Capital(s) Punishment: Fan Interview - Part 2

Welcome back to our special interview with Edinburgh Capitals supporter Chris Gent. It's the second part of the article which Chris discuss the Caps further and finishes off with the naming of his all-time Caps team. Hope you've enjoyed this article, I hope I can do a few more fan interviews in the weeks and months ahead.

Thanks for reading it, and many thanks of course to Chris himself for agreeing to take part - it's very much appreciated.

HB: What does the loss of EIHL hockey mean for the city of Edinburgh?

CG: There will be a very small fan base next year in Edinburgh supporting ice hockey in the city. I think we may struggle to get back now to that level. What I wanted was an Elite League club moving forwards, we needed change as it wasn't. But this was 2 steps backwards, many passionate fans have walked away. 

As a spectator sport we have damaged the city badly. It's a long road back, but I hope we can get there. 4 generations of my family have watched hockey in Edinburgh, my daughter won't be there next year so maybe it ends there. That's the sad part. 

HB: Do you think we will see an EIHL side return to Edinburgh anytime?

CG: Honest answer is no. Love to be proved wrong, but I'm concerned I don't see it again and I'm in my 40s. The league grows year on year. London in the wings. Hull. When we lost that spot I think it got very difficult to get back. But I'm not giving up and the best chance I see right now is Capitals returning with a new stronger structure. We will see. 

HB: How personally, are you going to get your hockey fix this season ahead?

CG: I saw people say support Racers, you're cutting off your nose on this one. A minority of fans will switch to them and carry on and that's fair enough. I can't just switch and watch that level. It's good skating local players and I get why some like it, but as a spectacle it's not even close to the EIHL. I paid to watch the best the UK has, often on the other side to be fair ha ha. But I loved the level, it's by a distance the best UK league. My heart remains with Caps and my head Elite for now. 

I'll meet up with friends, go see some games around the country. Play offs are an amazing event that's tempting. Ultimately though the sad part is I'm worried I drift away and as someone who loved the sport for over 30 years that's a strange feeling. 

HB: And finally Chris, name your all-star Caps line-up.

CG: NM - Cody Rudkowsky, DF - Michal Dobron, Jan Krajicek, FW - Owen Fussey, Mark Hurtbise and Stevie Kaye.

On behalf of the Hockey Blog, thanks again mate - hope to see you in a rink somewhere soon!

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The Elite League Years: 2006-07

Welcome to the fourth edition in our series of looking back at previous Elite League seasons. This time we transport ourselves back into the 2006-07 season, season number four for the EIHL.

The previous season had seen the domestic honours be shared around three different clubs, but who would come out as top dogs this time out? The league itself had a change, and a positive one too as the number of member clubs expanded from eight to ten. Joining the league were the Hull Stingrays who made the jump from the English Premier League which itself was the newer second tier hockey level after the implosion of the BNL a couple of seasons ago, and after a two year absence: the Manchester Phoenix. This gave the teams a 54 game regular season with each team playing the others three times both home and away.

Could Belfast retain their title? Well they came close with a second placed finish but the eventual winners proved to be the Coventry Blaze. It was Coventry's second title in just three seasons and they were quickly becoming one of the league's powerhouses despite only joining the top level four years previous. It was bitter sweet for the Giants who looked nailed on to win back-to-back titles but the Blaze hauled them in and eventually took the title by four points. Cardiff and Sheffield had better seasons, being not as far off the pace whilst the newcomers suffered differing fortunes. Manchester finished a more than creditable sixth but Hull finished ninth, level on points with Edinburgh, but one more regulation win would see the East Yorkshire side avoid the wooden spoon.

In the Challenge Cup, the semi-finals saw the established names of Coventry and Sheffield take on the newbies of Manchester and Hull. The results went with the form book as both the Blaze and the Steelers won 6-3 on aggregate. The first leg of the final was played in the Sky Dome on Valentine's Day, and it ended up with the Blaze holding a slender 4-3 advantage. We had to wait six weeks before the second leg could be played, and with such a small deficit to overcome then you might have backed Sheffield to do it. However, the Blaze scorched to a 5-1 triumph in the House of Steel to wrap up their second trophy of the season.

