EIHL 08/09 Predictions

Predictions, predictions, predictions...

EIHL Winners: Coventry Blaze
Challenge Cup Winners: Nottingham Panthers
Knockout Cup Winners: Coventry Blaze
Playoff Winners: Belfast Giants
Top Scorer: Adam Calder (Cov)
Top Netminder: Davis Parley (Not)
Most PIMs: Andre Payette (New)

Basingstoke Bison

Prediction: 10th
Key player: Kevin Reiter
One to Watch: Jason Goulet
Surprise package: Austin Sutter

The Bison face an uphill struggle this season after a turbulent 07/08 season. After financial troubles, which are now well and truly behind them (EDIT: As of 29th August the Bison's future has been put into doubt, they will need to come up with £30K before the 31st August), and injuries galore, the Bison enter this season with a fresh start and a new enthusiastic owner entering his first full season of ownership. The fresh start has seen "Mr Basingstoke" Brad Cruikshank, Eric Braff and high scoring GB international Greg Chambers return to the club, with them on board coach Ryan Aldridge has added an collection of unknown imports, the standout of which is IHL winning netminder Kevin Reiter. Question marks immediately appeared over the heads of Austin Sutter and Brent Hughes, signed from the lower reaches of North American pro hockey, mostly for their lack of height and toughness. However with 6'5 Jason Goulet, defenceman Curtiss Patrick, who enjoys a good tussle, and enforcer Jeremy Cornish all signed up, those question marks have been eradicated. The point stands however, that the Bison look too light in all areas to make a serious push for anything other than 8th place.

Belfast Giants
Prediction: 2nd
Key player: Evan Cheverie
One to Watch: Mike Burgoyne
Surprise package: Bobby Robins

New owners, a new coach, and largely a new team. Change has not necessarily been a bad thing for the Belfast Giants who enter the season as one of the favourites for the EIHL title. Right from the back the Giants look strong, although with three netminders, two of which are experienced at EIHL level and all three British or Irish homegrown players, they may have one weak spot. The Giants only other possible weakness seems to be the ability of their defence to actually defend, Mike Burgoyne, Tyler Howells and Brit David Phillips are all good going forward however with just Shane Johnson and Graeme Walton the noticeable defensive defencemen this may be their shortcoming. To go with Burgoyne and Howells, Belfast have an unbelieveable array of offensive talent, lead by former Coventry standout Evan Cheverie, Brit Colin Shields and player/coach Steve Thornton, the Giants seem unrivalled up front. With an offensive minded D, possible weak netminding duo and almost unlimited offence in mind, expect goals galore from Giants games. They won't quite make it over the line as champions this season but they will come near as dammit.

Cardiff Devils
Prediction: 6th
Key player: Rod Hinks
One to Watch: Brad Voth
Surprise package: Likit Andersson

With a new owner now finally here to stay, the Devils have built a solid if unspectacular squad for an attempt at improving on their trophy less last season. The Devils have not been title contenders for a number of years, and on the basis of their latest squad that theme will continue, although they will always be a good shout for a cup competition, of which there are plenty in the EIHL. Brad Voth, who rejected big moves in the summer to stay in Cardiff, will likely lead the line, both offensively and on the entertainment front, whilst former Newcastle centreman Rod Hinks will anchor the Devils first line. Jay Latulippe provides secondary scoring along with Jason Silverthorn, who returns for a second season in Wales. The Devils main strength is their possible "perfect" mix of grit, toughness and skill. They mix the pointscorers such as defencemen Thai born Swede Likit Andersson and the aforementioned Silverthorn and Hinks, with big hitters such as Brad Voth, Mike Prpich and Derek Campbell as well as defencemen Wes Jarvis, Mike Hartwick and Doug MacIver. Perhaps too much strength and not enough skill for the Devils to make a charge for the league, but an entertaining season should prevail for fans in Cardiff.

