EIHL, GB, The Future, The Present, Anything Else I Can Fit In One Post

I recently spoke with Ashley March, and she asked me what I'd do to improve team GB. Well, today wasn't what I had in mind.

For those who missed it, this is from the Elite League:

As from the upcoming season (2014-15), the number of non British-trained players will rise from 11 to 12, but the amount of work-permit players will remain at 11.

The number of non British-trained players will rise to 13 in season 2015-16 and 14 in season 2016-17, with the amount of work-permit players again remaining at 11.

Elite League chairman, Tony Smith, said: "The league agreed that there is a shortage of top-level British players, which keeps the Elite League from being outstanding across the 10 teams.

"With the demand of the indigenous British player higher than ever in all leagues, and with the potential for EU/dual-national players to develop into national-team players, it was felt this gradual increase would be beneficial to all.

"As with all things, the Elite League will monitor its development as we look forward to another successful season."

 Got it? Good.

There are so many different ways of looking at it. Hundreds.

• The EIHL figures that there's a drop-off in quality of British players, so it's reducing the number of slots for British players - spreading them around the league - and somehow thinks this will improve the players that make it.
• It could also stem the flow of players - they may reach the point where they're "too good" for the EPL but no Elite club will take a chance on them as they have their own British players.
• It could also make kids growing up who'd like to take hockey up and play for their favourite team reluctant, as there's only so many spots for British players on Elite teams.
• There's a chance it may also increase the divide between the 'haves' and 'have nots' in the Elite League - those who can afford to bring over and house extra imports, and those who can't.

There are arguments for it though:

• It means the "Elite-Level" GB players - essentially those who make the GB squad - have to work hard for their spot, and cannot hold clubs to ransom over wages.
• It will give regular ice time to British players who need it. Look at our own Aaron Nell this season. He's a class above in the EPL, but can barely get a shift for the Steelers.
• If clubs ARE having to pay more for Brits, they MAY become more sustainable businesses by not having to do so.

And so has been a day of argument and debate on various social media. All, I will say, with what they perceive as what is best for UK hockey.

Braehead have got it right. According to director of hockey relations Gareth Chalmers, they are approaching GB under 20 internationals and offering them multi-year contracts to develop them as part of their organisation. From his own Twitter feed: "Junior development is something we would like to implement at the Clan, it's imperative to our future growth as a hockey club." Should other teams follow suit, this would certainly be a positive for the future.

As I see it now, with next-to-no links between the EIHL and the EPL, the league seemingly now being touted as the elite level for GB players, player development will reach a certain point and stop dead. What would be required, in my view (and do tell me I'm wrong) is a farm system, similar to the North American system.

For those not aware, NHL teams have affiliates in the AHL, and then the ECHL or the CHL. They can assign players, whether junior or unneeded seniors, to these teams in order to keep them at match fitness and playing regularly, and in the case of juniors to further their development with regular ice time.

This could be implemented, with lots of discussion and conversation. Teams could have an affiliate in the EPL, and also in the NIHL/SNL. They could sign players from youth level, and instead of giving them 1 shift a game in the Elite League, send them to their NIHL affiliate for the season, or to the EPL. Get them regular ice time. Call on them as and when required. When you feel they're ready, bring them up to the main roster. If it doesn't work out, they're on the free market to go where they wish. Players at these farm teams wouldn't solely be EIHL youth - released players could ply their trade there, and the EPL could likely continue with their current roster regulations. I applaud teams that already have NIHL teams and links with them, but more can and should be done.

At the end of the day though, in the short term the EIHL has no obligation to develop players. It would perhaps be in their best interests to, to keep the game alive and to keep interest in what they're serving up, but they don't HAVE to. Furthermore, development isn't just a problem at Elite level. If good enough players were coming up, or showed enough potential, they'd be getting games. Name a club outside Coventry in the Erhardt that has been able to do that. Like I said earlier, Aaron Nell tears the EPL apart but can barely get on the ice with the Steelers. The problems lie at the root, and we need to look at the roots before we treat the leaves.

