The Elite League is back and there were some fantastic individual performances across the first weekend of play.

The Sheffield Steelers went unbeaten in gameweek one, putting the Coventry Blaze and Guildford Flames to the sword to establish an early lead at the top of the table.

Adam Keefe’s Belfast Giants also started off on the front foot, beating the Dundee Stars twice in as many nights to start their Challenge Cup defence with a perfect four-point record.

Elsewhere, the Manchester Storm stunned the Nottingham Panthers at the Motorpoint Arena, while the Glasgow Clan clinched a shutout win over the Fife Flyers.

With a handful of starring performances across the opening weekend, here is our British Ice Hockey team of the week.

FORWARDS:

Team of the Week: Quinn Preston (Belfast Giants)

Quinn Preston made an almost perfect start to the domestic season, posting three goals in two appearances versus the Dundee Stars.

The American led the Giants in expected goals in both of their opening weekend games and was a constant threat on Adam Keefe’s first line.

Preston is above water in the face-off circle, plus-five in on-ice goal difference, and hit the frame with ten out of his first 19 shots of the season.

Team of the Week: Marc-Olivier Vallerand (Sheffield Steelers)

Marc-Olivier Vallerand made an undeniable impact on the opening weekend, showcasing his playmaking abilities for the Sheffield Steelers.

In a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Coventry Blaze, the Quebecois forward was the catalyst for Sheffield’s success, recording a hattrick of assists. His keen eye for the game and ability to set up scoring opportunities were on full display.

Vallerand didn’t stop there. In another impressive performance, he added yet another assist in a 3-1 victory over the Guildford Flames.

As one of the league’s top playmakers, Vallerand continues to be a vital asset for the Steelers, who are off to the perfect start under Aaron Fox.

Team of the Week: Ara Nazarian (Belfast Giants)

Ara Nazarian plays on the same line as Quin Preston, and you can tell based on his stat line.

The American produced a tour de force performance in Game Two versus the Dundee Stars, scoring and providing two assists as the Belfast Giants scored six unanswered goals to win 6-2 in Scotland.

Nazarian is trusted in all situations by Adam Keefe, clocking 41:30 time on ice across the opening weekend.

He already looks like a potential All-Star.

DEFENCEMEN:

Team of the Week: Carl Neill (Nottingham Panthers)

Carl Neill showcased his defensive prowess and all-around impact for the Nottingham Panthers in their 4-2 victory over the Manchester Storm, logging an impressive 27 minutes of ice time and a game-changing assist.

The Canadian continued to make his presence felt in the following game, adding another assist to his tally, though the Panthers still came out on the losing side.

What sets Neill apart is his versatility. He is a defenseman who can be relied on in all situations, whether it’s the power play, penalty kill, or even-strength play. His ability to strong skating ability and comfort when defending with his stick make him a key asset for Nottingham.

Team of the Week: Josh Burnside (Coventry Blaze)

Josh Burnside is the kind of under-the-radar addition that will help the Coventry Blaze achieve playoff success this season.

The 28-year-old arrived at the Skydome Arena from the ECHL’s Cincinnati Cyclones this summer and has already made a positive impression on his new fans.

The Blaze are yet to concede with Burnside on the ice, a feat made more impressive by the fact that he is plus-three through almost half an hour of play.

The Canadian, deployed on Danny Stewart’s third pair alongside club icon David Clements, registered an assist in Coventry’s 4-2 Challenge Cup win over the Cardiff Devils, making key contributions at both ends of the ice.

NETMINDER:

Team of the Week: Jake Kielly (Glasgow Clan)

When it comes to goaltending, Jake Kielly of the Glasgow Clan set a remarkable standard in the past week.

In a commanding debut performance, the American turned away all 28 shots he faced, securing a shutout victory with a final score of 4-0 over the Fife Flyers.

What truly set Kielly apart in gameweek one was his ability to make key stops at crucial moments. During the game, he denied Max Humitz and Teemu Pulkkinen from the low slot, showcasing his composure and reflexes. These saves not only preserved his shutout, but also prevented the opposition from gaining any traction.

Kielly’s excellence goes beyond the eye test. He saved an impressive 1.55 goals above expected, a testament to his exceptional positioning in the crease.

Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy will miss the first two months of the 2023-24 season after undergoing successful back surgery, the team announced on Thursday [28 September].

The Russian, who had been mainly absent through the first week of training camp in Florida, went under the knife for a microdiscectomy to address a lumbar disc herniation and is expected to miss the first eight to ten weeks of the campaign.

Vasilevskiy’s injury raises a number of questions for general manager Julien BriseBois, who will be forced to navigate a hellishly competitive Atlantic Division campaign without his star netminder.

What is the nature of Tampa Bay Lightning netminder Andrei Vasilevskiy’s back injury?

Speculation about Vasilevskiy’s health has been rife this preseason, with head coach Jon Cooper telling reporters that his goaltender was “wrestling with some things physically” last week, adding that he didn’t expect Vasilevskiy to miss an extended period of time.

“He’s on his own program, so I can’t really talk about that,” Lightning defenceman Mikhail Sergachev said on Friday. “But you know, obviously it’s nice to see him. He was making some saves and working through it, so hopefully he’s going to get better and get back on the ice soon because he’s the best player on our team.”

Vasilevskiy was unable to play through the injury and therefore turned to surgical options to resolve his herniated disc, which is known to cause pain in the lower back.

The 29-year-old is expected to start the season on the long-term injury reserve list, providing $9.5 million of temporary salary cap relief to the Lightning.

How does Andrei Vasilevskiy’s injury affect the Tampa Bay Lightning’s goalie depth?

Vasilevskiy has been the centrepiece of Tampa Bay’s recent success, backstopping the Lightning to two Stanley Cups.

