ENL South Preview 2010/11

LONDON, UK – The English National League South begins this weekend after a summer break. Three new teams replace the departed Haringey Greyhounds and Peterborough Islanders, with Bristol Pitbulls, Romford Raiders and Swindon ENL Wildcats joining an ever more competitive league. Last season saw Invicta Dynamos clinch the league title, but it was Bracknell Hornets who won the play-offs. Both sides have seen big changes to their roster so this season could be the closest and most exciting one ever.
Pro Hockey News columnist and Streatham Redskins player Dave Carr takes a look at how the teams line up this season:
 
Wightlink Raiders
Title has to be aim for Cornish’s men

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After a mediocre league campaign last season, the Isle of Wight based side have certainly made moves to ensure that there is no repeat this year. The return of Player Coach Jeremy Cornish signalled the Raiders intention to ensure stability at the club.
 
The big Canadian wasted no time in revamping his squad this summer with some key changes to the playing staff. Out went team captain and top scorer Dan Hughes along with Luke Reynolds and James Udell. Imposing 6’ 5” Dom Hopkins and part time cage fighter Brad Watchorn have joined from Play-Off champions Bracknell Hornets, along with 6’ 4” James Francis who returns to the UK after a spell playing in Florida, USA. These three add to an already tough line up including the likes of Andy Robinson and Kev Tanner, who both enjoy dropping the gloves.
 
Despite adding obvious muscle to his squad, Cornish has also moved to address the goal scoring issues of last season. Big things will be expected of new import Jason Gorrie who is new to the UK. Youngsters Robbie Brown and Nathan Taylor, signed from Belfast Giants and Whitley Warriors respectively, will be asked to shoulder the responsibility of supporting Gorrie with additional firepower. Alex Murray will want to continue his good scoring form from last season, as will rookie Josh Florey who enjoyed a good season with Basingstoke last year.
 
Key man: Jason Gorrie – The Canadian comes with a decent pedigree and if he hits the ground running, he could end up with the best stats of his career. Wightlink fans love a goal scoring import and he should have the freedom to show his skills, given the tough line up he has around him.
 
Thoughts: On paper the Raiders should be aiming for the title this season. No one will look forward to a trip to the island, but it will be Wightlink’s away form that will ultimately decide whether they bring silverware back to Ryde. Also with so many feisty characters, not least the coach himself in the line up, the conduct of referees in the ENL will have a big say in whether the team do well.
 
Roster 2010/11: Toby Cooley (N/M), Matt Colclough (N/M), Robbie Brown, Jeremy Cornish, Alex Murray, Nathan Taylor, Brad Watchorn, Stewart Tait, Andrew Robinson, Steve Gosset, Keiron Annis, Kev Tanner, Josh Florey, Jason Gorrie, Damon Larter, Niall Bound, Dan Scott, Dominic Hopkins, James Francis, Steve Gannaway.
 
 
Streatham Redskins
South London side improved but is it enough?
 
After a battling season last year, improvements to the squad have raised expectations at the High Road. Head Coach Barry Spours has returned for his second season on the Redskins bench and has managed to retain most of last year’s squad. The capture of Invicta’s championship winning trio of Shane Kemp, Joe Johnston and Jack Tarczycki gives the team a new spine and strengthens the team in every position. Former Wightlink Raider Dave Webb and Haringey’s Michael Ranby are new faces who will be eager to impress, but the loss of lively forwards Louis Lockwood and Perry Richardson is a blow to the team.
 
The excellent Peter Molnar will be a threat as usual and this year will be joined by fellow import forward (as yet not named) to add punch up front. Speedy winger Liam Rasmussen and skilled defenseman Casimir Madren-Britton will be expected to push on following break through year’s last season. The defence is largely unchanged from last season, with Czech defenseman Lukas Zilak adding foreign flair to the blue line complementing the London grit from the likes of Captain Ed Koral.
 
Key man: Jack Tarczycki – A surprise signing given how highly rated he was at Invicta. Tarczycki is a strong mobile defenseman but he will have to get used to being under pressure a lot more during games after some relatively easy seasons with the champions. Will expect to clock up the ice time on special teams and be expected to weigh in with some goals from the point.
 
Thoughts: Streatham don’t have the budget of near neighbours Romford and Invicta, but they have still managed to sign some quality players to supplement last season’s squad. The team have traditionally relied upon a hard skating blood and guts approach to games and this paid off last season. The aim will be to make the Play-Offs and entertain their loyal fans in the last season at the old High Road rink.
 
