Comings and Goings - Part 2

First published on http://www.ukamericansportsfans.com/ on 5th July 2012

Northern Conference

It is perhaps unsurprising that there is less to report in the way of signings when it comes to the Northern Conference, as teams on the whole have less to spend and will be playing the waiting game, seeing what they can get for their money and biding their time before making moves. However, here is a summary of where we are north (and slightly south-east) of the border.

Braehead Clan – Consistency the Key

The Clan have opted for stability and consistency in their dealings so far, re-signing numerous players, including pulling off the re-employment of much sought after forward Jade Galbraith who had been heavily rumoured to being joining either Sheffield or Coventry. However it seems the silkily-skilled Canadian is settled in Glasgow, although the temptation of the offer to become assistant coach may have played a part in his decision to remain at the Clan. The loss of Drew Bannister was a blow for the Glasgow side and the change in coaching staff is arguably the biggest challenge they will face this season, as well-loved Captain Jordan Krestanovich takes the reins for his first foray into coaching. His lack of experience will be a factor in Braehead’s assault on the northern conference title, which they are widely expected to take, but on his side he has the knowledge of many of the players around him, as in addition to himself and Galbraith, he can rely on key men from last season’s successful campaign, Brock McPherson and Ryan Campbell.

The only new imports to join Krestanovich’s Clan so far are Canadian defenceman Mitch Maunu who comes fresh from a stint in the US college system, another old adversary of Adam Keefe, who looks set to be a very busy enforcer this coming season. And just today the signing of Canadian forward Ash Goldie was announced, a proven goalscorer and will have Clan fans breathless with anticipation over the partnership he could build with Galbraith. The biggest question remaining for Clan fans is who will be between the sticks this season? Reviews were mixed on Jaakko Suomalainen and there has been no news of him having a potential future with the club. I see them signing an import netminder but who it will be remains a mystery, however I would not be surprised to see Krestanovich try to source a goalie with league experience, perhaps tempting Garrett Zemlak from Fife. Either way, the Clan are going to take some beating in the Northern Conference this season.

THE FACTS SO FAR:

In: Watt (Slough Jets), Mitch Maunu (US College), Ash Goldie (ECHL)
Staying: Krestanovich, McPherson, Galbraith, Campbell, Walker, Zajac, Haywood, Will, K Phillips,
Out: Bannister

Total signed: 12 – 11 skaters, 1 netminder (6 Brit, 6 import)
Still to sign: 7 skaters, 1 netminder (5 import)

Dundee Stars – Slow But Sure

The Stars are the only side in the League other than Braehead to see a coaching change this season, as Brent Hughes returns to North America and Jeff Hutchins takes the reins. Another player new to coaching, I can’t help but worry for the Stars, who struggled at times without strong leadership last season and look set to continue down that road in this. So far there is no news on whether popular Stars imports from last season will make a return; the likes of Jarrett Konkle and Mark Kolanos not yet stating their intentions for the 2012/3 season. There are returns for a few of the local players as well as Canadian forward AJ MacLean, but despite the additions of Jack Watkins from Hull/Coventry and Vince Connon from Braehead, the only new import that has committed to the Stars so far is Greg Moore, a defenceman from the CHL who looks like a promising signing. Hutchins will need to secure a few more like him as well as a few returnees to pull together any semblance of a team capable of challenging for the northern conference this coming season. The recent re-signing of goaltender Chris Whitley is a trump card which will appease the fans whilst Hutchins goes about the rest of his business, and he will feel relieved to have a solid import netminder who already knows the club in place.

THE FACTS SO FAR:

In: Greg Moore (CHL), Watkins (Hull), Connon (Braehead)
Staying: Hutchins, McIntosh, McGill, MacLean, McCluskey, Harper, Whitley
Out: Brent Hughes

Total signed: 10 – 8 skaters, 2 netminders (6 Brit, 4 import)
Still to sign: 10 skaters (7 import)

Edinburgh Capitals – All quiet on the Eastern front

The silence from the Capitals is deafening at the moment as Richard Hartmann, still in charge of the club, has not made many moves in the transfer market, his limited moves so far being the re-signing a handful of Brits and young Latvian winger Marcis Zembergs. There has been no activity outside of this and in fact, very little in the way of news at all from the Scottish capital, and it’s hard not to worry for the side, who look unlikely to fill their import quota once again, and we await movements with bated breath, in the hope that the Caps can put together a season at least comparable with the first part of their 2010/11 season, in which they looked lively and inventive. Although they could not compete with the likes of Belfast and Sheffield, they certainly gave their closer rivals a run for their money, and this will be imperative for them even this season as the new conference set-up appears to be more reflective of financial stability, and Edinburgh will want to make a mark early. As such, the club could use an injection of excitement to persuade their long-suffering fans to re-invest in a season ticket, and some signing news could provide just that lift. It should be noted that the side have retained the services of gifted goalscorer Rene Jarolin, who committed to the club prior to the close season, and he will be key in picking up points for the club going forward.