The Tyumen-born netminder’s injury creates a massive headache for BriseBois, whose netminding depth chart has been decimated in the second week of preseason.

Aside from two-time NHL All-Star Vasilevskiy, the Lightning have Jonas Johansson, Hugo Alnefelt, and Matt Tomkins signed to professional contracts.

Johansson is a career backup in North America, maxing out at nine appearances and an .855 save percentage with the Colorado Avalanche in 2021-22.

Alnefelt, while highly rated in Tampa Bay, approaches the new season with just one major league appearance to his name, having recorded a .904 save percentage in 33 American Hockey League appearances last term.

Tomkins, 29, has never appeared in the NHL, but upheld a .910 save percentage through a 65-game stint in the Swedish Hockey League.

With that in mind, the Lightning are unlikely to be happy with their current goaltending options.

Will the Tampa Bay Lightning turn to the market for a new starting netminder?

BriseBois will also struggle to find an external solution to his netminding disaster.

With the start of the season just under two weeks away, most NHL-calibre goaltenders are already under contract around the league.

Jaroslav Halak, who turned 38 in May, is currently unsigned and could do a solid enough job for the Lightning.

The Slovak netminder made 25 appearances for the New York Rangers last season, recording a .903 save percentage as Igor Shesterkin’s reserve.

Trading with the Montreal Canadiens could be another option for BriseBois, who will see one of Jake Allen or Samuel Montembeault as worthy stop-gap solutions for his squad.

Ultimately, though, options are thin on the ground for the Lightning, who will limp through the first two months of the season without Vasilevskiy between the pipes.

The Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings, and Buffalo Sabres – who missed out on playoff qualification last term – will hope to take advantage in the race to make the postseason this time around.

The Sheffield Steelers soared to the Elite League’s summit after the opening weekend of play, albeit aided by the fact that they were the only squad to play twice in the competition.

Aaron Fox’s side overcame adversity and outduelled the Coventry Blaze in their season opener, winning in overtime to the delight of the steel city faithful. They followed up their initial success with an eye-catching, 3-1 road win over the Guildford Flames the next day.

Elsewhere, the Fife Flyers won heavily against the Glasgow Clan, while the Manchester Storm raced to an important 3-2 win over the Nottingham Panthers in the Challenge Cup.

Here, British Ice Hockey explores what we learned from the first round of top-flight fixtures.

Coventry Blaze produce memorable rearguard action to defeat Cardiff Devils on opening weekend

The Blaze authored an impressive performance in their home opener, upsetting Pete Russell’s favourited Cardiff Devils 4-2 in the Challenge Cup on Sunday [24 September].

Coventry’s Taran Kozun, who spent last season with the Devils, was exceptional between the pipes, recording a .950 save percentage despite twice absorbing heavy collisions around his net.

While it was a performance to remember for the Canadian, his skating colleagues warrant credit for a brave defensive performance.

Cardiff enjoyed the lion’s share of puck possession – which is reflected in their dominance of the expected win stat – but created zero high-danger scoring chances and were mainly limited to shots outside the slot.

“We simplified our game [after falling behind in period two] and we got two goals and the lead from that,” said Stewart of his players’ performance.

“I could see some fatigue setting in with our legs in the third period. We’re still nowhere close to full game shape because the guys haven’t been together for long and playing at a high level two nights in a row caught up to them.

“But I think we were really smart with the puck and made some really good decisions, gaining lines and not turning pucks over. Saying that, we sat back a little more than I would’ve liked, absorbed pressure and allowed a few easy zone entries – but the guys did a great job.”

In other words, Stewart – while happy with the final outcome – expects his squad to defend their blueline more aggressively in the weeks to come, but was buoyed by an impressive defensive zone effort on the opening weekend.

Coventry will often revert to a simple game this season, especially when they enter the final period ahead, and it will win them points.

The Blaze look like a playoff team, to the surprise of few.

Manchester Storm acquire former NHL defenceman Joe Morrow

The Manchester Storm completed one of the signings of the summer on Monday [25 September], announcing the arrival of former NHLer Joe Morrow.

The 30-year-old arrives in the Elite League after spells as a member of the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens, and Winnipeg Jets – in addition to stints in the American Hockey League, Kontinental Hockey League, and Finland’s Liiga.

“To be able to sign a player of Joe’s calibre is huge for our group,” explained Manchester head coach Matt Ginn.

“When he became available, we jumped at the opportunity to better ourselves. His experience in the top leagues around the world, including the NHL, will be invaluable to our group. Joe will be relied upon on both sides of the puck, and I’m thrilled to bring him on board.”

Morrow, who is only four seasons removed from a 41-game campaign with NHL Winnipeg, is an incredible addition for Manchester and should be expected to dominate his own zone this season.

Should we celebrate opening weekend time on ice trends in the Elite League?

Lastly, a question about time on ice trends in the Elite League – should we celebrate when players record heavy minute totals?

In the first weekend of the season, a handful of skaters amassed more than 25:00 minutes played – which is a high total by professional standards.

Week 1's Big Minutes | #EIHL

The most minutes logged in a single game from opening weekend 💪 pic.twitter.com/3YQHyDh8I1

— Elite Ice Hockey League | #EIHL (@officialEIHL) September 25, 2023

With a long and challenging season ahead, will coaches come to regret throwing their stars onto the ice at every opportunity? Time will tell.

If there was any doubt that the Belfast Giants were serious about their desire to win a second straight treble, it evaporated into the autumn air on Saturday [23 September] as Adam Keefe’s side came from behind to demolish the Dundee Stars 6-2 in the Challenge Cup.

The Giants, who defeated Dundee 4-1 in the curtain raiser a day earlier, were stunned by a pair of quickfire goals from Marc LeFebvre’s squad but snapped back with six unanswered strikes to ensure they would take four points from four to start the season.

