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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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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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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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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Around the EIHL: Edition 6

Welcome again to "Around the EIHL", edition number six this week. As usual we're bringing you the latest signings and departures from all eleven Elite League. All transfers listed are up to and including yesterday, 10 June 2018.

Read on...

We start this as always with the Belfast Giants, and since last week's update there's been no further additions or departures there. However, they'll be working as hard as everyone else to find the right players to don the teal in 2018-19. Next up Braehead Clan, and they've found their starting netminder as Joel Rumpel arrives from the Utah Grizzlies. Wonder if the Purple Army will burst out into a rendition of "Let's Get Ready to Rumpel!" as part of their repertoire of songs next season? Think about it. One arrival at league champions Cardiff Devils, and it's a re-signing as utility man and GB internationalist Josh Batch commits himself to an eighth season in South Wales.

Still no new additions at Coventry Blaze since 16 May, but they've got to be pleased so far who they have on board at the moment. Two re-signings at Dundee Stars, as local boys Kris Inglis and Ben Edmonds are added to Omar Pacha's roster for the season ahead; taking the number signed so far to eleven. Finally though a signing at Fife Flyers, and what a re-signing it is as Evan Bloodoff returns for a second season in Kirkcaldy. A re-signing too at Guildford Flames as Jez Lundin signs a new two-year deal which will on conclusion take him to eleven seasons with the Surrey side.

A new face at Manchester Storm as Ryan Finnerty brings in American Rob Linsmayer from Ligue Magnus side Gap de Rapaces. A new face too for Milton Keynes Lightning as forward David Norris arrives from Arizona State University. Three in and one out at the Nottingham Panthers. Highly rated youngsters Joseph Hazeldine, Josh Tetlow and Jordan Kelsall return for a second campaign whilst defenceman Daniel Spang leaves the Lace City for DEL2 side Löwen Frankfurt. We finish with the Sheffield Steelers of course and it's one in, one out there. Joining is defenceman Josh McFadden who arrives from the University of Guelph whilst there is a major departure in winger Levi Nelson (more on him in another article) who has decided to hang up the skates.

Join us next week for more transfer updates...

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The Elite League Years: 2004-05

Welcome to our look back at the previous Elite League seasons as we chronicle the previous years ahead of the 2018-19 season. This time we look back at 2004-05.

The Elite League, despite the disputes, was back for a second season in 2004. Sheffield Steelers had won the first one thanks to an amazing winning run that saw them finish as champions by a convincing margin at the end. Could they make it back to back titles?

There was one noticeable absentee from that inaugural season, the Manchester Phoenix had failed to agree terms with their landlords for ice time at the, as it was then known, Manchester Evening News (MEN) Arena so the Elite League started with just seven member clubs. To fill a few gaps in the fixture list, there was a Crossover Cup which saw the EIHL sides take part in games against teams in the lesser BNL. This didn't count towards the Grand Slam though. With the NHL in lockout, a number of EIHL clubs bolstered their rosters with NHL players: remarkably Belfast, Cardiff and Sheffield didn't feel the need to do so for their own reasons.

Alas Steelers couldn't repeat their exploits of 2003-04, and they had a bad season by their standards finishing 5th out of 7 in the overall rankings. Only London and Basingstoke finished below them. The league trophy was fought out between Belfast and Coventry, with Blaze taking the eventual title by six points from the Northern Irish side. Blaze's successful campaign was inspired by their own dynamic duo; Adam Calder and Dan Carlson plus stellar goaltending from netminder Jody Lehman. Calder and Carlson led the league in points and goals scoring, whilst at the other end of the ice Lehman let in less than two goals a game on average to back stop the Blaze to glory.

