From The Editor's Chair - Edition 39

Welcome once again to the end of season reflections, and the second one this particular week. We're just past the halfway point with this latest review and it features a team that a lot of people seem to have a very soft spot for too. Number five in the series, it's Marc LeFebvre's Dundee Stars.

Season in summary: Dundee had a bit of topsy-turvy season again but started to really find some form in the final couple of months of the campaign. They continued to make strides in the play-offs, dispatching the much more fancied Clan quite easily it has to said in the quarter final before taking on the Devils in the first semi-final. Stars led that 2-0 after the first period and despite being outshot: it took an empty netter to see them off. 

Performance of the Season: It's always difficult to pick out a stand out showing for a team you don't watch that much all season, and Dundee are no exception to the rule here. However, we're picking the 4-0 home shutting out of the Steelers as our stand out showing in the Stars' season. Inspired by a brace from Vinny Scarsella and some exceptional goaltending from former NHL draft pick Joe Fallon; it's hard to argue another game was close to matching it.

Low point of the Season: We're going for one of the few times that the Stars were shut out in the campaign; that being the 6-0 road loss at Belfast. Clearly shortbenched, the Stars were slain good and proper by Derrick Walser's men. Stars had only 17 shots on goal that night and found themselves five goals behind by the end of two periods. It certainly was not the best way to start 2017; but it certainly acted as a reality check.

Player of the Season: I could have gone for Scarsella who had a remarkable 70 plus point season but I've chosen a player that really impressed in his EIHL debut campaign. That player is Felix-Antoine Poulin. The 26 year old French-Canadian was picked up by LeFebvre from ECHL side Alaska Aces and certainly did not disappoint with a remarkable 21 goals in regular season games. Even better when you realise that Poulin is a defenceman! At the moment, he remains unsigned for the 2017-18 season but is racking up the points in the AIHL this summer.

Anything else? Question marks were raised after the play-offs whether or not the Stars were going to be part of the Elite League structure due to apparent financial concerns. However these seem to have been resolved and 2017-18 will see them compete in their eighth season at the top table. LeFebvre will again be re-shaping his squad as Fallon has gone back to the ECHL and he's also seen Justin Faryna and highly rated GB defenceman Craig Moore move south to league champions Cardiff. The pick up of Travis Fullerton to replace Fallon and the acquisition of Taylor Dickin are good building blocks to start with. It'll be interesting to see who else follows...

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EIHL Rosters 2017-18: Ins and Outs (as of 25th June 2017)

Time once more for your weekly update of the rosters for the 2017-18 Elite League season which starts in September. Lots of movement in the last seven days, we will keep updating this for you the best way we can. Please note that the rosters we have here are to the best of our knowledge. If anyone has any confirmed player transfers which we have not documented here, then let us know ASAP.

Thanks. Now here's your weekly listings...

Belfast Giants:

Head Coach: Adam Keefe (promoted from player)

In: Blair Riley, Colin Shields, Jim Vandermeer, Mark Garside, Matt Towe, Ryan Martinelli, Steve Saviano

Out: James Desmarais, Michael Forney, Derrick Walser (Player-Coach), Jerome Leduc (Dornbirner EC), Matt Nickerson (Milton Keynes)

Braehead Clan:

Head Coach: John Tripp (Eispiraten Crimmitschau)

In: Bari McKenzie, Craig Peacock, Jordan Buesa, Matt Haywood, Zach Sullivan, Brendan Brooks (Fife*), Josh Grieveson (Dundee), Ryan Nie (Eispiraten Crimmitschau)

Out: Matt Keith, Corey Cowick (Epinal), Jay Rosehill (Manchester), Lee Baldwin (Epinal), Michal Zajwokski (Ornskoldsvik HF), Ryan Finnerty (Head Coach - Manchester), Alex Leavitt (Retired)

