Right. There’s been far too much ‘ooh-ing’ and ‘aah-ing’ and whining and crying and namby-pamby, arty-farty, girly rubbish on this blog recently, and for that I apologise. We’re now at the business end of the summer and so finally, it’s time for me to put sentimentality aside and take an objective look at the coming season. Who’s looking good and who is struggling? Which signings have put the fear of god into the opposition? Who will I be paying my money to go and see next season? Have I learnt anything at all about hockey since last season, and can I pass myself off as a decent hockey writer? These and other questions are about to be answered as I engage in a team-by-team 2011/12 preview. Bold, ambitious, in several parts, and ultimately likely to result in a discussion about beards. But before I launch into roving reporter mode in an attempt to convince you all I’m worth taking seriously, I feel I must balance the factual with the juicy, the speculative and the downright contentious. I bring you:
MY SUMMARY OF THE SUMMER ACTION – AND BY THAT I MAINLY MEAN ‘GOSSIP’!!
There were juicy snippets in all possible areas of hockey life. It all started with a glorious performance by team GB in the Ukraine. After that, things got snipey. Owners bickered. Companies went into liquidation. New teams raised their status. Players became coaches, moved between English clubs, moved to Europe, moved back again. Coaches were staying, then going. Key imports were re-signed, lost and discovered. Hull and Edinburgh went Euro-centric. Giants got smaller. Mystery surrounded the whereabouts of Brad Voth. Shoes were put back on. Then taken off again when he was found. The hockey world acquired its very own Julian Assange. Dave Simms offended people. Rumour sites vied to bring the most accurate gossip, earliest. Dave Simms misled people on several occasions. Coventry started over having had half of their team retire. Danny Meyers had surgery and then declared he would put on a stone as if to compensate for the loss of Jade Galbraith in Nottingham. The shock move of the summer occurred involving the latter-named player. And Vipers fans became nomadic.
Okay enough of that. Now on with the facts! I’ll present the teams in two parts to break it down in an attempt to let my wisdom fully penetrate your brain-holes. But to keep things orderly, I’m going to do it in alphabetical order. Let’s do this thing!
BELFAST GIANTS
It seems to have become standard in recent years for the Northern Irish team to assemble a selection of players capable of contending for the league title but without an end product to speak of. Coach Doug Christiansen had his critics last season and despite boasting a roster of quality imports, honours were not forthcoming. But this season could be different. He has once again pulled together a mouth-watering selection of North Americans in what looks to be the strongest collection of imports of any team, even further bolstered by their decision to go with 11 imports, surely a statement of intent from Christiansen, and if the British players can raise their game and Christiansen can get his tactics right, I don’t see any reason they shouldn’t be top of the pile come March. The Giants are the team to beat this season and quite frankly on paper, the title looks theirs to lose. I for one cannot wait to see them in action.
One to watch: It has to be Adam Keefe. He’s created the most buzz over the last few weeks, isn’t afraid of a fight despite lacking in the height department, can put away a few goals it seems, and most importantly he looks just like that wrestler. You know the one. Er…
Predicted finish: I really think they can, and will, do it this season. 1st.
Fun fact: Belfast have possibly the shortest collection of players in ice hockey history, despite their name. This is ironic. Someone call Alanis Morrissette.
MY SUMMARY OF THE SUMMER ACTION – AND BY THAT I MAINLY MEAN ‘GOSSIP’!!
There were juicy snippets in all possible areas of hockey life. It all started with a glorious performance by team GB in the Ukraine. After that, things got snipey. Owners bickered. Companies went into liquidation. New teams raised their status. Players became coaches, moved between English clubs, moved to Europe, moved back again. Coaches were staying, then going. Key imports were re-signed, lost and discovered. Hull and Edinburgh went Euro-centric. Giants got smaller. Mystery surrounded the whereabouts of Brad Voth. Shoes were put back on. Then taken off again when he was found. The hockey world acquired its very own Julian Assange. Dave Simms offended people. Rumour sites vied to bring the most accurate gossip, earliest. Dave Simms misled people on several occasions. Coventry started over having had half of their team retire. Danny Meyers had surgery and then declared he would put on a stone as if to compensate for the loss of Jade Galbraith in Nottingham. The shock move of the summer occurred involving the latter-named player. And Vipers fans became nomadic.
