LONDON, UK – When London Raiders announced the signing of Liam Chong last year, there were more than a few eyebrows raised amongst NIHL fans. Now in his second season with the club, the 23 year old talks to Pro Hockey News about hockey, ambition and the real world…
Citing the energy and versatility Chong brings to the team, London Raiders almost underplayed the impact the utility player has on the ice when they announced him returning to the club this summer.
Both of those qualities are of course accurate, however his composure, skill set and awareness set him apart as one of the key players in the NIHL despite his young age.
Awarded forward of the year for the Raiders last season, Chong also spent a number of games on the blue line, especially on the powerplay where his skills were well suited.
The surprise to some that the former GB junior international returned to the NIHL after three full seasons in the English Premier League was not shared by those close to him.
“I enjoyed my time in the EPL with Basingstoke and Manchester, particularly winning the league and play offs with Manchester.” admits the Chelmsford born player.
“The only reason I moved down to the NIHL was because I got a place to study physiotherapy in London but I do miss playing at a higher level.”
Peace in the Valley (John Scott)
That career choice effectively marks the end of any full time professional hockey career for a man who had an impressive junior pedigree.
Chong represented England at u14 level and then GB in the higher age groups right up to u20’s playing in three World Championship.
Inspired by the Mighty Ducks movie, his first taste of competitive junior ice hockey came in a 25-0 loss to Invicta Imps.
‘I was 8 at the time and I think Callum Fowler scored 19 that day’ he laughs.
Fowler is of course well known to NIHL hockey fans after performing heroics for the Invicta senior team over many years, before a summer move to Bracknell Bees of the EPL this season.
Chong’s junior career was not typical however and he found himself stateside during his teenage years.
“When I started playing hockey the dream was always to be in the NHL as most kids probably do.” He explains.
“At the peewee tournament in Quebec I was approached to go over to the US and join a military academy/ice hockey school, it was called Culver academy.”
“At the time my parents thought I was too young and wanted me to finish my GCSE’s and considering it was the era of the TN hat I don’t think I would of fitted in with the military. So once I had finished my GCSE’s I moved over to the US to see how good I could be at a better standard of hockey, as the British junior system couldn’t provide the kind of training that I needed/wanted.”
“It was a good move for me academically and for general life experience, something that I will never forget.”
Enjoying Manchester
Chong returned to the UK in 2010 and had a breakout senior year with Invicta Dynamos in what was then the English National League. Basingstoke Bison soon snapped him up for the league above and then Manchester Phoenix secured his services in the same league.
It is a common theme to describe the NIHL as improved, but with key players departing last summer to higher leagues or retirement, the jury is perhaps still out on whether the standard is still on an upward trajectory.
“I think the league has improved but it is no longer an equal competition between the top teams and realistically there is only a small pool of players for clubs to sign from” Chong believes.
“Players move from club to club and there is no longer the same intense rivalry as there was previously.”
The predicament of his current club has contributed to that dilution, after they were forced to move from their home rink in Romford to become temporary tenants of Lee Valley Ice Centre.
The fan based ownership have now kept the club going for three seasons away from their spiritual home and the London Raiders name has gained traction. It has been impressive dedication to the cause that has kept the Raiders on the ice and Chong has his own view on what the future should look like and its effect on those who pull on the jersey.
“Hockey fans are a dedicated bunch of people for the most part, so I am not surprised that they are willing to keep the team going, albeit under another name.”
In the gym
“However we are now a new team, the London Raiders and personally I would like to see this team going forward as the London Raiders, similar to what Manchester Phoenix did with the old Manchester Storm.”
“I think players play because they love the game, so whether it is the London Raiders or Romford Raiders, I don’t think that they are too fussed.”
Outside of hockey and studying, Chong now works as a personal trainer and sports massage therapist. His Change of a Lifestyle Fitness Facebook page is popular with hundreds of people and he has a clear view of where he is headed, but not without a slight regret.
“Of course I have a little regret about hockey.” he admits.
“I was only 22 when I decided to step down and I think I could have gone on to play at the top level in the UK if I had wanted to but realistically as a British player you cannot have a long term career playing Ice Hockey, even at EIHL level, and to play at that level is a big commitment.”
“I have chosen to pursue a career in Physiotherapy, and even at NIHL level it is hard to manage work, study and hockey.”
With a Malaysian father and an English mother, Pro Hockey News did have one last suggestion for Chong to live the dream of senior international hockey on a part time basis.
Whilst not in the top 50 IIHF rankings at present, if the Malaysian Hockey Federation need a talisman they could have just the person sat working out in the gym and on the ice in London. For his part, Chong does not rule it out.
“I think they have two ice rinks and one club team in the country, so I guess I would have a better chance of getting into their senior team than ours!.”
Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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