Neilson Assists : # 14, Dan Tessier 13:51 PP
Danny Stewart Assists : Leigh Jamieson, Sylvain Deschatelets 19:38
David Clarke Unassisted 27:53
Bruce Richardson Assists : David Clarke, Jade Galbraith 29:21 PP
Barrie Moore Unassisted 30:39 PP
Kevin Bergin Assists : David Clarke, Danny Meyers 44:20

Post by **Calv** » Sat Apr 04, 2009 7:12 pm

Sheffield - Nottingham final tomorrow afternoon, with Sheffield probably winning imo.

Some good chants today that I've heard over the radio:
"6 team league you're having a laugh"
"Show us your wage bill"
"If you've been shafted by the league clap your hands"

Post by **Calv** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 5:20 pm

Congratulations to Sheffield who beat nottingham 2-0 in the playoff final to do the double

Post by **Calv** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 2:48 pm

Rumours are Vipers & Phoenix are staying in the EIHL with the new rules regarding imports & wage cap but only if we receive financial support from the other 6 as well so we can compete. Not 100% sure what Edinburgh are doing though

Post by **Calv** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:35 pm

After a weekend of negotiation the following has been released

Elite League members reach agreement on exciting new future.

News posted: 06-04-2009
Following pro-active negotiations at a meeting of the nine clubs on Monday, the Elite League are delighted to announce that a new format involving all the clubs has been reached.

Chairman Eamon Convery confirmed, “we’ve just enjoyed a memorable Playoff Finals weekend, bringing the curtain down on the 2008-09 season and following today’s meeting all the clubs are looking forward to the 2009-10 campaign.”

“Representatives of the Edinburgh Capitals, Manchester Phoenix and Newcastle Vipers joined with their counterparts from the Belfast Giants, Cardiff Devils, Coventry Blaze, Hull Stingrays, Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers and it’s my pleasure to advise that all are committed to the future of the Elite League.”

“The weekend was a spectacular success with both days sold out and it’s that level of success that these clubs and their officials have worked hard for since the inception of the league and wish to continue to build and improve upon. When we see so many supporters from all the clubs from across the country intermingling and everyone having a great time, it’s a massive endorsement of the product we’re promoting and keen to improve upon wherever possible.”

“To that effect, the Elite League in 2009-10 will operate with some revisions to the previous formats. The clubs have agreed to a new maximum of ten import (ITC) players per roster on any given game night. The regular League season will see all teams meet each other three times home and away for a 48-game season. The Knockout Cup as we know it will cease, but a new revised Challenge Cup will be unveiled and work on the full format of the competition, leading to a one-game, neutral venue final has begun already.”

“ The Elite League is also keen to introduce a new early-season tournament weekend and again, work on an exciting new three-day festival has already begun. And then of course, the culmination of the season will be the post-season playoffs and the goal of every club to get through to the Playoff Finals weekend.”

“We will confirm exact details of the revised Challenge Cup format and the early-season tournament as soon as possible. Everyone left the meeting in a positive frame of mind and determined to continue to work toward a bright and exciting future.”

“The Elite League has a tremendous product and I am of the firm belief that the agreements reached today and the revised competition formats will energise the supporters for another spectacular season of top-flight ice hockey.”

Glad they're getting rid of the Knockout cup, bit of a joke that only half of the teams take seriously. I'm guessing the salary cap has gone up but. Also glad the import numbers will be decreasing, we need more good brits in the league and increasing the import numbers is going to do nothing for their development. Here's to another season of hockey

Post by **Calv** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:37 pm

Also there were representatives from the Dutch & Belgian leagues over this weekend for the playoffs, with some sort of cup/tournament involving them and the Elite League nexy season(perhaps the 3-day thing they talk about above)

Post by **Calv** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 8:41 pm

wage cap remains unchanged apparently

Post by **Calv** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:33 pm

This was also announced at the Devils Farewell Party tonight. Shannon Hope described the new competition to replace the BK Cup as a "3 day Oktoberfest Beer Festival".

He also said that the meeting went really well as everyone was in a good mood having enjoyed the Playoffs weekend.

Now, I struggled to hear a couple of bits and the order they came in but I think I heard mentioned:

-There would be 'at least' 9 teams. That there was never going to be 6 teams.
-The possible introduction of new team(s) in the new year
-The inclusion of european teams.

I can't be certain about the last two points - they might be connected or I may have misunderstood what they were on about regarding the new Champions League trophy.
I'm sure other Devils fans will confirm what was said later.

Matt Burge also said they would be helping some of the teams with their marketing, as for some clubs it was almost non-existent.