Was it to be a second Grand Slam for the Blaze? Well, no as they were beaten in the semi-final stage by a much improved Cardiff side. Cardiff took that one 3-2 and would face the Panthers in the Final. Panthers had taken out both the Steelers and the Giants in their route to the Final, but could they finish the job off? They made the perfect start with GB internationalist David Clarke giving them the lead in the first minute, a lead that they managed to hold onto until the early stages of the third and final period. Devils defenceman Tyson Teplitsky with a bullet of a shot to tie the game up. Both teams had chances after that to win it but it ended up going to penalties and only one attempt proved successful thanks to Panthers' Trevor Gallant whilst at the other end netminder Rasti Rovnianek denied the Devils shooters. It was a first trophy for new head coach Mike Ellis.

Into Europe, and the Continental Cup. Both Belfast and Newcastle decided no dice when it came to playing in the tournament so the flag bearers ended up being the Panthers as the next ranked team in the previous league season standings. Alas, it proved to be a less than successful tournament for them. They failed to win a single game or point in their group which was based in the French city of Rouen. The hosts beat them 6-2 in the opener but results improved a little bit in their two remaining games as they conceded one less goal each time. A 5-2 loss in game two to EC Red Bull Salzburg, then in their final match a 4-2 loss to Danes SønderjyskE. 

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Capital(s) Punishment: Fan Interview - Part 1

This season, 2018-19, marks the first season of no Elite League hockey in the Scottish capital. After years of flirting with uncertainty, the Capitals finally succumbed to a very sad end in April 2018 when a consortium led by David Hand (brother of "Sir" Tony) won the ice contract at the rink. Hand pressed then for a Elite League franchise to be awarded to his "Murrayfield Racers" but this was declined by the EIHL board. This decision ensured that no top level hockey would be in Edinburgh after 13 seasons.

You have to feel for the fans who supported the Capitals through those thick and thin times, they deserve better. One of those fans, Chris Gent, has agreed to talk about a few things and from his replies, you can taste the passion he has for his hockey club. We bring you the first part of the interview right here, so please read on...

HB: How sad was it to see the Caps finish in the way they did?

CG: Well to be fair last season was tough to start with. The failed Russian recruitment strategy really hurt the club and left us open to this situation. I think the saddest part of it all was the response was in place. Scott needed help to run the club, you could argue it should have been well before, but a new structure was in place and I'd seen it start to take shape. More experience, shared accountability, investment. This season would have been stronger, but it wasn't to be. Can't explain losing your club to folk who haven't. Then to see what's unfolded since, the drop in standard in Edinburgh this year, hammer blow for our sport. Many will now drift away from ice hockey sadly. I love the sport but can't simply ignore all that's happened, I'll be at some EIHL games though.

HB: If anyone is to blame for it, whom in your opinion should carry the can for it and why?

CG: Shared blame. I think the Caps organisation could have done more especially last season, there were obvious issues. At times it felt fans were taken for granted. That for me left the door ajar for this move. The rink I also blame, they showed a complete disregard for ice hockey in their stance that they would side with Racers regardless of the level of hockey they have on show. Personal issues over what's best for the public and I'm the end their own income. The Racers are also very much to blame. Their botched attempt to get in to the EIHL then the NIHL showed to me they didn't have half the business case they had folk believe. If you're moving in to improve ice hockey in Edinburgh and you are not certain you are in the Elite, fall on your sword when rejected and let us get back to the top league hockey we had. Their intentions were good, but they've knocked the sport back in Edinburgh for years as a spectator sport.

HB: Could anything have been done to save the Caps?

CG: No more could have been done within Caps over the summer. As I said yes, previously, a better structure years back. But this summer no. The rink had made up their mind it was Racers, and despite an "Elite or nothing" statement from them they were never letting go of control once in.

HB: Were the EIHL right to refuse the application from the “Murrayfield Racers”?

CG: Tough one as I feel Edinburgh could run an Elite League team. Ultimately we need a new venue to truly step up, major advertising and I'd want a new brand altogether. In this case though yes I do think the EIHL got it right. A small fan base already then divided and business case with allegedly was overly optimistic in terms of fans means it wasn't solid enough. This city should have Elite, better managed, stronger, but Dundee, Glasgow and Kirkcaldy are there and not Edinburgh. That's gutting. 