Roster 2010/11: Will Sanderson (N/M), Stefan Nubert (N/M), Shane Kemp (N/M), David Carr, Owen Murphy, Jack Tarczycki, Josh Allam, Lukas Zilak, Ed Koral, Casimir Madren-Britton, Fred Carnegy, Peter Molnar, Liam Rasmussen, Chris Rasmussen, Joe Johnston, Dave Webb, Kent Johnson, Russ Stevens, Gennadi Yufut, Michael Ranby, Richard Hardy.
 
 
Milton Keynes Thunder
Familiar faces fuel optimism in land of concrete cows
 
After escaping a relegation play-off by the skin of their teeth last season, MK coaching team Lewis Clifford and Darryl Morvan have been busy this summer bolstering the Thunder. A lack of goals was a major issue last season and this has been addressed with the signings of Ross Bowers, Aram Todd and Jamie Line. Bowers in particular will be a standout at this level and he adds a new dimension to the Thunder’s offensive threat.
 
The return of Paul Gore and Michael Lucas from Oxford City Stars is a welcome boost to the squad as is the return of star goalie Mark Woolf. The Peterborough connection of top scorer Jamie Holland, forward Clint Herring and defenseman Bernie Bradford have not been retained, and Jacob Heron has been called up to the EPL Lightning team full time this season. The likes of the Goode brothers and Martyn Snape got plenty ice time last year for the Thunder so Clifford and Morvan will be hoping to see this bear some fruition.
 
Aside from the signing of Bowers, the most surprising addition to the squad is the return of Milton Keynes stalwart Simon Howard. ‘Howie’ has been taking time out of the game following a short spell at Chelmsford, but returns to his home territory with the responsibility of replacing defenseman Michael Knights who retired from the game.
 
Key man: Jamie Randall – After a mammoth 54 game season with Bracknell Bees in the EPL, the reliable forward returns to Milton Keynes faced with a less hectic schedule. Often underrated by opposition fans, local boy Randall is an excellent playmaker with good hands, and will be an asset on the special teams.
 
Thoughts: Another team with a low budget who will always be up against it. Thankfully they can rely on some excellent local talent and they now seem to have goals up front to add to a traditionally decent defence. They have guys who can fight, guys who can hit and guys who can score, the test will be whether they can blend this together and also if they can show a commitment to road games, something that was lacking last season.
 
Roster 2010/11: Mark Woolf (N/M), Aram Todd, Paul Gore, Jamie Line, Matt Roberts, Keiron Goody, Lewis Clifford, Nidal Phillips, Paul Jamieson, Jamie Randall, Martyn Snape, Sam Fairhurst, David Coffey, Aiden Mahmud, Michael Lucas, Lee Featherstone, Ross Bowers, Harrison Goode, Connor Goode, Dan Chaplen, Simon Howard.
 
 
Cardiff ENL Devils
Tough act to follow for Welsh side
 
Unbeaten at home in the regular season last year, the Devils enjoyed a fantastic campaign under the guidance of Coach Mark Cuddihy. It is arguable whether they could have won the league, given more commitment to games on the road, but there is no doubt they will find it tough to emulate last season’s second place finish this time round.
 
Normally reliant on home grown players, Cardiff predictably secured the return of most of last season’s roster including fiery skipper David James, hard hitting Gareth Dixon and temperamental goalie Mike Brabon. This was tempered by the loss of top scorer Steve Fisher to Swindon, forward Alan Armour to Bristol and Corey Watkins to Invicta.
 
It’s not all bad for the Devils though, as Steve Maile joins them from Peterborough, as does the most appropriately named signing of the summer; Bryn Griffiths from Guildford. With rumours of an as yet unannounced import joining the side, Cuddihy clearly has to keep up with the Jones’s in a rapidly more competitive league.
 
Key man: Luke Piggott – In the absence of Fisher, regular scorer Piggott will have to shoulder more of the burden up front. Thirty one goals last season was a good return for the forward who has regularly been a threat at ENL level over the past few years.
 
Thoughts: Cardiff will be tough to beat on their own ice, but they won’t get away with travelling light to away games this season. Tim Burrows, Chris Jones and Ricky Deacon bagged plenty of points last season and Cuddihy needs them to be firing again if his team are to make an impact this year.
 
Roster 2010/11: Mike Brabon (N/M), Gareth Dixon, Phil Manny, Chris Jones, Tim Burrows, David James, Steve Maile, Luke Piggott, Bryn Griffiths, Ricky Deacon. (Rest to be confirmed).
 
 
Bristol Pitbulls
Fresh faced enthusiasm will be tested
 
No league hockey for years and then boom, Bristol Pitbulls are alive and kicking. After a championship winning season in ENL 2, the Pitbulls have added fresh blood to kick on another level. Add this to improvements to their rink and facilities and it adds up to exciting times at Frogmore Street.
 