THE FACTS SO FAR:

In: None as yet
Staying: Hartmann, Steel, Goldie, Zembergs, McIntyre, Jarolin
Out: McKenzie, Valecko

Total signed: 5 – all skaters (3 Brit, 2 import)
Still to sign: 13 skaters, 2 netminders (9 import)

Fife Flyers – The Waiting Game

Like some of their other less financially blessed counterparts, the Flyers are playing the waiting game this off-season, as they allow the passage of time to hopefully bring players their way, advertising their club to potential import players in their charming video which will hopefully have the desired effect. They have made a slow start in building their squad, with the least player announcements of any club so far, although they have started with some stability in the return of coach Todd Dutiaume and influential forward Danny Stewart. In addition to this, they have added two new imports from the ECHL, defensive pair Derek Keller and Jeff Caister, whose familiarity with one another from their days at the South Carolina Stingrays will be appreciated when it comes to building a solid backline. They have yet to sign up any Brits although these are expected to be locals for the most part, however the Flyers faithful will this season be hopeful of a few more imports as they stabilise financially and look to try and compete with their conference rivals.

THE FACTS SO FAR:

In: Derek Keller (ECHL), Jeff Caister (ECHL)
Staying: Stewart
Out: Dutiaume (coaching only)

Total signed: 3 – all skaters (0 Brit, 3 import)
Still to sign: 15 skaters, 2 netminders (8 import)

Hull Stingrays – Bridge over troubled waters

The course of a summer never runs smooth on Humberside and this year has been no different. The off-season has brought uncertainty and concern for Stingrays fans as there was doubt over ownership of the club and ice time at the arena. However the doubt was laid to rest with the purchase of the club by Bobby McEwan and with the installation of Sylvain Cloutier as player-coach Hull are once again able to move on with the business of constructing a squad to take into the new season. Cloutier has lost his MVP from last season, netminder Christian Boucher as well as enforcer Derek Campbell, but he has moved quickly to secure the services of two key imports in forwards Jason SIlverthorn and Jereme Tendler. The coach is living within his means but has still managed to make a handful of new signings, a couple from the EPL, including highly rated forward Janis Ozolins, and just this week he has added Shane Lovdhal from the CHL and Tomas Valecko, formerly of the Edinburgh Captials, to bolster the defensive ranks. There’s still some way to go for Cloutier but with the backing of a new owner and something approaching financial security – for now – he can focus on the important business of building his squad.

THE FACTS SO FAR:

In: Bowns (EPL), Ozolins (EPL), Sykes (EPL), Lovdahl (CHL), Valecko (Edinburgh)
Staying: Silverthorn, Cloutier, Tendler, Dulle
Out: Campbell, Boucher, Chamberlain

Total signed: 9 – 8 skaters, 1 netminder (2 Brit, 7 import)
Still to sign: 11 skaters, 1 netminder (4 import)

Join me in a few weeks when I’ll examine in more depth some of the key players to watch out for over the coming season and to have another look at how the sides are shaping up as the opening games draw ever nearer.

Comings and Goings

First published on http://www.ukamericansportsfans.com/ on 3rd July 2012

Southern Conference

It’s time to break the silence – I will take you through team by team the comings, goings, or stayings in the Elite League as I round up the state of play in the transfer market – starting with the big hitters of the Southern Conference.

Belfast Giants – Poker Face Christiansen

Doug Christiansen has been holding his cards close to his chest so far this close season, and he undoubtedly has some aces up his sleeve still to play. The defence of last season’s league title will be uppermost in the mind of the Giants’ coach and his early moves involved re-signing some of the players most instrumental in securing that title, including netminder Stephen Murphy, and tough forwards Adam Keefe and Darryl Lloyd, who will continue to make a major physical impact on the league.