Cardiff Devils:
Player-Coach: Andrew Lord
In: Ben Bowns, Gleason Fournier, Joey Haddad, Joey Martin, Mark Richardson, Matthew Myers, Sean Bentivoglio, Craig Moore (Dundee), Drew Paris (Dornbirner EC), Justin Faryna (Dundee)
Out: David Brine (Medvescak Zagreb), Denny Kearney (Milton Keynes), Guillaume Doucet (Milton Keynes), Chris Culligan (Retired)

Coventry Blaze:
Head Coach: Danny Stewart
In: Brett Robinson, David Clements, Jordan Pietrus, Jordan Stokes, Kevin Noble, Oliver Stone, Renny Marr, Ross Venus, Ben Lake (Alaska Aces), Danick Paquette (Tulsa Oilers), Dax Lauwers (Alaska Aces), Luke Ferrara (Sheffield), Ryan Dingle (Fife)
Out: Barry Almeida, Garrett Klotz, Jim Jorgensen, Jordan Stokes*** (TBC), Josh Godfrey, Liam Stewart, Marc Cantin, TJ Syner, Ben Davies (Guildford), Brian Stewart (Guildford), Oliver Stone*** (Swindon), Matt Marquardt (Sheffield), Renny Marr*** (Swindon), Robin Bergman (Rungsted Seier Capital), Shawn Boutin (Dresdner Eislowen), Russ Cowley (Retired)

Dundee Stars: 
Head Coach: Marc LeFebvre
In: Ben Edmonds, Cameron McGiffin, Craig Holland, Joey De Concilys, Kris Inglis, Adam Harding (Manchester), Anthony Mastrodicasa (Rapid City Rush), Jimmy Jensen (Dijon), Johan Andersson (Dijon), Jordan Cownie (Milton Keynes), Malcolm Gould (Strasbourg), Taylor Dickin (Manchester), Travis Fullerton (Edinburgh)
Out: Brett Switzer (Nice), Craig Moore (Cardiff), Joe Fallon (Worcester Railers),  Josh Grieveson (Braehead), Justin Faryna (Cardiff), Scott Brannon (Caen)

Edinburgh Capitals:
Head Coach: Dmitri Khristich (HK Kremenchuk**)
In: Jay King, Michael D'Orazio, Pavel Vorobyev, Tyler Plews, Mike Cazzola (Binghamton Senators)
Out: Jacob Johnston (Odense Bulldogs), Jaroslav Hertl (Mont-Blanc), Michal Dobron (Brest), Travis Fullerton (Dundee), Taylor MacDougall

Fife Flyers: 
Head Coach: Todd Dutiaume
In: Shayne Stockton
Out: Brendan Brooks (Braehead), Philippe Paquet (Rouen), Ric Jackman+ (Bradford Rattlers),Ryan Dingle (Coventry), Shane Owen (BIK Karlskoga)

Guildford Flames: 
Head Coach: Paul Dixon
In: Ben Campbell, Jez Lundin, Kevin Phillips, Michal Satek, Ben Davies (Coventry), Brian Stewart (Coventry), Carl Ackered (Ostersunds IK), David Lillestrom-Karlsson (Ostersunds IK), Ian Watters (Reading Royals), Mike Ratchuk (Sheffield), Tomas Nechala (Amiens)
Out: Jens Eriksson (Villard-De-Lans), Marek Maslonka (HK SKP Poprad), Danny Meyers (Retired)

Manchester Storm:
Head Coach: Ryan Finnerty (Braehead)
In: Dallas Ehrhardt, Matt Bissonnette, Mike Clemente, Paul Swindlehurst, Ashley Smith*** (Hull), Ciaran Long (Basingstoke), Dane Byers (Kolner Haie), Declan Balmer (Basingstoke), Jay Rosehill (Braehead), Luke Moffatt (Chamonix-Morzine)
Out: Adam Harding (Dundee), Cody Cartier (GAP Rapaces), Mario Valery-Trabucco (Amiens), Mark Heatley (Heilbronner Falken), Taylor Dickin (Dundee)