Lively forward Shannon Taylor joined the team from Oxford City Stars at the start of the summer and he has since been joined by defenseman Alastair Band from Haringey plus Cardiff forward Alan Armour and goalie Michael Crisp (also from Cardiff). The return of the experienced Mike Smith, Mike Hargreaves and Peter Korff will be a welcome boost for Player-Coach Richie Hargreaves who has kept the core of last season’s team.
 
Two Swedish imports have been drafted in with very different objectives. Forward Henrik Sahlin spent last season playing in the Norwegian league and he will be expected to provide a goal threat, where as 6’ 3” defenseman Adam Klasa will need to be tough and clock up plenty of minutes on the blue line.
 
Key man: Rich Hargreaves – Aggressive, hard skating and with plenty of ability, Hargreaves has played at every level in UK hockey. Bristol is his brain child and his passion for hockey in the city is unrivalled.
 
Thoughts: Just how much can one man do? Rich Hargreaves has clearly tried to take pressure off himself both on and off the ice with some of the signings and decisions he has made this summer. He cannot yet afford to exclude himself from playing responsibility as the team need his talents, but he will be targeted by opposition teams so will need to keep his temper in check to succeed.
 
Roster 2010/11: Michael Crisp (N/M), John Dibble (N/M), Mike Hargreaves, Peter Korff, Rich Hargreaves, Alan Armour, Mike Smith, Alastair Band, Shannon Taylor, Steve Osman, Henrik Sahlin, Adam Klasa, Phil Dibble, Tom Evans.
 
 
Oxford City Stars
Stars will shine, but how brightly?
 
Stars fans breathed a sigh of relief when Coach Ken Forshee committed himself for another season at Oxpens Road. A quality player in his own right, the diminutive Canadian opted to register as a player for emergencies only this season.
 
Forshee’s return to the bench brings some much needed stability to the City Stars, who have had four different coaches in the last two years. The signing of Swedish goalie Robin Lindva briefly made Oxford the talk of the summer, as due to EIHA rules (only one import allowed on the ice at a time), his presence will ensure Forshee cannot put the skates on.
 
The signings of Gareth Endicott and Wayne Fiddes boost the Swindon connection already at the club, but the return of local boys Alan Green, Joe Edwards, Andy Cox and skipper Darren Elliott are perhaps just as crucial to the Stars prospective fortunes. On paper the Stars have a solid defence with the return of Andrew Shurmer, Nick Eden, Yousif Abu-Saada and Richard Wojciack.
 
It will be a big season for youngsters Dax Hedges, Mike Whillock and Josh Oliver who will all be hoping for breakthrough years with the Stars.
 
Key man: Robin Lindva – The Swedish stopper is highly rated and likely to be expected to start all 40 of the Stars games this year. He will need to settle quickly in Oxford and stay injury free for the Stars to compete at the top this season.
 
Thoughts: Oxford should be able to give any team a game on their day, sadly last season they had a few off days. A permanent bench coach in Ken Forshee is exactly what the team need and the only real worry is where the goals will come from against the top teams.
 
Roster 2010/11: Robin Lindva (N/M), Tom Devey (N/M), Andrew Shurmer, Richard Wojciak, Yousif Abu Saada, Wayne Fiddes, Nick Eden, Dale White, Grant Bailey, Andrew Cox, Darren Elliott, Ken Forshee, Alan Green, Gareth Endicott, Dax Hedges, Joe Edwards, Josh Oliver, Mike Whillock, Jack Robinson, James Francis Barrie, Warren Jones.
 
 
Swindon ENL Wildcats
New boys face a tough task
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Swindon finished in second place behind Bristol in ENL 2 last season and avoided a play-off due to the demise of Haringey Greyhounds. They did however beat Bristol in the ENL 2 Cup so they did manage to lift some silverware last season.
 
A development side in the truest sense of the word, the ENL Wildcats roster is full of young local talent, with the team essentially acting as a stepping stone to the EPL Wildcats. With this in mind, the expectations at the Link Centre for the ENL side will not be as high as at other clubs.
 
Experienced goalie Jamie Thompson will start between the pipes, and the other old head in the ranks is former Haringey defenseman Brian Clark. Aside from those two, the roster is largely full of young players, most notably prolific scorers Jamie Newton, Ryan Burgess and James Burnett.
 
Key man: Jamie Thompson – The former Oxford City Stars’ goalie could potentially be the busiest man in the ENL. Now entering the veteran stage of his hockey career, ‘Juice’ will have to be on top form in every game to keep the Wildcats alive.
 