What it should do, and hopefully will, is increase interest in the lower leagues, particularly the EPL. Has one of your team's Brits gone to a side you don't know much about? Find out about them. Go watch a game, particularly if your Elite team is away. Jeff Legue going to the Steeldogs has garnered interest in them. A few Brits heading that way could well do the same.

BTW, the decision. Do I agree with it? Not really. I can see why they've done it but I don't think its the best way forward, if I'm wearing my GB hat. I can see the logic in almost every argument though, especially as I don't have access to a club's finances.

Debate it in all the usual places, tell me why I'm wrong and all that.

Liam

@IAmMcCausland

@TomWalkeden

@AwkwardGinge

@FrozenSteelBlog

Jeff Legue - The End Of An Era

The recent rumours have now become a reality.

7 years, 421 games, 230 goals, 284 assists and multiple championships after first becoming a Sheffield Steeler, the Jeff Legue era has come to an end.

However, it comes as no surprise.

Jeff became a father for the first time this season and if you tie that in with his admittedly aging body you can see why the switch from the Steelers to the Steeldogs has happened.

His new deal provides him a solid foundation for the next chapter in his and his young family's life. 3 year contracts are somewhat unheard of in the UK hockey scene, however that is what Jeff has been dealt by the Steeldogs, and quite frankly, good on him for securing his future and good on the Steeldogs for being able to provide just that.

Jeff has played at above a point a game his entire EIHL career and he will be quite a player for the Steeldogs and the EPL in general.

The move makes perfect sense for everybody involved and will benefit everyone.

The only downside to this is some Steelers fans will feel like they've not really had chance to say thank you and goodbye to Jeff, but I sense that the world of social media will soon get that message across to him.

We have been with him, as he has been with us, through the highs and lows both on and off the ice. The electric pace and the silky smooth goals have had us on the edge of our seats. The silly slashes and penalties have had us ripping our hair out. The various stories involving Jeff have had us all laughing. The loss of his father had us all coming together as one, providing him with support and comfort. The championships have had us jumping for joy and celebrating together.

We've been very fortunate to have watched him perform at his prime playing the sport he loves to play and as fans we should all feel privileged for having been able to see that.

Above all else though, we've had the pleasure of being able to know and interact with Jeff Legue the human being.

He's always stopped and talked to people and been more than happy to pose for pictures with fans or sign merchandise. He has been a perfect example for how sportsmen and women should conduct themselves in the real world and how to be real role models for the next generation.

It has been a pleasure to have had him in a Sheffield Steelers jersey for the last 7 years and it will be good to see him play another 3 years within the city that has pretty much become his home.

Even though he is now a Steeldog, he will always be a Steeler to the fans and will always be a part of the Steelers family.

We will all wish him the best for the next chapter in his life because it is exactly what he deserves.

His time and dedication to the club, the on ice achievements and the interaction with the fans are what have made him be held in such high regard among the fan base and the Steelers organisation as a whole.

When you add everything together, you soon realise why Jeff has become something special in the eyes of a vast number of people.

When he joined the club in his mid 20's he arrived as a hockey player that most fans didn't really know much about. Some 7 years later he is leaving the club as something completely different.

A legend.

Thank you Jeff, thank you.

You know the drill folks.

@IAmMcCausland
@TomWalkeden
@AwkwardGinge
@FrozenSteelBlog

Until next time...

Alan
@AwkwardGinge

Thank You Jeff Legue

Don't say a word. Don't try to explain it, or justify it, or read between the lines of it.

Just accept it for what it is and join me in saying:

Thank You Jeff Legue

Thank you for the championships.

Thank you for all the goals and assists.

Thank you for being loyal to the Steelers for 7 years.

Thank you for laying your body on the line and giving it your all for our team.

Thank you, Jeff Legue. You will be sorely missed in orange. Go knock 'em dead in the EPL.

