Welcome to another column by the Editor, this time Mark offers his own personal review of the season for each of the 12 Elite League Clubs.
Cardiff Devils: Back to back Champions! The Devils started this season slowly with CHL commitments but once they got into a groove they were unstoppable. Once more Andrew Lord had a team that typified the word team with solidity throughout. The only downside? Losing the Challenge Cup Final to Belfast on "home" ice. That defeat will rankle long into the night.
Manchester Storm: This season's surprise packet, and what an amazing first season in Cheshire it has been for Ryan Finnerty. He recruited size and skill and kept some key components from the previous roster, and it has served them well. At one stage it looked like they would tail off but they bounced back and are many people's pick to win the play-off crown in Nottingham.
Belfast Giants: It's been a season of many ups and downs for Adam Keefe and the Giants this season; with the undoubted high being the Challenge Cup Final win. They have had a number of injuries this season which have caused them to be lower than they wanted to be, but all in all it's been a season of restructuring which can only bode well for the future.
Fife Flyers: Another surprise packet yet deservedly crowned as Gardiner Conference champions. The Flyers have been the most consistent side all season north of the border; and Todd Dutiaume has to have his hat tipped for some excellent recruitment. The question now remains: can Flyers build on this or will it prove to be a one trick pony?
Sheffield Steelers: It's been a very infuriating season for the Steelers fans as the team has blown hot and cold all season. One minute they could be brilliant, the next they could be absolutely awful. Some of the recruitment has been a bit debatable and Paul Thompson knows he has to get this right next season if the calls for his removal don't get any louder than what they are now.
Guildford Flames: It's been a very good opening season for the Surrey based side. They have impressed at home and away and in Calle Ackered seem to found a diamond of an offensive defenceman. If they can build on this and keep improving then there is no reason why they can't be challenging for honours in seasons to come.
Nottingham Panthers: Like the Steelers, it's been a season of underachievement for the Panthers. They enjoyed a very impressive start to the season and an excellent CHL campaign but from December onwards; the season went into freefall. They will miss Corey Neilson who leaves the organisation at the end of this season and also David Clarke who retires from playing at the same time. Neilson's replacement is key otherwise dark days lie in wait.
Braehead Clan: Another team that has underachieved this season. Clan spent the majority of the close season looking for a new head coach and when they finally got around to appointing one, John Tripp, they were then scrabbling around for players to fill out their roster. Clan fans aren't happy, they do deserve much better than this. This is a harsh lesson they need to learn from and ensure it doesn't happen again.
Coventry Blaze: A further season of mediocrity at the Blaze with Danny Stewart seemingly unable to improve on last season's disaster. He seems to be on the last chance saloon which could spell trouble if he doesn't arrest it soon. Fans are disgruntled with the management at the Club, things apparently coming to a head when they (the board) allegedly told season ticket holders that they would buy those ST's back as they didn't want them to attend games anymore. Something has to change there, and quickly.
Dundee Stars: Dundee's season was thrown into chaos before a puck was dropped when after signing the majority of the roster, then head coach Marc LeFebvre left to go back to North America. Former Hull and Manchester player-coach Omar Pacha was brought in and has given the team stability without silverware yet. Pacha has recently signed a new three-year deal on Tayside so it will be interesting to see what he does with full control. A bold move forward.
Milton Keynes Lightning: It's been a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde season for the second of the Elite League newcomers. One minute they have been good, the next they have struggled and struggled a lot. It's been a steep learning curve but I think they will come out of this on the right side once they have stabilised. Former NHL assistant coach Doug McKay arrives next season to replace GB coach Peter Russell who is rumoured to join the Panthers. If McKay can make a positive impact in Buckinghamshire then the sky's the limit.
Edinburgh Capitals: What can we say about the Capitals, another season of horror for those long suffering Capitals supporters. It all sounded so good when they appointed former NHL star Dmitri Khristich as their new head coach and signed a shed load of Russians/Kazakhstanis. But the dream ticket failed to materialise and the season headed into free-fall quickly. A new management structure has been announced a few days ago, but is it enough? It can't get any worse...
Hope you enjoyed this.
Hope you enjoyed this.
Mark
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