LONDON, UK – With the NIHL South season ready to start, Pro Hockey News looks at every team ahead of the campaign and believes this could be the most open contest in years.
Meet the teams…
Photo by Kev Slyfield
Bracknell Hornets
Redmond’s young guns aiming higher
After a disappointing campaign in 2015/16 where the team avoided relegation in the final weeks of the season, Bracknell will be looking to improve under the guidance of new coach Kenny Redmond.
The experienced Scot played a big part in their improved performances towards the end of last year but suffered a big blow to his forward line losing JJ Pitchley to London Raiders earlier this summer.
A lot of responsibility will fall on the shoulders of two new Slovak imports Peter Hudec and Jaroslav Kucej, with the latter having the stronger pedigree and hockey CV.
Stalwarts Danny Hughes, Luke Reynolds and Stewart Tait will all need to bring their experience to the table to help mould together a young squad. Young forwards Brandon Miles and Ryan Handisides will be relied upon to provide some attacking threat in a team that struggled for goals at times last year.
It looked like Danny Milton would be their only goalie but the late arrival of Kevin McGurk from Swindon gives them some cover.
Two pre-season games against Chelmsford both ended in defeat but the Hornets had a small bench in each, so little can be read into either result.
Photo by Kev Slyfield
Key player – Danny Milton
The former Slough stopper was an almost ever present for the team last year and put in some quality displays, despite the fact the Hornets conceded more goals than any other team in the league. Despite his tender age of 23, Milton has more than enough experience to deal with the amount of rubber he will face this season and he will be hoping for an easier time of it this campaign.
The Barn
For the fans Bracknell offers decent sightlines from the balconies above, a decent bar and temperatures that let you dress down as if on a winter sun break to Santorini. For the players a visit to the Hive gives that extra sweaty feeling plus the chance to get changed in a Bear Grylls style wild campsite until after warm up when the regular locker room becomes free.
The verdict
It says everything about the competitiveness of the league that Bracknell will be viewed as one of the weaker teams. Redmond proved last year that he will get the team organised and disciplined and if they can put together some form on home ice then they will be aiming for a better finish than last year. The Hornets struggled to score last season at times so Kucej in particular will be the guy they hope can change that.
Chelmsford Chieftains
Odds still in their favour despite changes
After sewing up the league title almost before the halfway mark, Chelmsford still brought in more players for the latter months of the campaign and Coach Sean Easton showed this summer he isn’t the kind of coach to stand still.
Old fan favourites Ross Brears and James Ayling won’t be playing this season in a Chieftains jersey and neither will be outgoing Captain Julian Smith or goalie Euan King. All four played key roles in the Chieftains success however Easton has decided to promote some of his exciting youngsters from the Warriors side with Ollie Baldock, Brandon Ayliffe, Jake Sylvester and Sonny Phillips all signed full time.
Reliable import duo Juraj Huska and Lukas Zatopek are back for another year and are game winners at either end of the ice. Easton even has the luxury of spare import Andrius Kaminskas in case either is unavailable.
Silky smooth Matt Turner and local lad Cameron Bartlett will provide a spark up front with the ever dependable Anthony Leone, Danny Hammond and Darren Brown providing the depth that makes Chelmsford such a tough nut to crack over a league campaign.
One surprise was the signing of Nathaniel BT Williams after a few years away from the game to add a bit of toughness to the roster.
Key man – Juraj Huska
The Slovak is worth his weight in gold in this league and snipes for fun. With 39 goals in 33 games last year he was the difference in many games and was the league’s top goalscorer. At 34 he may not be as quick as he was but his tight turns and skating ability combined with a cannon of a shot make him a danger almost anywhere in the offensive zone and very difficult to stop.
The Barn
Set by a river in leafy Essex, Chelmsford’s rink is on stilts and has the most confusing car parking machines in the western world. Inside the views aren’t the greatest due to low level seating by the glass, and this stops the noise from the stands reaching the ice and doesn’t help the atmosphere. Despite this, the Chieftains fans tend to be a friendly bunch in the main and get behind their team in numbers.
