Exit Gerad Adams, Enter Paul Thompson

Article was written by Mark Duell (@hockeybhoy)

This morning Sheffield Steelers announced their successor to Gerad Adams who was shown the door last Monday. The new man at the helm is none other than former Coventry Blaze and Great Britain Head Coach Paul Thompson. After period of two seasons away from these native shores, more recently in Denmark with Aalborg Pirates, PT returns with a mission in place to make the Steelers the biggest team in the country in every which shape of form. 

 

Tony Smith has put his trust in the Singapore born man, and whilst some are still sceptical and upset over the Adams sacking, we believe as one here at FSB Towers that Smith has got the right bloke for the job in hand. Let us tell you why...

 

 

1. It's not all about being the Head Coach: Thompson is not just our new Head Coach, he's the General Manager too. He's in fact the man calling all the shots on and off the ice for Tony Smith which fits in perfectly with the direction that Tony wants to steer the Steelers towards. Paul will have full control of what happens in and outside team affairs a bit like what Gary Moron does at the NIC except that Moron isn't a coach; his puppet Neilson takes care of that for him. Having done something similar at Blaze before, Thommo knows what his remit is here. We trust him implicitly.

2. Experience: And bags of it! Paul Thompson began coaching in 1994-95, 20 seasons ago, with Solihull Knights and he wasn't even 30 then. He became Coventry head coach in 1996 when they were still known as Solihull Blaze and stayed with them right up to the end of the 2013 season when he took a step back and handed the reigns to the ill fated Mathias Söderstrom. Spells in Sweden with Troja-Ljungby (Dowdy's old team) and Denmark with Aalborg (Jody Lehman played there) have enhanced his knowledge of the game.

Oh, and he was GB Head Coach for five seasons until IHUK decided to let him walk out voluntarily. That's a pretty decent coaching CV if there ever was one. Some NHL coaches don't last that long.

3. A born winner: Whilst G has just a Challenge Cup, a Play-Off and a League title to his name - Paul Thompson has silverware coming out of his ears. Four, yes FOUR, Elite League titles which no other Elite League coach can boast he has. A BNL title, a Challenge Cup, two British Knockout Cups and an Elite League Play-Off win. That alone speaks volumes about him. A Grand Slam in 2005, and a proper one at that. If that isn't good enough, then what actually is. Sure his final years in the West Midlands were blanks but hey ho.

In addition, he won Coach of the Year no less than 3 times. Not bad, eh?

 

They are just three reasons why we think he is the perfect fit for us. Can you argue with them now? I (Mark) think you will be hard pressed to find anything against it. The GB lads will know his coaching methods and how good he is. If there had been no Paul Thompson, there would have been no Jody Lehman after it was Thommo who brought the North Battleford native to these shores in 2002. And we all know about him....

Let's get behind Thommo the Steelers way and make him welcome. We're sure this appointment is a good one.

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5 Things We Learnt - Belfast Giants

Thank you to Tony for his contribution to FSB, All Credit for this piece goes to him so any queries you can contact Tony on Twitter @DISGU15ED

As it's close season how about changing 'five things we learnt' to cover each EIHL team's story from last year?

Let's go alphabetically starting with the Giants ;)

1> Bringing back the same 'on-ice' team - the 13/14 Giants team took everyone to the cleaners in the league the previous year, so bringing back all but three of the key men should have made them the bellwether for others to be judged against. Gather more points than that team and you'd win the league we thought - so a bit of a shocker that 4 teams did just that.

2> Losing the 'off-ice' team - with hindsight, I'm pretty sure that Paul Adey should have been the first contract to be renewed. You'd need to be a complete plonker to bin your coach after winning the league, even if he didn't deliver the cup and playoff trophies you craved. Can't see anyone else making that mistake again.....

3> Take your mid season recruit straight from the NHL - sounds good in theory, except when you delay your final import recruitment until after a gap has appeared at the top of the table, and your Stanley Cup winning recruit is as big a bust as Kevin Westgarth. Massive LA Kings to Belfast Giants healthy scratch fall from grace.

4> Continental Cup - after failing to get ice-time for the CHL, and after being a little fortunate to get through the quarter finals in Fischtown, where they were lucky losers. Their departure from the Semifinal group after the final game went to the exact 4:3 score that would deny them, and allow the two teams facing each other to get through, was more than Fischy.