Milton Keynes Lightning:
Head Coach: Peter Russell
In: Edward Knaggs, Glenn Billing, James Griffin, Jordan Hedley, Lewis Hook, Luc Johnson, Przemyslaw Odrobny, Carl Hudson (Chamonix-Morzine),Denny Kearney (Cardiff), Guillaume Doucet (Cardiff), Kevin King (GAP Rapaces), Kyle Essery (GAP Rapaces), Ludwig Karlsson (IK Pantern), Matt Nickerson (Belfast)
Out: Antti Holli, Craig Scott, James Neil, Lewis Christie, Adam Carr (Streatham), Bobby Chamberlain (Invicta), Edward Knaggs*** (Peterborough), Glenn Billing*** (Peterborough), Franitsek Bakrlik (Bracknell), Jordan Cownie (Dundee), Leigh Jamieson (Peterborough), Luc Johnson*** (Swindon), Michael Farn (Streatham), Mikojal Lopuski (GKS Katowice), Milan Baranyk (Orlik Opole), Tom Carlon (Milton Keynes Thunder), Blaz Emersic (Retired)

Nottingham Panthers:
Head Coach: Corey Neilson
In: Dan Spang, David Clarke, Erik Lindhagen, Jeff Brown, Ollie Betteridge, Robert Farmer, Robert Lachowicz, Stephen Lee, Alexander Mokshantsev (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl), Eduard Zakharchenko (HK Kremenchuk), Jordan Kelsall (Okanagan Hockey Academy U18), Joseph Hazeldine (Nottingham Leopards), Josh Tetlow (Bracknell), Michael Garnett (Bern), Raphael Bussieres (Olimpija Ljubijana), Sam Gospel (Telford), Tim Billingsley (Brampton Beast)
Out: Brian McGrattan, Chris Lawrence, Miika Wiikman, Alex Nikiforuk (Epinal), Jordan Kelsall*** (Swindon), Matt Carter (Epinal), Brad Moran (Retired), Dan Green (Retired), Geoff Waugh (Retired)

Sheffield Steelers:
Head Coach: Paul Thompson
In: Ben O'Connor, Brad Day, Cole Shudra, Colton Fretter, David Phillips, Ervins Mustukovs, John Armstrong, Jonathan Phillips, Levi Nelson, Liam Kirk, Mathieu Roy, Robert Dowd, Zack Fitzgerald, Brady Ramsay (Indy Fuel), Kieran Brown (Iowa Wild AAA U16), Jonas Westerling  (Sodertajle SK), Joonas Ronnberg (Storhamar), Matt Marquardt (Coventry), Tim Wallace (Alaska Aces)
Out: Geoff Walker (Fehervar AV19), Jace Coyle (Sonderjyske), Luke Ferrara (Coventry), Mike Ratchuk (Gulidford), Anders Franzon (Retired), Guillaume Desbiens (Retired), Yared Hagos (Retired)

* - Signed as Player-Assistant Coach
** - Was in charge of youth programme
*** - Two way contract

+ - Retired as player but became Head Coach of team shown

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From The Editor's Chair - Edition 38

First of a double header so to speak this week as we do a couple of end of season reviews. This one will be uploaded today, Sunday, with the second one to appear some time in midweek. The last one we featured was the red snowball known as Cardiff; this particular one is devoted to the Coventry Blaze.

Season in summary: Under the tutelage of former fan favourite Danny Stewart, big things were expected in the SkyDome after more seasons of underachievement. However, Stewart found out to his cost that Blaze need a massive rebuild in order to get back to the glory days which saw them pick up four Elite League titles. The team once more again failed to make the knockout stage of the Challenge Cup and had a dismal league season which saw them finish ninth overall thereby they were on the golf course by the end of March. An absolute nightmare if you're a Blaze fan.

Performance of the Season: The one result that sticks out more than any, was one that I wasn't actually at. Blaze probably produced a performance which if they had repeated a bit more often; would have seen them make the post-season play offs. It was of course the 4-1 win in Sheffield. Steelers were admittedly woeful that day, eyes probably on the Challenge Cup Final 24 hours later, but Blaze actually turned up. Matt Marquardt, TJ Syner and Brett Robinson all had a multiple point night and Brian Stewart turned away 37 out of 38 shots. A rare bright moment.