Frozen Steel Meets: Ashley March (Part 1)

While we all watch the NHL and keep track of various North American leagues, the same cannot be often said for the opposite. Its rare that you find an American, or a Canadian who takes an interest in UK hockey. Enter Ashley March. As part of her March Hockey blog, she writes about a lot of the lesser known leagues around the world, ours included. In this first part of our conversation, we spoke on length about her hockey affliction.

Kim: GB At The Worlds - 2 Games Down

Our GB Correspondent Kim returns with a progress report from Lithuania, which can also be found here. You can discuss it on Twitter using the handle @CarolinaKaniac

Two games down now and Team GB are sitting in 4th place in the IIHF Division 1B World Championships. It’s not quite where they expected to be at this point, but hope is far from lost.

While the first game of the tournament against Croatia didn’t end the way any of us wanted, Monday’s game against Romania was a far better result.

Fans Of Steel: Jade Fox

I'm sure you'll all be aware of the story of Jade Fox, the girl who had her hair shaved by Drew Fata for Cancer Research.

Well I decided it would be unjust if we weren't to cover her in some way, so I spoke to her mother Ruth about Jade's good deed, and what she had in store next.

What Is A Fan?

Something that has been consistently thrown at me since I started writing the blog has been that I'm not a real fan.

There's been a number of reasons for this. I don't live in Sheffield. I don't go to every game. I slate the players when I should be getting behind them. I'm not 100% committed because I didn't bankrupt myself to get to the playoffs.

It got me thinking about the idea of support and being a fan. What truly makes you a fan of a sports team?

Mark Duell: 2014 Review

Mark Duell gives us his view of the season.

SO another season comes to an end, and with it – the most happiest of endings. For me, it had ended back on the 1st of April when we crushed the Blaze in the quarter final match up second leg. Thanks to two, shall we say inconsiderate human beings, whom I work with – I was forced to sell my tickets for the end of season showpiece and be stuck in the office. I didn’t, and still hadn’t seen any of the Final until that piece on Steelers TV a few days ago.

Gripes aside, it’s been a typical Steelers season, with plenty of good moments infused with plenty of low points. Would we want it any other way? I don’t think we are used to having it simple and easy – it’s just not the normal path. But as a supporter of this club from day one, I’d like to think that I’m pretty much used to this by now. If I am not, then I must be watching the wrong sport altogether.

Kim: Team GB At The Worlds: The Opponents

Kim (@CarolinaKaniac) returns with a need-to-know guide on GB's opponents next week. This piece can also be found here

With the North American hockey world (and much of the rest of the world) focused on the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, I decided to have a look at the other teams that GB will have to face in the World Championships next week.  What better way to spend my sick day from work than with a little research.

Disclaimer: By research, I mean a combination of the IIHF website and Wikipedia.  I apologise in advance for any erroneous stats or figures – I know how unreliable Wikipedia can be, but I don’t have many other choices right now.

Current IIHF rankings have GB sitting in 20th position overall, followed by Ukraine, Japan, Korea and Netherlands.  GB has quite a large lead over Ukraine, which puts them in a good position going into these chapionships.  [You can see the current rankings over at IIHF.com]

So, one by one, in alphabetical order, here’s our competition:

Frozen Steel Sponsor A Steeler?

So last night it was confirmed that Max Lacroix was leaving the Steelers, which is a bugger as I sponsored his sticks.

So I was looking into who I could sponsor next season before having a brainwave.

We could group together.

We Are The Adams Family

Right, no telling me off for that headline. It encapsulates the whole feeling that has hit the club since G signed his 6 week deal in February, and today's signature is the icing on what has been a very nice cake.

I think if I'd been writing last year, I could pretty much copy and paste what I'd have written about Doug Christiansen into here. The signature of Gerad Adams on a 2 year deal is a signal of intent from the Steelers. Adams has great experience in this league, and has been in charge of some very good sides in the past.

Where the two differ though, is the obvious changes in the style of coach.

Ryan Gleeson: Should He Stay Or Should He Go?

Competition winner Ryan Gleeson put on his writing cap and evaluated this season's team.