Christiansen may have lost the services of key Brit Rob Dowd to the Swedish Elite league, but in retaining high-scoring Craig Peacock as well as a clutch of other solid squad players, he has opted for stability in his Brit pack and will look to his imports to provide the injection of fire they will need to stay competitive in what looks to be a bigger, tougher clutch of rival sides this year. However Doug has nothing to fear – whilst the teams around him have all but completed their rosters, he still has most of his big plays to make – and judging by his first major new signing, that of 33-year-old left wing Noah Clarke from the DEL in Germany, he is going to be causing Finnerty, Neilson et al a few sleepless nights as they wait to see what else he has in his back pocket. Clarke comes with real NHL experience and a raft of AHL games behind him, and is arguably one of the top Elite League signings of the summer so far. With a startling 8 imports still to sign, just what level of talent will Doug Christiansen turn over when he finally shows his cards?

THE FACTS SO FAR:

In: D Phillips (Sweden), Matt Towe (EPL), Noah Clarke (DEL)
Staying: Murphy, Keefe, Lloyd, Garside, Peacock, Walton, Roberts, Dickson
Out: Doucet, Dowd, Pelle (retired)

Total signed: 11 – 9 skaters, 2 netminders (8 Brit, 3 import)
Still to sign: 9 skaters (8 import)

Cardiff Devils – Rear Guard Reliability

Gerad Adam’s first signing of the new season was all but lost in the clamour of the post-play-off media frenzy, but it could arguably be one of the most influential in the league, let alone in the Devils’ organisation overall. Netminder Phil Osaer is no stranger to Cardiff, having played there for two seasons from 2006-8, but he returns to the Welsh side off the back of a winning season in Norway, and looks set to become one of the top goaltenders in the league.

Outside of this Adams has been maintaining a steady ship, re-signing a core of key imports such as Max Birbraer and Mark and Kenton Smith, and promising British players Josh Batch and Ben Davies, to try and achieve some consistency within his group, whilst adding strength in all areas with the addition of a trio of new imports, all poached from the Italian Elite league. Tyson Marsh, Mac Faulkner and Chris Blight come with a wealth of experience, and size and toughness to back it up, and Cardiff have the makings of a side who are going to be difficult to break down this season – the hallmark of all Devils sides in recent years.

Despite recently securing the services of the consistent Phil Hill for a sixth consecutive season, one of Adams’ remaining challenges is to try and attract some of the upper echelon of British players, as with only two imports left to acquire, and defenceman Mark Richardson having been tempted to a big money contract in Kazakhstan, the Welsh side’s British presence is somewhat lacking at this stage. However, if he can select a couple of solid additions from the pool of potential import talent available, they may get away with relying on the youngsters to bolster the ranks this season.

THE FACTS SO FAR:

In: Phil Osaer, Tyson Marsh, Mac Faulkner, Chris Blight (Italy), Piggott (ENL Devils), Bari McKenzie (Edinburgh)
Staying: Adams, Birbraer, Batch, Hill, Harding, K Smith, M Smith, Davies
Out: Lyle, Matzka (retired), Richardson

Total signed: 14 – 13 skaters, 1 netminder (6 Brit, 8 import)
Still to sign: 5 skaters, 1 netminder (3 import)

Coventry Blaze – Grabbing Headlines

After a disappointing 2010/11 campaign fraught with financial woes and an underperforming side, there’s no doubt that free from the shackles of Hull Stingrays ownership, coach Paul Thompson is enjoying the extra finances available and has begun in earnest building a side to be reckoned with. One of the key areas of weakness last season was in front of goal and Thommo has immediately gone about shoring up his defences, adding an intimidating combination of experience and size, and significantly toughening up in the process. He has added the likes of Benn Olson and Mike Egener who are big, tough guys not afraid to drop the gloves, and who possess between them a good deal of high level experience, Olson with a large number of AHL games under his belt, and a history with Belfast’s Adam Keefe which will whet the appetities of the fight fans among us.

Blaze were perhaps responsible for making the biggest waves so far this summer when they made an early move for former NHL’er Mike Danton, who, with a chequered past to put it mildly, comes fresh from a season in Europe. He has a wealth of experience and will arrive in the Elite League with the most top level experience of any current import. Combine this with an already significant Twitter presence, where he has regularly exchanged good-natured banter with Keefe, and we appear to. have the makings of a fan favourite and a personality who will steal headlines this season.