5> British net-minders - maybe this was the year when Bowns became the British number one, but it was also the year that Murph proved how much he was worth to the Giants. His injury was pivotal, and although Chubak seemed an able replacement, the odd game stolen here and there may have prevented the wheels falling off.

Final talking point - Remember when Colby Cohen was slashed to the ground, and then kicked out at Brookwell's knee with his skate? Think he was lucky to just get the spear and the DOPS suspension - if Keefe had been the man he had tried cut we may still be picking bits of him off the NIC ice pad.

Favourite player : Ray Sawada. Goals in the NHL, AHL & Liiga. Yes please.

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The Duell Report - Dissecting Tony's interview and the departure of G

I was about to go for lunch on Monday when Mitch at work dropped me a work message. "Mark, have you seen the news?" was his opening gambit. Of course I hadn't so I told him firmly in the negative. Then he sent me the link. I was like er, what the heck? In fact, I spent my lunch break wondering what I had just read and trying to make head or tail of sense of it. Then the more I thought about it, the pieces started to click and they definitely started to emerge in a clearer picture once I heard Tony's interview on BBC Radio Sheffield.

The decision has split a number of us, and that's to be expected. Let's try to explain why I think this is the right way forward. My thoughts won't please you all, but then again this is my view from my soapbox. I give you two reasons off the top of my head, but we all know there could be more.

Reason number 1: Results and Performance

Yes we won the Elite League for the first time in 4 seasons, but by gosh we were very fortunate to do so. Nobody should go and win this with 13 losses on their record; to win the league with 74 points and that amount of regulation defeats shows how bad the league was. Everyone had a freak result or two in their record and although some say it proved how competitive the EIHL was: I digress. I mean come on, Hull winning 6-1 in the NIC? That's a prime example of a freak result.

G also was out thought on numerous occasions by opposing coaches, and when you struggle to find a Plan B then it reflects in a bad performance. Two of these notable occasions came in two massive games, namely the Challenge Cup and Play-Off Finals. For 40 minutes in both games, we were given a lesson on how to play from start to finish. We had to play desperate hockey to catch up, and in both cases - fell short.

Reason number 2: The impending Under 20 team

Tony cited this has something that is happening soon, and that the job of Sheffield Steelers Head Coach has expanded beyond the original remit which G was appointed on. He feels G cannot take the team further based on the abilities he has and what Tony wants. I foresee that the new coach will probably have to have a great background in developing promising talents and making them better hockey players. So who does this mean? It's certainly not going to be Peter Russell; the GB coach; as Tony has ruled him out already. Could it be a return to the Elite for Paul Thompson? That's an interesting thought. Guess he'd have to sever his Coventry ties completely if he was appointed.

Or is it someone else? We will know before the Champions Hockey League draw takes place in Prague on 13 May. One thing I ask of you all: we have to stick together through this latest decision, and give whoever succeeds G - our backing.

Another couple of things that struck me listening to the interview was the subject of the Steeldogs connection and the steps back and forward comment. I guess I wasn't alone with this. Looking at both objectively, it seems like Tony has a plan in mind to make Sheffield the new hotbed of hockey talent. Yeah the first announcement was met with some derision from current Dogs fans on Facebook. One claimed this: "Yawn, heard it all before. Seriously would be a good idea, but would have been a good idea for the last 10 years. Still waiting." whilst another said: "They want EVERYTHING and they want it NOW!!!"

Jesus, what are they on? All Tony is wanting for Sheffield hockey to be united under one umbrella instead of the split which currently exists. We're not wanting you to turn your back on the Dogs; if you want to watch them then that's your choice but wouldn't it be good to have a bit of continuity like they do down the road from juniors to semi-pro to full time pros? That's what I reckon Tony's after. Is that too hard to stomach? I don't think it is.

Finally, the "We might have in fairness have to take one or steps back to take three or four forward" comment. This strikes me that Tony is prepared to see the new plan be a work in progress and isn't a quick fix process. After Gerad did admit after the Final that in his eyes we had "overachieved" in 2015; and the League title was a surprise when considering the last 6 weeks of the season, we played two imports down. Do you remember that? Next season I can see being a bit of transition year especially with the CHL happening too. But then again who can predict what will happen next? Nobody has all the answers, not even Tony, so just swallow your pride and keep supporting the team (whoever is in it). That's what I am doing, are you?

