SHEFFIELD, U.K. – Les Millie is a name widely known throughout U.K. ice hockey. Not only for a distinguished playing career with the likes of Sheffield Steelers, Fife Flyers and Solihull Blaze, but a successful coaching CV with the Sheffield Scimitars and the Wightlink Raiders. Les was a premiere British player who was a major hit at every club he played at. He was known for his tireless work ethic, lightning quick speed, and his fast and accurate wrist shot, which earned him the nickname ‘Laser Les’.
Les started the sport at a young age, “ I was 4 years old and it all came about as my uncle’s best friend was none other than Gordon Latto. He used to talk about the game so I pestered my dad to take me along to a game and I was basically hooked from that point. I taught myself to skate and within months I was putting the gear on and starting my hockey adventure. My parents were the biggest influence on my career, especially my dad. My dad getting up at silly o’clock for 6.30am training on a Saturday and for driving me all round and for making the trips every game. Sometimes I think he was more dedicated than I was”, Les admitted.
The dedication and commitment paid off as Les had his first taste of professional ice hockey at 14 years old, icing for the Fife Flyers. Les was asked his thoughts on the experience, “Honestly I was petrified; I was playing along side my heroes who I watched week in week out. I remember the game, it was against the Dundee Rockets in Dundee in the Grampian Cup. Luckily as far as debut’s go it couldn’t have gone better, I scored 2 goals in what was my first game as a forward as all my junior career I played defence.”
Les stayed in Scotland playing for Kirkcaldy and Fife until 1992, before moving to the Sheffield Steelers, who were then playing in the now defunct British Hockey League. At 19 years old, Les admitted the decision was fairly easy, “I think by that time I was ready to go. It was a little daunting as I had never played away from home but it was made all the easier as Big Neil was coming too. And as they say the rest is history.”
In Sheffield Les formed a formidable line with Tommy Plommer and Tim Cranston, which was a workhouse line and very productive. Les shared his thoughts on his former linemates and why they gelled, “I can’t honestly say why we clicked, we were I suppose like peas in a pod but all with slightly similar characteristics but also a little different. You have to give Damps (Alex Dampier) credit as he’d seen something in the 3 of us from the off and with hand on heart I don’t think I have ever played in such a great line with 2 great guys since I left the club”.
Fresh-faced Millie looks on as his team score
Les has certainly had a long, productive career playing the game professionally for 22 years, and has many fond memories of his time in Sheffield and throughout his career, he was kind enough to share some of these.
“There are so many, first of all the Latvian trip in my first year was really fun. The building was out of this world, my team mates were a great bunch of guys and of course the fans. Playing in front of 8,000+ fans week in week out was a real buzz, the way they accepted us and treated us was second to none. Winning my first league and playoff championships with the Steelers and our first venture into European competition. I have many friends still today who were amongst those fans, something I would never have had if I hadn’t chosen to come to Sheffield. As far as my career goes I don’t think I could ask for more. I have played for quite a few teams and have made some great friends; both teammates and fans and bar a few exceptions never regretted a single moment. I feel I have been privileged to play for some great teams in front of some great people and those kind of memories stay with you and there are some things I will never forget” Les described.
The sport has come along way from 15 years ago when Les was plying his trade as a Sheffield Steeler. Les was asked his thoughts about how the old Heineken Premier League compares to the Elite League
“It’s hard to say really, I can’t honestly say that the guys who play today play with any less commitment or passion it’s just the game has changed in many ways. The skill level has obviously gotten better but sometimes with such quality players on the ice they kind of cancel each other out, back in the old days it was the mistakes from less accomplished players that made the game I would say more on the edge of your seat. They differ greatly and if I had to play in one era again it would have to be the HPL days”.
Les has played under many coaches in his career including Alex Dampier, Paul Thompson and Rob Stewart. Les was asked who was the best coach he has played under, “I have played for many great coaches and a few not so good. What I have tried to do is pick the best from each of my coaches and the worst and tried to bring them to my game and my way of thinking. Over the years the legs start to go and it’s all the little things that you pick up along the years that although you’ve lost a yard of pace, you gain a couple of yards in your head.”