Having played most of his hand already when it comes to imports, Thompson, like Adams, will be looking to secure the signatures of a few influential British players having lost young talent Rob Farmer, as well as finding some real fire power going forward to back up the re-signed Shea Guthrie, who with the right players around him deserves to have a much better season this time around, his relatively modest stats belying the incredible talent the kid has at his disposal.

THE FACTS SO FAR:

In: S Smith (Cardiff), Mike Danton (Sweden/Austria), Gerome Giudice (CHL), Mike Egener (Denmark), Benn Olson (AHL/ECHL), Greg Leeb (DEL)
Staying: Venus, Griffin, Guthrie, Cowley, Hirsch, Domish
Out: Owen, Weaver, Farmer, Dustin Wood (unconfirmed)

Total signed: 12 – 11 skaters, 1 netminder (4 Brit, 8 import)
Still to sign: 7 skaters, 1 netminder (3 import)

Nottingham Panthers – A Perfect Fit?

The Panthers have become a bit like a big, ice hockey team-shaped jigsaw puzzle. Every season coach Corey Neilson attempts to find the correct pieces to fit those final few gaps but for some reason or other, they never quite fit together properly, and once again he will look to achieve the ultimate prize of the league title, playing his hand early to secure a number of key players, particularly his gifted Brit-pack, with the notable exception of former captain Danny Meyers, who was mysteriously let go early in the summer. Netminder Kowalski retains his place to the relief of the Panthers faithful who appreciate his stability in net, and key Brits David Clarke, Marc Levers and Rob Lachowicz return along with some of the favoured import players from last season, including forwards Matt Francis, Jordan Fox and Brandon Benedict.

Coventry’s Jonathan Weaver has been brought in as a replacement for Meyers although it remains to be seen if he can win over the fans in the same way, and Neilson has added a small number of new faces to the sizeable band of regulars, including his trump card so far, 6’6″ centre Bruce Graham, a player with youth, skill and size on his side and with considerable experience in North America to boot. He will definitely be one to watch this season and comes with some pedigree, having been drafted 50th overall by the New York Rangers in the 2004 NHL entry draft. Into defence somes Jason Beckett, another reliable bet with years of AHL and European experience behind him. With just three imports left to sign it remains to be seen if there are any more cards up Corey’s sleeve, and if this will finally be the right set of pieces for his championship-winning jigsaw to click into place.

THE FACTS SO FAR:

In: Weaver (Coventry), Jason Beckett, Pat Galivan (ECHL), Norton (EPL), Bruce Graham (CHL)
Staying: Neilson, Kowalski, Benedict, Francis, Green, Clarke, Fox, Levers, Myers, Lachowicz, Ward, Lee
Out: Meyers, Beauregard, Lepine (?)

Total signed: 17 – 15 skaters, 2 netminders (9 Brit, 8 import)
Still to sign: 3 skaters (3 import)

Sheffield Steelers – A Mixed Bag

In Finnerty’s first year as coach he learned some valuable lessons, and now he has hung up his skates he has spent the early part of the off-season embracing his coaching-only role and has begun rebuilding his team for a second shot at the league title. He’s retained the services of a number of last season’s squad, including long-time Steelers Ashley Tait, Jason Hewitt, Jeff Legue and Rod Sarich, and in a surprising u-turn, last season’s first choice netminder John DeCaro returns to the Yorkshire side having been previously rumoured to have signed for a club in Europe. In a season in which netminding will be of the utmost importance, Steelers fans are unsurprisingly nervous following DeCaro’s less than convincing first season, however his experience of the league may play in his favour this time around.

For Finnerty his Brit-pack may be his trump card, as in addition to his already numerous GB internationals he has snapped up Danny Meyers from rivals the Nottingham Panthers as well as adding the services of highly rated Colin Shields from Morzine Avoriaz in the French Ligue Magnus. He seems to have selected a variety of new imports rather than focussing on one key area, adding the attacking defensive talents of Jim Jorgenson from Braehead as well as talismanic tough cookie Tylor Michel of former Cardiff Devils fame. He has also added the fabulously named Cory Pecker who brings with him a wealth of experience from both the AHL and Europe.

With three imports still to sign the Steelers remain short of perhaps a tough defenceman or two but Finnerty will be relying on a combination of the tried and tested with a smattering of new talent to bring home the bacon this season.