See you in a few weeks. Time Out called!


Mark

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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The alternative EIHL awards show 2015

We've had the Ice Hockey UK Journalists awards, and also the Official EIHL ones too. But who's gonna win the most prestigious ones around, the FSB alternative end of season awards. Time to put on that tuxedo, fasten the bow tie and announce the winners. Ladies, it's time for you to dig out that smart dress you only wear once a year in your case. Who's going to be the winners for 2015? Time to find out then....

The Bawbag of the season (as inspired by our good friend Caps Banter Army): Only one winner here, step forward Mr Joseph Grimaldi formerly of Edinburgh Capitals. Not only did you jab a fellow hockey player in the nuts, you dropped the mitts before launching your helmet in his face then setting about him. Shocking behaviour, ultimate bawbaggery.

The Most Biased award for services to hockey egos: Just for his "commentary" skills alone, the winner is none other than GM the GM. The man sounds like a manic depressive in his commentaries and never seems to give the Panthers opponents any due credit. With an ego this big, it's amazing how it can fit through the doors of the NIC.

Comedy gold tantrum of the year: Skate forward Brian Stewart of Coventry Blaze. Although you're a bloody good goalie, you certainly know how to chuck your teddies out of your pram when things don't go to plan. Your little rant after Steelers first goal in the POF was wonderful, perhaps if you had not bothered chasing after your stick then you might have saved that effort.

Biggest whine of the season: It's an award for the other ego in Nottingham here, Mr Corey Neilson. Not only does he see his Panthers side lose to every single Gardiner Conference side at least once this season, he blames the Conference system for it. Buck stops with you Corey, you are the coach. Deal with it.

The Paul Gascoigne I'm gonna burst out into tears at any moment Memorial Award: Has to go to our favourite meerkat himself, Robert Farmer. Interviewed by GM by GM after the semi-final second leg in the Challenge Cup, poor Rob was inconsolable. He somehow held it together but you could tell how upset he was. We wonder if mummy gave him a few hugs when he got home.

Beard of the season: Skating forward to receive this award is none other Steelers very own Mathieu Roy, what a beard. I bet even David Beckham never had a beard so perfect as this one. Special mention though to Matt Nickerson of Fife who gets an acknowledgement for growing the most stupid one around, it made him look an absolute dingleberry.

Best Import of the season (forward, defence or goalie): Runaway winner here everybody, and it's a second award for Mathieu Roy. What Norway missed out on, Sheffield and the EIHL won hands down with it. An 101 point dèbut season for the man from Amos, Quebec. And guess what, he's here for two more seasons. Defences best be ready, this man is capable of even better.

Best British players (defence and forward): Some tough decision making here, and we are going to go with the following. In defence, we've selected Ben O'Connor of Sheffield - an offensive defenceman who is as good as any import in the same position. Although we like the look of Zach Sullivan of Braehead, this kid has a big future and will improve year on year if coached correctly. For the forward, we're choosing Ben Davies of Braehead. Few thought he would make such a great impact in Braehead after all those years in Cardiff, but he did. Robert Farmer is the runner-up for being an absolute irritant but being good at it.

Unsung hero of the season: Bit of a surprise this one to most, but it wasn't to Steelers coach Gerad Adams as he chose this man as his player of the season. Step forward Phil Hill. The Cardiff native goes mostly under the radar when looking at Steelers championship winning squad, but puts himself about every shift he does. Great on the PK, one can wonder what else he wants to achieve now he's got the full set of Challenge Cup (achieved in 2006 with Cardiff) and the Play-Offs and League title in the last two seasons.

Lookalike of the season: Couldn't split this one, it is shared between two of Corey Neilson's Brits. To rapturous applause we award it to Aleksandr Orlov and Daniel Bryan. Yes a meerkat and a WWE "wrestler" no less. Actually to give them their real identities, Robert Farmer and Jonathan Boxill. Take a closer inspection and you will see why. In the words of Bryan Danielson's alter ego: "Yes, yes, yes!"

