Major Changes - PLEASE READ!

Time to make a very important announcement folks. Strap yourself in..

Anyway after a few discussions held over the last few days, I have decided that this blog will end shortly. As soon as the EIHL previous seasons articles have caught up with the most recent season I'm calling time on it. Why am I doing this? Read on..

As of now I've become the Sheffield Steelers and New Jersey Devils article writer for "Chasing The Puck" which is run by my good friend Hazel Rayson. I'm excited to join a team that has writers from all around the Elite League, by the way we're still looking for someone to cover the Panthers though, and it's an opportunity I could not turn down. This blog has served itself so well but this new challenge is something else.

With Chasing the Puck, this enables my articles to be viewed by a much larger audience than what I have at present. That said, all you who have followed by my adventures in writing on Frozen Steel first and latterly this - are welcome to read my stuff on CTP. It'll still be the same opinionated stuff, but on a much larger base. I feel that this move will help develop my writing that bit more which is something that I want to do and you never know it could lead to other things.

Once I have posted the final article on here, I'll close the Facebook page down and also the associated Twitter feed too. Please go and like the Chasing the Puck page on Facebook and follow CTP on Twitter with the handle @CTPHockey; the website is to be found at www.chasingthepuck.com too. 

I will close this by thanking a few people: To my girlfriend Gillian whose support when I'm writing articles has been nothing but awesome, Alan - who helped me get Frozen Steel as it was to a new level indeed, Hazel - for giving me the chance with CTP which I am eternally grateful for, my family for their support and motivational words and finally, you the readers and my friends who have followed it on social media and online. It's been a blast, but new challenges await.

Yours forever in hockey,

Mark

Around the EIHL: Edition 8

Welcome once more to your weekly round-up of transfers in the EIHL as the season starts in earnest, two months from now. Whose signed where, well your one stop article has it covered right here. Read on and find out.

All transfers correct as of Saturday 30 June 2018.

We start as always with the Belfast Giants, and just one transfer this week. Arriving in Northern Ireland for the Giants blue line is defenceman Curtis Leonard who is acquired from ECHL side Fort Wayne Komets. Next up are of the Braehead Clan and they have been busy with two in and two out. A new face at the Clan is forward Liam Heelis who joins from rivals Fife Flyers and Matt Beca returns after spending last year in Manchester. Leaving though are defenceman Josh Grieveson who has joined the Solway Sharks, and promising Brit Jordan Buesa for pastures yet not confirmed.

Two more players for the Cardiff Devils 2018-19 roster and again, and in a familiar pattern: these are re-signings as captain Jake Morissette and Italian internationalist Sean Bentivoglio commit for a sixth and third season respectively. One in, four out for the Coventry Blaze though. Norwegian defenceman Nicolai Bryhnisveen arrives from HC Dukla Jihlava whilst Dorian Peca, Alex Barron, Vojtech Kloz and Adam Courchaine will be all playing elsewhere next season. One transaction for Dundee Stars and it'll be a new face in between the pipes as netminder Travis Fullerton heads south of the border to join Guildford. Two departures for the Fife Flyers and crucial departures too; Liam Heelis swaps the East Coast for the West as he joins rivals Braehead whilst fellow forward Shayne Stockton has decided to retire from the sport.

One player in and one player out for the Guildford Flames as Travis Fullerton arrives at the Spectrum to form one part of a goaltending triumvirate but Slovakian blueliner Tomas Nechala heads across the English Channel to join Remparts de Tours in the second tier of the French hockey structure. Just the one movement at Manchester Storm as Matt Beca re-joins the Braehead Clan, and a single transfer for the Milton Keynes Lightning as they acquire former NHLer Tim Wallace from the Sheffield Steelers.

Two more clubs complete the list as always. Firstly, the Nottingham Panthers and Rich Chernomaz's roster continues with its rebuild as Kevin Henderson, who played four games for Nashville in "The Show" during the 2012-13 season, arrives from Danish club SønderjyskE but heading to Denmark are Mark Derlago who joins Esbjerg Energy and GB internationalist Evan Mosey who becomes a Herning Blue Fox. Finally, the Sheffield Steelers. One in and two out there with experienced centre Evan McGrath arriving from EC Kassel Huskies of DEL2, but Tim Wallace and Miika Franssila joining Milton Keynes Lightning and Dunaújvárosi Acélblkál respectively.

Join us next week for more transfer updates....

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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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