Part two of our interview with Chris will appear later this week.

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Around the EIHL: Edition 7

Welcome to the seventh edition of "Around the EIHL" which at the moment is keeping you up to date with the transfers in and out from the 11 members clubs. Time then to sit down, pour yourself a cool drink and relax.

Transfers up to and including Saturday 23 June 2018.

We will of course start with the Belfast Giants and it's two players in and one out. Arriving from the University of Saskatchewan are defenceman Kendall McFall and forward Josh Roach. Leaving Northern Ireland though, is towering defenceman Ryan Martinelli who is reunited with former Giants team-mate Jackson Whistle at rivals Sheffield Steelers. Now time for Braehead Clan and they too have had two in and one out on this latest update. Arriving for Pete Russell's men are Dane Rasmus Bjerrum who comes from Odense Bulldogs and youngster Mac Howlett who was at SaiPa Under-18's in Finland last season. Departing the Clan though is defenceman Cameron Burt who heads off to MAC Budapest.

One signing for champions Cardiff Devils and it's a re-signing too as former NHL draft pick Gleason Fournier returns for his third full season. Busy times at Coventry Blaze this week as they announced four signings, defenceman Trey Lewis joins the roster from the University of New Brunswick whilst youngsters Matthew Maurice, Edward Knaggs and Oliver Lord join from NIHL sides Solihull Barons, Bracknell Bees and Milton Keynes Thunder respectively whilst there's an absence from the blue line as Gaelan Patterson decided to hang up his skates. No further additions yet from Dundee Stars but we can be re-assured that Omar Pacha will be working hard towards to bolster his roster.

After announcing their first signing of 2018-19 last week, Fife Flyers make it two with the re-signing of Carlo Finucci who joins for a third campaign. Just one transaction at Guildford Flames and it's an exit as former Sheffield Steelers play-off winner Geoff Walker chose to hang up the skates to become Head Coach of the Hinton Wildcats in the Western States Hockey League. Two in and out at Manchester Storm as forward Shane Bakker re-joins and former NHL draft pick Harrison Ruopp arrives on the blueline from Balgonie Bisons of the Qu'Appelle Valley Hockey League. Leaving Altrincham are last season's captain Jay Rosehill who has decided to retire and Andrew McKinney who moves into the NIHL with Telford Tigers.

We start the final summaries with Milton Keynes Lightning and they have brought in Finn Joonas Huovinen from Polish club GKS Tychy in their only transfer move of the week. Two in and one out at the Nottingham Panthers in the week they also launched their new jerseys for 2018-19, someone remind the people at Warrior to give Josh Tetlow one that actually fits him...Anyway re-signing in the Lace City are forward Luke Pither who impressed in his short spell last year and in a welcome return; cult hero Guillaume Lèpine who was at ECHL side Wichita Thunder in 17-18. Leaving though, is the abrasive forward Jeff Brown who has joined Ligue Magnus side Gap De Rapaces. 

Last but not least it's the Sheffield Steelers and they've had a busy week too. Joining them are energetic forward Tanner Eberle (cousin of NHLer Jordan) who is acquired from ECHL side Jacksonville Ice Men and no-nonsense defenceman Ryan Martinelli who is obtained from EIHL rivals Belfast. No longer at the House of Steel are playmaking defender Ben O'Connor who joins Swedish Allsvenskan side Leksands (Steelers' first pre-season opponents ironically) and in a huge loss Mathieu Roy who has had to retire due to persistent injury problems.

Join us next week for a further update as the start of the season inches that bit closer.

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NHL Life: Edition 5

Welcome to the fifth edition of NHL Life, your look at hockey over the pond. This edition will concentrate on the NHL Draft in Dallas over the last couple of the days. As we build up to another year, we plan to talk about the trades going on in the close season for our future NHL articles but then again not - we shall see.

In the meantime, let's talk about the NHL Draft and what it means for a certain person.

The NHL Draft, the picking and the choosing of the best young players in the world to play in the best hockey league in the world. We've seen some fantastic players chosen as number one, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin for example but also we have had some duds over the years haven't we? I mean one that stands out has to be the New York Islanders pick of goaltender Rick DiPietro. Rick is famous for signing an insane 15 year contract with the Isles in 2006, and although he appeared in 328 NHL games (regular and play-off) it was a very stop and start career.

