Season Preview: Part 2

I bring you the conclusion to my team-by-team preview of the EIHL season ahead.

EDINBURGH CAPITALS

It’s been a fairly quiet summer for last season’s bottom-placed side. Signings have been few and far between, new imports have included some European talent – for the most part Slovakian, the most recognisable name one Sladok of the Hull Stingrays. Early on it seemed likely that the Caps would struggle again this season both on and off the ice, as their lack of finances prevented them from investing in the quality they need to launch a convincing bid for one of the league’s eight play-off spots. I’m sure I echo the sentiments of the vast majority when I say I really hope the season they put together can be more successful than their last and that they find themselves able to compete at a decent level. The big boys will certainly show no mercy.

One to watch: The recent acquisition of forward Richard Hartmann could be key for the Caps, the Slovakian has a good scoring record and years of experience in Slovakia which should be beneficial given the make-up of the current squad.
Predicted finish: Unfortunately I can’t foresee anything but a repeat of last season. 10th.
Fun fact: The Caps have this year signed what sounds a lot like a Slovakian comedy duo in Holecko and Valecko. This amuses me in a Slovakian sort of way. Slovakia.

FIFE FLYERS

It’s going to be hard not to like Fife. New to the league this season, the Kirkcaldy club are the oldest ice hockey club in the UK and have a great history, but the step up is going to be a tough one and the boys are really going to have their work cut out for them. Rumours have been rife of a lack of funds that may lead to them falling short of their full quota of imports, but evidence of this has not been forthcoming and although late to the party in terms of signings, Fife are catching up slowly as Todd Dutiaume attempts to construct a side capable of competing at this higher level. Everyone will be keen for the club to do well and looking out for early results as they find their feet, so here’s hoping the Fifelians (yes, yes, I did just make that up) are ready for what’s coming at them.

One to watch: Without the reigns of coach-dom holding him back, Danny Stewart will be able to unleash the player within, which believe it or not is actually a forward (Vipers fans were far more used to seeing the poor guy covering in defence). Check out his mad slapshot skills. GO COACH!!
Predicted finish: They will battle hard enough to avoid being the bottom of the pile: 9th.
Fun fact: Fife's inclusion in the Elite League is a triumph for Egnlish teachers nationwide as they become the only team to feature both alliteration AND assonance in their name! Shame about the lack of onomatopoeia to complete the trifecta of 'words I put in my GCSE Literature paper to score extra marks' but these things can't be helped.

HULL STINGRAYS

Hull have used their quota of imports to bring in a number of European players this season, along with re-signing some of their key players from the 2010/11 season including top scorer Jereme Tendler, netminder Christian Boucher and right wing Jason Silverthorn. They continue with Sylvain Cloutier at the helm as they look to consolidate on what was an unremarkable but in some ways unexpected 2010/11 season, their campaign having at one point been an impossibility as the club languished without an owner and looked set to be excluded from the League. Also added to the squad is a face well-known to British hockey fans in Derek Campbell, who completed a surprise switch from Sheffield, and long-term target Josh Mizerek.

One to watch: Josh Mizerek was set to take the captain’s armband at Hull last season before the club folded so he has plenty to prove and brings a wealth of experience along with him.
Predicted finish: Hull have added experience and physical presence to their side, but I’m not sure they will have the edge required to hit the top half of the league. 8th.
Fun fact: Stingrays are undoubtedly mean. The late great Steve Irwin can attest to that. But I think the dude on their logo looks quite beguiling, he's all smiley like. A lot like this guy:

'Mean? Who, me?' Okay I admit it. I've got nothing.

NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS

The play-off winners made their statement early on in the off-season, re-signing a number of key players from their 10/11 campaign, including highly rated netminder Craig Kowalski, and adding the services of Belfast’s Brandon Benedict and excellently named forward Scott Champagne. The East Midlands side features a sizeable chunk of the silver-medal winning GB squad and it cannot be argued that they boast the finest compliment of Brits of any Elite League side. They completed their line-up with tough guy blueliner Brock Wilson who has racked up a great deal of ECHL experience over the past few seasons and will add to the Panthers’ physical presence, already guaranteed by the re-signing of enforcer Guy Lepine.

However despite the stability that comes with keeping key elements of a team together, it can’t be denied they’ve lost two of their stars of last season in Billy Ryan and Jade Galbraith, and an immense amount of firepower with it. Will Benedict be able to step up to the plate in a way he couldn’t manage in Belfast last season? Perhaps, but regardless of this I feel that despite a strong and steady core the Panthers may lack flair this season and that combined with coach Corey Neilson’s notorious tactics will be their downfall.

One to watch: Danny Meyers. The Captain is always influential both on the blueline and for the team as a whole. Plus he wins at beards.
Predicted finish: 3rd
Fun fact: The Panthers’ 2010/11 season highlights DVD was entitled ‘Now that’s what I call Sexy Neilson Hockey’*. Further volumes of these ‘best of’ DVDs are expected on a bi-annual basis. Because Neilson Hockey is too sexy to fit on just one DVD.

*it wasn’t. But it should have been.

SHEFFIELD STEELERS

The Steelers are always a force to be reckoned with in the top tier of British hockey and more often than not turn out an assured, experienced team who are rarely out of the upper echelons of the league table. Last season’s Steelers team were undoubtedly strong, consistent and dominant but they lacked a certain je ne sais quoi. With Ryan Finnerty back at the club and taking the reins, I feel this will be put to rights this season. In his first season coaching Finner will be keen to make an impression and I believe he will mould his squad in his own image. His never-say-die attitude combined with a collection of quality import signings and a core of strong, committed Brits should inject the fizz and sparkle that was missing from their performances last season, and I am looking forward to seeing what they can produce on the ice. They will push hard to retain their league title and I think it will go down to the wire. Their biggest loss from the 2010/11 title-winning team was arguably rock-solid netminder Ervins Mustokovs, but in John DeCaro they have signed what on paper looks to be a worthy replacement.

One to watch: Colt King – one of the strongest import signings of any club this season, King’s extensive experience is going to lead to high expectation from Steelers fans. He’s not afraid of a fight either which will be handy following the loss of Derek Campbell.
Predicted finish: Sorry Simmsey – I think they’ll be pipped at the post by the Giants – 2nd.
Fun fact: If Dundee have the most amusingly named player, Steelers have undoubtedly the coolest named player in the league this year. Colt King. The man, the legend, the sawn-off shotgun?

...

So there's nothing more to say. I'm spent! And it's still only August! The season openers edge ever closer, only just over two weeks away now; I will shortly be heading out of the country on a fact-finding mission to North America (read: three week beer and sun-worshipping tour of South-West USA) and when I return the season will be in full swing. I'm practically salivating. Are you?