Self destruction event of the season: It has to be Cardiff Devils for their final 10 minutes of action at the House of Steel on 11 March 2015. From having no penalties called on them in the first 50 minutes of what was an absolute hammering it has to be said, Devils pressed the self destruction button firmly and lost their collective marbles. Three players ejected, of which DOPS took no action, and 100 minutes clocked in that mad spell. Crazy....

Coach of the season: We know that Andrew Lord did alright as a rookie player/coach but he ain't getting our award. Neither is Finner as he presided over a collapse that would be featured on "British Greatest Sporting Tragedies" if they ever made such a programme. No, it's only right to give to the coach of the Elite League Champions. Why would you give to someone who didn't get the big prize. It goes to G, that's all that needs saying.

The Quack Quack Oops Flop of the season: When he left the Most Versatile Arena for the Sky Dome, everyone expected Jeremiè Tendler to take his goalscoring talents there. However, bar a few games Mr Tendler has been doing a great impression of the invisible man. Many times he has been on the periphery, and a total of just 18 goals in 59 games (including play-offs) is testament to what a bad season the Viceroy native had in front of goal. There were signs in the POF that he was back to his best but one can only wonder will Chuck Weber give him another chance. Personally, I think leaving Hull was the biggest mistake Jeremiè made.

and finally, the Team Of The Season: Some good contenders here in every position so that's why we have picked a first all-star team and a second all-star team. Do you agree, what's your team(s) if you don't? Here goes:

First All Star Team:

Brian Stewart (Coventry Blaze)

Ben O'Connor (Sheffield Steelers)     Josh Batch (Cardiff Devils)

Leigh Salters (Braehead Clan)   Joey Martin (Cardiff Devils)    Mathieu Roy (Sheffield Steelers)

Second All Star Team:

Kyle Jones (Braehead Clan)

Cullen Eddy (Sheffield Steelers)    Tyson Marsh (Cardiff Devils)

Chris Lawrence (Nottingham Panthers)   Mike Forney (Sheffield Steelers)   Stefan Meyer (Braehead Clan)  

And that is that! Hope you enjoyed the 2014-15 season, we'll be back again ahead of the Champions Hockey League. See you later hockey fans...

Mark

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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5 Things We Learnt - Season Review

Thank you to Tony for his contribution to FSB, All Credit for this piece goes to him so any queries you can contact Tony on Twitter @DISGU15ED

Ready for another top five hockey things? This one's a bit indulgent, as here's my personal favourite live hockey moments from 2014-2015.

1> 21 March - The Championship game. One that we can all remember for years to come. Devils go ahead early, and we're all getting desperate to get back in the game and to toss our teddies. Dowdy steps up with a sharp one, and then Jeff Legue gets the Championship winning goal and the building erupts. Lifting the trophy at home - against this seasons main rivals - remembering missing family members - screaming yourselves silly - it doesn't get any better.

2> 25 February - The Challenge Cup final. A favourite moment even thought we lost. The second best atmosphere of the year, when the constant singing of the travelling Red Army brought the best out of the home crowd. An extra Steelers goal would have improved matters even further!

3> 20 February - Koln v Hamburg. My first experience of the DEL. The 12,000 crowd was a disappointing number for them, but awesome for us. An atmosphere more akin to football from the 90's, largely dominated by blokes singing, waving flags and scarfs in the standing ends - just less fighting and nicer food during the breaks.

4> 16/17 February - Tomo Testimonial. The start of a great couple of hockey weeks. The players speeches at the roast were often hilarious, especially Danny Meyers, and through Randy Dagenais showed the best of our Steelers family. The testimonial game was played in a great spirit, making it a fun event, and breaking it up with a skill comp was a great idea.

5>  24 August - CHL Lulea v Nottingham. A three game stanza at the NIC cheering on the Panthers was a surprising start to 2014/2015. After seeing Lukko and Lulea we knew that we had seen the best hockey we would see all year, and after seeing the Panthers beat Hamburg we hoped they had seen their best game too! We did stand out a little in our Orange shirts, but it was mainly friendly banter, and added a certain something.

There have been so many great Steelers games this year, so it's hard to single any out (especially as I wasn't at the NIC for the Gospel inspired CC QF comeback which will be a favourite for many, nor at the POF's) but if I chose one how about October 4th when Fretter, Forney, Roy and Mosienko introduced themselves by each scoring in a home win against the Panthers - I promise I cheered louder for that than I did for the CHL games!

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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