Low point of the Season: For a Blaze fan, the question should be answered with where do you want to start? There were a number of poor performances which contributed to what happened in the final analysis. FSB has looked at the results and we're picking out the 8-2 away defeat at Edinburgh in November which finished off a blank three match Scottish road trip. The two sides both had 34 shots on goal but Blaze's defence was more porous. Considering the Caps finished 10th out of 10, this result speaks volumes.

Player of the Season: For once in these reviews, this is actually a joint award which tells you where we are going with it. Marquardt blew hot and cold at times, which is the same you can say for Robinson too in my eyes. The Blaze choice goes to the two cousins, Syner and Barry Almeida. Coming into a side weeks into a season takes some doing; but these two guys took to it well and take them out of the equation then Coventry would have struggled even more. They could have finished last easily. It's a surprise they're not back this season.

Anything else? As stated above, it's a big shock that the two cousins are not returning in 2017-18 as they were stand out players for Danny Stewart. Another rebuild is needed, and it will be strange also not to see Brian Stewart in between the pipes for them as he's moved to Elite League newcomers Guildford. With just one trophy in the last seven seasons, it's been barren times in the West Midlands. Something has to change, and sharpish at that methinks. Stewart could be looking his coaching shoulder if things don't improve.

Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-

@FrozenSteelBlog

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EIHL Rosters 2017-18: Ins and Outs (as of 18th June 2017)

It's Sunday and you know what this means, it's the 2017-18 roster update. We're looking at how each of the 12 Elite League sides are shaping up; from league champions Cardiff to new boys Milton Keynes and Guildford. There's been a lot of movement as the teams get ready for training camps and those all important pre-season exhibition games.

Without further ado, let's see who has signed where as we enter the middle of June.

Belfast Giants:

Head Coach: Adam Keefe (promoted from player)

In: Blair Riley, Colin Shields, Jim Vandermeer, Mark Garside, Matt Towe, Ryan Martinelli, Steve Saviano

Out: James Desmarais, Michael Forney, Derrick Walser (Player-Coach), Matt Nickerson (Milton Keynes)

Braehead Clan:

Head Coach: John Tripp (Eispiraten Crimmitschau)

In: Bari McKenzie, Brendan Brooks (Fife*), Craig Peacock, Gary Russell, Jordan Buesa, Matt Haywood, Zach Sullivan, Josh Grieveson (Dundee)

Out: Matt Keith, Corey Cowick (Epinal), Jay Rosehill (Manchester), Lee Baldwin (Epinal), Michal Zajwokski (Ornskoldsvik HF), Ryan Finnerty (Head Coach - Manchester), Alex Leavitt (Retired)

Cardiff Devils:
Player-Coach: Andrew Lord
In: Ben Bowns, Gleason Fournier, Joey Haddad, Joey Martin, Mark Richardson, Matthew Myers, Sean Bentivoglio, Craig Moore (Dundee)
Out: Denny Kearney (Milton Keynes), Guillaume Doucet (Milton Keynes), Chris Culligan (Retired)

Coventry Blaze:
Head Coach: Danny Stewart
In: Brett Robinson, David Clements, Jordan Pietrus, Jordan Stokes, Kevin Noble, Oliver Stone, Renny Marr, Ross Venus, Ben Lake (Alaska Aces), Danick Paquette (Tulsa Oilers), Dax Lauwers (Alaska Aces), Luke Ferrara (Sheffield), Ryan Dingle (Fife)
Out: Barry Almeida, Garrett Klotz, Jim Jorgensen, Jordan Stokes*** (TBC), Josh Godfrey, Liam Stewart, Marc Cantin, TJ Syner, Ben Davies (Guildford), Brian Stewart (Guildford), Oliver Stone*** (Swindon), Matt Marquardt (Sheffield), Renny Marr*** (Swindon), Robin Bergman (Rungsted Seier Capital), Shawn Boutin (Dresdner Eislowen), Russ Cowley (Retired)

