EHM The Blue Line

Story starting at the beginning of the off-season in 2006.
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Having finished last in there first season in the EIHL, the Edinburgh Capitals have decided to demote player coach Tony Hand to just a player, and have employed Stuart Fenton as the new general manager of the team. The story starts on the 13th of April 2006, 17 days before most of the team become free agents.

13th April 2006

With the team coming last in the league and failing to qualify for the playoffs, the first thing I do is look at the roster. There are currently four players who have contracts for next year. With the team failing so badly I will be looking to bring in a lot of new players and start pretty much from scratch. The four players who have contracts are:

Colin Ryder- Netminder

With a G.A.A of 3.51 in just 7 games last season, I cannot justify spending £110 a week on a backup netminder. Unfortunately Colin has been given 14 days notice that his contract is to be terminated. He will leave the team on the 27th of April 2006.

Tony Hand- Forward

A legend in the British game, with 30 points in 48 games. Though with his contract doubling in his second year of his contract to over £800 a week I cannot afford to pay any player that sort of money. Whilst it will shock the board and the fans Tony has been given 14 days notice that his contract is to be terminated. He will leave the team on the 27th of April 2006.

Ross Hay- Forward

24 Year old Scottish born Ross, got 17 points in 48 games last season. Quite small for his size, but has impressive speed. Will sit on the third line for most of the season. He has done enough to warrant coming back next season.

Neil Hay- Forward

22 year old Scottish born Neil however had a disappointing season last year. Though while he is still young and with a lack of British talent about, I am willing to give the youngster one more season to prove himself. He will need to show up at training camp and make a good impression.

So with 22 spots on the roster, both the Hay brothers coming back I need to find 20 players in the next couple of months to start the second campaign of the EIHL.

27th April 2006

The last two weeks I have been doing some scouting for the team, I have watched some good international games which I have seen some good potential targets. I have seen some tapes and spoken to a few coaches about particular players in the AAL3 and AAL4. Though its important first to speak to the chairman and discuss the finances.

The finances were given to me, and all I can say is that I am shocked beyond all believe. The team is £184,854 in debt whilst the board is giving me a big budget to work with. I am going to work under the budget to try and cut some of the debt. This will mean putting together a smaller squad than I had hoped for, and will probably mean that I will have to look at cheaper Europeans compared to pricey Canadian/American players. There are three days until the transfer deadline is lifted, but I am not going to rush signing my team. Hopefully the longer I wait the quicker the wage demands will drop. I am going to start scouting the world championships myself, and can hopefully find somebody there who won't demand big wages.

30th April 2006

Well all the players have flown out today, with only the hay brothers left its a pretty empty locker room. I have spent most of the day looking at potential players and speaking to agents. I am trying to watch as much of the world championships as I can. I have focused mainly on the Slovenia team, but also trying to look at Norway, Denmark and Italy. The fun starts now as I have seen a couple of targets that I am going to offer a contract to. Though at the moment players are asking for stupid money. I have offered some British players contracts and will hopefully make some announcements in the next couple of days.

6th May 2006

Capitals sign 4 Brits

The Edinburgh Capitals are delighted to announce four British players who will be lining up for the Edinburgh Capitals this season. The first player to sign is 19 year old Welsh netminder Nathan Craze, who played last season for the Cardiff Devils in the EIHL. GM Fenton was delighted with this signing and was quoted saying "Nathan is a big signing for the team, with the talent that he has got we are determined that he will push for the starting netminder spot. We are hoping that he is going to be the next Stevie Lyle and plan on giving Craze the ice time he deserves to improve his game.

The second signing is 18 year old British born David Moore who iced last season for the Junior Capitals. Moore scored 73 points in 40 games and has broken into the senior side for the first time. GM Fenton was pleased with the signing and is hoping that Moore will challenge for a spot on the third line. The third signing is 18 year old Tarek Croft from the Fife Flyers Jrs. Last season he recorded 43 points in 38 games and will be joining Moore on the fourth line. Finally the fourth signing is 18 year old Dan Bartholomay who iced with the Junior Capitals last year, scoring 91 points in 40 games he will be the last forward on the forth line.

3rd May 2006

Capitals sign 3 more Brits

The Edinburgh Capitals are pleased to announce the signing of three more British players to the team. The first player to sign is Kevin Phillips, last year Kevin split his season with the Hull Stingrays and the Cardiff Devils. At only 20 years old, Phillips has a bright future with the team.
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Joining Phillips on defence is Berkishire born Danny Meyers standing at 6"3' Danny spent last season with the Basingstoke Bison, and is also a Great Britian International player.
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The final signing is 21 year old Matthew Myers, who scored 12 points last season for the Nottingham Panthers. Matthew will strengthen the British line and should hopefully play a dominant force in the Capitals line up.
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Hopefully the team will have some new players to announce in the next couple of weeks. We will keep you posted as soon as we can.

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25th June

Lightning Strikes in Edinburgh
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The Edinburgh Capitals are delighted to announce the signing of ex-NHL defenceman Mike McBain. McBain who spent two seasons with the Tampa Bay Lightning joins the team from the Madison Ice where he got 28 points in 60 games. At 6"0' tall and 202lbs Mcbain will bring strength and experience to the Capitals blue line.

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Capitals toughen up for new season
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The Edinburgh Capitals are delighted to announce the signing of career tough guy Sasha Lakovic. With over 3000 career penalty minutes in just over 500 games, Lakovic joins the team from the Schenectady icemen where he registered 10 points and 606 penalty minutes in 71 games.