UNITED KINGDOM – With the new English Premier League season just a few weeks away, most teams have finished announcing their teams for the coming campaign, while others only have a couple of announcements left to make. With that in mind this seems like the perfect time for PHN to look at each team ’ s key signings and chances of success this season. First up we have the predicted top 5 teams. In part 2 we’ll look at the rest of the teams and how I predict the league to finish.
Basingstoke Bison
Key Import: Steve Moria – Last season ’ s EPL player-of-the-year arrives from Slough as Bison player/coach.
Key Brit: Kurt Reynolds – The impressive defenseman looked comfortable in the Elite League last year.
Key Arrival: Mindy Kieras – Former Milton Keynes defenseman brings offensive prowess as well as defensive presence.
Key Loss: N/A
Netminders: Davey Lawrence / Tom Annetts
The lowdown: After a dismal campaign in the Elite League last season, Basingstoke have dropped to the EPL, assembling almost a completely new squad for the new season. Their success will depend on how the new collection of players gels, and how the legs of some of their aging stars hold up (though 48 year-old Moria shows no sign of slowing down yet!), but they have assembled a strong group of established EPL stars and should challenge for the title.
Guildford Flames
Key Import: Martin Masa – The talented forward has been signed in the hope that he can renew his impressive partnership with Lukas Smital from their Bracknell days.
Key Brit: Gary Clarke – The long-time Milton Keynes forward is always amongst the top British-trained scorers in the league.
Key Arrival: Nathan Rempel – Finished as the top scorer in the league last season with treble-winning Peterborough.
Key Loss: Joe Watkins – Has been the top British goaltender in the EPL for the last four years with the Flames.
Netminders: Mark Lee / Dean Skinns
The lowdown: After a disappointing season with no trophies last year, the Flames have strengthened significantly, particularly with the additions of Rempel, Clarke and Masa. They also replaced the departed Stephen Lee with Jez Lundin to complete a strong line-up that is definitely capable of winning the league. One question-mark is in net after the departure of Watkins, and one of Skinns and Lee will have to step up their game to provide stability at the back.
Manchester Phoenix
Key Import: Andre Mattsson – The Swedish defenseman will anchor the blueline for the Phoenix this season.
Key Brit: Tony Hand – The 41 year-old Scot is the best British player ever, and was still the best Brit in the Elite League last year.
Key Arrival: Ed Courtenay – While getting on in years Courtenay is still an elite sniper, and should dominate alongside Hand.
Key Loss: N/A
Netminders: Steve Fone / Adam Summerfield
The lowdown: Phoenix have dropped from the Elite League with Basingstoke this summer and have their eyes on EPL success. Player/coach Tony Hand has assembled a strong squad with high calibre imports and some good emerging British talent. They may be a little light on defensive depth, but Manchester look a good bet for the title.
Milton Keynes Lightning
Key Import: Lukas Zatopek – The towering defenseman is a rock at the back while chipping in with a good number of points.
Key Brit: Adam Carr – This will be the forward ’ s 7th season at MK and he has just been made team captain.
Key Arrival: Monir Kalgoum – The import forward will need to help replace the points lost with the departure of Clarke and Wiklander.
Key Loss: Joakim Wiklander – Gary Clarke is a big loss, but it was the signing of Wiklander last year that ignited MK ’ s season.
Netminders: Barry Hollyhead / Alex Mettam
The lowdown: Milton Keynes had a great end to last season, finishing 2nd in the league and reaching the playoff final. Despite losing some key players, they have kept their core intact and replaced the losses with similar players. They have also added Leigh Jamieson and Michael Farn to significantly strengthen their defence, and should do well again this season.
Peterborough Phantoms
Key Import: Brent Gough – The versatile forward anchors the Phantoms ’ first line and led the team to the treble last year.
Key Brit: James Morgan – Is disliked by a lot of fans throughout the EPL but is a very effective offensive defenseman.
Key Arrival: Jason Cassells – The import forward arrives from Elite league Edinburgh, and needs to replace the production of Nathan Rempel.
Key Loss: James Hutchinson – Rempel and Peacock will be missed but Hutchinson ’ s production from the blueline hasn ’ t been replaced.
Netminders: Stephen Wall / Damien King
The lowdown: The Phantoms enjoyed a fantastic season last year, becoming the first team to win the EPL treble. Several important players have left in search of a new challenge, most notably Rempel and Peacock, their top scorers last year, but they have been replaced by Cassells and Tom Carlon. While their treble-winning core remains intact they may well find the competition a lot tougher this season and a repeat of their success seems unlikely.
Coming in part 2 are previews of the rest of the teams and the predicted final positions.
Contact dave.lambert@prohockeynews.com
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