Dundee Stars: 
Head Coach: Marc LeFebvre
In: Ben Edmonds, Cameron McGiffin, Craig Holland, Joey De Concilys, Kris Inglis, Adam Harding (Manchester), Anthony Mastrodicasa (Rapid City Rush), Jordan Cownie (Milton Keynes), Malcolm Gould (Strasbourg), Taylor Dickin (Manchester), Travis Fullerton (Edinburgh)
Out: Justin Faryna, Brett Switzer (Nice), Craig Moore (Cardiff), Joe Fallon (Worcester Railers),  Josh Grieveson (Braehead), Scott Brannon (Caen)

Edinburgh Capitals:
Head Coach: Dmitri Khristich (HK Kremenchuk**)
In: Jay King, Michael D'Orazio, Pavel Vorobyev, Taylor MacDougall, Tyler Plews
Out: Jacob Johnston (Odense Bulldogs), Jaroslav Hertl (Mont-Blanc), Michal Dobron (Brest), Travis Fullerton (Dundee)

Fife Flyers: 
Head Coach: Todd Dutiaume
In:
Out: Brendan Brooks (Braehead), Philippe Paquet (Rouen), Ric Jackman+ (Bradford Rattlers),Ryan Dingle (Coventry), Shane Owen (BIK Karlskoga)

Guildford Flames: 
Head Coach: Paul Dixon
In: Ben Campbell, Jez Lundin, Kevin Phillips, Michal Satek, Ben Davies (Coventry), Brian Stewart (Coventry), David Lillestrom-Karlsson (Ostersunds IK), Ian Watters (Reading Royals), Mike Ratchuk (Sheffield), Tomas Nechala (Amiens)
Out: Jens Eriksson (Villard-De-Lans), Marek Maslonka (HK SKP Poprad), Danny Meyers (Retired)

Manchester Storm:
Head Coach: Ryan Finnerty (Braehead)
In: Dallas Ehrhardt, Mike Clemente, Paul Swindlehurst, Dane Byers (Kolner Haie), Declan Balmer (Basingstoke), Jay Rosehill (Braehead), Luke Moffatt (Chamonix-Morzine)
Out: Adam Harding (Dundee), Cody Cartier (GAP Rapaces), Mario Valery-Trabucco (Amiens), Mark Heatley (Heilbronner Falken), Taylor Dickin (Dundee)

Milton Keynes Lightning:
Head Coach: Peter Russell
In: Edward Knaggs, Glenn Billing, James Griffin, Jordan Hedley, Lewis Hook, Luc Johnson, Przemyslaw Odrobny, Denny Kearney (Cardiff), Guillaume Doucet (Cardiff), Kevin King (GAP Rapaces), Kyle Essery (GAP Rapaces), Ludwig Karlsson (IK Pantern), Matt Nickerson (Belfast)
Out: Antti Holli, Craig Scott, James Neil, Lewis Christie, Adam Carr (Streatham), Bobby Chamberlain (Invicta), Edward Knaggs*** (Peterborough), Glenn Billing*** (Peterborough), Franitsek Bakrlik (Bracknell), Jordan Cownie (Dundee), Leigh Jamieson (Peterborough), Luc Johnson*** (Swindon), Michael Farn (Streatham), Mikojal Lopuski (GKS Katowice), Milan Baranyk (Orlik Opole), Tom Carlon (Milton Keynes Thunder), Blaz Emersic (Retired)

Nottingham Panthers:
Head Coach: Corey Neilson
In: Dan Spang, David Clarke, Erik Lindhagen, Jeff Brown, Ollie Betteridge, Robert Farmer, Robert Lachowicz, Stephen Lee, Alexander Mokshantsev (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl), Eduard Zakharchenko (HK Kremenchuk), Jordan Kelsall (Okanagan Hockey Academy U18), Josh Tetlow (Bracknell), Michael Garnett (Bern), Raphael Bussieres (Olimpija Ljubijana), Sam Gospel (Telford), Tim Billingsley (Brampton Beast)
Out: Brian McGrattan, Chris Lawrence, Miika Wiikman, Alex Nikiforuk (Epinal), Matt Carter (Epinal), Brad Moran (Retired), Dan Green (Retired)