I hope there are a few new teams next year, we need more teams in the league. I though 10 was too few, I've heard rumours of some Scottish teams joining in as well at some point as there used to be some big clubs up there;Fife, Ayr & now Braehead is the one I've heard mentioned

Post by **archibalduk** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:20 pm

I'm still unsure as to the future of the league. Are they still going to increase the salary cap or are they going to keep it the same? If they don't want it to go the way of the old Sekonda Superleague, I think they should keep costs down as much as they can. I hope staying in the league proves to be the best decision for the future of Phoenix; I'd hate to see the league collapsing in 12 months' time.

As for the size of the league, I agree in that it would do the league a world of good if a couple more competitive teams were added. Let's give Sheffield and Nottingham a run for their money!

Post by **Calv** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 2:36 pm

You've also got to take into account the fact that playing in a lower league would probably have the following effects:
Smaller crowds
Lower ticket prices
Longer travelling due to all teams playing down south.
Average distance to EIHL teams is 147 miles approx - if you don't fly to Belfast and you go via Scotland.
Average distance to EPL teams is 174 miles approx - also more teams so higher costs in the long run.

Obviously wages are going to be lower, but will we be able to keep wages low enough to break even whilst still being competitive.

Post by **Calv** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 3:32 pm

The weakness of the pound is not going to do the hockey clubs any favours, with players moving to Europe/back to NA for more money. Already 2 netminders have left the league:
Jody Lehman to AaB in Denmark
Peter Aubry to ASG Angers

Post by **Calv** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:33 pm

Hull Stingrays appoint Sylvain Cloutier as their player/Coach. Used to play for Coventry Blaze and coached Corpus Christi Rayz last year until his contract was terminated. Great player, but not sure if he's a great coach.

Some rumours doing the rounds:
Beauregard & Fulghum to Nottingham
Stephen Murphy to Sheffield - practically signed & sealed apparently

Trevor Koenig back to Newcastle Vipers - good keeper and probably more consistent than Verner was this season.
Stevie Lyle to Cardiff - looked a bit shaky this season, not sure how he's ahead of Murphy in the GB team....

matt44 · Post by **matt44** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 12:39 pm

Neilson, Bruce Richardson & Bergin re-signed for the Panthers which is good news.

The most interesting club to watch it going to be Coventry - Thommo has ALOT of work to do to make the Blaze back into what they were.

Shortly followed by Hull - will be interesting to see what team Cloutier can put together!

Post by **Calv** » Sat Apr 11, 2009 1:12 pm

Peter Hirsch to Coventry is apparently done, according to a Danish newspaper. Danish international player, although looked like he struggled this last season with only playing 14 games in total for 3 different teams. Still only 30 though.

Reynaldo28 · Post by **Reynaldo28** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:41 pm

Verner > All Elite Keepers!

And Big mac has gone on bad terms

Really think the league is poo, should be scrapped, Northern England and Scotland league ftw?

grazza · Post by **grazza** » Thu Apr 16, 2009 11:58 pm

I would like to see a northern version of the EPL though with Newcastle having an arena it may be tricky for them unless they just all go to Whitley Bay.

Northern League: From Scotland: Dundee, Edinburgh, Fife, Solway, Braehead (Looks Unlikely they will get much ice there)
Dundalk( Ireland),
From England: Manchester, Newcastle and or Whitley, Hull, maybe Blackburn or Billingham

Won't happen at least not next season as the elite is staying together next season though without Basingstoke. Sadly now it is basically just an English league with a team from the 3 other countries capitals. Elite is sadly not sustainable long term will there is the arena element to it.

Post by **Calv** » Fri Apr 24, 2009 9:22 pm

More rumours of Phoenix dropping out of the EIHL and going to the EPL, after Viper's co-owner Rob Wilson says its likely we will

Reynaldo28 · Post by **Reynaldo28** » Sat Apr 25, 2009 9:29 am

Newcastle are going to use the arena for half of there home games, and Whitley's arena for the other half.

Post by **Calv** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 12:47 pm

Looks like Luke Boothroyd & Adam Walker will be staying at Manchester next season, more signings to be announced this Thursday and also news on where the club will be with regards to league next season

Post by **Calv** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:29 pm

Phoenix to EPL confirmed

Published Date: 30 April 2009
EDINBURGH Capitals will play in an eight-strong Elite League next season it has been confirmed.

Manchester Phoenix officials have followed Basingstoke Bison in withdrawing from the league.

Phoenix, who have Edinburgh-based Tony Hand as their player/coach, will now compete in the English Premier League after suffering serious losses last season.

Club owner Neil Morris said: "Despite a quite remarkable campaign in many respects last season, the club as a business didn't realise its financial planning and that prompted a serious re-evalution of the operation.

"When we laid all the cards on the table, the option to move to the EPL ticked all the boxes.

"We believe that the English Premier League offers not only a great challenge for Tony Hand and his team but also the best opportunity to ensure the long-term future for the club and the sport in Manchester."

Reynaldo28 · Post by **Reynaldo28** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:16 pm

Wish Newcastle would too

Post by **Calv** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 4:29 pm

Tony Hand to break the 200 point mark again this season then?!?!