THE FACTS SO FAR:

In: Meyers (Nottingham), Shields (France), Jorgenson (Braehead), Danny Wood (US college), Cory Pecker (Switzerland), Tylor Michel (Sweden)
Staying: DeCaro, Hewitt, J Phillips, Esders, Thomas, Tait, Woolhouse, Stephenson, Legue, Sarich
Out: Fulghum, Squires, Ramsay, Finnerty (coaching only)

Total signed: 16 – 14 skaters, 2 netminders (9 Brit, 7 import)
Still to sign: 4 skaters (4 import)

The Divison Bell

First posted on http://www.ukamericansportsfans.com/ on 13th June 2012

Having had a couple of weeks to reflect on the changes being implemented by the Elite League this season, I’ve decided it’s about time to pitch in. Is it change for the sake of change? Or is there method to the madness? Let’s examine some of the key points that have cropped up in the British hockey media since the announcement to try and figure out whether or not this conference malarkey is a good plan or a bit of a shambles.

‘It’s surely better for some teams than others?’

Well, in a nutshell, yes. There are the haves and the have nots within the new system. There’s no doubting that the Hull Stingrays are the club worst off in the move, as being placed in the Northern conference means they will have one less trip to neighbouring Sheffield Steelers (a distance of just 67 miles) and in return, one less visit of the Steelers considerable cohort of travelling fans. Instead, their closest inter-league rivals will now be the Edinburgh Capitals (a distance of 248 miles). From a financial point of view, for a club that’s already struggling, this cannot be good news.

Coventry Blaze could by rights feel aggrieved as of the teams in the Southern conference, they are the only ones openly struggling with finances, however based on their signings so far, and the fact that Hull have secured new ownership so are no longer a rod for the Blaze’s back, they may not struggle as much as previously thought.

‘Be honest – it’s going to be a lot easier to win the Northern conference.’

Well, in a nutshell, yes. Let’s face it – the Southern conference is stacked with money and as a result, quality players – it’s going to be an extremely competitive group and will undoubtedly be hard-fought right to the death. North of the border things look distinctly less of an uphill struggle for the Glaswegian Braehead Clan. Well positioned in the league last season, their nearest rivals were a whole 30 points behind them in the final league table. Add to this their not inconsiderable resources (let’s not forget they are financed by the same owner as the Nottingham Panthers) and on paper, it’s the Clan’s conference to lose.

‘But won’t it devalue the league title?’

Well, in a nutshell, yes. It’s a simple fact that the two conferences are not equally weighted in terms of quality teams. In fact, rather than two equal groups, the conferences are more like divisions – draw a line right in the middle of last season’s final league table and you have the exact groupings for the conferences. Despite this, at the end of the season the two will be placed side by side as if they were equals. And if the league is decided on the basis of who has the most points overall, it’s more likely to be the winner of the Northern conference that will take the overall title – as in theory, their fixtures across the season will have been less challenging. This totally devalues the league title which up to this point, has been the top prize in British ice hockey, eclipsing the challenge cup and play-off trophy in terms of importance. A definite con.

‘Increased competition is good for the poorer teams though, isn’t it?’

It’s hard to say. As a Vipers fan, the encounters that were the most key to our success, or lack thereof, were those against our closest rivals in the league at the time, Edinburgh and Dundee, as we scrapped for points and a play-off spot. They were always tense, and exciting, and towards the end of the season became all the more important. And let’s face it, being repeatedly tonked by bigger, better teams isn’t fun from the perspective of either a fan OR a neutral. The Northern conference sides will feel they really have something to play for instead of losing heart sitting in ninth or tenth place before Christmas has even come around. However, let’s not forget, nothing’s a given in sport, and on the odd occasion the Vipers did chalk up a win against the Giants or Panthers, they were all the sweeter – it’s not always a one-sided affair. Just look at the play-off semi-finals in the season just gone. We’ll log this one in the ‘neutral’ pile.

‘The Challenge Cup will mean something again, though.’

Yes, it will. It’s looking likely that the Challenge Cup will become a more meaningful competition to win than the league title itself, as it will feature more teams from both conferences and will be a more level playing field, with the introduction of quarter final stages. Probably only the southern conference title will be a more desirable prize next season.

‘Everyone’s making a bit of a big deal of this. It’s not THAT different.’