Sheffield Steelers:
Head Coach: Paul Thompson
In: Ben O'Connor, Brad Day, Cole Shudra, Colton Fretter, David Phillips, Ervins Mustukovs, John Armstrong, Jonathan Phillips, Levi Nelson, Liam Kirk, Mathieu Roy, Robert Dowd, Zack Fitzgerald, Brady Ramsay (Indy Fuel), Kieran Brown (Iowa Wild AAA U16), Jonas Westerling  (Sodertajle SK), Joonas Ronnberg (Storhamar), Matt Marquardt (Coventry), Tim Wallace (Alaska Aces)
Out: Geoff Walker (Fehervar AV19), Jace Coyle (Sonderjyske), Luke Ferrara (Coventry), Mike Ratchuk (Gulidford), Anders Franzon (Retired), Guillaume Desbiens (Retired), Yared Hagos (Retired)

* - Signed as Player-Assistant Coach
** - Was in charge of youth programme
*** - Two way contract
+ - Retired as player but became Head Coach of team shown

Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-

@FrozenSteelBlog

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From The Editor's Chair - Edition 37

We've done the Giants and the Clan, and now it's time for the third team in this series of nine. Featuring this time out are the team that most teams could not find a way past all season, it's Andrew Lord's Cardiff Devils. 

Season in summary: Now where do we start? It wasn't a bad old season for the Devils fans was it? Four trophies up for grabs, and three of them are in a trophy cabinet at Ice Arena Wales. After numerous blank seasons, the Devils finally rose from their slumbers and proceeded to steamroller over all and sundry in the 2016-17 season. Everything clicked for the new roster, and you couldn't begrudge them it. It was a campaign that fans, players and officials in Cardiff are never ever going to forget. In short, it was a season that could you might have only seen in a Boy's Own comic. The stuff of dreams.

Performance of the Season: It was a season that provided many highlights both on home ice at IAW but also on the road too. However one result has to stand out more than other and that was the 6-2 win in Sheffield which clinched the Devils their first league title for 20 years. The huge Red Army contingent that night certainly had a night that will live long in the memory for years to come.

Low point of the Season: Some might say the play off final against the Steelers was a low point as it denied the Devils a Grand Slam (yes, it would have been a proper one Nottingham) but I digress. I'm going to go for a rare league loss and what a loss it was too, Devils being shut out by the Panthers 8-0 and in IAW.  A game where Brian McGrattan finally came to life.

Player of the Season: As it was one of those seasons, it is so damn hard to pick a Devil that stood out more than anyone. From the forwards, a well organised defence and quality netminding: Devils had it all. But if you are going to push me for one, I'm going to surprise you all by picking player-coach Lord for this. He recruited the roster and was a part of it. Hats off to Andrew eh?

Anything else? After such a remarkable season, the question remains can the Devils continue their new dynasty and keep the trophies a rolling in South Wales? Or will they become one season wonders like the Panthers of 2012-13? My gut instinct tells me that this is a Devils dynasty which will continue to pick up trophies even if they might not have seasons like 2016-17 again. They will do the EIHL proud in the CHL, and depending how that pans out then this will have a good bearing on their 2017-18 domestic form.

In the next one, we shift our attentions to the Coventry Blaze.

Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-

@FrozenSteelBlog

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EIHL Rosters 2017-18: Ins and Outs (as of 11th June 2017)

Having returned back from the land of the Giants, Northern Ireland that is, I now bring you the latest roster updates. All 12 teams are featured as always and there's been a fair bit of movement since we last did this column.

All imports are in bold type face and any under 23 player will be denoted in italics going forward. Makes things a lot clearer I hope.

