The ever expanding EIHL

A year ago the landscape of UK Ice Hockey was somewhat different. With the Manchester Phoenix and Basingstoke Bison dropping down from the top flight to the English Premier League the play off weekend was overshadowed by protests and mud slinging galore, taunts of 'five team league, you're having a laugh' being directed at the clubs perceived at being the 'rich boys' of the sport. But here we are, one year on, and far from the monotonous five team league some said was inevitable we're gearing up for a season that sees us welcome two newcomers to the Elite League in the form of the Braehead Clan and the Dundee Stars.

 

The addition of the new organisations has led to a need to 'plug the gap' that exists as a result of a lack of local talent in the UK. The temporary measure to plug that gap is an increase in the import limit with the so called 'big five' (Belfast, Cardiff, Coventry, Nottingham and Sheffield) able to ice eleven ITC players and the remaining five teams (Braehead, Dundee, Edinburgh, Hull and Newcastle) able to ice one more on any given gamenight. There are also plans afoot to open up the work permit system which would greatly expand the pool of talent available to EIHL clubs, including many promising NCAA youngsters in those eligible to ply their trade on these shores.

 

Something that I feel must be at the forefront of the whole move to expand the league is a real push to replicate the successful youth development programmes across any new or returning clubs. It's vital that we create the interest in hockey from a young age - not just to fill our rosters and not just to improve the chances of our GB team but also to improve the popularity of the sport and preserve its long term future. Make no mistake that will not be a quick win nor a speedy process but long term it's critical to growing the sport, particularly if we can push on from the already outstanding achievements of the GB senior team and, who knows, maybe just sneak into a future Olympic games. Look at what that Olympic exposure did for cycling - it could be the foot in the door to taking hockey to a much higher plain in the UK.

 

The upping of the import limit adds another dimension to the new season with the inevitable return of recognised 'enforcers' to each of the ten teams. Fighting in hockey is something which always sparks huge debate. There are varying attitudes from those who believe it's an unnecessary part of the sport which portrays the wrong image of an otherwise family orientated entertainment product to an army of 'fight fans' to whom gameday brawls are analysed as much, of not more, than the hockey itself. My view is somewhere in the middle.

 

Fighting, in some respects, is hockey's unique selling point. It's usually the first or second thing I get asked when I tell someone i'm obsessed with the sport of hockey. But it's also something that wears thin after a while if not complimented with something else. For some it may be that they come to the hockey, see a few fights, love that aspect but never really get into the game. I'm not sure there is much we can do to entice those people in, you either take to something or you don't. On the other hand there are those that are enthralled by the prospect of two ice warriors going toe to toe in front of them but over time become engrossed in an amazing sport that has so many more facets than the odd brawl. Don't get me wrong I'll still be on my feet baying for blood when any Panther drops the gloves but it's one aspect, one of many. There is no doubt that teams need a 'policeman' to protect the skilled players on the roster but I hope it doesn't degenerate into a sport within a sport with staged fights preceding every game.

 

Panthers have played their hand early in the hard man stakes by securing the signing of 24 year old Alex Penner from Colorado Eagles of the CHL. Penner is no stranger to playing in front of big, passionate crowds with Colorado having sold out every single home game at the 5,289 capacity Budweiser Events Center since their inaugural 2003/04 campaign - an outstanding achievement for a franchise which is less than an hour from the NHL's Colorado Avalanche. First impressions of Penner are that he is a confident young player who is more than happy to drop the gloves with anyone in order to set the mood amongst the crowd and send a message to the opposition. A quick twenty minutes spent reviewing youtube footage has left me in no doubt that Alex Penner will be a hit with the locals at the NIC and we now await news of who the other nine teams will recruit as their recognised enforcers for 2010/11.

 

Just over a month into the off season and the excitement is starting to build ahead of a revitalised Elite League. The monotony of playing teams eight times in the league last season was something which I believe would have influenced some in their decisions over buying a season ticket and indeed attending games as a walk up customer. Thankfully we're now seeing the start of what could be a reduction in that monotony and the chance to embrace our new additions from north of the border. It's unlikely there will be a huge shift in the overall outcome and the 'big boys' will still dominate the standings. I don't think that is necessarily a bad thing as I feel it's misguided to level the playing field so much that long term financial stability and a good business model are not rewarded however we all want to see a competitive league and I genuinely believe we will see that in 2010/11. Is it really only May? Have we really got another 4 months to wait until hockey is back? Thank god for ESPN America!

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