The verdict
Chelmsford will start as favourites again for all competitions but they may find themselves in more tough contests thanks to the improvement of some of the other teams in the league. This means more chance of them dropping points in places they wouldn’t have last campaign. Easton has depth in his squad to cope with suspensions and injuries but he may find things a little tougher this time round.
Invicta Dynamos
Spotlight never fades for Parrish and his team
After starting last season with a youthful team then deciding that perhaps losing a few more games wasn’t very palatable after all, Invicta strengthened significantly and this time round start as contenders again.
Securing the services of net minder Damien King was Coach Kev Parrish’s first concern and he also decided to bring back import defenseman Ondrej Zosiak and last season’s top point scorer Steven Osman.
Former enfant terrible and now talisman Callum Fowler has been handed the captaincy in a bid to keep the talented forward focused and onboard, whilst Mason Webster has been brought in from London to bring tenacity and a willingness to drop the gloves.
Defenseman Tom Ralph is an intriguing signing from the EPL’s Hull Pirates and gives the Mo’s blue line a distinctly Northern feel alongside fellow talented Yorkshireman Arran Strawson.
Conor Redmond will be hoping to build on his breakout year last season and the Wootton brothers Haydn and Taylor will be hoping to cement their places in the team alongside Bailey.
All eyes will of course be on new import forward Adam Rehak who is a former Czech junior international who played last year in Poland.
Key man – Callum Fowler
It was no surprise that the Mo’s form improved dramatically when he returned from Bracknell Bees mid-season last year. Put simply he is a match winner and has excellent puck control and skating that can see him dance through the opposition at will. Parrish has brought in players to help protect him and give him space to play and if he reacts well to the captaincy it will be good news for Mo’s fans.
The Barn
The rink formerly known as the Ice Bowel (cymbal crash) but now rebranded as Silver blades is one of those rinks that comes alive in the big games. Yes it’s best days are behind it, yes the ice looks like it’s about to disappear into dark concrete in places, but like all the best old rinks in British hockey, when the supporters are all in full voice and the game is good, then it’s a good place to play and watch hockey.
The verdict
The new import lottery could see the Mo’s hit the jackpot if Rehak is as good as they hope. The team has more depth than last year up front, and Ralph is an important addition on the blue line. Parrish will be praying that King stays fit for the season but his side is not alone in having only one experienced netminder on the roster. Expect the Mo’s to push Chelmsford in the league and aim for success in the cup and play-offs.
Photo by John Scott
London Raiders
Back in the game
After a strange season of inconsistency last year, Coach Alan Blyth has put together a much stronger roster this time round and had a little fortune with player availability.
Chelmsford’s title winning captain Julian Smith joins former team mate John Connolly on the blue line to boost a defence that gradually improved as the season went on last year.
The loss of youngsters Seb Downing and Rio Grinell Parke will take away a little energy from the forward line but the excellent James Pentecost joins from Peterborough and high scorers JJ Pitchley and Kamil Kinkor arrive from Bracknell and Streatham respectively.
Blyth is yet another coach relying on one senior goalie as he struggled to recruit a back-up for starter Michael Gray, who played more minutes than any other goalie in the league last season. Sixteen year old Harry Buckingham was secured as back up last week from Guildford u18s.
A surprise return of Jacob Ranson from Invicta just adds to Blyth’s options up front and fans will no doubt see improvements at both ends of the ice on last year. Top scorer Marek Nahlik returns again after an excellent campaign that saw him prove himself as one of the league’s best forwards, following a less impressive stint at Invicta the year before.
Key man – Michael Gray
Blyth will be wrapping him in bubble wrap, getting him one those cryotherapy chambers in the Lee Valley car park, anything to keep him fit because he will be heavily relied upon as the senior goalie. It also helps that he is a good goalie and put in some good performances last year despite his team struggling. He has a stronger blue line in front of him this season so should enjoy things a little more.
