EIHL season begins

SHEFFIELD STEELERS

Grand Slam (3 titles) winners last year The Steelers romped to the league title with a massive 91 points having gained 39 wins.

They retained all but three of last years squad and as they have gelled so well in their previous games in the CHL it is difficult to see past them for the Championship.

Already one of their newcomers, Daniel Leavens tops the CHL stats table along with Daniel Ciampini and Patrick Watling, the latter two returning to Sheffield for another year.

BELFAST GIANTS

Seeking to reclaim the title after winning for the last three terms Belfast have brought back proven scorers Scott Conway and JJ Piccinich into the squad alongside captain Mark Cooper.

They had serious injury problems last season and bringing new players in constantly did not help them and they ended the season in third place, twenty points behind Sheffield.

They did, however, reach the play off finals but were beaten into second place.

So to sum up if they begin to fire like two seasons ago they are in with a good chance of the title.

CARDIFF DEVILS

Under coach Andrew Lord Cardiff won their first EIHL title back in 2018 and then went on to win three consecutive trophies.

They since recruited Great Britain coach Pete Russell last season and after a good term will want to go one better than being runners up last year. One to watch out for is prolific scorer Joey Martin he could become the league's greatest ever non-homegrown player during the course of the new season. The Devils' forward is 11 points off Jeff Legue’s all-time record of 596. Breaking that milestone would also put him sixth in the league's all-time scoring charts, and he could become only the sixth player ever to surpass the 600-point mark in the EIHL.

FIFE FLYERS

Under coach Tom Coolen the Scottish side impressed last year, and although the team has not got a large budget he has instilled a work ethic into the side which is second to none. There main player to watch is Lucas Chiodo who finished last season on 44 points.

Although I cannot see them winning the league the will have a big say in who does.

COVENTRY BLAZE

Although they won the league title twice back in 2007 and 2008 Coventry’s last success was 9 years ago when the beat Sheffield Steelers in the play off final.

There has been little to shout about since but new coach Kevin Moore will be hoping to change all that.

DUNDEE STARS

Finishing seventh last season will not please coach Marc Lefebvre.

Man to watch is last years captain Dryden Dow who ended the season with 39 points.

Unfortunately I can see Dundee struggling to make the play offs this year.

GLASGOW CLAN

They will be desperate to improve on last years 10^th place finish and under new coach Corey Neilson, who did so well in Nottingham, they must be in with a shot at mid table at least.

GUILDFORD FLAMES

Under Paul Dixon the Flames tend to be a ‘nearly’ team. By that I mean they show so much promise but fail to deliver at times. However, this year they have brought back top score Daniel Tedesco, after a stint in Belfast and they will hope to improve on the 5^th place finish of last year.

MANCHESTER STORM

Although they will not like me saying Manchester have a big advantage a home in that their ice is slightly smaller than other sides. That being said there side is thus built to play in smaller rinks and when they play away from home they are at a disadvantage.

But this has not seemed to affect them as much as you would think and they are always competing at top levels hence they finished 4^th in the table last year.

NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS

Once one of the top sides in the league Panthers have faded in the last few seasons, indeed their last title was ten years ago.

Danny Stewart has moved from Coventry to take up the reigns as Head Coach and will be hoping to at least make the play offs this year

 

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