English National League 2 South

ISLE OF WIGHT, UK – Well, with the ice hockey season about to begin all over the country, we take at look at English National League Division 2 South. With some 13 teams, it’s the biggest Division of all the regional conferences. Each team plays each other once home and once away for a 24-game season. There is no cup competition as several of the sides share a rink with either an ENL 1 side or EPL outfit, so ice time availability is at a premium. Last season saw Zoran Kosic’s Slough ENL2 Jets win promotion, although it looked for the most part as if it was to be Solent and Gosport Devils as the likely candidates for the top spot. However, some results not going the Devils way in the last few weeks sealed their fate and the Jets promotion was achieved. It’s fair to say that the league has a mix of players ranging from former EPL to former recreational, ably supported by a good crop youngsters and U18s. That is what makes it very different from say the likes of ENL1 and above. That’s not to say the hockey isn’t that great, it’s just a little raw and rough round the edges occasionally.
We take a look at the League in two parts focusing on six of the sides to start with, with the other seven being featured next time. So starting from the top:
Solent and Gosport Devils
Head Coach Will Francis Team Manager Paul Fitzpatrick
Last season was a good one for the South coast club. They are the only senior team at their undersized rink. It measures just 44 metres by 22 metres so it makes for quite a physical affair. They have a well balanced side with plenty of scoring, some good goal-tending and a stingy defence. Their most memorable battles were against local rivals from across the Solent, Wightlink Tigers, who play in a similar sized rink. Basingstoke Buffalo were also the only side to win in Gosport. Slough also gave them a run for their money. For the Devils Kristopher Abbott, Kent Johnson and Richard Nembhard did the bulk of the scoring. With youngsters Craig Wheedon and Lewis Tribble who were a handful for ENL defences up and down the country, they were always tough to play against. They have virtually the same team, but Tribble has moved on, with Curtis Jeffery, James Francis and James Bennett all no longer with the team. However a couple of new additions come in. Kev Tanner and netminder Elliot Foley both move across the Solent from Wightlink Tigers. Along with a new youngster from Guildford, they are likely to be in the running for the league title once again.

Basingstoke Buffalo
Head Coach Simon Beere Team Manager Andy Worship
Last season Buffalo come blasting out of the traps from the off, if not for a blip midway throughout the campaign they could have maybe been in the running, but in the end settled for 3rd place behind Slough and Gosport. With experienced forwards Simon Beere and Neil Leary in their side scoring goals is never a problem for the Hampshire based side. Defence was their forte as they conceded the one of the lowest amount of goals in the league. With a resolute defence held together by Ashley Skinns and Adam Cathcart they didn’t allow of lot to get through. But when it did net minder Aran Taylor was stellar in net. With a crop of hungry youngsters they had some good speed in their line-up and were well drilled. They beat every team in the league including winning in Slough, no easy feat. Expect them to be there or thereabouts come seasons end.
Wightlink Tigers
Head Player/Coach Jason Coles Team Manager Sean Coleman
Despite a 4th place finish last season, a massive improvement on the 8th place the year before, you always knew that you would get a great or absolute stinker of game from them. Not that they weren’t competitive, but they hit the self destruct button on more than one occasion. However the team has promised to stamp that out this season with a huge influx of mainly new young players the emphasis is on speed and bringing on the development side of the team. Still blessed with a good measure of experience. Player coach Jason Coles himself no stranger to higher levels of hockey along with the sides other import fast skating defenceman Scott Carter are the level heads on the team. Along with veteran utility player Tony Blaize they have a good mix of youth and experience this season. Expect the Tigers to beat every club this season, and make a push for the top half of their table for sure. Lee Valley lions Head Player/Coach Blair Dubyk Team manager Eddie Joseph
With a mediocre season by their standards, Lee Valley will be looking to have a much improved 2011/12 season by bringing in a number of new faces. High scoring forward Scott Beeson rejoins the side he has previously featured for. Having spent the last couple of years in ENL1 with the now defunct Haringey Greyhounds and latterly the Invicta Dynamos, he will add an offensive threat. Popular local lad Richard Hodge returns for his 5th season at the Den. Joe Berry moves down from near rivals Romford Fury. Also coming in is former Invicta Mustangs net minder Steve Grout. He will be part of a netminder equation with three of them battling it out for the starters position. They will also carry 3 imports. Alongside Blair Dubyk will be Swiss player Philippe Mueller and defenceman Roman Fedotovas. So they have the ingredients to climb to the sunnier heights of the Division. A bounce back season is in store for sure.
 
Peterborough Islanders
Head Coach Richard Wheatley Assistant Coach Ross Macintosh
With only a handful of players signed so far, its difficult to know what to expect from the former ENL1 side. They had a .500 winning record last season. Experience comes no better than forward Ross Macintosh. He also acts as assistant coach too. With a fairly mixed season last year, Peterborough will be looking to get back to promotion hopes. Netminder Simon Wren has re-signed. A former Pirate from yesteryear, he is a vital piece of the team. His experience will be leaned on once again. David Micheli is the other player signed. They have some talented youngsters at the Bretton rink, so they should be a very capable side come September.
Chelmsford Warriors
Head Coach Paul Wilcock Team Manager Derek Bartlett Chelmsford Warriors started off slow last season, but improved as it wore on. This was in no small way down to the additions of import Jerry Pavlus and former Chieftains fan favourite Richard Whiting. The pair of them were certainly a double threat when they were out on the ice. Ricky Mills also contributed offensively for them and the side had a nice crop of youngsters. Cameron Bartlett at only 16 years of age was certainly one of the gems in the side. At the time of writing no announcements had been made with regards to signings, however one would imagine that the core nucleus will return and they will not be easy opposition. Especially at their Riverside home rink. So there you have it, the first 6 sides looked at. Next time we will look at the remaining 7 sides and until then enjoy your hockey. Contact the author:   Chris.Randall @Prohockeynews.com