Firstly, I’d like to introduce myself; my name is Ryan Gleeson (@RatedRDG on Twitter), I am a 20 year old media student who has a passion for Ice Hockey. I am a Sheffield Steelers supporter of the EIHL and also a Toronto Maple Leaf of the NHL (Make your jokes now, go on..).

So, why am I writing this for Frozen Steel you may ask? Well I just like to get people’s opinions and generally chat about hockey, and why not start here? Speaking of which I would like to thank Liam for giving me the opportunity to post this, much appreciated.

So what am I going to cover today? Well, it’s simple. Who would you keep from this years Steelers roster? I’m going to give you my thoughts and then we can all discuss them, I want to know your opinions too! So without further ado, let’s get cracking.

Kim: Team GB Friendly Pre-Tournament Weekend

Our dedicated GB correspondent Kim (yes you are now, no escape) gives us a roundup of the weekend's action against the Netherlands. This also appears on Kim's blog which can be found here.

Saturday and Sunday saw two pre-tournament games for Team GB.  Both against Netherlands, with one held in Sheffield and the other in Coventry, the games were an opportunity for the coaches to try out different skaters and line combinations before they have to make their final selections.

I’ll admit at this point that I’ve never really watched any of the other EIHL teams play.  Obviously there is always another team on the ice when I’m watching the Sheffield Steelers, but I tend to suffer from a form of hockey blindness that means all of my focus stays with my team. Add that to the fact that I’m pretty new to hockey, having only really been a fan for the last 12 months, and it leads to me rarely noticing anything about the other team.

Bettie Walker: Is It Really Hull On Earth?

Friend of the blog Bettie Walker writes on Matt Suderman's comments over the weekend about his time at the Hull Stingrays.

As I’m sure everyone has seen by now, Matt Suderman has had some interesting things to say 
about his short time at Stingrays, and in particular, owner Bobby McEwan.

Starting with the statement that McEwan has chosen to part ways with player/coach Sylvain Cloutier saying “I'm confident Bobby's own ego and jealousy have pushed a potential coach of the year out the door.”

Team GB At The Worlds: What You Need To Know

(Friend of the blog Kim (@carolinakaniac) has written the following on the upcoming World Championships. It has also appeared on http://carolinakaniac.wordpress.com/)

You may or may not be aware that in just over a week, 23 Elite League players will be heading to Lithuania for the Ice Hockey World Championship.

Team GB is currently in Division I, Group B along with Croatia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland and Romania. For those who have no idea what the division/group name means, there are currently 6 different tournament levels within the IIHF Men’s World Championships. Up in the top level are the teams you’d expect, including Canada, USA, Russia, Sweden and Finland. The next level is Division I, Group A, with Austria, Slovenia, Hungary, Japan, Korea and Ukraine.

The third level is ours.

2014 End Of Year Report Card Part 2

It's been a funny old season to be a Sheffield Steeler.

From the dark days of November, to the resurgent turn of the year, to Doug's dismissal, to the elation that was the playoff final weekend, its been a strange, strange season.

But with the playoff win, it's clear that we did have a good team. But how good? Lets take a look.

This is part 2, covering the forwards. Part 1, on the netminders and defence, can be found HERE.

2014 End Of Year Report Card Part 1

It's been a funny old season to be a Sheffield Steeler.

From the dark days of November, to the resurgent turn of the year, to Doug's dismissal, to the elation that was the playoff final weekend, its been a strange, strange season.

But with the playoff win, it's clear that we did have a good team. But how good? Lets take a look.

We shall start with the back end. The forwards will come up later today.

Steelers Win The Playoffs: A Pictorial Review

We asked for your views of the weekend. You sent them. Credit given at the bottom.

Roland Hurt: Big G Brings Home The Playoffs

Occasional writer Roland Hurt returns with a celebration of the victory in this year's Playoffs.

EOY Awards Competition Winner

You voted, you entered. Thank you to all entries, glad to have had such an uptake. We had 7 correct answers, and their names were put into a hat.