Still determined!
Les also shared his views on refereeing in the game now compared to the early 90’s, “I would say they are better now but we all like to berate referees and we all think at some point they make some poor decisions. It’s a tough job but some of the jokers we had back in the 90’s were just unbelievable but at least they could all (well almost) take a good barrage of abuse without too much consequence.”
Les has seen the standard of British ice hockey improve and decline throughout his career, and one heavily debated area that is still being discussed is the import limit. Les was asked if he thinks the import limit in the Elite League is reasonable, “Maybe 11 is a little too much, the EPL have a great program where it only allows 4 but that is a development league and the imports that ply their trades in the EIHL are of far better stock and I am sure the British players who either play or train alongside them will benefit from their experiences and point them in the right direction.”
When the Superleague era came around in the mid 90’s it brought a new influx of import players to the country, with teams vying to outdo each other with big name signings and no import limit. This meant a lot of British players dropped down a level to gain regular ice time.
I asked Les whether it was frustrating for him when the Superleague era was born, “Yes and no. I made the decision to go to the BNL even though I had offers from Superleague teams. The only thing I would say is that in my opinion it was bad for the game, too much money required to compete which in the end cost a lot of clubs and owners. It dragged the game backwards and nearly to its knees, separating leagues and losing good clubs from top flight hockey to which many have not yet recovered from.”
Since the Superleague era there have been many new great ice facilities such as the NIC in Nottingham and Ice Sheffield, which have undoubtedly help improve the number of quality young players coming through.
Les was asked his thoughts on how the sport can develop the number of British players coming into the game
“Some clubs are doing it now, but I also think that many clubs think about pound notes rather than thinking about the individual. Back when I started you were either told you were good enough or that sorry but your not. What is really good to see is seeing many young Brits joining the North American Collegiate system or as Davie Phillips and to a lesser degree young Robert Farmer have done. That is all due to the North American influence over here recently in our game most recent Mr Zion (Jonathan Zion) recommending young Farmer to the Ottawa 67’s, guys like that who have connections like they do and see the ability can only help the game and nurture their talents.”
Millie in the twilight of his career
Les officially retired from the sport in 2008, after a distinguished and successful career spanning 22 years. In that time he collected close to 1100 points.
Les was asked what he has been doing since he retired, “I’m just like most of the people who go to watch the game. I get up at silly o’clock and go to work 5-6 days a week. I work for Peter Brooks Honda here in Sheffield and having fun doing it; it’s another chapter in my life. As much I would like to be still playing there comes a time when your body says time to hang em up bud! I live with my fiancée and daughter in Sheffield, some of you may remember my son who is now 16 and plying his trade in College on his way to being a Paramedic. My missus and daughter keep me busy as we have a horse (who incidentally gets more attention than I do) I do most of the running around and helping them both out when I can with the beast.
I am content and in a good place in my life and although I miss the game I really am enjoying my time with my family and having the opportunity to watch my kids grow up.”
Les was a true character of the sport and he earned the admiration of fans throughout the league. He would always chat to fans after the game, over a beer or five! His line of Millie, Cranston, Plommer was still to this day one of the most formidable and hardworking lines in British ice hockey.
Les had some last words for the fans, “I would like to thank all the fans who made my time with the Steelers and the other clubs I played at a joy and an honour. I was lucky enough to be blessed with a modicum of talent which allowed me to play the game but it is the people who pay their hard earned money to watch us all week in week out that require our admiration as without them we would have nothing. Keep up your support as take it from someone that knows the guys really appreciate it and the more you get in a building and the louder it gets the better it will be for all concerned. Once again I thank you all for your support over the years and to those who liked the odd dig I thank you too, as at times it did make me smile.”
Pro Hockey News would sincerely like to thank Les Millie for his time and agreeing to the interview.
Contact the author at Scott.antcliffe@prohockeynews.com
Pro Hockey News are beginning a series of “Blast from the Past”‘s and if you have any suggestions for British players to be subject of an interview, please contact the author with contact details of suggested player.
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