No, it’s not that different. Each team will only play once less at home and once less away against teams from the other conference; once more at home and once more away against teams from their own. It’s not earth-shattering in terms of ramifications, travel-wise or financially. The Fife Flyers will still get to go to Belfast twice. Cardiff will still host Dundee twice. We’re not talking total separation here.

‘Would it allow for future expansion?’

Absolutely. With rumours abounding of an Elite League side in Dublin, and the perpetual Chinese whispers about the possibility of a re-emergence of a North-East based side, the conference system does offer great potential for expansion. It would be easier to integrate new teams and at five sides apiece, the conferences are very small and the League would undoubtedly be open to bolstering the ranks. A definite pro.

‘So what’s the verdict? Is it worth a try, or just a bit rubbish?’

Overall, it’s hard to make a definitive judgement when you weigh up all the elements involved. The biggest negative – and it is a big one – is the devaluation of the league title. There are positives including improved competition for lower placed sides, an improvement in the Challenge Cup competition and a brilliant conference for neutrals to keep an eye on in the shape of the Southern conference.

In a league where SOMETHING needed to happen, something has happened – whether it’s the right thing or not is up for debate, but other than a mass reorganisation of the league’s finances (never going to happen) I can’t think what else they could have done whilst still being seen to be making a change. Let’s see how it goes for a season and make our judgements this time next year. In the meantime, I will still be attending as many games as I can this season. Will they mostly be involving teams from the Southern Conference? Well, in a nutshell, yes.

Reasons to Be Cheerful (or: me, the Rangers, and why losing isn’t so bad)

First published on http://www.ukamericansportsfans.com/ on 31st May 2012

To say my fledging career as an ice hockey fan has had its ups and downs would be a bit like saying the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is quite a big painting, or that Natalie Portman’s sort of okay looking, in her own way. Two seasons it’s been people, two. I spent the first of those passionately embracing my local side before losing them to the ravages of recession and a second travelling around the UK trying to pretend that I was fine with not having a team of my own to support, I’d get by.

I was a latecomer to all things NHL in comparison, as I spent my first season dividing my brain between all-encompassing love (for the Newcastle Vipers) and learning the rules, regulations, and everything else that makes hockey the game it is. I had scant little time left over to immerse myself in the big, scary world of the big show, with its 30 teams and 20+ man rosters and interminable post-season. As such, I gave of myself all too easily, flippantly selecting the Calgary Flames as my team of choice.

And then it all went wrong. I’ve written in detail about my agonising over shared allegiances and it’s plagued me ever since the New York Rangers starting creeping into my consciousness. I was gripped with paranoia about being tagged a ‘glory hunter’ for jumping on the Rangers’ bandwagon, and wracked with guilt over abandoning the team I had chosen first. After all, they hadn’t done anything wrong, had they? They were plugging along modestly, vying for a play-off position. Could I really ask any more? But it was already too late. The Rangers had a hold of my heart.

Like a new kid at school, I shyly joined in with the Blueshirts in-crowd, on Twitter and on the Rangers website, and found myself embraced into a family in the way only a hockey community can embrace, and I knew that it didn’t matter what anyone else thought. I was home.

Most importantly, I love this team. I am fully invested in them as people, as players and as a unit. From the pure awesomeness of Captain Cally, about whom I have waxed lyrical on many an occasion (to the point of professing my desire to bear his children on Twitter), to the knocking it out of the park season of break-out young defencemen Ryan McDonagh and Michael Del Zotto, to the solid, reliable and unwavering toughness of the gritty, balls-out lower order; the likes of Brandon Prust and Mike Rupp. I love them all, simple as that.

I recognise, appreciate and applaud the system John Tortorella has fostered and all who reside within it. It’s a tight-knit family, a group with youth on their side, character and team spirit by the bucketload and enough individual talent to raise their heads above the parapet without falling foul of the prima donna trap that can befall a team that builds itself around a small core of talented players, or the constant nagging fear of what an injury to one of that core could do to the team dynamic.

It’s pure work ethic; on a full organisational scale. And most of all it’s running a tight ship, and staying on an even keel – Tortorella is loath to let wins go to his team’s head: there is always SOMETHING that can be improved upon. And likewise in defeat, there are always positives to be found. Thus keeping some very talented feet very firmly on the ground (ice!), where a less disciplined regime might otherwise have allowed its players’ respective heads to ascend into the clouds.

