English Hockey or Notes From The 10th Division

by Rich of GASL on Nov 19, 2009 7:08 PM CST

Cool story about a Canuck in King Arthur's Court...uh I mean hockey rink. From the NHL to Altrincham

It is the jewel in ice hockey's crown: the fastest league in the world, watched by hundreds of thousands of fans, three times a week for half a year.

North America's National Hockey League - the NHL - is as good as the sport gets.

Televised, analysed and monetised to within an inch of its life, it is the sport's beating heart. It is a world away from ice hockey in the UK.

To my knowledge, only one man in England's Premier League (EPL) has stepped onto the ice as an NHL star. Now, he's talking to me in a dimly-lit Bracknell car park.

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Thanks for the link Rich

Great article. When I’m not watching hockey, I’m a huge fan of the EPL, so I guess you could say I can relate to all the comments from the English hockey fans who have to cross an ocean to see the sport at its top level.
In an unrelated matter, when are we going to get another installment of “Erik Johnson, World’s Hardest Dick”?

"You suck but you know you suck. That's what I like about you." -Brett Hull

by hullnoates on Nov 20, 2009 4:47 PM CST reply actions

Nice read

Interesting to hear about other leagues.
I’d like Doc’s view on this league.

by luvhockey on Nov 20, 2009 9:14 PM CST reply actions

Well,...

I know the UK doesn’t seem like a big place, but I live right at the bottom of Cornwall…and the nearest rink is actually Wales! So, I actually see more NHL than I do UK hockey.

However. I don’t watch the UK Elite league (http://www.eliteleague.co.uk/) …I tend to go for the EPL (http://www.eplicehockey.net/ ) and support the Peterborough Phantoms. Why the Phantoms? For a very silly reason. They had a legends game a few years ago – and Gary Unger was one of the players who came over. And I got a signed Blues puck. LOL. The Phantoms were last season’s League Champions, Playoff Champions and Premier Cup Winners.

The rinks seem bigger – not sure if they actually ARE. And the game is still fast…but I will admit, less skillful. In fact…if you want to check out some Phantoms highlights – including the great Ashes final between the Phantoms and the Milton Keynes Lightning then “Phantv” has a channel on youtube. Here’s the link to the Ashes highlights:

http://www.youtube.com/user/Phantv#p/u/18/yKywmmv6W1k

It’ll give you an idea of the kind of games we’re used to over here!!

BLUE SKIES - new St Louis Blues hockey blog.

"If you prick me, do I not...leak?"
"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause."
"I am programmed in multiple techniques, a broad...variety of pleasuring..."
RIP Lt Commander Data

by drfrankentweed on Nov 23, 2009 12:08 PM CST up reply actions

Sorry

you’lll have to copy and paste that link above!

BLUE SKIES - new St Louis Blues hockey blog.

"If you prick me, do I not...leak?"
"I could be chasing an untamed ornithoid without cause."
"I am programmed in multiple techniques, a broad...variety of pleasuring..."
RIP Lt Commander Data

by drfrankentweed on Nov 23, 2009 12:09 PM CST up reply actions