SURREY, UK – As Guildford Flames, Surrey’s premier ice hockey team, venture into unchartered territory for the first time in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) here’s a quick recap of their final season in the ill-fated premier league together with a glance at how the team is shaping up for the challenges ahead.
A brief look back
Photo courtesy of John Unwins
The 16/17 season was Flames 25th anniversary year and their twelfth in second tier UK hockey. With much of the cup and playoff winning team from 15/16 retained, the mood for the approaching season was optimistic. A shaky first three months resulted in changes to the line-up and the team rallied. Although Flames fared better in the second half of the season with improved results they found themselves in the unusual and uncomfortable position of fifth in the league.
With league championship hopes dashed and a disappointing run in the premier cup, Flames looked to the playoffs for possible redemption. Topping their group with eleven out of a possible twelve points the outlook seemed promising for the club and fans. Unfortunately, defeat at the hands of eventual playoff champions Milton Keynes Lightning in the semi-finals put an end to the prospect of any silverware returning to the Spectrum.
A mix of old and new
Putting the 16/17 season firmly to one side and having been accepted into the EIHL for 17/18, the club entered the off-season in determined pursuit of a skilled and competitive team to challenge in the EIHL.
Over the summer, Head Coach Paul Dixon and the team created a new roster, retaining the services of six former players.
Popular former captain, Jez Lundin, a top five points scorer (47 in 16/17) and fellow defenceman Kevin Phillips were both re-signed together with top points scorer, Ben Campbell (76 in 16/17), forward Andy McKinney, 23 year old Sam Godfrey and Brit Netminder, Mike Will.
In all, sixteen new signings were made with many arriving in Surrey having played together at other teams during the previous season:
Swedish duo David Lilliestrom Karlsson and Calle Ackered both transferred from Ostersunds IK, Canadians Brennan Yadlowski and Rhett Rachinski were acquired from University of Alberta Golden Bears and Ben Davies, Liam Stewart and Canadian netminder Brian Stewart all arrived from a 16/17 season with Coventry Blaze.
Noticeably absent from the ice thus far for Flames is Canadian Brett Ferguson who has been unable to join the team while he awaits return of his passport and his VISA confirmation. The good news from the club is that Brett’s VISA application was successful and he is set to join the team soon.
Ones to watch
With the season underway and with a handful of performances under their belts, here are a couple of key players to keep an eye on:
First up, newly appointed captain and defenceman Jesse Craige. Craige arrived at Guildford with an impressive history of honours from previous clubs and according to coach Dixon, displays leadership qualities in abundance. He’s a positive and vocal presence on the ice and has notched up four assists in four cup and league games. Looking particularly sharp on the ice, he is already proving popular with the Guildford Flames fans.
Secondly, Ian Watters who is one of four alternate captains this year and was named first EIHL player of the week (period ending 10th September 2017). The ex Reading Royals player from the East Coast Hockey League scored an impressive hat trick in a wonderful early September win against 16/17 champions Cardiff Devils that had Flames fans buzzing in anticipation for the coming season.
As the club embarks on the new challenge in top flight UK hockey the team continues to prepare and has fully embraced an extended training programme in readiness for a more fast and furious style of play. There’s a new emphasis on strength and conditioning sessions alongside the usual on ice training enhanced by the utilization of highly scrutinised video analysis. So with three further fixtures in September and nine to follow in October there’s plenty to look forward to and this brave new world is looking pretty exciting for the Flames and their fans.
Photo courtesy of Guildford Flames
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