The Offical British Ice Hockey Thread

[archibalduk]

Haha I think that's quite likely!

It's a shame to be moving out of the EIHL but obviously it makes sense financially. I'm just going to miss the high level of hockey the American players would help bring.

[Calv]

Move to the EPL has been confirmed at the fans meeting tonight, along with the signing of
Adam Walker,
Luke Boothroyd,
Carl Graham,
Adam Summerfield,
Steve Fone.

Happy that Boothroyd is staying as he's definitely good enough for the Elite league. Walker should really be putting up good points in the EPL as well.
Steve Fone is pretty solid netminder as well and is one for the future, hopefully Carl Graham will get a bit more ice time next season as he's been riding the pine a bit the past couple of seasons.


Also James Neil is rumoured to be joining from Nottingham.

Best of all Tony Hand is confirmed as playing next year

[Calv]

Apparently 10 signings have been released tonight, not sure of the other ones yet though

[Calv]

The 2009-10 ice hockey season will see the Elite League operate with eight clubs following the decision by the Manchester Phoenix to withdraw from the league.



Manchester were a founder member club when the Elite League was formed in the summer of 2003, but Phoenix club officials have advised Elite League Chairman Eamon Convery of their decision following extensive and long deliberations.



Convery commented, “Of course, it is extremely disappointing that Neil Morris and his team of people in Manchester have chosen to withdraw and we wish them every success in the English Premier League.”



“Mr Morris had indicated that the Phoenix had endured a difficult season financially in 2008-09 despite icing a very attractive and competitive team. At this time, he feels a need to re-structure his club and whilst we all hoped that would be within and as a continuing member of the Elite League, we have to respect his decision and wish the Phoenix club well.”



“The Elite League will now operate with eight clubs and with many of them already announcing exciting player signings, the prospects for another thrilling season of Elite League ice hockey are enthralling.”

[getzlaf15]

It's a shame to be moving out of the EIHL but obviously it makes sense financially. I'm just going to miss the high level of hockey the American players would help bring.

To be honest, i think this will be better for the British game. Sure the American and import players bring an element to the game. But having more British players in the teams mean more opportunities for the British game overall. Could be good...

Is the EPL a professional league, or will Phoenix need to get some part-time jobs too?

[Calv]

Most will probably have part time jobs as well.

Joe Graham moves from Nottingham Panthers to Manchester & Ben Wood moves up from the ENL side.

Graham has been highly touted by Nottingham fans as one for the future so pretty pleased with that signing.

[Calv]

Phoenix join the English Premier League
Thursday, 30th April 2009
Manchester Phoenix officials have ended weeks of conjecture and deliberation amongst their fan base by confirming that extensive business planning has seen the club opt to withdraw from the Elite League in favour of competing in the English Premier League.

Phoenix owner Neil Morris stated, “The past few weeks, actually since before the end of last season, has seen an awful lot of planning and options considered before we came to our decision. We made no secret of the fact that despite a quite remarkable campaign in many respects last season, the club as a business didn’t realise its financial planning and that prompted a serious re-evalution of the operation.”
“Paramount to the long-term future of ice hockey in Manchester is an achievable budget, prepared and detailed for ultimate stand-alone sustainability without reliance upon one individual. We have some fantastic sponsors, we have an incredible hard core of supporters and we need to grow them both as we look to the future.”
“We gave enormous consideration to the ideas proposed by the Elite League while at the same time studying in great depth the different option provided by a move to the English Premier League. We’ve looked long and hard at all aspects of revenue generation, sponsorship, advertising, ticketing issues and of course the budget needed to provide a quality on-ice product in terms of the team and also the off-ice entertainment that completes a family night out at the Phoenix.”
“We’ve had a number of discussions with EPL officials and when we laid all the cards on the table, the option to move to the EPL ticked all the boxes we needed to tick in order to run the club more effectively. We are sure this decision will surprise some of the Phoenix fans, but we are boosted by a lot of opinion reaching the office that the fans want hockey and that if we chose to move to the EPL, they’d welcome the different challenges that would offer the club.”
“We were proud to be a founder member club of the Elite League back in 2003, but situations change, circumstances alter and right now, we all believe that the English Premier League offers not only a great challenge for Tony Hand and his team on the ice, but also the best opportunity to ensure the long-term future for the club and the sport in Manchester.”
“It goes without saying that we wish the clubs in the Elite League well and in exactly the same way, we thank the EPL for the welcome they’ve given to us and look forward enormously to pitting our wits and skills against them in the new season. Tony has been hard at it over recent weeks in his efforts to recruit a largely new squad, and with him at the helm, I’ve every confidence that the fans will continue to enjoy Phoenix hockey at its very best.”

[Calv]

Romford Raiders have folded due to a dispute with the rink management, this means not just the EPL team but all of the teams down to the juniors

[Calv]

Belfast sign Sean McMorrow from Rockford IceHogs, I have to ask though how did he manage to get 527 PIMs from 48 games?!?