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.

Please like The Hockey Blog on Facebook and for Twitter users you can connect with us at:

@hockeybhoy

@hockeyblogger71 

If you want to e-mail me then I can be reached at the following email address: hockeybhoy71@outlook.com

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!

Please like The Hockey Blog on Facebook and for Twitter users you can connect with us at:

@hockeybhoy

@hockeyblogger71 

If you want to e-mail me then I can be reached at the following email address: hockeybhoy71@outlook.com

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. 

Please like The Hockey Blog on Facebook and for Twitter users you can connect with us at:

@hockeybhoy

@hockeyblogger71 

If you want to e-mail me then I can be reached at the following email address: hockeybhoy71@outlook.com

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...

Please like The Hockey Blog on Facebook and for Twitter users you can connect with us at:

@hockeybhoy

@hockeyblogger71 

If you want to e-mail me then I can be reached at the following email address: hockeybhoy71@outlook.com

Farewell Number 76 - A Thank You To Levi Nelson

Friday evening saw some sad breaking news for Sheffield Steelers fans when Canadian winger Levi Nelson announced his retirement from the sport. A popular player with the Steelers supporters, his absence will be felt when the new Steelers team takes to the ice in the middle of August.

A former Boston Bruins NHL draft pick from 2006, when he was selected in the 6th round (158th overall), Levi arrived in Sheffield in the summer of 2015 as one of Paul Thompson's new signing when he took over as Head Coach. Some people doubted Thompson's judgement at bringing him in as the player had suffered an injury curtailed campaign the season before when he could only ice in 19 games for the Idaho Steelheads in the ECHL and wondered if the winger could cut it in the hard and physical world of the Elite League.

Thompson obviously thought he could and felt the Canadian could replicate his form of 2013-14 when he captured a league and cup double with Ritten Renon; and picked up 64 points in just 56 games. The judgement was proved to be an accurate one as he helped the Steelers to a second successive Monteith Bowl, scoring almost a point a game. He also developed a great understanding with fellow winger and the GB internationalist in Robert Dowd with their crash, bang, wallop style of play which gave no team peace and quiet. Fans were loving it if they were wearing orange, whilst other teams fans were in awe at Nelson's destructive skills which often turned their team's defences to rubble.

After such a great dèbut season, could the Steelers retain his services for a second season? The fans were overjoyed just days after the play-off final weekend as Levi signed a new two-year deal with the Club. Whilst the silky Swede Markus Nilsson didn't return to reunite probably the best second line in the league, Thompson replacing him with the experienced Andreas Valdix, "The Bash Brothers" were reunited to cause more mayhem in 2016-17. Steelers failed in their bid to capture the Elite League's first ever three-peat but hit form at just about the right time in the play-off with equally popular French-Canadian Guillaume Desbiens playing a starring role but Nelson was to become the hero in a game which has already become known as probably one of the best games ever.

With Steelers and Cardiff, who were chasing a Grand Slam, locked at 5-5 after regulation time: few would have expected to see what would happen next. One period of 20 minute overtime failed to separate the sides, and we looked certainties to go into a third session as the game ticked past the 94 minute mark. Nelson picked up a pass on the right wing then cut inside before unleashing a superb wrist shot that went over the shoulder of GB internationalist Ben Bowns for his second of the game and seal a play-off triumph for the Steelers. Later on it was revealed that Nelson had played in overtime with the aid of injections and since January with delayed surgery on knee ligaments. Nelson's cult hero status went to a new level altogether.

Nelson iced for a third and final season in 2017-18 but couldn't help the Steelers to retain their play-off title yet posted some more than credible numbers. All in all, Levi played in 206 games for the Steelers and chipped in with 177 points of which 79 were goals. Not bad an effort. As I said at the beginning, his presence will be felt in the new season's roster as he was such a very popular player with fans and team-mates alike. if you're an opposing fan, you can breathe a little bit easier now.

Good luck with the future Levi, once a Steeler - always one.

Please like The Hockey Blog on Facebook and for Twitter users you can connect with us at:

@hockeybhoy

@hockeyblogger71 

If you want to e-mail me then I can be reached at the following email address: hockeybhoy71@outlook.com