The answer to our question was that the Steelers beat the Coventry Blaze in the 2008 Playoff final. Jonathan Phillips and Dan Tessier got the goals.

And the winner is....

FROZEN STEEL END OF YEAR AWARDS 2014

You voted. We listened. Here are your winners.

Thank you to everyone who cast their votes, you're all scholars and shall be rewarded for your kindness.

Before we start I'd like to thank Dean Woolley for his kind permission to use his photos on this piece, and throughout the season on our articles. The man is a talent.

So without further ado...

Has Anybody Come Back Down To Earth Yet?

listen to ‘LISTEN to all the goals: Sheffield Steelers 3-2 Belfast Giants - @SteelersHockey #EHIL’ on Audioboo

Go on. Take it all in again. We bloody did it.

Frozen Steel Storytime: The Elite League 2014 Playoffs

Its playoff time. The time of year when dreams come true and miracles happen. Well, so the NHL tells us.

However, there's several interesting subplots and narratives running about this weekend, and I'll do my best to put them in a neat and tidy order.

Are we sitting comfortably?

The Furnace: Episode 1

Episode 1 - 13/14 Season Review

We took the camera to the Motorpoint Arena for the Elite League Playoffs Quarter Final 2nd Leg between the Steelers and the Coventry Blaze, garnering opinions on the season that has been.

Thanks to those we spoke to:

Tom Walkeden

Ryan Gleeson

Paul Wheeler

Daniel Reynolds

Alan Claringbold

Comments and feedback would be mostly appreciated.

Thanks

Playoff 1/4 2nd Leg - Steelers v Blaze: (PO) Match Report

Tuesday 1st April 2013 - Sheffield Steelers (1-0-0) v Coventry Blaze (0-1-0) @ Motorpoint Arena. Face off: 7.30pm

The final quarter final tie of the season, Sheffield have a one goal advantage! But can they hold on and make it to the final four in Nottingham.

Frank Doyle was in goal for the biggest game of the season for the Steelers and his opposite number Mike Zacharias was hoping to help his team overcome the first leg deficit. Tom Darnell got the game underway and the playoff hockey began. The game started in proper playoff fashion and it was the captain Steven Goertzen that led by example with a massive opening hit on Nejc Berlisk as Doyle had to catch the first shot of the game, It was an extremely gritty start with both teams playing a very physical game out on the Ice. Sheffield were trying to play from the back as Drew Fata would go from coast to coast but wouldn't be able to stay onside, the shots would start to fly in as first Doyle saved a shot from Egener from the blue before Dowd saw his back hand saved before almost tipping in a Stefan Meyer pass. The physicality of the game would continue as Lacroix was wiped out by Cale Tanaka in an end to end period and then on 08:24 assisted by Meyer and DiCasmirro, Dustin Kohn found himself all alone to the left of goal with a great snapshot that beat Zacharias to give Sheffield a one goal lead on the night. Sheffield wouldn't stop there though as Goertzen tried the wrap around on Zacharias but saw his shot saved, Ashley Tait then missed a great chance for Coventry as he tipped just over the goal before Goertzen played a great pass on to Lacroix's stick but he shot was saved by Zacharias from just in front. Coventry were trying to put the pressure on as Henrich missed a golden opportunity to level the game with the goal gaping before Ginand tried a neat turn only to end up involved in a tussle in front of Doyle's goal as the Sheffield goaltender covered up the puck.
End of the 1st Period: Sheffield Steelers (4) 1-0 (2) Coventry Blaze
Shots on Goal: Steelers 7-3 Blaze

