DURHAM, UK – I recently received my voting forms for the Ice Hockey Journalists UK teams of the year in both the Elite and English Premier League this got me thinking as to whether any ENL teams of the year are ever named. With the ENL North 2011/12 campaign reaching its final few weeks, I decided to look back over the last 6 months of action to select my top players of Division 1 North this season.
At the back a number of goaltenders have impressed this season, Richie Lawson of Whitley Bay has proved himself to be one of the top netminders in the league since moving to Hillheads shortly after the start of the campaign. He quickly established himself as Warriors top goalie ahead of Calvin Khass and David Lawrence and produced many top performances including a superb display at Billingham in a 1-1 draw as Whitley and Billingham battled it out at the top of the table.
Despite Lawson’s impressive form I feel both Daniel Brittle of Blackburn and James Flavell of Billingham have shown more than enough over the entire campaign to be included in my ENL side of the season. Brittle has kept his Hawks side in many games with superb reflexes and smart saves which has enabled the Hawks to push Whitley and Billingham all the way at the top of the table.
James Flavell
In defence, there are many candidates to be included however I feel Dave Thomas of the Billingham Stars and Adam Andrews of the relegated Solihull Barons have been the top 2 blue liners throughout the campaign. Andrews has led the Barons from the back with great credit despite his side’s struggles and he has proved himself to be more than capable of playing in the ENL North 1. Adam has been able to post a healthy points tally and the offensive nature of his game has made him a genuine threat for Solihull when he has been able to come forward.
Thomas is one of those players who every team wants in defence an uncompromising physical d man who takes no prisoners and makes sure every opposition forward knows they have been in a game when they take on his Billingham side. Thomas may not be the most gifted player technically however he more than makes up for that with his desire and will to win which comes through whenever you see the Stars alternate captain in action.
On my 2nd line of defence, I have decided to select Max Drakeley of the Trafford Metros and Kevin Bucas of Whitley Warriors. Bucas who has previously iced for the Newcastle Vipers in the British National League has been a rock at the back for Warriors this term. He has played on Whitley’s top defensive unit throughout the season where he has used his experience and know how to keep things as tight as possible at the back for the revamped Warriors roster. Bucas’s solidity has meant that Whitley’s more offensive d men such as Nathan Ryder and Rob Wilson have been able to maraud forward when the opportunity has come their way safe in knowledge that they were still well covered at the back.
Partnering Bucas on the 2nd defensive line is Max Drakeley of the Trafford Metros. Max may not be one of the most eye catching players plying their trade in the ENL at present however his physical presence and ability on the puck have certainly caught the eye this term and if Trafford are to build on their successful 2011/2 keeping Drakeley in the Metros uniform must be one of the top priorities over the summer months.
There are many talented players in the ENL to select offensive lines from on my top forward unit I have plumped for the consistency of Jamie Rogerson (Trafford Metros) the experience of Karol Jets (Telford Titans) and the trickery DJ Good (Whitley Warriors). Jets is currently the top ENL marksmen at the time of writing and his ability on the puck shines through every time he takes to the ice. In my opinion Jets could still easily play in the EPL however the Premier League’s loss is certainly the ENL’s gain in this case.
Joining Jets on my top line is DJ Good in previous campaigns DJ has been one of the Warriors back up players operating on the 2nd or 3rd scoring line behind the likes of Karl Culley, Andrew Carter, Adam Reynolds and Ryan Sample in the pecking order of offensive talents. However this year Good has stepped forward to establish himself as one of the players who will provide that spark when Whitley have had their backs against the wall. DJ has netted a number of brilliant goals this term and even though he has been unable to carry his early season form throughout the entire campaign I feel he is still deserving of a place in the ENL team of the year.
Jamie Rogerson
Selecting my 2nd forward unit has been a tough call however I have decided to opt for the reliability of Shaun Kippin (Whitley Warriors) the all round game game of Dean Holland (Whitley Warriors) and the experience and points production of Ryan Stanton (Telford Titans).
Kippin has really shown himself to be one of the most versatile and consistent performers in the ENL this term. He has played on a number of different lines and has in recent times centred an ever changing Warriors third line though throughout all these changes he has still managed to continue to contribute excellent numbers as Whitley have pushed Billingham for the title.
Shaun Kippin
Kippin’s teammate Dean Holland began the campaign expecting to play in the EPL for the Telford Titans and occasionally in the Elite League for the Dundee Stars however that arrangement didn’t really work out and the former Newcastle Vipers forward soon linked up with the Whitley Warriors. Dean has enjoyed a great season in the maroon and gold establishing himself as one of the most talented two way players in the league. It is not known whether Dean will opt to play his trade at a higher level next term though the vast majority of Warriors supporters will be hoping he decides to remain in his native north east and remain at Whitley Bay.
The final berth on my 2nd forward unit goes to Ryan Stanton who has led his Telford Titans side to the verge of the 2011/12 play offs which a great achievement for the side from the midlands. Stanton’s points production is just behind that of his teammate Jets and the Titans improvements this term certainly owes a lot to this free scoring pair.
I’m sure almost every ENL North fan will have a different take on who should be in the team of the year as always feel free to get in touch and let us know your thoughts on who the top players this season have been.
ENL North Division 1 – Top Line
Netminder-
James Flavell (Billingham)
Defence-
Dave Thomas (Billingham)
Adam Andrews (Solihull)
Forwards-
Jamie Rogerson (Trafford)
DJ Good (Whitley)
Karol Jets (Telford)
ENL North Division 1 – 2nd line
Netminder-
Daniel Brittle (Blackburn)
Defence-
Kevin Bucas (Whitley)
Max Draxeley (Trafford)
Forwards
Shaun Kippin (Whitley)
Ryan Stanton (Telford)
Dean Holland (Whitley)
Images courtesy of Colin Lawson @ http://www.icehockeymedia.co.uk/
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
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