The Elite League title race is starting to feel like the Belfast Giants’ to lose.
Adam Keefe’s squad enter the final five weeks of regular-season play with a seven-point cushion at the summit, with the Cardiff Devils, Nottingham Panthers, and Sheffeild Steelers each losing ground in February.
Further down the standings, the Coventry Blaze’s blistering form has cooled.
The Manchester Storm occupy fifth position, with the Guildford Flames and Blaze four points back (despite both being two games further up the road).
Glasgow could yet stage a late charge up the table, but they face no threat from behind.
The Dundee Stars and Fife Flyers are all-but-mathematically out of the playoff race.
With that, let’s dive into our team of the month picks for February.
Elite League Team of the Month: February 2026
Drew DeRidder, Manchester Storm:
Drew DeRidder, Manchester Storm (Image: Manchester Storm)
Drew DeRidder never has an easy night.
The 25-year-old leads the Elite League in shots faced per game (39.17) and is always made to work for his paycheque as the Manchester Storm’s last line of defence.
Despite closing out February with a 2-0-3 record, DeRidder is the obvious choice between the pipes for our team of the month.
The American made 192 saves on 201 shots, earning a .955 save percentage as Manchester consolidated their ‘best of the rest’ status.
Following a 2-1 overtime loss to the Nottingham Panthers, DeRidder drew heavy praise from Danny Stewart, who called his performance “phenomenal.”
His ability to absorb pressure is what sets him apart from his peers — a quality that will make top-half rivals sweat at the thought of facing him in the postseason.
Mike Lee, Belfast Giants:
Mike Lee, Belfast Giants (Image: William Cherry)
It’s almost automatic at this point.
Mike Lee is the Elite League’s best defenceman, by a distance, and was crucial to the Belfast Giants’ fine form in February.
The American keeps his team of the month berth as a result.
Lee tallied nine points (three goals, six assists) in nine games and upheld a plus-eight rating.
His best performance came on 8 February when he scored and notched two assists in a 5-4 road win over the Coventry Blaze.
Brandon Estes, Cardiff Devils:
Brandon Estes, Cardiff Devils (Image: James Assinder)
Brandon Estes’ offensive production is ridiculous.
The American made eight Elite League appearances in February and was never held off the scoresheet.
Estes had two goals and nine assists for 11 points — and was only sent to the penalty box once (as tensions spiralled in a 4-2 win over the Fife Flyers).
The 29-year-old’s production has kept Cardiff in the race: the Devils are second, seven points behind the league leaders, with 12 games left to play.
Brendan Harris, Nottingham Panthers:
Brendan Harris, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
Brendan Harris’ raw numbers aren’t impressive: five points (three goals, two assists) in nine games.
But his impact is impossible to ignore.
The 29-year-old was instrumental to the Panthers’ march to the Challenge Cup final, scoring a brace in the first-leg, before tallying a pair of helpers in the return tie.
With Nottingham winning 5-4 on aggregate, Harris’ four-point haul was the difference against the Sheffield Steelers.
Adam Robbins, Coventry Blaze:
Adam Robbins, Coventry Blaze (Image: Panthers Images)
Adam Robbins made a blistering start to February.
In his first five appearances of the month, he tallied eight points (four goals, four assists) and dragged the Coventry Blaze to wins over Manchester, Nottingham, and the Dundee Stars.
He also finished the month in back-to-back games, taking his yearly total to eight goals and 20 assists in 32 games.
Robbins also went 86-83 in the face-off circle, reinforcing his role in Kevin Moore’s top six.
Brett Neumann, Glasgow Clan:
Brett Neumann, Glasgow Clan (Image: Al Goold)
Brett Neumann remains one of the Elite League’s most underrated players.
The Canadian was lights out in February, registering three three-point games in an eight appearances.
Neumann’s standout performance came on 13 February when he scored twice and notched an assist in a 4-3 home win over the Storm.
Second in scoring for the Glasgow Clan this term, the 27-year-old is one to watch down the stretch.
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