Newcastle Vipers

Now the busy period is over

February 7, 2011 by

I didn’t have an opportunity to write a blog last week as I had all the mayhem of the transfer deadline to deal with. It’s a busy period for agents throughout the world as teams look to make last minute changes whether that’s to help with their playoff push or they’re getting ready for a relegation battle. It was quite a frantic period this year with a number of teams making changes.

Edinburgh brought in netminder Jens Van Poucke from Belgium outfit the White Caps Turnout in addition to Jan Safar from HYS Den Haag and Blake Royle from Deuil Garges in France. The Belfast Giants brought in highly experienced Latvian defenceman Kaspars Astasenko who looks like he could be a good addition for Doug Christiansen, while the Nottingham Panthers made a deadline day move for Jeremy Van Hoof from the Guildford Flames (the least said about the last move from me the better).

Talking about Nottingham, the Vipers again defied the odds last night and came away with another win against the Panthers. Having been beaten 15-0 at the National Ice Centre last weekend, I don’t think there was many expecting anything from the game and rightly so. Running a business as we all know can be very difficult, especially a sports entertainment business. You constantly have to keep your paying customer entertained and that exactly what Nottingham had done the week before – no issues on that front from myself. However there were certain examples during the night that probably crossed ‘the line’. I am sure this would have been in the back of the players minds going into last night’s game, they were hungry and they wanted to make Nottingham pay. As I’ve said before, credit to Danny and the players who have all been first class since the club hit it’s issues back in late November.

After the game I spoke to Rob Wilson in Italy as he still likes to hear how the Vipers are doing. Rob took his first coaching job outside of the UK last May and has done very well with Neumarkt Egna in Serie A2. The Wild Goose as they’re known to the locals have exceeded expectations this season having finished bottom of the league last season. Rob went to Italy knowing it would be a very difficult job and having competed with teams with budgets three times his, Neumarkt have upset the odds by finishing second behind Gardena and in front of Vipiteno who they beat 7-5 last night. Rob and Neumarkt are now heading into the playoffs and I hoping he can finish the season off in style with a championship. Rob is someone who I have a lot of respect for after what he achieved on the ice and what he tried to achieve off the ice in Newcastle.

Congratulations to 9HM client Miroslav Bielik who won the Belgium Cup with the White Caps Turnout on Saturday. Miro who has previously played with the Guildford Flames and Hull Stingrays in the UK as well Pontebba in Italy is currently in his second season with Turnout. This season has seen Turnout and HYC Herentals join six Dutch clubs in the North Sea Cup. The Dutch league is quite a step up from the Royal Belgium Championship, so the two Belgium teams have found it difficult but have started to find their feet recently. So Saturday’s cup final was an opportunity for both team’s to show what they’re made of so I was delighted to see Miro get something out of a difficult season. I do think Turnout and Herentals will come away with some valuable experience from the North Sea Cup, especially the young Belgium players. Here are some photos from the final from the fantastic Fintan Planting.

Another disappointing home defeat for Ebbsfleet at the weekend, going down 0-3 to Farnborough which saw them leapfrog the Fleet into 2^nd place in Conference South. The Fleet are still in the mix for promotion at the end of the season and hopefully they can keep the pressure up on Braintree in the coming weeks. If you’re around the Kent area tomorrow, the Fleet are in action against Eastleigh (7.45pm kick-off) with tickets still available.

A great result for Tommie and the Tigers against Slough last night. They’ve been through a tough couple of weeks, so to win on home ice against a team stacked with talent like Adam Calder and Jan Krajicek came as a major boost to the whole organisation. Slough have a very good coach in Peter Russell, someone who is one of my clients and I believe has a big future in the game given the chances. The Sheffield Steeldogs are visitors to Telford tomorrow night (7.30pm face-off) with tickets now on sale.

Has everyone had their annual fix of the Ice Hockey Annual yet? If not get one today, well worth a read. Available here priced at £9.45 which is the cheapest price you’ll find anywhere on the internet.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: 9gc, Ebbsfleet United, Miroslav Bielik, Neumarkt Egna, Newcastle Vipers, Nottingham Panthers, Rob Wilson, Telford Tigers

Time for Warriors to step up?