The Challenge Cup saw the top two from each qualifying group make the semi-finals. These final four saw the finalists of last season's Challenge Cup be joined by Cardiff again and the impressive Blaze. Coventry edged past the Panthers 5-4 on aggregate in their semi-final; a 2-1 first leg win in the Sky Dome proving decisive as the teams shared a 3-3 tie in the NIC. In the other semi-final, it was a repeat of the semi-final of last season but this time it was the Devils who proved victorious. After a 2-2 draw in Sheffield, Devils won the second 3-1 in Cardiff to book their place in the two-legged Final. Alas that was good as it got for them as Coventry crushed them 6-1 in the first leg at the Sky Dome. Just for good measure, they won the second leg too - winning that by the odd goal in nine to record a 11-5 aggregate triumph.

Like the initial season, the top six made the group stages for the end of season play-offs with the top two in each qualifying for finals weekend. Because of the odd number of teams in the league, Basingstoke were the unfortunate ones to miss out completely. In Group A, Coventry and Nottingham prevailed whilst Cardiff and Sheffield qualified from Group B. In the first semi-final, the Blaze shutout the Steelers 3-0 whilst the Panthers made their second successive play-off final after seeing off the Devils 3-1. Defenceman Neal Martin gave the Blaze the lead but Nick Boynton (one of three NHL players Panthers iced during the lockout) levelled almost immediately. The game ultimately went to overtime, and it was former Panthers winger Ashley Tait who had the last laugh on the team that didn't want him with a winner 115 seconds before the end of the extra period. Grand Slam for the Blaze, the first in Elite League history.

The Panthers represented the league in the Continental Cup, and entered in the second round stage. They were desperately unlucky not to progress, finishing level on points with the Milan Vipers. However, the Vipers progressed to the next stage on goal difference: having a difference of +11 to Paul Adey's Panthers +3. If only they had beaten the Vipers in matchday one... 

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Around the EIHL: Edition 5

Welcome to the fifth edition of "Around the EIHL"; your one stop shop that tracks the transfer movements in and out for the upcoming 2018-19 season. Who has signed where and who has moved on, well read on and find out...

Transfers up to and including 9 June 2018.

As always we start with the Belfast Giants, just one signing again in the week just gone. The latest new face in Northern Ireland is GB internationalist Paul Swindlehurst who joins the Giants from fellow Elite League side Manchester Storm. Next stop Braehead Clan, and it's two in and one out for the West of Scotland side. Re-joining is backup netminder Gary Russell and joining them is forward Scott Tanski who signs from ECHL side Reading Royals. Leaving the Clan is power forward Jacob Doty, signed by fellow Neil Black owned club: the Nottingham Panthers.

It's the same for the current Elite League champions Cardiff Devils, that is two in and one out. The signings are returnees in the shape of netminding duo Ben Bowns and Thomas Murdy but there is a massive hole to fill on the defence corps as Andrew Hotham leaves Cardiff after four hugely successful seasons for pastures new back home in North America. Still no further activity at Coventry Blaze but one transaction at Dundee Stars where Cody Carlson leaves to join ASC Corona Brasov in Romania who have earlier this season also signed former Stars, Clan, and Blaze defenceman Craig Cescon.

Fife Flyers still haven't announced a player signing; and to be honest they never really rush into these so no change in the status quo there in Kirkcaldy. One in and one out for the Guildford Flames, and the signing is a huge re-signing too as impressive offensive defenceman Calle Ackered pens a new two year deal but Mikael Lidhammar departs the Elite League to become yet another signing for ASC Corona Brasov. Manchester Storm have been involved in one transaction though, but it's a departure as Paul Swindlehurst leaves for the Belfast Giants after two and half seasons in Altrincham.

Two more departures from last season's Milton Keynes Lightning side as Kyle Essery returns to Ligue Magnus with Lyon and Carl Hudson goes to Germany and DEL2 with Eispiraten Crimittschau. Two in and one out for the Nottingham Panthers. New to Lace City are Jacob Doty who joins from Braehead, and Jon Rheault who is acquired from EBEL side Klagenfurter AC. Leaving though is GB internationalist Evan Mosey who leaves for pastures unknown halfway through a two year deal which he signed last summer. Finally Sheffield Steelers have made their first brand new import signing of the season ahead as Josh Pitt (no relation to Braehead's Scott) who is acquired from the Kalamazoo Wings of the ECHL.

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