LONDON, UK – The newly formed Haringey Huskies head into the second half of the season in good spirits despite a mid-table placing in the NIHL Wilkinson Conference.
Photo by Phil Hutchinson
Operating any hockey team in the UK is a formidable challenge, especially in the capital but with twelve years of experience at Alexandra Palace under his belt as a Player and former Coach, new GM Lee Mercer stands as good a chance as anyone to end the cycle of change in North London hockey with the Huskies.
“Even though you imagine there’s a lot to do when setting up a hockey team, you never know exactly how much until you start” admitted the 39 year old, Kirkcaldy native. “Luckily I have a great team around me who’ve helped every step of the way. We are lucky to have so many committed individuals bringing their own unique skills to the club and the EIHA helped us as much as they could too”
The veteran Scot’s Ally Pally based side have won exactly half of their fourteen fixtures in a non-demanding schedule that suits their fledgling status. Players like defensive duo Alastair Band and Ryan Payne, goalie David Wride, forwards Stuart Appleby and Ben Osborne have all returned and brought a familiarity to the line-up, supplemented by youngsters like former Streatham junior Daniel Clayton and home grown Palace prospect Mark Voslinsky.
After a good start and a league player of the month award for top scorer Stephen Woodford, a pick up from Chelmsford, the Huskies form has understandably tailed off in recent weeks, but results are not the be all and end all for a team playing out of an iconic North London facility that has perhaps seen too many re-incarnations of senior league teams over the last eighteen years.
“I had no expectations really as far as results are concerned as no-one knew how the league would pan out with teams dropping down from the league above” explained Mercer. “So far we are playing some exciting hockey, though admittedly we are a long way off being the finished article.
“However the point is that we are building a club for the kids to grow into and are aiming to be a team that players want to play for. That’s the goal”
The branding and name of the Haringey senior team has changed from Greyhounds to Racers, back to Greyhounds and then Racers again in just 17 years as many good people have tried to crack the notoriously fickle London (non-football) sports and entertainment market. The Huskies name is distinct in that it does mark the first break away from those two traditional monikers of the past dating back to the 1930’s.
“Obviously I love dogs, who doesn’t?” laughed Mercer when asked about the inspiration behind the new name. “It came from a brainstorming exercise and the junior teams are all named after dogs so obviously it’s about continuity and trying to be as joined up as possible.”
Back to the old grill for Mercer (Photo by Phil Hutchinson)
Mercer continues to lace the skates up despite his GM role and leaves the coaching responsibilities to Head Coach Daniel Sampson. It’s an interesting balance of responsibilities that he has in common with Bristol Pitbulls supremo Richie Hargreaves, who he has of course sought advice from.
“I always class myself as a hockey player first and foremost when I am on the ice” said the former GB junior international. “I have to put the trust in the coaching team as they are the ones who are judged on the results. I’ve spoken to Richie who has done a great job with Bristol and also a number of other people from around the league who have all given sound advice”
“I still have a hunger to play the game and I love it, even if my body often tells me a different story.”
Recently the Huskies ditched their smart black uniforms for a pink camouflage charity jersey to support #claireschallenge. The jersey may look perfect for a paintballing hen-do but the cause is an important one.
It centres around 34 year old Coventry Blaze fan Claire Flatt who was recently diagnosed with cervical cancer and breast cancer. She has decided to raise funds for Cancer Research and MacMillan Cancer Support and the Huskies will wear the special jerseys until the end of January before putting them up for auction.
“Claire is a close friend of my partner Jess” explained Mercer, who has also slipped on a face cage for the first time in his career this year. “We are in a privileged position to raise awareness for such a great cause so when I found out about Claire’s diagnosis it was a given that we would help in whatever way we could.”
“It’s the most challenging time of her life along with her husband Ian and also their dog Pickles, so we want everyone to try and get involved supporting #claireschallenge and we will be putting updates on our Facebook page letting people know how they can help.”
The remainder of the season begins this weekend with two very tough fixtures for the Huskies. On Saturday they take on the high flying Bracknell Hornets with only one loss to their name all season at Ally Pally, before heading up to Oxford on Sunday to play the table topping City Stars.
“As I said before, we are taking small steps” admitted Mercer. “We want to make the Play-Offs, that’s our aim however we have had a great season so far and it can only get better and the club can only grow.”
“I am just grateful for everyone who has helped us get this far this season and of course we look to build and strengthen both on and off the ice so anyone who is interested should always get in touch.”
To visit Claire’s donation page click HERE
The Haringey Huskies Facebook page is HERE
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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