Keefe played an important role at the Dundee Ice Arena, calling his timeout just five minutes into the contest after a dismal start from the Giants.

With that in mind, here are three way-to-soon talking points about the Elite League’s defending regular-season, playoff, and cup champions.

Belfast Giants’ Quinn Preston dominates on debut Elite League weekend

Quinn Preston has made a near-immaculate start to life in Belfast, with three goals in his first two domestic appearances for the Giants.

The 1997-born forward led Keefe’s squad in expected goals in both parts of their home and home series versus the Stars, not least because he was always available for the puck in the offensive zone.

Preston is above water in the faceoff circle, plus-five in on-ice goal-differential, and has hit the target with 10 out of his first 19 shots of the season.

The American, who logged a smudge over 25 minutes of ice time on Saturday, is flanked by Gregg Printz and Ara Nazarian on Belfast’s top offensive unit and already looks the part as a de-facto replacement for Scott Conway.

Charlie Curti confidently anchors Belfast Giants’ top defensive pair

Charlie Curti has already established himself as the No. 1 defenceman in Belfast.

The 28-year-old, who posted 25 points (eight goals, 17 assists) in 39 ECHL appearances last season, looks comfortable in all situations with his new team and already looks smart value in the time on ice sweepstakes.

Curti has already surpassed the 45-minute mark in game time on the season and for good reason – he skates confidently, defends commandingly with his body and stick, and is a threat with the puck in his possession.

Stapled to Jacob Friend on Keefe’s top pair, Curti’s form will be crucial as the Giants plot another title tilt this term.

Belfast Giants suffocate high-danger scoring chances versus Dundee Stars

While Keefe was unhappy to concede twice in the opening minutes on Saturday, the Giants have mainly played solid defensive hockey to start the season.

Belfast only allowed three high-danger scoring chances on the opening weekend, limiting the Stars to looks outside the slot.

Granted, the Giants will face tougher challenges over the course of the season and their play was far from perfect in Dundee.

Even so, Keefe’s men deserve credit for starting the campaign on such a stingy note – they will be difficult to beat if they keep this up.

William Nylander has the opportunity to re-write history and add millions to the value of his next contract, with Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe trialling the unflappable Swede at centre in the first week of training camp.

There has been no shortage of noise around the 27-year-old lately, as he enters the final year of the six-year contract he inked with the Maple Leafs after controversial extension talks rumbled into the autumn of 2018.

Nylander has since proven his worth in Toronto and is set to earn a significant raise on his current $7.5 million salary cap charge, which leaves Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving walking a fiscal tightrope as he attempts to strike new terms with the former first round pick.

The Maple Leafs have already locked superstar forward Auston Matthews into a landmark extension, squeezing the cap space Treliving can allocate to Nylander and, two years further down the line, hometown hero winger Mitch Marner.

With that in mind, Toronto’s decision to trial Nylander at centre in the first week of the preseason raises serious questions for all parties. Ultimately, though, it is a move that could benefit everyone – including captain John Tavares, who could be the next megabucks forward to change position in the months ahead.

Why are the Maple Leafs testing William Nylander at centre?

There are a handful of reasons why the Maple Leafs are taking another look at Nylander through the middle, not least because he was drafted as a centreman.

Nylander also has the offensive talent required to roam throughout the final third and has previously spoken about his desire to play the position more regularly.

“You have more options,” the Calgary-born forward said when asked about playing centre in 2018. “In the middle, I can go right or left versus when I’m playing right wing, going into the middle is kinda hard — I mean, guys are backchecking and stuff so usually you can only use the outside.”

Nylander’s attacking skill set makes his adjustment relatively straightforward – he’s an elite skater, with an underrated shot and silky mitts. He would also give the Maple Leafs a right-handed faceoff option, which is never a bad thing in a league dominated by lefties.

However, defensive warts are built into Nylander’s game – which is why he has spent the bulk of his seven-year career in North America on the wing.

If William Nylander moves to centre full-time, what will it mean for the Maple Leafs?

If Nylander can stick it out at centre, the number of offensive configurations available to Keefe will increase exponentially.

The Maple Leafs have opened training camp with a three-headed monster through centre ice, with Mathews, Tavares, and Nylander each centring lines of their own.

Deploying Nylander as a third-line centre would effectively deepen Toronto’s offensive threat, with the Maple Leafs top attacking players split across three lines instead of two:

1. Tyler Bertuzzi – Auston Matthews – Mitch Marner
2. Matthew Knies – John Tavares – Sam Lafferty
3. Nick Roberson – William Nylander – Max Domi
4. Calle Järnkrok – David Kämpf – Ryan Reaves

“I want to give it some time to come together just to see what that looks like,” Keefe said of moving Nylander to centre. “Willy’s been fully on board. He’s totally comfortable playing centre. It’s not a huge leap from my position, just something we haven’t given a whole lot of runway with.”

Alternatively, the Maple Leafs could elevate Nylander to the role of second-line centreman, with Tavares – whose footspeed has declined in recent years – moving to the flank.

Will William Nylander re-sign with the Maple Leafs?

There is no doubt that Nylander’s preference is to remain a member of the Maple Leafs – he relishes life in Toronto’s goldfish bowl media environment and has produced impressive results when it most matters (the playoffs).

Whenever asked about his plans for the future, Nylander is unequivocal – he wants to stay.

“I want to be here and this is where I want to play,” he said on Thursday. “But I’m going to let my agent [Lewis Gross] and Brad [Treliving] take care of that and I’m not going to answer any more questions about my contract.”

Treliving, for what it’s worth, is also keen to keep Nylander in the Six.

“We’ll try to get it done,” Treliving said on Wednesday, “we’ll work with Lewis and see where it gets to.”

With that, the only question is whether the Maple Leafs can meet Nylander’s contract demands, with the charismatic forward coveting a new deal worth around $10 million per season.