January 24, 2011 by

Since my last blog we’ve had the Vipers fan forum which I thought went well, those people that continue to support the club it is greatly appreciated and those that have decided no longer to, I can understand your decision. The club have been very fortunate that the Elite League have agreed to support the club for the remainder of the season, while it’s to their benefit I think everyone connected with the club appreciates what is trying to be done especially when jobs and more importantly season ticket money is on the line. Obviously it’s pretty common knowledge now that there is a restriction on the Vipers signing any imports, which I can understand from a league perspective. However, if we are going to continue getting the level of custom through the door that we have been doing, we need to remain competitive and it concerns me that with so few players it could be asking a lot of the current bunch of guys. It is a shame as we’d worked hard on trying to bring Darius Lelanas from Peterborough and I’d almost agreed a deal with TPS Turku in Finland to take three or four of their prospects/veterans on a loan agreement which would have been at no cost to the club other than flights and accommodation.

The aim for the rest of the season is obviously to put an entertaining product on the ice while Jaimie continues to look for investment. As I’ve mentioned in previous blogs, the players have been outstanding this season and again on Saturday they came up with the goods and I am sure anyone that was there would agree it was a highly entertaining game. When you compare the two rosters as they currently stand, the Vipers shouldn’t stand a chance against anyone other than Edinburgh but the guys continue to turn up every night and give their all which has to be highly admirable in the current circumstances. The club have a big week ahead with a unexpected Challenge Cup semi-final on Wednesday against Nottingham (7.00pm face-off). Even though Nottingham on paper should have no issues making the final, I am sure the guys will give a very good account of themselves in the home leg on Wednesday, tickets are still available by calling 0191 477 4100.

Congratulations to the Whitley Warriors who won the English National League North Division 1 last night following a 4-1 win against the Telford Titans. That’s back-to-back league titles for the Warriors and Leachy has again done a very good job, so well done to everyone connected to the Hillheads club. However it’s a pretty sad state of affairs when a team has won a league title by the end of January. That’s not the fault of the teams in ENL North nor can the blame be pointed at the Warriors, the top and bottom of it is that it’s time for the Warriors to move up. I don’t think there will be a better time with question marks rightly being asked about professional hockey in the North East, I think the Warriors may have an opportunity here. They got some work to do though as attendances have slowly declined over the past ten to fifteen years. I know right now people will be reading this asking to where though? The EPL is the answer, they are very much open to expansion into the north as they’ve shown interest in the Vipers twice during the past four years but the Vipers are currently committed to the Elite League model and while at Whitley Bay won’t entertain EPL hockey for varying reason’s. Rumours are starting to gather pace in the North East that when the renovated Billingham Forum opens later this year, that the Bombers have shown interest in the EPL which would be superb for the area and a major step forward. In terms of Elite League hockey, until a suitable facility is built there isn’t much of future in the North East at that level.

Talking about the Elite League, I know many question how long the league in it’s current format will last. The EIHL is only as strong as it’s weakest team, however I still believe that it’s the best league the UK has seen in the modern era for overall balance. The sport is no different off the ice to what it was during the Heineken and Superleague era’s. There were clubs having financial difficulties in both those era’s and constant debates about import quotas and the governing body, so nothing has changed in thirty years. The Elite League actually does a lot of things right in my opinion, they’ve utilised some very good revenue streams like the playoff shirt auction and the all-star game which have been innovative and forward thinking. I think in the medium to long term, the league has to look at gradually dropping import quotas to around eight, seven, maybe six and I think that will happen. Since Paul Ragan has become involved with the EIHL, I’ve heard some very encouraging snippets of information. Proof will be in the pudding.

Last week was a rollercoaster ride in terms of football, after the disappointment of again failing to beat local rivals Newcastle United at home, Sunderland supporters we’re shocked to learn last Monday that Darren Bent had requested a transfer. Obviously we now all know that he’s signed for Aston Villa for an initial £18M rising to a possible £24M. While it’s a very good deal for SAFC in the current financial climate, I am worried about the loss of Bent. While he isn’t the best footballer and that’s likely to be one of the reason’s he’s constantly overlooked for England, he still has the natural ability to find the net which we all know is priceless in today’s game. While I wish him all the best with Villa you have to question his motives in heading to the Midlands. From where I am sitting it looks like a move sideways rather than up, in terms of SAFC it’s onwards and upwards with hopefully Europa League football next season.