Let’s consider for a moment what they achieved this season, doing it ‘the right way.’ They won a thrilling Winter Classic, ensnaring me in their blue honeytrap in the process. They topped the Eastern conference and were only two points shy of the Presidents’ trophy having won the same number of games as Vancouver. None too shabby. Their incredible defence ensured they were third in the goals against standings, but lest we forget, this isn’t a purely defensive side – they work as a unit at all times, on the forecheck just as much as when throwing their bodies behind shots, and this was not reflected anywhere as well as in their penalty kill, which was the fifth best of its kind in the league, and on top of that they were third in the league for holding onto a lead. And as for physicality, they hit. Oh how they hit. Bodies on the line, all day long. Oh and they were fifth in the league in penalty minutes, and topped it in fighting majors. Not that it’s a plus point as such, but it shows the heart that exists throughout the ranks at Madison Square Garden.

The amount of 3rds and 5ths in the stats really stands out. That’s the beauty of Tortorella’s system: it doesn’t rely on one specific area for success – the Rangers are no one trick pony. There’s no explosive powerplay unit (chuckle), there’s no pure reliance on goaltending – okay, perhaps SOME reliance. But they sit in the top few in every single statistic – in a game of inches, the Rangers don’t give even one, in every area of the ice. They are right in amongst it all. Really. All of it.

So then we were off to the play-offs. My first experience of supporting a team in the post-season, and New York did not disappoint – from a slightly masochistic point of view. They provided a proper rollercoaster ride. It was sport exactly how I like it. No 4-0 sweeps. Not even a 4-0 win. They scrapped and scraped for every victory, mental strength ebbing and flowing, injuries being sustained and recovered from, key players losing form, regaining it and then losing it again. New stars emerging. A one goal win here, a single goal loss there. And those overtimes. It was about as draining as a run could get.

Every single series was a battle. Against Ottawa we were our own worst enemy. Battling against some real attacking prowess, we butted up against a side who had ran us hard all season. We SHOULD have been more than a few shades better than them. But we made hard work of it, and after back-to-back losses in games 4 and 5 I was convinced it was over. Then the Capitals – the ‘looking in the mirror’ series. It was a game of chess, a constant frustration. The annoyance of Brayden Holtby who suddenly came good, much to the delight of his highly visible mother. And finally the New Jersey Devils. The big one. Comparisons to 1994. Our bitter local rivals.

At so many points I thought ‘it’s over’ but every time, we battled back and dug our heels in. Until I finally did believe. I DID think we could battle back. We WOULD take it to a game 7. We had done, twice already – we could do ANYTHING. The Cup well, it’s a wily beast, and our opponents, if we made it that far, would be a team who have really found their form in these play-offs. As for us, were we fatigued? Highly likely. Struggling for goals? Perhaps. Battered and bruised? For sure. But beaten? I didn’t think so. So when it finally came to an end early in overtime of game 6, it was quite hard to take it all in. There’d be a game 7 still, right? Right? It couldn’t be over. Wrong. It was.

On reflection, the loss still hurts. But in a way that will heal. Let’s face it, having supported a team for less than a season, to see them lift the Stanley Cup straight away would have been, well, a bit cheeky of me. So in a very strange way, I’m sort of glad. It’s a singularly British notion: the idea that losing might not actually be that bad, in the long-run. Not that I actively WANTED to lose you understand: in the moment, I screamed in every goal, grimaced every time we conceded, and shed a few stunned tears when it was finally all over. But looking at the bigger picture, let’s be honest: this is may be an ending of sorts, but in reality, it’s just the beginning. The future looks exceedingly bright. Despite a number of free agents who presumably the management will look to re-sign, the core of this team will remain next season and be strengthened by some rookies, including the amazing Chris Kreider, who threw himself into the play-offs like a man possessed and promises great things for the future.

With Tortorella at the helm we will stay focused on the task at hand, and realise that doing it ‘the right way’ comes at a cost – commitment to playing that way. And to endure the losses it brings. But those losses have been few, and undoubtedly in the pain of loss, this team will learn what it takes to win. It’s everything they’ve done this season. Just with a little more besides. And they will find that little more – because that’s what winning teams do. If we had won the Stanley Cup this season, it would have left this young, improving team with little more to aim for. But instead, we’ve still got the ultimate prize in our sights – to come so close and fall at almost the final hurdle will give this group the drive and motivation to take it even further next time around. So fear not, Blueshirts. The cup will be ours. Oh yes, it will be ours.