The Barn
Like all good things come to an end, so has free parking at Lee Valley ice rink. Like daleks in Doctor Who, some nasty looking money making droids are now waiting to take your cash as you park up. Inside the rink is a nice place to watch hockey despite its low level seating. The waiting time in the café is a running joke with the Raiders fans, and perhaps that is one of the many reasons they continue to provide a hostile atmosphere for visiting teams.
The verdict
London have no excuses not to be challenging this year to be in the top 4. They have a depth in scoring now with Kinkor, Pitchley, Nahlik and Pentecost all capable of putting up big numbers, plus on blue line the likes of Connolly, Cooper, France and Smith are all stay at home defenseman who do their jobs well. Captain Tom Davis will be expecting a much easier job organising the troops this year with all the added experience and all that remains to be seen is if Blyth can make them all click.
Milton Keynes Thunder
Raising the bar
One of the longest serving teams in the league, the Thunder were inconsistent last season with brilliant performances one week nullified by poor ones the next.
This season looks to be different however as not only have they retained Pro Hockey News NIHL South Player of the year Jamie Line and other stars such as Ross Bowers and Nick Poole, but they’ve also added genuine quality.
Czech star Jakub Klima virtually guarantees goals at this level and former GB under 20 star Cameron Wynn will be looking to regain the form that made him such a sought after junior.
The Goode brothers Harrison and Connor will bring plenty of energy up front along with Tom Mboya, whilst in defence the surprise signing of former EPL blue liner Ross Green gives them more depth alongside player coach Paul Gore and Alex Whyte.
Greg Randall makes a welcome return to the league alongside his brother Jamie and on any other team they would be the most experience defenseman on the roster… however step forward evergreen Simon Howard who is 42 years young and still a class act!
Key man – David Wride
The former Invicta, Haringey, Chelmsford, Bracknell and Streatham stopper has played in MK before, but in the EPL with the Lightning. A top stopper on his day, Wride is set for a starting position with the Thunder after sharing duties with Will Sanderson last year in South London. Wride will be expected to play big minutes and will look to impress in his twelfth full season of senior league hockey. The experienced Mark Woolf joined the team last week so he should at least provide some competition.
The Barn
The refurbished Milton Keynes Arena is now arguably the best facility in the league and not only because it has an on-site Papa John’s pizzeria. The facilities and sightlines for fans are decent, plus the ice is well kept. The only downsides are a weird blue glow that comes off the ice and makes everyone think they are looking through a filter, and the fact that you can probably get a better phone signal in a nuclear bunker than in the rink.
The verdict
The Thunder have perhaps assembled their strongest roster in a number of seasons and have plenty of go-to guys to win games for them. Their form on the road was poor last year however, so that will have to change if they want to improve on last season’s seventh place finish. There are also a few players in the area still not signed anywhere so it’s likely that Gore could strengthen his squad even further before the season starts. In Milton Keynes they will be a match for anyone but the road games will be the acid test.
Photo by Paul Foster
Oxford City Stars
Enthusiasm keeps them shining
A fourth place finish last season was greeted with jubilation in Oxford, which perhaps shows what the level of expectation was. After a few difficult years, tempered expectations are somewhat understandable but in truth Simon Anderson assembled a very good team last season and has made progress again this summer.
The early season net minding problems were solved by the signing of Tom Annetts from Bracknell and his return this season is a big relief for everyone of a Stars persuasion.
The defence looks more solid than ever before and with Dom Hopkins, Ben Nethersall, Matt Jordan and highly rated Finn Joonas Liimatainen joining the club, it’s unlikely the Stars will be a soft touch at the back.
The impressive Ben Ealey-Newman had a breakthrough year with the team last year and his speed added to the similarly pacey Mike Whillock and Alan Green give the Stars plenty of options going forward.