A disappointing 2-1 home defeat for Ebbsfleet at the weekend against Kent rivals Bromley, however the Fleet are still 6^th in Conference South and hopefully come the end of the season we’ll be in the running for promotion back to the Conference Premier. If you’re around the Kent area tomorrow, the Fleet are in action against Thurrock (7.45pm kick-off) with tickets still available.

The Tigers had a mixed weekend against two of the EPL’s bigger team’s in Basingstoke and Slough. Following two losses, Telford have now slipped out of the playoff positions with Bracknell beating Swindon last night. Tom now has two games this winnable games this weekend against Sheffield and Swindon and fingers crossed they can come away with a four point weekend. The Wildcats are visitors to Telford on Sunday (5.45pm face-off) with tickets now on sale.

Follow Gareth on Twitter: www.twitter.com/garethchalmers

Special thanks to Paul Lynch for the photograph of Whitley Bay Ice Rink: www.lynchography.com

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Darren Bent, Ebbsfleet United, Elite League, Newcastle Vipers, Telford Tigers, Whitley Warriors

Turbulent times on Tyneside

January 14, 2011 by

Stressful times recently, but thankfully the news that we had been hoping for came out of Monday’s Elite League board meeting that the Vipers would see out the season. It’s been a very turbulent season on Tyneside, since late November we’ve been battling to keep the club alive on a weekly basis and looking back I would say we were all skeptical that the club would last long after Christmas.

However we’re now in mid January, we’ve come through the worst period and we can now start planning going forward. Huge respect must go to Jaimie, Danny and all the players who have handled the situation very well. Jaimie has his critics and rightly so in some circumstances, however knowing where the club was five years ago and where it is now we wouldn’t have come this far without Jaimie. That’s testament to what he brings to the table. A lot of people will just look at the fact that the club have gone from winning the playoffs in 2006 playing in a 5,000 seat multi purpose arena to a struggling outfit who have seen attendances gradually drop season after season. No matter who was financing and running the club, this was going to happen, in reality the club should have folded after it’s first Elite League season. I am sure there will be more about that at Monday’s Fan Forum (7.30pm at the NewcastleGateshead Hilton).

At first I didn’t think Danny was doing a great job, but since early December he’s really bought me around. What a lot of people forget is the fact that he’s a first year coach, in the worst situation in the league, with no money, poor facilities and has been up against it on a daily basis from the start. When the financial issues raised their head in early December, a lot of coach’s would have buckled and jumped ship. Danny didn’t do this, we made him aware of the situation and respect to him, he dug in deep, wanted to make things work and got his players bought into what he wanted. That could be his making as a coach. There will be people reading this thinking well what about the four imports that left. All I would say to that is look at Edinburgh as an example, I don’t think they’ve handled their situation well at all internally and in the public domain, that’s why they are down to three imports this weekend – in addition the Capitals off ice issues aren’t anywhere near as bad as the Vipers.

The fans in Newcastle in the majority have been excellent during yet another period of uncertainty – I had hoped those days were behind us following the previous two occasions. I don’t have any issues with those that have taken the decision not to support the club or attend games, whether that’s because of Whitley Bay, past season’s, club communication, standard of play etc. Fans of Ice Hockey in Newcastle have been through their fair share of up’s and down’s as have Cardiff, Hull, Sheffield supporters. If you’re unhappy with something no one expects anyone to part with their hard earned cash, but for those that have supported the club in the past and the present it is appreciated. Personally I question whether hockey will ever work in Newcastle but for everyone who has stuck with it through the good times and the bad times hopefully a new investor is just around the corner.

