Pre-Season Review: Manchester to Sheffield

We've come to the end of the preview made for the new EIHL season. Featuring in this part are the Manchester Storm, whom we welcomed back with open arms last season, and also probably the two biggest teams in the league: Nottingham Panthers and current champions Sheffield Steelers.

Remember again, it's just a preview and no predictions have been made. Got that?

Manchester Storm:

Player-Coach: Omar Pacha

Key Player: Mark Heatley

In: Darian Dziurzynski (Missouri Mavericks), Philip Spanswick (Manchester Phoenix), Dallas Ehrhardt (Dijon), Taylor Dickin (Edinburgh), Matt Bissonnette (Chamonix), Mike Clemente (Rungsted), Mario Trabucco (Kallinge IF), Connor Varley (Penn State University), Trevor Johnson (Val Pusteria), Eric Neilson (Missouri Mavericks), Mark Heatley (SC Riessersee), Cody Cartier (Mount Royal University), Adam Harding (Swindon Wildcats), Jack Prince (University of Alabama-Huntsville)

Out: Matthew Sisca (Fife), Devin DiDiomete (Fassa HC), Matt Paton (Retired), Luke Salazar (Colorado Eagles), Matty Davies (Telford Tigers), Ricards Birzins (HK Mogo), Vinny Scarsella (Dundee), David Phillips (Sheffield), Mike Folkes (unknown), Zane Kalemba (unknown)

For their second season back in the Elite, Storm have kept a few names but also recruited too. Last season was a mad dash with signings being made here, there and everywhere. However, this time the recruitment process has had a bit of structure behind it. Eric Neilson looks like being the character signing that everyone can relate to, and Mark Heatley (brother of ex-NHLer Dany)'s experience will be influential. However the loss of Sisca, Scarsella and Salazar could prove costly.

Nottingham Panthers:

Head Coach: Corey Neilson

Key Player: Miika Wiikman

In: Daniel Spang (Hamburg Freezers), Alex Nikiforuk (Fischtown Pinguins), Erik Lindhagen (Timra IK), Andy Sertich (Stavanger Oilers), Matt Carter (GAP Rapaces), Jeff Brown (Brampton Beast), Jindrich Pacl (Oril Znojmo)

Out: Andy Bombach (Retired), Evan Mosey (Rockford Ice Hogs), Matthew Myers (Cardiff), Bryan Schmidt (Retired), Cam Janssen (Retired), Franklin MacDonald (unknown), Kevin Quick (China Dragon), Juraj Kolnik (Jonquière Marquis)

 

Not much in change in the Panthers roster this season, but one massive hole to fill and one that has still not been filled by the way this article has been published. The hole is the one left by Cam Janssen, the former New Jersey Devil and St. Louis Blue. Panthers most energetic player last season, and dead nice guy to boot off-ice, has reneged on his new 2 year deal for a lucrative job back in America. This is a hole. However, Neilson has a more decent roster at his disposal and in Wiikman - a quality puck stopper. They will be hard to beat even without Janssen and also Evan Mosey who is looking forward to succeeding in the AHL.

Sheffield Steelers:

Head Coach: Paul Thompson

Key Player: Ervins Mustukovs

In: Andreas Valdix (HC Innsbruck), Christoffer Björklund (Mora IK), John Armstrong (Odense Bulldogs), Mike Ratchuk (Utah Grizzlies), Anders Franzon (Indy Fuel), Jesse Schultz (SC Riessersee), Markus Nilsson (IF Troja-Ljungby), Ervins Mustukovs (Grenoble), David Phillips (Manchester), Liam Kirk (Sheffield Steelhawks), Cole Shudra (Sheffield Steeldogs)

Out: Russ Moyer (Fife), Jace Coyle (Quad City Mallards), Jason Hewitt (Hull Pirates), Marek Pinc (HC Litvinov), Conny Strömberg (Vasterviks IK), Cullen Eddy (Retired), Jeff Legue (Retired), Fredrik Vestberg (unknown), Cole Shudra (Sheffield Steeldogs, 2-way contract), Liam Kirk (Sheffield Steeldogs, 2-way contract)

After winning a second successive title, their fifth EIHL overall, Steelers go for an unprecedented three-peat as they call it. The roster assembled looks damn good it has to be said, and that's with no bias attached. However, the side has a goaltender who knows how to win, has experience and also consistency: averaging save percentages of 92 plus is incredible. This is "The Moose". Jesse Schultz provides goalscoring threat if his record is to be believed, whilst Mathieu Roy, Colton Fretter (who many were surprised to see return) and Robert Dowd are fully fit and ready to go. They are the team to beat, can they do it?

And that's all.     

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