However, this year's number one pick was estimated to be highly talented Swedish defenceman Rasmus Dahlin and sure enough, the Buffalo Sabres (who had the choice) did just that. Yet here in the UK, the interest later on was what we focusing on. Sheffield Steelers winger Liam Kirk had been scouted extensively in the 2017-18 season by a number of NHL scouts at Steelers games. The intensity increased when the Rotherham born player was invited to the prestigious NHL Combine which all the top talents go to and do a number of exercises as well as to talk to prospective NHL teams who might draft them when it comes to the big day(s) ahead. Kirk impressed there, finishing in the top 25: highly rated then despite playing a 79 game season and hardly any rest.

With the results of the Combine, and with what had been said before, a lot of scouting networks were estimating that Liam would go either fourth or fifth round at least. That would be immense considering the actual draft only lasts seven rounds, 217 players chosen. Where he would go was another question. Both the afore-mentioned Sabres and the Detroit Red Wings were the big names touted but it could be anyone to be honest. Come day two of the draft, we waited.

The fourth round came and went. Fourth would have been great but most thought fifth round would be it. Both Buffalo and Detroit had their picks and it passed by, so we went onto round six with some people over here concerned that what we were all expected - was not going to. Round number six, and still nothing. Right this is getting serious now, one more round and 31 choices to make - would Liam get his name on that coveted draft board. At the third pick, the bell finally rang. Arizona Coyotes decided to draft one of the most prestigious talents in the UK since Tony Hand was chosen by the Edmonton Oilers in 1986.

So what happens next for Liam? Every hockey fan with half a brain knows that Liam isn't going into the Coyotes starting line up. It's a new learning curve for the young man and he will probably be picked in the upcoming CHL draft, which is this week coming, to continue his development. Give it time, and with his ability, Liam could be knocking on the door further and then make more history. Already he's the first Englishman to be drafted in "The Show", and the sky is the limit for a kid from Maltby. He's certainly got it. We will be keenly watching Liam!

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The Elite League Years: 2005-06

Welcome again to the latest look back at previous seasons in the Elite League. We're up to season number three in this edition, it's time to cast our eyes back to the 2005-06 season.

After the Grand Slam the previous year, all eyes were on the Coventry Blaze to see if they could repeat the feat or would they be a one trick pony as the saying goes. The League itself had expanded from the previous campaign with Newcastle Vipers and Edinburgh Capitals starting their first seasons in the EIHL after the collapse of the BNL which took the number of teams to nine. However, only eight would finish the seasons as the London Racers folded mid-season after rink problems throughout. London's playing record was expunged which meant each team played a total of 42 league games. It proved to be the last season we would see a team from the Capital in the top flight of British hockey.

Back to the league itself, and it was a first ever EIHL title to head over to Northern Ireland. Belfast had decided before a puck was dropped to not compete in the Challenge Cup, as they couldn't guarantee ice time and it proved to be a gamble that paid off as they were never headed and took the Monteith Bowl for the first time in this new structure (they had won the old Superleague in 2001-02); an impressive feat for a club that was only six years old. Newcomers Newcastle pushed them hard but their hopes ended in early March with an unexpected loss away to fellow newcomers Edinburgh. Both Cardiff and Sheffield had poor seasons, finishing 5th and 6th respectively.

In the Challenge Cup, the eight teams that did take part were divided into two groups of four with the four most southern teams making up Group A and consequently the four northern based ones made up Group B. From these groups, Cardiff and Coventry prevailed from Group A and Nottingham and Newcastle from Group B. Both semi-finals proved to be close with Cardiff seeing off the Vipers 3-2 on aggregate, and the Blaze edging past the Panthers in a goal-laden encounter: 8-7 over two legs. So we had a repeat of the previous season's Challenge Cup Final and most thought it was going to stay in Coventry as the Blaze racked up a 3-0 advantage in the first leg played at the Sky Dome, all the goals coming in the first 13 minutes. But the Devils roared back in the second leg, inspired by Canadian winger Nathan Rempel, whom they acquired after London's collapse. The winger scored twice and assisted on another to erase the deficit before halfway. Jeff Hutchins edged the Blaze back in front but Rempel completed an incredible hat-trick with just 20 seconds left to force overtime. Overtime couldn't separate the teams so penalties were needed, Rejean Stringer was the only player to score and it meant the comeback was complete.