Myself and Jaimie spoke to Scott Neil after last Saturday’s game at Whitley Bay and he asked how we’d managed to keep a hold of the majority of the team, we explained and even gave him some advice going forward so it was very encouraging to see that he’d spoken to the fans after Sunday’s home game against Sheffield. I respect Scott and the Capitals as until you’re in a position like the Vipers, Capitals, Stingrays have been in recent years, really you don’t understand. Scott has worked hard to make Ice Hockey work in Edinburgh but like the Vipers situation I personally feel there are a number of factors working against him and any possible success. Right now the Vipers and Capitals are not Elite League organisations and maybe their futures are at a more sustainable level.

I was very disappointed to lose Dale Mahovsky who decided to take up an offer in North America. Dale was a real find for the club coming straight out of CIS hockey and despite being in his first pro season had been a model player on and off the ice since his arrival. While it has been disappointing to lose imports, the club have never stood in anyone’s way if they wanted to move onto pastures new. Their employment in hockey is what pays for their bills, so no one should blame any players in these situations who decide to look after themselves. As a collective the players stuck with the club longer than some other would, so personally I would like to wish them all the best for the future.

Big weekend on a sporting front as I am putting myself through the pain of the Wear Tyne derby on Sunday. Like myself, a lot of Sunderland supporters are smarting still from the embarrassing 5-1 defeat to Newcastle at St. James in October. Newcastle are doing a lot better this season than I thought they would. Even as a Sunderland supporter, I am totally bemused still by their decision to part company with Chris Hughton and bring in Alan Pardew, in my eyes not a great decision. So off to the SOL on Sunday with European aspirations starting to grow, but knowing Sunderland it won’t go well.

Follow Gareth on Twitter: www.twitter.com/garethchalmers

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Dale Mahovsky, Elite League, Newcastle Vipers, Sunderland

Looking forward to the year ahead

January 7, 2011 by

Firstly happy new year, I hope everyone had a good festive period and are now looking forward to the year ahead.

For the Vipers, post Christmas turned out well with unexpected wins in Hull and Belfast. The result at the Odyssey was a huge one for the club considering it was two league points but more importantly a place in the Challenge Cup semi-finals. A major boost to the club on the ice and for the business considering the recent issues with the ownership and cash flow problems. Looking back at the start of December I personally would never have thought that the club would be around right now, never mind in a big semi-final like it is. That’s testament to Jaimie, Danny and all the players who have stuck together and worked hard which is why the club is still here today. The Vipers will be playing Cardiff or Nottingham in the semi with the dates almost confirmed, I don’t think we’ll get past either of those but the additional revenue and effect on confidence for the players are much more important at the present time.

Cardiff are a runaway train at the moment aren’t they? Brent Hughes was telling me the other day that the Devils defence was one of the best D’s he has ever came up against, saying that their gap control was their strong point. Cardiff didn’t start the season well and I wrote them off, but fair play to G and Franny they’ve got their team playing extremely well and other than Sheffield I can’t see anyone matching them for the league championship.

As many of you’ll already know I’ve had a lot of involvement with Ice Hockey in Newcastle over the years and one guy I gained a lot of respect for Rob Wilson. Born in Toronto, Rob doesn’t see himself as Canadian, his father was from Glasgow so he sees himself as British first and Canadian second. Rob is one of the most passionate people in the sport and wants to see it do well in the UK, he personally invested a substantial six figure sum into the Vipers, what I would call crazy but he wanted and still wants hockey in the North East to do well. I got him his job in Italy with Neumarkt Egna in the second league which is a move he should of made two or three years ago. The team he joined have been a bottom end team for sometime now and played in an outdoor rink. However, this season they have moved into a new purpose built rink (in a village with 5,000 people) and are a club going places. Neumarkt are one of the lower budget teams in A2, but despite this he’s taken them into second with the team just above him having a much superior budget. They’ve still got a chance of winning the championship there and I really hope he gets his rewards this season as I think he is someone who deserves it.

Follow Gareth on Twitter: www.twitter.com/garethchalmers

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Cardiff Devils, Challenge Cup, Neumarkt Egna, Newcastle Vipers, Rob Wilson

Now the busy period is over

Time for Warriors to step up?

Turbulent times on Tyneside

Looking forward to the year ahead

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