Thoughts: Head Coach Justin Bonello has a tough job on his hands this season. The ENL Wildcats ran Bristol close for the title last season however the flurry of activity in the Pitbulls camp has not been replicated in Wiltshire. The ENL Wildcats have a small squad and equally have nothing to lose as they take on the big boys.
 
Roster 2010/11: Jamie Thompson (N/M), Kevin McGurk (N/M), Tom Asprey, Brian Clark, Stephen Whitfield, Martyn Grey, Andrew Coakley, Ryan Burgess, Alasdair Barrow, James Burnett, Sam Feeney, Ben Lehmann, Louis Neal, Jamie Newton, Grant Richardson, Daniel Smith, Daniel Sullivan, Daniel Petit, John Spence, Zach Sullivan.
    
 
Chelmsford Chieftains
Big expectations at the Riverside
 
After hanging on to their much vaunted youngsters this summer, Head Coach Dean Birrell is in confident mood ahead of the 2010/11 season. The Chieftains have stuck with largely the same team that earned them a fourth place league finish last season.
 
It remains to be seen how the highly publicised link up with English Premier League side Slough Jets impacts the team, with prospective player availability and fatigue potential benefits or issues. The agreement has already come in handy as Chelmsford have been training at Slough over the summer.
 
Ben Clements will probably get the nod as starting goalie ahead of new signing Euan King but both are of similar ability. Danny Hammond will be expected to lead the line again up front, ably supported by the likes of Ross Brears, Blaho Novak and Aaron Connelly. The signing of the mobile and tough defenseman Danny Cox from Romford is a boost to an already strong defensive line up and the addition of Tom Long from Basingstoke will surely provide goals.
 
The Riverside faithful will be eager to see their team in action against local rivals Invicta and Romford, and it could be a really exciting season in Essex. One issue could be the closure of Chelmsford’s rink for maintenance. It is due to open a few weeks after the start of the season but this means the Chieftains have to start the season on the road and are relying on the rink opening on schedule.
 
Key man: Dean Birrell – More than most other teams, Chelmsford rely on their coach to make them tick. Well organised and well drilled under Birrell, the Essex side have a lot of young prospects and rely on the stubbled Scotsman to bring things together.
 
Thoughts: Chelmsford will challenge again this season but they will have to be consistent throughout the year if they want success. They cannot afford a big dip in form again mid-season.   Well backed and well funded, expectation is high at the Riverside and the time to deliver is now.
 
Roster 2010/11: Ben Clements (N/M), Euan King (N/M), Danny Cox, Alex Green, Danny Wright, Sean Easton, Alex Staples, Richard Gunn, James Ayling, Ross Brears, Darren Brown, Danny Hammond, Nathaneal Williams, Tom Long, Aaron Connelly, Matt Turner, Blaho Novak, Jerry Pavlus, Rudi Dzurko
 
 
Romford Raiders
From strugglers to success?
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Romford join the ENL after dropping down from the English Premier League, in a move largely to do with finance. From battling against the big budget teams of Guildford and Manchester last season, the Essex side now find themselves in the position of being the big boys themselves.
 
Local legend Danny Marshall has taken up the Player-Coach role and has somewhat surprisingly managed to retain some of last year’s side. Defenseman Tyrone Miller takes an unexpected step down to the ENL and is joined on the blue line by David Oliver, Julian Smith from Peterborough, Reece Covington from Chelmsford,   and Liam Doyle from Haringey.
 
Goalie Glen Jackson joins from Swindon and he will compete with Michael Grey for the starters spot. Hot prospect Frankie Harvey has been persuaded to stay and he will be expected to pose a goal threat along with Jason Buckman and AJ Smith. Toughness will come from former Invicta men Anthony Leone and Grant Baxter along with former London Racer JJ McGrath. Former Streatham and Lee Valley agitator Steve Paris and ex Invicta man Stuart Low are also new faces through the door.
 
Key man: Danny Marshall – Marshall has been a decent scorer in the EPL for a number of years and he should rack up the points in the ENL. As a player-coach he will have to be on his game and adapt to the new challenge of competing at the top of the league rather than the bottom.
 
Thoughts: Coaching is not new to Marshall but expectations at Rom Valley Way will be high from supporters, some of whom were not too keen for the team to drop a level. The return of derbies with Invicta and Chelmsford will prove welcome to the clubs coffers, but these games will bring extra pressure to the team. Romford should be aiming for the title, but this may rest on what imports they get (as yet unannounced).
 