The local core of the Oliver brothers, Andy Cox and Dax Hedges give depth, whilst the returning import forward Ondřej Pekárik should provide much needed goals.
The Stars recently unveiled some snazzy new jerseys and confidence is high in the club.
Key man – Ondrej Pekarik
Coach Simon Anderson has plugged the gaps at the back but the team at times lacked a cutting edge and Pekarik showed towards the end of the campaign that he could be the man to provide it. The 26 year old Czech played junior for his national team and along with Alan Green will be expected to light the lamp for the Stars this season after scoring 19 in 28 games last year.
The Barn
Designed to look like a ship from the outside, Oxford is one of the few rinks to have no glass and just netting around the boards. This can make for an interesting game as not everything bounces in a way it should and players new to the league look perplexed to say the least. The Oxford supporters and management deserve great credit for boosting attendances and creating a buzz around the rink again and when it’s full the fans create a great atmosphere.
The verdict
On paper the Stars have a really solid look about them. Fourth place seemed to come as a surprise for them last year but they should be aiming for a top four finish this season. The problem is that so will a number of other teams and Anderson will have to make sure they are consistent both at home and on the road. Last season they won a number of nail-biting games by the odd goal and if they want to better last year then they will have to do the same again.
Solent Devils
Against the odds
It has been another interesting summer on the South Coast with player coach Alex Murray once again having to stomach losing another of his star players to rivals Wightlink Raiders.
This year it was emerging star George Norcliffe who led the league scoring charts at the beginning of last year’s campaign and had a breakthrough year.
Thankfully for Solent fans, Murray has kicked on and built another decent roster with last season’s top scorer Richard Facey making a welcome return.
With an average age of just 21, Solent are the youngest team in the league and Murray will be hoping the teenage trio of new signings Jacob Rondeau-Smith, Paul Petts and Rhys McCormick can make an impact, with the latter fresh from a spell in Canada alongside fellow returnee Kyle Goddard.
In defence Captain Alex Cole leads a youthful blue line although Ben Lock is relatively experienced at this level and goalie Chico Cole is still a standout at this level.
The signing of Matt Lawday from Basingstoke could bring goals as he gets his second shot at NIHL 1 after not icing much at Wightlink earlier last season. One key player from last season, namely Ralfs Circenis has yet to be announced as returning or leaving.
Key man – Alex Murray
The Player Coach is as influential on the ice as he is off it, and does a great job keeping the team going. Composed on the puck and vocal to his team mates, Murray has averaged over a point a game every year for the past three campaigns in Solent. Sometimes playing as a defenceman, other times as a forward, Murray will need to stay fit and hopefully secure a competent regular bench coach to ensure he stays on the ice rather than off it.
The Barn
With a small ice surface, all round netting and a crowd at close proximity to the game, Gosport Arena is a unique venue to watch and play ice hockey. The techno and trance music have a Creamfields vibe to them and if you want a pre-game carvery then there really is no rink better placed. If you go to watch a game there you will probably enjoy it, if you play there, less so.
The verdict
Last season’s sixth place finish was very impressive and Solent will have to pull out all the stops to repeat it. The team try to play hockey the right way and the club deserve credit for improving year on year. With an improved London and Milton Keynes unlikely to be as poor as last year it will be an intriguing battle for Solent, whose fortunes will be greatly enhanced if they do announce the return of the afore mentioned Circenis in the coming days. Mitchell Murray will be key for their goals output.
Streatham IHC
New coach, new logo, similar team
After a mixed start to last season’s campaign, Streatham hit major form at the turn of the year and finished the regular season well before tanking in the cup final and play offs to Chelmsford. A fifth placed finish saw the team fall below expectations for probably the first time in a number of years.
GB hockey legend Nicky Chinn takes on his first coaching role as player coach and has drafted in title winning goalie Euan King, and American winger Sean Scarbrough. Late additions have been former Invicta forward Jack Lee on a two way with Haringey and former goalie turned utility player Conor Sheehan also from Haringey.