While Treliving may struggle to justify a seven-figure cap hit for an offence-minded winger, the situation will be recalibrated if Nylander proves his worth as a centreman.

It would also reverse the narrative that the flight-footed Swede is only effective at one of the ice.

Let’s see how this plays out.

The Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) is ready for its first landmark moment, with its inaugural draft set for Monday [18 September].

The PWHL, which was formed over the summer and formally announced last month, promises to promote and unite the women’s game like never before, with senior vice-president of hockey operations Jayna Hefford hailing its arrival.

“We have never seen more excitement and demand for women’s sports, and through the launch of this league, the top women’s players in the world will have the opportunity to reach even greater heights,” said the four-time Winter Olympic gold medallist.

But, after many false starts in the world of women’s hockey, how did we arrive at this moment and what does this shift mean in terms of league structure, salaries, and stability?

With that in mind, British Ice Hockey is proud to present its introduction to the PWHL.

What is the PWHL and which cities will feature in season one?

The PWHL is the successor to the Premier Hockey Federation, which was founded in 2015 but bought out and folded into the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association in July.

Since then, the PWHL has moved quickly to create a new standard-bearing competition for women’s hockey, ratifying its collective bargaining agreement in July.

Every team in the league is owned by Mark Walter, who chairs the Los Angeles Dodgers and owns the Mark Walter Group. Billie Jean King, the legendary tennis player, also sits on the board.

When asked about the league’s ownership structure, Hefford commented: “To have the backing of people like that, that bring experience, that bring resources, that bring capital, that bring a commitment to doing it right at the ground level, that’s a difference maker.”

The PWHL will feature six teams in its inaugural season, with franchises established in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Boston, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and New York.

Preseason will open in November, with the 24-game campaign opening in January.

Which players will skate in the PWHL’s inaugural season?

The PWHL’s six franchises have signed three free agents each, with Marie-Philip Poulin, Luara Stacey, and Ann-Renee Desbiens joining Montreal; and Sarah Nurse, Blayre Turnbull, and Renatat Fast agreeing terms with Toronto.

With the first batch of players signed, the league will hold its maiden draft on 18 September, with 90 players set to be spread between the six franchises throughout a 15-round selection process.

Players who are left on the table after the draft will become free agents and therefore have clearance to negotiate with any team.

In its first season, the PWHL will feature a mixture of talent formerly of the Professional Women’s Hockey Players Association, Premier Hockey Federation, and major European leagues.

Will the PWHL change women’s hockey for the better?

There is a lot of optimism surrounding the new league, with a spirit of collaboration helping to drive progress for the players and their new bosses.

Unlike previous women’s hockey leagues, the PWHL is backed by serious money, plus sponsorship revenue from high-profile companies across the region.

As a result, there is hope that basic standards will climb each season, with simple measures, such as free player parking and spare equipment, set to make a significant difference for players on a day-to-day basis.

“I think we have a long way to go,” she said. “We recognize that our players are dedicating a lot of time, sacrificing as much as any male counterpart and putting, you know, the sweat equity into their work and the dedication into their work. So, to see our sport have an opportunity where players can make a salary, a fair salary, is huge. And, you know, it’s just the beginning.”

There is only so much you can read into preseason results and performances – remember, we’re talking about a division prone to offseason rebuilds and complete backroom restructures. The Elite League has delivered bucketloads of reform this summer, with a handful of new head coaches and dozens of new players still in the early days of their residency.

With that said, a couple of noticeable trends have already started to break the ice and set the scene for another fascinating season of Elite League hockey.

In this article, British Ice Hockey’s Luke James comes in clutch with three way-too-early topics of conversation.

Elite League Preview: Are Adam Keefe’s Belfast Giants clear title favourites?

The Belfast Giants already have hours of competitive play under their belts, with their initial fixtures in the Champions Hockey League yielding one win and three losses. They’ve played four exhibition games, losing twice to the Cardiff Devils before tying a series with Glasgow Clan.

The Giants lost a few of their top performers from seasons past, notably goal-per-game scorer Scott Conway, and return to the ice with a new-look roster.

But they retained the services of head coach Adam Keefe – who some worried would scurry to a job on the continent (this was never on the cards) – and hotshot netminder Tyler Beskorowany – who has played lights-out hockey since un-retiring at the turn of the year.

The Giants also added a couple of standout talents, yoinking forward Daniel Tedesco from the Guildford Flames and importing defender Charli Curti from the ECHL.

Curti was a dominant performer as the Giants downed HC Bolzano 4-0 in the Champions League and will continue to see plenty of ice once domestic play starts.

Undeniably, Belfast remain the team to beat – they just won the treble, kept the best coach in the league on their books, and added more speed to their line-up.

But, until proven otherwise, it is hard to characterise them as being miles ahead of the chasing pack.

The Sheffield Steelers will once again try to climb the summit, as will the Francophone Nottingham Panthers, but it is the Devils who look scariest at this way-too-early stage.

With Pete Russell at the helm, Cardiff will be a different proposition this term – boosted by better coaching, an improved playing environment, and growing squad cohesion. They have the ‘perfect’ mix of belligerence (yes, I’m referring to that Riley Brandt punch-up) and skill to cause issues across the board.

The Flames will struggle to capture lightning in a bottle for a second season in a row, but will once again be in the conversation with Paul Dixon behind the bench.

Elite League Preview: Sheffield Steelers… Good, Bad, Ugly

Just for a second, imagine how advanced our society would become if the Sheffield Steelers stopped shooting themselves in the feet. Collectively, we would have the time and intellectual bandwidth to solve any number of global crises.

Instead, we’re left talking about idiotic comments published on the franchise’s official social media accounts.

If you missed it, the Steelers posted a video to their Twitter, the app now known as X, whereby a prominent member of their communications team said: “The [Nottingham] Panthers have turned French, which is another reason to dislike them in my book… Sheffield Steelers versus the French National Team, the Panthers.”