Roster 2010/11: Michael Gray (N/M), Glen Jackson (N/M), Tyrone Miller, Liam Doyle, Reece Covington, Julian Smith, Grant Baxter, David Oliver, Frankie Harvey, James Murnane, Danny Marshall, Adam Smith, Stuart Low, JJ McGrath, Steve Paris, Jason Buckman, Tom Davis, Anthony Leone.
 
 
Bracknell Hornets
Play-Off champions possible victim of success
 
Former Romford Raider Ben Pitchley has a tough task rebuilding the Hornets, following the promotion of a fair percentage of last year’s team to the EPL Bees side. Undeterred by losing the likes of James Galazzi, Tom Avery and Ben Duggan, Pitchley has been busy recruiting all summer.
 
In come prolific forward Dan Hughes and defenseman Luke Reynolds from Wightlink Raiders. Czech import Radek Simecek and former Guildford Flame Ben Austin are new faces to the blue line and winger Danny House aims to boost his ice time by dropping down from the EPL Bees. Former Haringey centre Adam Hyman returns after time out of the game and Pitchley has called up a host of youngsters in the form of Tom Fisher, Ryan Webb, JJ Pitchley, Lewis Turner and goalie Shannon Long.
 
Key man: David Wride – Goalie Wride returns to the Hornets again after playing an integral part in their Play-Off Championship winning campaign last season. The former Haringey and Milton Keynes stopper has often been linked with moves to the EPL but Pitchley will be delighted to have him back in a Hornets shirt this season.
 
Thoughts: Despite losing a number of players, the roster shows that this team are no mugs. A strong goalie and mobile defence are plus points plus they have goals in the side courtesy of Hughes and potentially House. Simecek and Austin have a big job replacing the departed Blair Dubyk, Ben Johnson and Dom Hopkins on the blue line.
 
Roster 2010/11: David Wride (N/M), Mark Petch (N/M), Shannon Long (N/M), Michael Plenty, Lewis Turner, Graham Bellamy, Gareth Wheeler, Ben Austin, Radek Simecek, Luke Reynolds, Matt Ovenden, Greg Martyn, JJ Pitchley, Tony Barclay, Grant Rounding, Ryan Webb, Tom Fisher, Alan Lack, Tom Carroll, Adam Hyman , Danny Hughes, Craig Parker, Danny House, Lawrence Fidler.
 
 
Invicta Dynamos
Champions face toughest challenge yet
 
All change in Gillingham as the all conquering Invicta Dynamos squad undergoes its biggest upheaval in years. Coach Kevin Parrish has seen last season’s top scorer Peter Vaisanen leave for Sheffield along with the lively Nicky Lewis. Club stalwarts Grant Baxter and AJ Smith left for local rivals Romford Raiders and goalie Shane Kemp, forward Joe Johnston and defenseman Jack Tarczycki all departed to Streatham.
 
Despite competition from both Romford and Chelmsford in the pursuit for new faces, Parrish has managed to secure some highly rated youngsters for the coming season. First through the door was Callum Fowler from Peterborough and he was followed by highly rated forward Liam Chong and then former Romford Raider Michael Timms. Prospect Grant Bignell has joined the team after spending last season in the States, and other new faces include Corey Watkins from Cardiff, Scott Beeson from Haringey, Adam Copland from Chelmsford and defensemen Tom Dennis and Zach Sullivan.
 
Goalies Andrew Dickson and Andy Moffatt bring a new look to the crease, and Moffatt in particular is proven at this level. Canadian forward Daniel Calitri will have the unenviable job of picking up from where Vaisanen left off, but Parrish has got a good track record with choosing imports. The Mo’s are yet to announce a second import, but Parrish is unlikely to go with just one over the season so expect to see a new arrival sooner rather than later.
 
Key man: Andy Smith – The fans favourite and local boy made good, Smith is back for another year of hockey following the usual ‘will he, won’t he’ summer saga. Smith will be the usual threat up front for the Dynamos but with the league improving, can he step up to keep his usual level well above the rest?
 
Thoughts: This will be an interesting season for Kevin Parrish and his men. Often the biggest, strongest and best team in the league, their fans will have to get used to losing more games than usual which won’t be a bad thing as this will mean the league is more competitive.    
 
Roster 2010/11: Andy Moffatt (N/M), Andrew Dickson (N/M), Anthony Lennon, Zach Sullivan, Adam Copland, Tom Dennis, Tim Smith, Ryan Giles, Scott Beeson, Karl Lennon, Grant Bignell, Michael Timms, Liam Chong, Loyde Fuller, Andy Smith, Daniel Calitri, Corey Watkins, Callum Fowler.
 
Please note, all rosters are correct at time of press.
Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com