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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