Simply put, unacceptable – the league, and everyone who works within it, must aspire for higher standards.

But, in another aspect of the same department, Sheffield represents the highest standard.

The Steelers packed their arena for an August exhibition, shifting tickets as though they were the only show in town. (Obviously, they aren’t the only show in town and they deserve serious praise for building a fanbase so devout they’ll turnout in thousands for a ‘friendly’.)

Always a contradiction, the Steelers are somehow the best and worst of the Elite League.

Elite League Preview: Are you ready for an intense playoff race?

While there is always a team far away at the bottom of the table (it probably won’t be the Fife Flyers under Tom Coolen), you should expect a tight playoff chase this term.

There isn’t a lot to separate the bottom six teams on paper, with injuries, puck luck, and momentum as important as ever in the Elite League.

It’s going to be a fun season – get down to a game near you soon.

Mike Babcock and the Columbus Blue Jackets will be held to an impossible standard this season – and neither party should be surprised or disappointed by that reality.

On Tuesday [11 September], a firestorm was sparked when Paul Bissonnette accused Babcock of pressuring his players to share their camera rolls and AirPlaying the photos onto his office television.

The Blue Jackets swiftly issued a response, with Babcock calling the version of events presented by Bissonnette “a gross misrepresentation of [his introductory meetings with players] and extremely offensive.”

Columbus captain Boone Jenner defended his new head coach, stating: “[He] asked if I had pictures of my family and I was happy to share some with him. He showed me pictures of his family. I thought it was a great first meeting and a good way for us to start to build a relationship. To have this blown out of proportion is truly disappointing.”

But the story has rumbled on through the week, with murmurs that some young players in Columbus were uncomfortable with Babcock’s line of enquiry, and an investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

Everyone knew that Babcock would be watched closely, which is why general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen is under so much pressure in light of the current controversy, but few expected the wheels would wobble so quickly.

With that in mind, here is a potted history of Babcock’s career and controversies, with a forecast as to what could come next in Columbus.

What is Mike Babcock’s history and why is it so relevant to his time with the Blue Jackets?

Babcock was once the best-paid coach in hockey, with a Stanley Cup championship and two gold medals from the Winter Olympics to his name, but has been out of action – at least professionally – since he was fired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019.

Since his dismissal in Toronto, a slew of stories about his coaching methods have been made public, with longtime Detroit Red Wings forward Johan Franzen calling the Canadian “the worst person” he ever met.

Chris Chelios supported his former teammate, saying that Babcock berated Franzen to the point of a nervous breakdown while he occupied the hotseat in Detroit.

In his rookie season, Mitch Marner was asked to privately rank his teammates in order of work rate. Babcock would later share the list with the players his young forward left at the bottom of the pile, leaving 19-year-old Marner in tears.

Mike Commodore has also been outspoken in his repulse for Babcock.

“Simply put your players quit on you,” Commodore tweeted after the Leafs fired Babcock. “They quit on you because you are a terrible human being. You are an average coach with an extremely oversized ego. You finally got exactly what you deserve… the hockey world is ecstatic.”

In other words, Babcock was sidelined from the NHL amidst accusations that he treated his players poorly.

Immediately upon his return to the majors, those criticisms have resurfaced, placing his appointment by Blue Jackets GM Kekäläinen under renewed criticism.

What next for Mike Babcock and the Blue Jackets?

The future is now uncertain for Babcock and his role with the Blue Jackets.

On Friday [15 September], the NHL and NHLPA met to discuss how they would move forward with their investigations into Columbus’ besieged head coach.

While all involved parties have been tight-lipped on the process, it is clear that the dial has shifted since the initial exchange between Bissonnette and the Blue Jackets’ communications team.

“NHLPA officials Marty Walsh, Ron Hainsey, and Don Zavelo met with the NHL earlier today regarding the matter involving Babcock. During this meeting, we provided the NHL with an update on our ongoing review,” wrote an NHLPA spokesperson on Friday.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedmann has reported that the NHLPA received “information that some of the younger Blue Jackets were uncomfortable with what had occurred” and that this revelation is now a major focus of the investigation.

If this continues to move sideways for Babcock, who could be out of a job in Columbus before his debut.

Despite the global pandemic plummeting UK gambling revenues in 2020, this British sector has recovered pretty well. It recorded an 18.1% increase in 2022, notching £14.7 billion in revenues for that year. That is a figure comparable to the pre-pandemic numbers this industry posted. So, things are looking up for British betting, and many believe that the money this sphere generates will only swell, primarily due to the wide availability of gambling apps and the varied functionalities they supply.

One of the most attractive options modern online sportsbooks feature is live wagering or in-play betting. That is the possibility for punters to lay down wagers on events as they happen. Many find this super enticing because it boosts engagement, making bettors pay more attention to games where the odds reflect match flow. Hence, the real-time immersiveness generated via this activity is off the charts, adding previously unattainable excitement to the viewing experience.

Naturally, this is also possible in hockey, a sport that more than one hundred thousand UK residents enjoy playing. Most Brits are unaware that high-level hockey has gotten played in the UK since the start of the 20th century. Yet, thanks to Internet gambling platforms, streams of games occurring in the United Kingdom have become readily available to a portion of the population, and these hubs have allowed such individuals to learn more about this game and the Elite Ice Hockey League.

Nowadays, creating betting accounts in the UK is easy for all, and in-play wagering is something virtually all UKCG and offshore-regulated platforms offer. Thus, here are a few tips on how to get started with this betting genre in a British hockey context.