Second period got underway with Sheffield having a two goal advantage but Doyle had to stand big performing a blocker save from Berlisk that was followed by some fantastic stick handling by DiCasmirro who chipped the puck over a Coventry D man but saw his follow up shot saved by Zacharias. The first penalties would finally being called as we would see two lots of 4 on 4 hockey but both Doyle and Zacharias made some great saves before Jonathan Phillips had everyone of their seats had they had thought he had scored after a great pass by Spencer but Phillips just shot wide and that was followed by a Coventry time out as the Blaze were being completely outplayed but on 30:51 Gord Baldwin fired a great shot from the blue line through traffic that was tipped in by Dowd to send the Motorpoint crazy and just a couple of minutes later Tanaka was penalised two minutes for elbows and it didn't take Sheffield long to make the power play when on 34:25 DiCasmirro played to Dowd after a cheeky spin and Dowd had the easy work to score into the empty net and just under a minute later Maxime Lacroix caught a puck and fired his trademark slap shot past Zacharias followed by a fist pump in the air for a 4-0 Sheffield lead with a quiet a large aggregate lead. Zacharias was soon up to the heroics again as he denied a Stefan Meyer wrap around, Coventry would then go on the power play as Goertzen took a slap shot to the skate from Michael Devin before Frank Doyle was saving a Ginand shot from the point followed by a frustrated Tanaka seeing his goal bound shot saved by Doyle and would see the man advantage run out.
End of the 2nd Period: Sheffield Steelers (7) 4-0 (2) Coventry Blaze
Shots on Goal: Steelers 18-6 Blaze

Coventry came into the third period with a give goal deficit to try and overcome and started it in the right fashion very early on 41:52 as Coventry scored as Ross Venus fired a slap shot and very nicely slotted it under Doyle assisted by Ryan Ginand but that would be all that the Blaze would have to shout about as Sheffield would take control and would have several goal scoring opportunities go begging as Lacroix was denied on two occasions and the traditional playoff hockey came back up as Drew Fata landed a massive hit on Tanaka which seemed to displease the Blaze forward. Ginand would then go onto miss an open goal but at the other end Lacroix saw his shot rebound back out to him but could only shoot over the open goal. On 54:09 Duston Kohn assisted by DiCasmirro and Dowd shot into the open goal after some neat passing work to score Sheffield's second power play goal of the game and Kohn's second goal of the game and at that point the fans knew they was going to Nottingham at the weekend. Doyle was called upon one final time as he had to cover up a Wilson shot in a period that had seen a lot of neutral zone hockey but their was still time for one final goal on 57:14 Danny Meyers received the puck on the blue line near the Blaze bench and fired a fierce slap shot past Zacharias to make it 6-1 to the Steelers and send the Motorpoint Arena into raptures. The clock would run down and bring a fantastic night to and end for the Steelers

Shots on Goal: Steelers 11-11 Blaze

FINAL SCORE: Sheffield Steelers (9) 6-1 (3) Coventry Blaze

Boxscore (1st-2nd-3rd-OT-[PIM]-{PP}-S)
Sheffield  - 1-3-2-0-[6]-{2/2}-36
Coventry - 0-0-1-0-[8]-{0/1}-20

Sheffield Man of the Match: #13 Nate DiCasmirro
Coventry Man of the Match: #21 Ashley Tait

Referee: #9 Tom Darnell
Referee:
Linesman: #14 James Kavanagh
Linesman: #31 Ally Flockhart

After two years away from the playoff finals weekend the Steelers finally make it back with a 9-3 aggregate win against the Coventry Blaze which certainly gets revenge after last season and Sheffield will take on the Braehead Clan on Saturday evening in the semi-final match. See You In Nottingham Guys!!

Thanks for reading guys. Any questions or comments please get in contact with the Frozen Steel Team on this article or via Twitter:-
@IAmMcCausland
@TomWalkeden
@AwkwardGinge
@MartynDRoyce
@FrozenSteelBlog

Check out the Frozen Steel Forum

or Email the team at frozen.steel.91@gmail.com

Keep Supporting The Boys!!

Let's Go Steelers!

Tom
@TomWalkeden
(Follow me on Twitter for Live Updates on Games)

The View From On High - Blaze (h) (1/4/14, POQF)

Come On Baby, Let The Good Times Roll...

That's what it felt like last night. Nerves until the first goal, then we had a party.

Let's look back at it.