Coventry Blaze

Prediction: 1st
Key player: Adam Calder
One to Watch: Jonathan Weaver
Surprise package: Carlyle Lewis

Three of the EIHL's best forwards last season, currently the best British defenceman and one of the best British coaches in the history of hockey in this country. Just a few of the reasons why, despite question marks over their defence and netminder, the Coventry Blaze will be amongst the favourites for every trophy going in the EIHL this season. The Blaze have replaced Sylvain Cloutier with Sylvain Deschateles, one of the best forwards in the EIHL last season, rock at the back Neil Martin, with a relative unknown, Corely LeClair and Trevor Koenig, arguably one of the best netminders in the league last year, with former Edinburgh netminder JF Perras. Deschateles for Cloutier is, pretty much, an even strength change, however question marks have again, like last season, been raised over their defence and this time, their netminder. These question marks may have little credibility however, with the same questions being posed last season before the Blaze strolled to the league title and Knockout Cup whilst reaching the playoff final. Paul Thompson sure knows how to build a winning team and this season should be no different with Adam Calder, Dan Carlson and Jonathan Weaver leading the way for the Blaze.

Edinburgh Capitals
Prediction: 9th
Key player: Michel Robinson
One to Watch: Doug Christiansen
Surprise package: Andrei Rajcak

The Caps face a tough season after their first entry into the EIHL playoffs last season. After a season lead by forwards Colin Hemmingway and Mike Stutzel, it will be interesting to see how the Caps do without last seasons standout players. Player/coach Doug Christiansen will put his considerable size, talent and heart into the club, however has still yet to replace Hemmingway (although they have brought back Andrej Rajcak after a season in Denmark, who may yet turn out to be Hemmingways replacement), whilst Stutzel has been replaced by an unknown quantity in Mark Hurtubise. New netminder Michel Robinson looks like he has the credentials to replace JF Perras, and new defencemen Joe Dustin, Shawn Germain and Taylor Christie look like they have the quality to provide a stern test to any forwards looking to get a shot away on Robinson. This may mark a change in tactic for Christiansen; it would have been a huge ask to replace Hemmingway, who was one of best forwards in the EIHL last season. So instead of attempting the near impossible he may have accepted defeat on a replacement, and instead put their emphasis (and funds) on a better defence, but also a defence that can chip in with the points. Either way, from the outset, it looks like the Caps will push hard for that 8th and final play off spot.

Hull Stingrays
Prediction: 8th
Key player: Jake Riddle
One to Watch: Rick Kozak
Surprise package: Jason Kostadine

A hopeful 8th? After 2 years in the EIHL, it is hoped that Rick Strachan has finally found the right idea. After moving from non fighting, non checking Europeans in 06/07, to having a mix of non fighting, non checking Europeans and tough but skillful North Americans, to this season having a team of tough North Americans. Don't let that fool you though, many pundits, fans and fellow bloggers have posed the Rays problem will be up front, however the Stingray fans concerns have been rooted to the back. After losing Brits Dave Phillips, Luke Boothroyd and Stevie Lee, a normally 7 deep defence has become a 5 deep defence with just Paul Moran, and a further four imports, to replace those three. Up front the Rays are deeper than they have ever been in the EIHL. Rick Kozak has joined fresh from an NHL contract, Matt Reynolds has joined from a championship winning Fort Wayne in the IHL, whilst expected first line centre, Steve Slonina, has had two 30 goal seasons in the ECHL. Add to that last seasons first line of Jake Riddle, Jeff Glowa and Slava Koulikov(and minus Rob Rankin), as well as talented Brits Lee Mitchell and James Cooke and the Rays look to have three solid lines, all capable of scoring. A playoff spot is certainly not out of the question, but at the same time neither is a bottom placed finish.

Manchester Phoenix
Prediction: 5th
Key player: David Beauregard
One to Watch: David Beauregard
Surprise package: Grant Jacobsen

Manchester are a team that not many have spoken about during the off season but with a couple of very impressive signings they may well be a good bet to surprise people, a "wild card" if you will. Like Cardiff they always be a team that you expect might make a run at one of the several EIHL Cup competitions, and whilst I am not completely ruling them out of the title race, I expect that's where their threat may come from. With Tony Hands decision to return for one more season, and the possibility that they will for once go with three full lines of both forwards and defence, they have given themselves a big chance before names are even put down on paper. David Beauregard seems to be one of the signings of the summer, he should really push on in the EIHL after scoring plenty of points everywhere he has been, icing him with Tony Hand will only further increase his points return. Their defence is lead by offensive defenceman Kenton Smith, who joins the team after 5 years in Charlotte of the ECHL, recording over 120 points. Nathan Ward and Bruce Mulherin add more forward punch along with Luke Fulghum, who is expected to line up on the first line with Beauregard and Hand. A title push might be too much to expect, but a cup is a very realistic target for Tony's men.