Popular In-Play Hockey Wagering Choices

While interest in hockey is honestly not massive in the UK, on average, over a million people attend EHL season games. That shows that, despite what some may think, Brits are wise to the sport and betting on matches from the HNL and those occurring on their soil. Regarding in-play wagering, some of the most established markets are:

• Period Winner – Betting which team will win a distinct game section.
• Props – These so-called proposition wagers can be anything from predicting who will net the upcoming goal, if there is one, to who will commit the next egregious foul or pull off an assist. In truth, this list is immense, and different sportsbooks list different picks.
• Team Momentum – Now, this can entail many things. But this term most often refers to who will have more shots on goal in a distinct period. For the majority of bookies out there, this qualifies as momentum.
• Power-Play Opportunities – This is wagering if a team will score during a power play or which will be able to accomplish this next if it comes up.
• Player Performance – Another prop market, permitting bettors to bet on how individual players will perform. That means how many assists, shots, goals, etc., someone will have during a game or a specific period.

Gamblers who are more traditional and do not gravitate towards live wagering usually like to make future bets, meaning try to guess who will lift the Stanley Cup Trophy or who will be on top at the conclusion of an EHL season.

Tips for In-Play Betting on British Hockey

Aside from the traditional pieces of advice, such as getting properly equipped with various sets of pre-game data, gamblers interested in live wagering should explore to see which sportsbooks generally offer the best in-play odds, try to find ones that allow bonus use on this wager type and potentially stream games live.

On top of this, it is vital that everyone follows responsible gambling practices, begins slowly, watches the games when wagering, manages emotions and keeps an eye on trends. Moreover, the cash-out feature, which allows gamblers to bail on a bet before the game’s finish comes, is something everyone should know about.

Liam Kirk will make his Czech Extraliga debut on Friday [15 September], with the Team Great Britain star expected to skate key minutes in HC Verva Litvínov’s season-opening clash versus Dynamo Pardubice.

The 23-year-old, who was released from his contract with the Arizona Coyotes earlier this month, is the latest landmark addition for Litvínov, who also acquired former NHLer Ondřej Kaše in a bid to transform their roster into a championship contender.

“The arrival of Kirk in Litvínov was significantly helped by the increase in financial support from the main partner of the club, the company STEBAL, just as in the case of the arrival of Kaše,” explained CEO Pavel Hynek.

Kirk is set to become the first Team GB player to feature in the Extraliga, which is sure to pique the interest of British Ice Hockey readers.

With that in mind, here are three key facts to know about Kirk’s new team, the quality of competition he will face in Czechia, and the status of his career.

HC Verva Litvínov presents an interesting opportunity for Liam Kirk

Litvínov’s roster includes a number of recognisable figures in addition to Kase, including Slovak goaltender Matěj Tomek, Canadian blueliner Kevin Czuczman, and Czech youth international Michal Gut.

They also have the benefit of being coached by the highly-regarded Karel Mlejnek, who rose from division three to the Extraliga in relatively short order.

“At the end of August, Litvinov quickly came up with an interesting offer,” said Kirk. “I liked how the opportunity was presented by the managers and coaches and also what role it should be for me in the squad. The development plan and the possibilities for improvement were also important to me.”

With that in mind, Litvínov approach the new season expected to compete at the upper end of the table, which hasn’t often been the case for a club that has one national championship to its name and last recorded a top-five finish in 2016-17.

Why was Liam Kirk attracted to the Czech Extraliga?

The Czech Extraliga was founded after the dissolution of Czechoslovakia and is currently ranked as Europe’s third-strongest league behind the Swedish Hockey League and Finland’s Liiga, which Kirk played in last term.

The Extraliga is a 14-team competition, with the top dozen qualifying for the play-offs to determine the national champion.

Czechia’s postseason follows a series format, with the top four regular-season squads advancing directly to the quarter-finals, while the teams ranked fourth through eleventh contest best-of-five qualifying battles to make the final eight.

The Extraliga’s worst-performing regular-season club enters a relegation playoff, creating an extra opportunity to avoid demotion to the second tier.

Followers of the Champions Hockey League will be familiar with many of Czechia’s top teams, with five-time champions Oceláři Třinec facing the Belfast Giants in the tournament last year.

The Extraliga also includes arena outfit Sparta Prague, Jaromir Jagr’s Rytíři Kladno, and historic powerhouse HC Kometa Brno.

Kirk’s decision to join the Extraliga is built on the foundation of the league’s quality.

While still some way off its Swedish and Finnish equivalents, Czechia’s top tier is a high-quality competition with high training standards, impressive facilities, and a 54-game regular-season schedule.

Kirk will benefit from playing regular minutes in a rigorous league and could use his time with Litvínov as a launching pad for the rest of his career in Euroep.

What does Liam Kirk’s transfer to Litvínov mean for his career?

While a move to Finland or Sweden would have been preferable, Kirk has landed on his feet with an ambitious organisation in Czechia.

Litvínov are widely tipped to improve on their performance from last season, with a deep run in the playoffs plausible for Kirk and his new teammates.

The Maltby-born forward has parachuted into a well-balanced roster, which raises the possibility that he will be asked to perform in all situations.

Kirk, who is primarily an offensive-minded forward, will be stapled alongside Litvínov’s top talents, meaning he will have ample opportunities to find twine and hone his craft in one of Europe’s most competitive leagues.

There is no doubt that Kirk would have preferred for his North American adventure to continue, but his transition to life on the continent represents the start of an exciting new chapter in his career.

Stay tuned, this could be a breakout campaign for Kirk.

If you’re a sports fan who enjoys playing or watching British Ice Hockey and fancy the occasional flutter at a licensed online bookmaker that also has over 2,000 proven-performing games from 30+ market-leading software providers, you’ve come to the right place. 

The official Bet It All website is a trusted real money gambling site that has sports betting services and top casino games all under one roof. Let’s dive straight in to discover more about this world-class iGaming site. 

Where is the best place to bet on British Ice Hockey AND play casino games?