Last year’s mid-year acquisitions Callum Best and David Savage will start the season with the club and will be expected to play key roles. Savage in particular was superb and a big reason the wins racked up from January onwards. Tough guy and power forward Chris Wiggins suffered badly with injuries last year but returns with Streatham fans hoping to see more of him, whilst opposition players will be hoping to see less – his impact cannot be understated.
The loss of Dom Hopkins on the blue line leaves the team a little light in defence but the ever dependable James Warman, Ryan Giles, Casimir Madren Britton and Jack Tarczycki provide a solid back line.
Up front Scarbrough, the lively Adam Wood, speedy Joe Allen and veteran Captain Joe Johnston will look to provide goals, whilst sniper Steven Fisher will be looking to return to the form that used to put him at the top of the scoring charts each year.
Key man – Callum Best
After a disappointing experience in the EPL with Guildford last year, Best returned to Streatham midway through last year and struggled to reach the lofty heights of his previous spell when he finished as league top points scorer in 2014/15. As a key guy with flair and loads of natural ability, Streatham need him back to his er… best if they want to make any challenge for the title or silverware in general.
The Barn
Still relatively new and shiny despite being a busy public facility in the largest city in the UK, Streatham’s rink is part of a leisure centre with parking charges equally as confusing as Chelmsford and second to Oxford in expense. Once inside the sightlines are decent and the café sells Chupa Chups for 30p each! What a bargain.
The verdict
The signing of King and return of Savage bodes well for the goals against column, but the squad looks light at the back and any injuries to defensemen could give Chinn a headache as it did his counterpart last season. Up front Chinn will have to settle his lines quickly and get his big guns firing for the team to challenge and any injuries could prove to be a problem. Streatham do have the strongest goaltending tandem in the league and if they can all stay fit will challenge near the top.
Wightlink Raiders
On the ice without Cornish
When Wightlink skate out this season it will be strange not to see their number 11 leading from the front. Instead the Ontario native will be directing from the bench and has once again put together a decent roster to have the island side challenging.
A third place finish last year despite playing a fair proportion of it on the road was a great achievement for the Raiders.
Despite having two of the oldest imports in the league in sniper Jaroslav Cesky and offensive defenseman Vaclav Drabek (signed from London Raiders), the Raiders actually have a youthful look about them again with new signings Aiden Doughty and George Norcliffe complementing exciting youngsters Danny Ingoldsby and Ryan Webb.
This speed and agility should help on the small Ryde Arena ice and make it an uncomfortable experience for opposition defensemen.
In goal Matty Colclough provides a reliable presence between the pipes and youngster Nate Gregory backs him up. The blue line also looks solid with the likes of Nick Compton, Chris Cooke and Jordan Gregory all back for another season on the island
It has been a largely quiet summer for Cornish, who lost star forward Craig Tribe, but has otherwise kept his squad from last year largely intact.
Photo by John Scott
Key man – Vaclav Drabek
With stalwart Damon Larter not announced and a youthful blue line, Drabek brings experience and know-how to the defence. The Czech also replaces Cornish in the fabled second import slot alongside Jaroslav Cesky and could pleasantly surprise people. At London he was big, imposing and liked to get forward and use his size so he can probably play a few roles for the Raiders this season. Can he make the difference? We will see.
The Barn
A community run facility these days, it’s a miracle Ryde Arena is still standing never mind hosting hockey. After the roof blew off in storms last winter many feared the rink may never recover, but it did thanks to the local community so we will be kind and say pay it a visit, enjoy the hockey and grab a Codfather on the way out.
The verdict
Every year they are forgotten about, but every year they come up strong at the end. Wightlink were a long way second best to Chelmsford last year in the Play-Off final but their youngsters have another year of experience under their belts and with Cornish watching from the bench, not much will get past him and they will be more organised than ever, Expect to see a top 4 challenge and a push in the cups/play-offs.
Pro Hockey news will continue to cover NIHL South this season so keep us bookmarked.
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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