Belfast Giants:

Head Coach: Adam Keefe (promoted from player)

In: Blair Riley, Colin Shields, Jim Vandermeer, Matt Towe, Steve Saviano

Out: James Desmarais, Michael Forney, Derrick Walser (Player-Coach), Matt Nickerson (Milton Keynes)

Braehead Clan:

Head Coach: John Tripp (Eispiraten Crimmitschau)

In: Bari McKenzie, Brendan Brooks (Fife*), Craig Peacock, Jordan Buesa, Matt Haywood, Zach Sullivan, Josh Grieveson (Dundee)

Out: Matt Keith, Corey Cowick (Epinal), Jay Rosehill (Manchester), Lee Baldwin (Epinal), Michal Zajwokski (Ornskoldsvik HF), Ryan Finnerty (Head Coach - Manchester), Alex Leavitt (Retired)

Cardiff Devils:
Player-Coach: Andrew Lord
In: Ben Bowns, Gleason Fournier, Joey Haddad, Joey Martin, Mark Richardson, Sean Bentivoglio, Craig Moore (Dundee)
Out: Guillaume Doucet (Milton Keynes), Chris Culligan (Retired)

Coventry Blaze:
Head Coach: Danny Stewart
In: Brett Robinson, David Clements, Jordan Pietrus, Kevin Noble, Ross Venus, Ben Lake (Alaska Aces), Danick Paquette (Tulsa Oilers), Dax Lauwers (Alaska Aces), Luke Ferrara (Sheffield), Ryan Dingle (Fife)
Out: Barry Almeida, Garrett Klotz, Jim Jorgensen, Josh Godfrey, Liam Stewart, Marc Cantin, Shawn Boutin, TJ Syner, Ben Davies (Guildford), Brian Stewart (Guildford), Matt Marquardt (Sheffield), Robin Bergman (Rungsted Seier Capital), Russ Cowley (Retired)

Dundee Stars: 
Head Coach: Marc LeFebvre
In: Ben Edmonds, Cameron McGiffin, Craig Holland, Joey De Concilys, Kris Inglis, Adam Harding (Manchester), Jordan Cownie (Milton Keynes), Malcolm Gould (Strasbourg), Taylor Dickin (Manchester)
Out: Justin Faryna, Brett Switzer (Nice), Craig Moore (Cardiff), Josh Grieveson (Braehead), Scott Brannon (Caen)

Edinburgh Capitals:
Head Coach: Dmitri Khristich (HK Kremenchuk**)
In: Jay King, Michael D'Orazio, Taylor MacDougall, Tyler Plews
Out: Jacob Johnston (Odense Bulldogs), Jaroslav Hertl (Mont-Blanc), Michal Dobron (Brest)

Fife Flyers: 
Head Coach: Todd Dutiaume
In:
Out: Brendan Brooks (Braehead), Philippe Paquet (Rouen), Ryan Dingle (Coventry), Shane Owen (BIK Karlskoga)

Guildford Flames: 
Head Coach: Paul Dixon
In: Ben Campbell, Jez Lundin, Kevin Phillips, Michal Satek, Ben Davies (Coventry), Brian Stewart (Coventry), Ian Watters (Reading Royals), Mike Ratchuk (Sheffield), Tomas Nechala (Amiens)
Out: Jens Eriksson (Villard-De-Lans), Marek Maslonka (HK SKP Poprad), Danny Meyers (Retired)

Manchester Storm:
Head Coach: Ryan Finnerty (Braehead)
In: Dallas Ehrhardt, Mike Clemente, Dane Byers (Kolner Haie), Declan Balmer (Basingstoke), Jay Rosehill (Braehead), Luke Moffatt (Chamonix-Morzine)
Out: Adam Harding (Dundee), Cody Cartier (GAP Rapaces), Mark Heatley (Heilbronner Falken), Taylor Dickin (Dundee)

Milton Keynes Lightning:
Head Coach: Peter Russell
In: Edward Knaggs, Glenn Billing, James Griffin, Jordan Hedley, Lewis Hook, Luc Johnson, Przemyslaw Odrobny, Guillaume Doucet (Cardiff), Kevin King (GAP Rapaces), Kyle Essery (GAP Rapaces), Ludwig Karlsson (IK Pantern), Matt Nickerson (Belfast)
Out: Antti Holli, Craig Scott, James Neil, Lewis Christie, Milan Baranyk, Adam Carr (Streatham), Bobby Chamberlain (Invicta), Edward Knaggs*** (Peterborough), Glenn Billing*** (Peterborough), Franitsek Bakrlik (Bracknell), Jordan Cownie (Dundee), Leigh Jamieson (Peterborough), Luc Johnson*** (Peterborough), Michael Farn (Streatham), Mikojal Lopuski (GKS Katowice), Tom Carlon (Milton Keynes Thunder), Blaz Emersic (Retired)