Okay enough of that. Now on with the facts! I’ll present the teams in two parts to break it down in an attempt to let my wisdom fully penetrate your brain-holes. But to keep things orderly, I’m going to do it in alphabetical order. Let’s do this thing!
BELFAST GIANTS
It seems to have become standard in recent years for the Northern Irish team to assemble a selection of players capable of contending for the league title but without an end product to speak of. Coach Doug Christiansen had his critics last season and despite boasting a roster of quality imports, honours were not forthcoming. But this season could be different. He has once again pulled together a mouth-watering selection of North Americans in what looks to be the strongest collection of imports of any team, even further bolstered by their decision to go with 11 imports, surely a statement of intent from Christiansen, and if the British players can raise their game and Christiansen can get his tactics right, I don’t see any reason they shouldn’t be top of the pile come March. The Giants are the team to beat this season and quite frankly on paper, the title looks theirs to lose. I for one cannot wait to see them in action.
One to watch: It has to be Adam Keefe. He’s created the most buzz over the last few weeks, isn’t afraid of a fight despite lacking in the height department, can put away a few goals it seems, and most importantly he looks just like that wrestler. You know the one. Er…
Predicted finish: I really think they can, and will, do it this season. 1st.
Fun fact: Belfast have possibly the shortest collection of players in ice hockey history, despite their name. This is ironic. Someone call Alanis Morrissette.
Is this the one I meant? I'm not even sure.
BRAEHEAD CLAN
The Clan have had a funny summer, opening with a couple of strong signings and then going quiet for a while. Plans went up in the air when coach Bruce Richardson, who had already committed his future to the club for the forthcoming season, changed his mind and decided to leave for a job in North America. Rumours as to his replacement rumbled through July and were finally quelled with the appointment of Drew Bannister, who spent part of last season in Hull and brings with him a wealth of experience. Bannister slapped his cards on the table almost immediately as in one of the most surprising moves of the summer, he secured the signature of Panther’s star man Jade Galbraith. Then they went quiet again and remain so with a number of players yet to be announced. There seems to have been unrest bubbling under the surface all summer over off-ice matters and it remains to be seen if this will have any effect on the on-ice product this season. I also can’t fail to point out that the Clan are now in possession of one Samuel L Zajac (middle initial actually unknown), formerly of the Vipers of Newcastle. They’d better look after him or there’ll be trouble. Mainly from him.
One to watch: Jade Galbraith will rule the roost in Glasgow and continue to frustrate defences up and down the land.
Predicted finish: 6th
Fun fact: In hockey terms, I have the most in common with the Clan, as we are both one year old! For this and other reasons, I will mainly be following this team for the 2011/12 season.
CARDIFF DEVILS
The Devils absolutely stormed the 2010/11 season and were desperately unlucky to walk away with no silverware to show for it. I’m sorry to say I don’t think they will repeat the heroics of last season this time around. Despite retaining the services of influential American forward Scott Matzka after a will-he-won’t-he move to France collapsed at the 11th hour, the Devils have sustained arguably the biggest losses of any Elite League side following the departures of Ryan Finnerty, Tylor Michel, Craig Weller and top-scorer Jon Pelle. Gerad Adams has added strength to his side with the signing of defencemen Chris Frank, and talisman Brad Voth announced he would see out his career in Cardiff this season, spending an seventh consecutive year with the Devils, but they are going to have to rely on the combined fire-power of returners Matzka and Max Birbraer to have a hope of competing with the likes of Belfast this season.
One to watch: Scott Matzka. Guy needs to step up to the plate this season and provide serious amounts of goals to give the Welsh side any hope of contending,
Predicted finish: Sorry to say, I cannot see them finishing higher than 5th (Note, I originally wrote this on 4th August BEFORE Simmsey made this prediction).
Fun fact: Cardiff is in Wales! That’s a whole other country! They talk funny there. And they have a fantastic set of fans!