So two trophies down, and two different clubs as winner. Could either make it a double season or would there be a different one again for the Play-Offs. Both Cardiff and Belfast made the final four but that's where it ended for both as they were defeated by Sheffield and Newcastle respectively. I personally missed this as I was recovering from a major knee operation, and it would have been heartbreak if I had been there anyway as the Vipers stung the Steelers with a come from behind win; former Steeler David Longstaff scoring the game winning goal. A nice ending to a dèbut season for the North-East club.

Meanwhile there was also European action as the Blaze represented the EIHL in the Continental Cup trophy. Paul Thompson's side entered at the second round stage, but that was as good as it was for them as they exited at the same stage: beaten 2-0 in a winner takes all game with hosting club Grenoble. 

This was also the season when we saw the last ever hockey played in the old Wales National Ice Rink before the Devils relocated to the "Big Blue Tent" and we had the privilege of seeing NHL superstar Theo Fleury grace these shores as a member of the Belfast Giants. 

Who would come out on top in 2006-07, join us next week to find out. 

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Merci Mathieu!

Last night the Steelers team planning took an unexpected, in some eyes, change when forward Mathieu Roy announced that he was retiring from hockey. The French-Canadian winger had been expected to ice in the second of a two year deal but injuries picked up over recent seasons have caused him to reverse that decision and regrettably hang up the skates.

Mathieu Roy, or as I personally heard him announced at Dundee once "Mathew Roy" - Roy as in sounding like boy - is already a modern day Steelers legend. Not just for the goals he scored, but for the fact that this player always put his body on the line every night and every shift he took. The amount of bumps he took off opposing defencemen in front of the goal are too many to count, but for Mathieu that was part of his job and it was a job that he did to such good effect.

The Amos born winger first arrived in Sheffield in the summer of 2014 when Gerad Adams attracted him for his first period outside North America. Prior to joining the Steelers, Roy had spent the previous six seasons with the Florida Everblades of the ECHL; of which the last three were as captain. His perfomances there helped the Everblades to a Kelly Cup triumph in 2012. He already looked the perfect fit for the Steelers who had struggled to replace Joey Talbot who retired in 2011, and we weren't disappointed.

In that first season, Mathieu racked up 100 points in all competitions which was a phenomenal achievement. Granted he had the benefit of being on the top line with fellow newcomers Michael Forney and Colton Fretter, but he always had the knack of being in the right place at the right time when the team needed a goal. Parking himself on top of the goalie's crease, Mathieu developed the art of scoring what we call the "garbage goals" - picking up the trash and lighting the lamp with regularity. He was a winner already, and the Steelers benefitted with a league triumph to their honours board.

Could we keep hold of such a player, or would he scamper off as some thought to new challenges in Europe? Mathieu, if you look at his career, likes to put down roots and shortly before the play-offs were done and dusted: signed a two year extension. The league recognised him as well, naming him as their league MVP at the end of the season. Whilst he wasn't as prolific in his second season, nobody really expected those numbers from season one to be replicated, he still helped the Steelers to back-to-back EIHL triumphs in 2015-16.

However he was starting to pick up a few bumps and these were causing him to miss games here and there. Mathieu was though, happy to sign a second extension at the end of the 2016-17 campaign and once more it was another two year deal. It certainly implied, and Mathieu said it in his farewell statement, that the forward was looking to finish his professional hockey career as a Steeler. But the injuries finally caught up and forced the decision which came last night which saddened us all. It certainly leaves another huge hole to fill as I'm sure that Paul Thompson was going to use Mathieu's experience in addition to the youthful talent he has already recruited. 

Yet there's no use in crying over spilt milk as the saying goes, Steelers will find themselves a new Mathieu Roy who is ready to go to war and battle for his team, scoring the garbage goals and becoming a new hero. The King leaves us with an incredible record of 298 points in just 273 games which puts him 16th in the all-time list. A record that some players would give their right arm or leg for. We will miss him for sure, long live the King. 

As the title of this article says: "Merci Mathieu."

What's your favourite Mathieu Roy moment, let us know...

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