If you’re looking for a website where you can place a bet on British Ice Hockey events and play some of the world’s best online casino games, look no further than Bet It All. This trusted iGaming site opened in 2017 and has overwhelmingly positive reviews.

The site is controlled by Momus2006 N.V., and is fully licensed in Curacao. The operator uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer) to protect each fully registered member’s personal account details, preferred payment method information, funds, and any conversations they have with the Bet it All live chat player support agents. 

They have hundreds of regular Ice Hockey betting markets for the world’s top-tier professional leagues, and they are known for offering some of the iGaming industry’s most competitive Ice Hockey betting odds. Apart from British Ice Hockey, the other main Ice Hockey Leagues you can also frequently place a wager on at Bet It All are in the following countries:

• USA – NHL and others
• Russia – KHL and others
• Sweden – SHL and others
• Czech Republic – Czech Extraliga and others
• Finland – Liiga and others
• Germany – DEL
• Slovakia – Extraleague
• Switzerland – National League

If you’re looking for something other than Ice Hockey to bet on at this top-rated site, don’t forget they also have regular markets for football/soccer, tennis, cricket, volleyball, golf, baseball, boxing, motor racing, table tennis, esports, and more than 20 other sports. 

What kind of casino games can I play at Bet It All?

Bet It All online casino has over 2,000 computer-generated games, including feature-rich online slot machines and table & card games, plus hundreds of cutting-edge live dealer games (these ones aren’t computer-generated). 

If you want to learn more about Bet it all casino games, head over to the official AskGamblers website. 

Examples of some of the most trusted iGaming software providers and independent game development studios that currently supply games to Bet It All are the following:

• NetEnt
• Evolution Gaming
• Microgaming/Games Global
• Red Tiger Gaming
• Ezugi
• Push Gaming
• Play’n GO
• Pragmatic Play
• Playtech
• Thunderkick
• Yggdrasil

They also have games from several other world-class providers, such as Red Rake Gaming, WorldMatch, Wazdan, Push Gaming, Relax Gaming, PG Soft, Playson, LuckyStreak, Gamzix, and Kaga, to name a few. 

The slots and other computer-generated games that use frequently tested RNGs (Random Number Generators) to produce the outcomes/results are known for having 93.00% to 98.00% or higher average Return To Player Percentage Payout Rates (aka RTP% rates). 

Some of the most popular games being played here right now are the state-of-the-art live dealer games and the Megaways slots. 

Some of the games that you may like to try before any others are Big Bass Bonanza Megaways, Easter Island 2, Money Cart 2, John Hunter and the Tomb of the Scarab Queen, Book of Demi Gods IV: Thunderstorm, and Temple Tumble Megaways. You can also now find a few fun-filled Ice Hockey-themed slots. 

If that’s not enough to keep you going, try Big Bad Wolf Megaways, Wisdom of Athena, Release the Kraken 2, and Zeus Vs Hades: Gods of War. If you would prefer to check out the live dealer games before playing the slots, try Live Mega Wheel, Live Azure Roulette, Live Swet Bonanza Candyland, and Live No Commission VIP Speed Baccarat. 

Is it safe to deposit and Bet It All, and is there a sign-up bonus?

Yes, and yes. It’s perfectly safe to deposit and withdraw at Bet It All. The website uses SSL certificates to protect any transactions you make at the casino, whether in a fiat currency using traditional payment methods or depositing with any of the cryptocurrency methods they currently accept. 

Deposits are generally instant, and withdrawals can take anywhere from a few minutes up to around 48 hours at most. It all depends on your deposit/withdrawal method and how much you attempt to withdraw. 

The major cryptos currently accepted here are Litecoin, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, and DogeCoin. If you would rather use a traditional payment method, you can choose from a wide range of credit & debit cards, bank transfers, digital wallets (aka e-wallets) and prepaid voucher cards. 

Don’t forget that if you sign up here today, you can claim either a 150% matching deposit crypto bonus worth up to $/€/£100 or a 100% regular currency welcome bonus worth up to $/€/£200 + 50 free spins for selected online slot machines. 

The Ottawa Senators have become quite predictable under the stewardship of general manager Pierre Dorion. If they have the opportunity to extend one of their young stars ahead of time, they move quickly and take it decisively – as proven by their eight-year extension with sophomore defender Jake Sanderson.

Sanderson, who was selected fifth overall three seasons back, enjoyed a standout rookie turn last term, logging 32 points (four goals, 28 assists) en route to being named to the NHL’s All-Rookie Team and securing a top-four spot on the blueline in Ottawa.

The American, who still has one season left on his entry-left contract, will earn a smudge over $8 million per year on his new deal, vaulting him towards the top of the franchise’s earnings chart at the very start of his professional career.

The Senators’ new pact with Sanderson raises a whole host of questions, covering the cost-effectiveness of the deal to its broader implications for the salary cap environment. With that, let’s discuss.

Have the Ottawa Senators risked it all on Jake Sanderson’s contract extension?

In a word, no.

The 21-year-old is an elite-level prospect, with the best years of his career ahead of him. He was a standout performer for the Senators last season, despite it being his rookie year, and quickly leapt up the depth chart to become the team’s top penalty-killer in minutes played.

Sanderson, in addition to his defensive smarts, is an excellent puck-mover who has the potential to surpass Thomas Chabot and Jakob Chychrun as the powerplay quarterback in Ottawa.

The Senators selected the 6-foot-2 skater fifth overall because they believed he could become their No. 1 defenceman. This contract extension proves that Dorion still views him in the same light and is comfortable enough in his forecast to price in the risk that regression or injury could strike in the future.

“He’s a very mature young man who demonstrates a routine and skilful ability to play important minutes with poise,” Dorion said of Sanderson’s extennsion.