COVENTRY BLAZE
Along with Panthers, Blaze were one of the teams who chose to show their cards early in the off-season, more through necessity than choice as a significant complement of their core had made the decision to retire from the sport. They signed a number of quality imports early on including former Newcastle Viper, Slovenian Matic Kralj and Canadian starlet Shea Guthrie. They have assembled a good range of players and look set to mount a more significant challenge on the bigger sides than they did in their disappointing 10/11 season. They are an exciting and dynamic prospect and will be a real handful this season.
The Devils absolutely stormed the 2010/11 season and were desperately unlucky to walk away with no silverware to show for it. I’m sorry to say I don’t think they will repeat the heroics of last season this time around. Despite retaining the services of influential American forward Scott Matzka after a will-he-won’t-he move to France collapsed at the 11th hour, the Devils have sustained arguably the biggest losses of any Elite League side following the departures of Ryan Finnerty, Tylor Michel, Craig Weller and top-scorer Jon Pelle. Gerad Adams has added strength to his side with the signing of defencemen Chris Frank, and talisman Brad Voth announced he would see out his career in Cardiff this season, spending an seventh consecutive year with the Devils, but they are going to have to rely on the combined fire-power of returners Matzka and Max Birbraer to have a hope of competing with the likes of Belfast this season.
One to watch: Scott Matzka. Guy needs to step up to the plate this season and provide serious amounts of goals to give the Welsh side any hope of contending,
Predicted finish: Sorry to say, I cannot see them finishing higher than 5th (Note, I originally wrote this on 4th August BEFORE Simmsey made this prediction).
Fun fact: Cardiff is in Wales! That’s a whole other country! They talk funny there. And they have a fantastic set of fans!
COVENTRY BLAZE
Along with Panthers, Blaze were one of the teams who chose to show their cards early in the off-season, more through necessity than choice as a significant complement of their core had made the decision to retire from the sport. They signed a number of quality imports early on including former Newcastle Viper, Slovenian Matic Kralj and Canadian starlet Shea Guthrie. They have assembled a good range of players and look set to mount a more significant challenge on the bigger sides than they did in their disappointing 10/11 season. They are an exciting and dynamic prospect and will be a real handful this season.
One to watch: Shea Guthrie is a young talent who promises much. One of the players I’m most looking forward to seeing in action, he has size, speed and skill on his side.
Predicted finish: Blaze will do better this season with their young, dynamic side, and could give the likes of Nottingham a real run for their money. 4th.
Fun fact: Americans call Coventry ‘Cuventry’. If I was a Blaze fan I’d be hard pushed not to correct them every time they said that. I suppose I should be grateful there isn’t a team in Birming-HAM.
DUNDEE STARS
Dundee have flown under the radar this summer in terms of gossip, signings and general goings-on, but that’s not to say the wheels haven’t been turning in the chilly outer reaches of Scotland (well, okay, it’s not THAT far away – but it’s the furthest north of all the Elite League clubs!) Player coach Dan Ceman has played his cards close to his chest and has quietly gone about building up his squad, bolstering the Stars’ ranks with a solid selection of players, both British and import. They could be a dark horse in this year’s race, and I certainly feel they will improve on last year, and will definitely not have a scrap on their hands to make a play-off spot.
TWO to watch: Either Jarrett Konkle with his extensive experience in North America or Dan McGoff, the speedy offensive defenceman fresh from the Dutch league, could be the key players for the Stars this season.
Predicted finish: 7th
Fun fact: Dundee have continued in their quest to sign the most amusingly named hockey players in the land with the arrival of Konkle, who sounds like a cross between a large nose and a shell, and automatically rockets to top spot in the Amusing Names list, just edging out Panthers new boy Scott Champagne
Join me for the remaining 5 teams in tomorrow's post, good people of Hockey-land!
I'm afraid I say 'Cuventry', too - blame the accent! It should be more like 'Cohv', right?
ReplyDeleteScott Champagne is a fantastic name!
Kudos for the wrestling reference, haha.
And, LET'S GO CLAN!