LONDON, UK – It’s been another busy summer in the Wilkinson Conference of the National Ice Hockey League, as clubs contemplate a second season in the revamped third and final league tier of British ice hockey.
It is a league of little cash, lots of heart and a small but dedicated fan base, some of whom have seen their clubs at far higher levels in recent years.
With BBQ season drawing to a close, rosters still being finalised and what looks to be an intriguing battle ahead, especially amongst the stronger teams, what lies ahead in the ranks of NIHL South 2?
Dancing on the ceiling
Oxford City Stars and Solent Devils, last year’s winners of both the League Championship and Play-Offs respectively both opted not to take promotion to the league above, so whilst the Britton Conference struggles with an eight team competition, the Wilkinson boasts a fifteen strong membership.
Both clubs have strengthened already with new Oxford GM Scott Gough giving Coach Kenny Redmond all the tools to deliver a treble, and Solent keeping most of their star names. The Devils arguably have a netminding duo many teams in the league above would be happy with, as former PHN all-star stopper Matt Colclough joins Chico Cole between the pipes in Gosport. Both teams will be aiming to win silverware this season.
London Calling
Has there ever been a better time for junior players in the Capital and the surrounding Home Counties to secure a roster spot on a senior league hockey team? The answer is no. With Romford forming a second team and both Haringey and Lee Valley holding plenty of vacancies, the opportunities for anyone half decent in the local area to get a taste of senior hockey are numerous. All u18 players in the capital should be heading to trials, contacting the coaching staff and hitting the gym – there are spots available to shine if you have the necessary skills and determination.
The Challenge Ahead
The Wilkinson will be split into three groups on paper. At the top, Solent and Oxford will face a strong challenge from Bracknell Hornets, Romford and previous champions Cardiff Fire for silverware, while Chelmsford Chieftains, Guildford Phoenix, Peterborough Phantoms and Slough Jets will prove slippery banana skins for all.
NEVER speak ill of our flyover!
All of the clubs above have reasons to be cheerful. At the new shiny Slough rink, fans can actually see through the plexi-glass for the first time in decades and observe the Lukas Smital inspired revolution on a full size pad.
Danny ‘The Cannon’ Hughes has managed to keep his key players at Bracknell Hornets including the Ealey-Newman brothers, who strangely continue at this level for another season. Hughes has added even more former Streatham players to his squad in the form of Liam Rasmussen, who stayed retired for only one year, and Daniel Clayton who scored a number of goals for Haringey Huskies last year.
Chelmsford were dealt a hammer blow when the talented Bartlett brothers were announced as heading to Invicta but still have enough quality in their ranks to compete. They were boosted recently by an article entitled “24 things to do in Chelmsford before you die” published on the Essex Live website.
Watching a Chieftains game ranked 10th in a bizarre list which had ‘driving over the Army and Navy flyover’, ‘ordering a large kebab from Mrs Cod’ and ‘Getting a train to London’ in the top 3. Surely a tour of the Riverside with Mayor Danny Wright would trump those options at least?
The new Raiders second string have added free scoring Oxford City Stars import Kamil Kinkor along with a host of familiar faces in Alan Lack, Brandon Webster, Sam Roberts and extensive junior talent that will compete and likely win most nights.
Guildford Phoenix turned a number of heads last year, with last season’s league Coach of the Year Andy Hemmings ready to have another crack with his young team of Surrey slickers.
At the bottom, new Lee Valley Lions Coach James Scott Joseph will have to work miracles to turn the East London side into anything but basement dwellers after more departures, whilst Invicta Mustangs, Basingstoke Buffalo and Haringey Huskies will be looking for a mid/upper-table finish on a shoe string budget. The Huskies begin their second full season in existence with Captain Alastair Band likely to sport the league’s biggest beard.
Bristol’s bark of defiance
No article about the Wilkinson Conference is complete without a salute to the fantastic Bristol Pitbulls, who continue another season on the road as they await a new home in their home city famous for hot air balloons, nightlife and an iconic bridge. Richie Hargreaves and his merry band of players and hardened volunteers continue to defy the odds playing home games in Oxford. A fairy-tale story that will hopefully take an upward turn sooner rather than later at Cribbs Causeway.
Bristol won’t be the only team playing games away from their home town this season as Chelmsford will have to play some games at Lee Valley from October while their rink is temporarily closed – Chieftains fans can kill two bucket list birds with one stone and take the train to London to watch the games.
Contact the author: carrsy2@gmail.com
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