Nottingham Panthers:
Head Coach: Corey Neilson
In: Dan Spang, David Clarke, Erik Lindhagen, Jeff Brown, Ollie Betteridge, Robert Farmer, Robert Lachowicz, Stephen Lee, Alexander Mokshantsev (Lokomotiv Yaroslavl), Eduard Zakharchenko (HK Kremenchuk), Jordan Kelsall (Okanagan Hockey Academy U18), Josh Tetlow (Bracknell), Michael Garnett (Bern), Sam Gospel (Telford), Tim Billingsley (Brampton Beast)
Out: Brian McGrattan, Chris Lawrence, Miika Wiikman, Alex Nikiforuk (Epinal), Matt Carter (Epinal), Brad Moran (Retired), Dan Green (Retired)

Sheffield Steelers:
Head Coach: Paul Thompson
In: Ben O'Connor, Cole Shudra, Colton Fretter, David Phillips, Ervins Mustukovs, John Armstrong, Jonathan Phillips, Levi Nelson, Liam Kirk, Mathieu Roy, Robert Dowd, Zack Fitzgerald, Kieran Brown (Iowa Wild AAA U16), Jonas Westerling  (Sodertajle SK), Joonas Ronnberg (Storhamar), Matt Marquardt (Coventry), Tim Wallace (Alaska Aces)
Out: Geoff Walker (Fehervar AV19), Jace Coyle (Sonderjyske), Luke Ferrara (Coventry), Mike Ratchuk (Gulidford), Anders Franzon (Retired), Guillaume Desbiens (Retired)

* - Signed as Player-Assistant Coach
** - Was in charge of youth programme
*** - Two way contract

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From The Editor's Chair - Edition 36

Time for the second in this small series of end of season reflections. We've looked back on the Belfast Giants in the first of the nine; it's now time to focus our attentions onto the Gardiner Conference Champions: the Braehead Clan.

Season in summary: Once more the Clan had the ability to deliver the first real silverware to the fanatical Purple Army, but once more they failed to do so and had to instead had their fourth Gardiner Conference title in five seasons. This was despite having three of the top four points scorers in the EIHL in their ranks. Braehead certainly could have won something more than the Conference title but blew too hot and cold when the pressure was really on. That resulted in the change documented later on.

Performance of the Season: As a non-Clan fan it's hard to probably pick out one result that stands out more than the other since the majority of their wins were Conference ones. However, I'm going to go for the 5-2 home win over the Panthers where netminder Gary Russell recorded his first win on his first home start.

Low point of the Season: Even though the losses to Edinburgh were hard to take, I'm picking out the play-off quarter final against Dundee as my low point of the Clan season. Clan lost both matches and were shut out in the second leg; which denied them a place in the final four. Not that this stopped the Purple Army having a party in Nottingham though as usual.

Player of the Season: Picking a player of the season was a case of which one of the three deserved. Scott Pitt scored the goals whilst Matt Beca and Alex Leavitt provided excellent support to him. I'm going to go for Beca, a man who has put points up constantly throughout his career. Whether he features next season is still unknown; but I'd keep him.

Anything else? Like Belfast, Clan will have a new man behind the bench next season. Ryan Finnerty is gone after three seasons at the helm, and replacing him is 40 year old Canadian/German John Tripp who undertakes his first full campaign as a head coach. A veteran of nearly 600 DEL games as a player, Clan fans will be hoping this twice NHL drafted guy will be the man they want to deliver glory to them. It's going to be interesting...

In the third edition, we feature the Cardiff Devils.

Thanks for reading guys. If you want to get involved please contact us on Twitter or find us on Facebook and like us and leave a comment:-

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