Newcastle Vipers

Prediction: 7th
Key player: Todd Griffiths
One to Watch: Tyler Willis
Surprise package: Rob Rankin

With two imports still yet to sign, and with coach Rob Wilson filling in until their final defenceman is signed, the Vipers are still somewhat of an unknown quantity. Former Sheffield Steeler Joel Irving has already signed and quit the club, meaning the Vipers were forced to look elsewhere, they are now closing in on the final forward however have yet to sign their defenceman. Elsewhere in the squad they have one of the Elite Leagues better netminders, in European veteran Andrew Verne, and better defences with former NHLer Chris McAllister, Burt Henderson and Mark Gouett. Up front they have, as usual, a tough side with Derek Campbell, Andre Payette and also 3 year target Tyler Willis, who many believe will be one of the most entertaining players in the league. Campbell will rack up the points as well as the PIM's for the Vipers, after rejecting moves to Europe to re-sign in Newcastle, and Rob Rankin, who recorded nearly a point per game with the Stingrays last season, and Todd Griffiths expected to take the brunt of the scoring load with longtime Brit David Longstaff.

Nottingham Panthers
Prediction: 4th
Key player: Jade Galbraith
One to Watch: David Clarke
Surprise package: Brendan Cook

A quick turnover for the Panthers who went from being coach less to having a full squad in place in less than three months. Mike Ellis has been replaced by rookie coach Corey Neilson and he has largely installed what looks like one of the best squads in the league, with an attempt at their first ever EIHL title looming. A strong contingent of Brits have returned including high scoring David Clarke, Geoff Woolhouse, Danny Meyers and James Neil to re-join last seasons imports player/coach Neilson, Swede Johan Molin and Canadian Kevin Bergin. A whole host of new imports have joined the club, all of which look very impressive. The names that immediately jump out are netminder Davis Parley, Rumun Ndur, from the Coventry Blaze, forwards Jade Galbraith, Bruce Richardson and lastly, but by no means least, returning to Nottingham is centre Dan Tessier. Tessier, who played at arch rivals Sheffield Steelers last season, came in to replace another standout signing Chris Richards, who has now retired from the game to focus on a career outside of hockey. Despite Richards quitting the club, the Panthers look as good as any one of the other top three clubs (Coventry, Sheffield and Belfast) and so picking a winner between those four teams will be difficult. Nottinghams defence looks susceptable as does their inexperienced coach, which has me placing them in 4th.

Sheffield Steelers
Prediction: 3rd
Key player: Joey Talbot
One to Watch: Ryan Finnerty
Suprise package: Nathan Gillies

With just four changes for this season, the Steelers will once again be a force to be reckoned with next season. All four changes have improved in some way or other, whilst they lost Dan Tessier, they gained toughness in Nathan Gillies and Andrew Sharpe, they released Ian Manzano and signed former Manchester offensive defenceman Scott Basiuk and finally they added Dan Green in place of Davey Lawrence as backup netminder. The rest of their playoff winning squad has been retained including Joey Talbot, Jody Lehman, Jeff Legue, Steve Munn and Ashley Tait. With changes almost all for the better the Steelers, who have become much tougher than last season, have given themselves a good chance to make a run at the title and certainly one of the Cups.

This next EIHL season promises to be one of the best most competitive seasons in the EIHLs history. In general the league can be split into three groups which will be almost certainly correct. Firstly, title competitors (Coventry, Belfast, Nottingham and Sheffield) who have a great chance to win either the title or another of the three cup competitions. Secondly, playoff certainties (Cardiff, Manchester, Newcastle) who will fight to compete for the title but will have more of a chance in the cup competitions. Finally, the teams fighting for playoff qualification (Hull, Edinburgh and Basingstoke) but would do well to have a run in any of the cup comps.

So there it is. Let the 08/09 EIHL season begin.

Notes
* Top scorer= Top goalscorer
* Logos from International Hockey Forums