“An effortless skater who holds himself to a high standard, he has the talent to be one of the best all-around defensemen in the NHL for years to come. We’re very pleased to have another significant member of our core group of players under long-term contract.”

How does Jake Sanderson’s new contract compare to other young defenders in the NHL?

The closest comparable for Sanderson’s contract is Miro Heiskanen of the Dallas Stars, who inked an eight-year deal with an $8.45 million annual average value (AAV) in 2021.

The Senators are betting on the fact that the Whitefish-born defender will follow a similar developmental path to Heiskanen, who signed his deal after a 27-point, 55-game campaign.

The Finn bloomed in the second year of his extension, potting 73 points (11 goals, 62 assists) in 79 appearances for Dallas last season.

Could Sanderson produce similar offensive and defensive results three seasons from now? It’s certainly possible, especially if the Senators are genuine Stanley Cup contenders by then.

With that in mind, this contract feels like it could quickly become a steal for Ottawa.

What does this deal mean for the Ottawa Senators’ cap flexibility and league-wide salary expectations?

Dorion should be credited for his impressive salary cap management at the Canadian Tire Centre.

With Sanderson now committed to the franchise into the next decade, the Senators’ under-pressure general manager has locked his star players in for the long haul.

Tim Stützle is about to start the first season of his eight-year contract, while captain Brady Tkachuk has five years left on his current deal. Josh Norris and Chabot are also signed to team-friendly arrangements.

While the Senators still need to carve out some space for Shane Pinto’s next contract, they remain in a pretty strong position in the context of a rising salary cap.

Looking further afield, Sanderson’s new deal will likely have ramifications for other high-potential defenders like Owen Power (Buffalo Sabres) and Moritz Seider (Detroit Red Wings).

Power and Seider will both require new contracts after this season and now find themselves under pressure to accept similarly team-friendly terms.

What do you make of Jake Sanderson’s extension? Join the conversation in the comments. Sanderson extension 

Team Great Britain forward Liam Kirk has been placed on unconditional waivers by the Arizona Coyotes, per Craig Morgan of PHNX Sports.

Kirk, the first English-born and -trained player to be drafted to the National Hockey League, spent the second half of last season, the second of a three-year entry-level contract, on loan in Finland’s Liiga with Jukurit.

The Yorkshireman enjoyed a productive spell in Europe, recording 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 25 appearances for the Mikkelin-based club.

Prior to his loan move, Kirk recorded 11 points (five goals, six assists) in 15 contests with the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators.

However, his time under contract with the Coyotes was headlined by the major knee injury that he suffered a season earlier.

If the 23-year-old clears waivers as forecast, his contract with Arizona will be terminated and he will become an unrestricted free agent.

British Ice Hockey understands that Kirk will join Litvínov of the Czech Extraliga in the days ahead.

Analysis: Liam Kirk will bounce back from unconditional waivers experience

In January, when the Arizona Coyotes loaned Liam Kirk to a midtable side from Finland, the writing was already on the wall.

Kirk’s days as a member of the Coyotes were numbered and he would likely be forced to explore alternative opportunities a season before his entry-level contract was supposed to elapse.

The Englishman’s injury defined his time under contract in Arizona and killed every ounce of momentum he built the summer before his rookie season at the IIHF World Championship.

Kirk plummeted down the Coyotes’ prospect pyramid after his injury and was mothballed by the American Hockey League’s Tucson Roadrunners upon his return.

While there have been plenty of indications that Arizona was prepared to move on from Kirk, the organisation’s decision is still a little odd.

The 23-year-old was a standout performer during his time in Finland, finishing the season as one of Jukurit’s top point producers.

He also starred for Team Great Britain at the Division 1A World Championship, with 10 points (three goals, seven assists) in five games en route to an immediate top tier return.

Regardless, his time in Arizona is done and a return to Europe is now on the cards.

British Ice Hockey understands that Kirk is set to join Czech Extraliga side Litvínov, joining forces with former NHLer Ondrej Kase.

If the transfer is completed, it would be an interesting move for Kirk – who succeeded in a stronger league last term.

Despite the challenges he faced as an Arizona prospect, there is no doubt that Kirk has the resilience to bounce back stronger next season.

Keep an eye on Team GB’s rising star as he strives to carve out a successful professional career on the continent.

There are plenty of reasons to feel optimistic for just about every hockey fan and franchise in the country with just weeks until the start of a fresh Elite League season.

The Belfast Giants have already returned to competitive action, starting their campaign with an unwinnable back-to-back versus Finnish opposition in the Champions League.

Everyone else has either started preseason, with the Cardiff Devils already several friendlies deep, or are now only days away from hitting the ice.

Elite League: Scotland’s must-watch players

This week, British Ice Hockey will highlight one player who absolutely must deliver from each Elite League squad, starting with the three teams from Scotland.

Dundee Stars forward Carter Johnson

Canadian forward Carter Johnson has all the base attributes required to make an impression in the Elite League.

The 27-year-old will play outside North America for the first time this season, with his previous professional experience coming with the ECHL’s Wichita Thunder, Wheeling Nailers, and Maine Mariners.

Johnson finished last season with 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 14 appearances for Maine, following a 35-point (11-goal, 24-assist), 58-game stint with the Nailers. He also notched five points (three goals, two assists) in six playoff appearances.

The 6-foot-3 attacker was similarly effective in his rookie season, recording 45 points (16 goals, 29 assists) in 69 appearances for the Thunder.

Johnson played a more defensive role in college, excelling in the middle-six through four low-scoring seasons at Miami University (Ohio).

“Carter is a big winger, that can play hard down low, make plays down the ice and he skates very well for a big man like that, so we are looking forward to having him,” explained Dundee head coach Marc LeFebvre.

“The way he skates, should translate well onto the bigger ice in Europe and obviously everyone wants to improve their game day in day out to help the team and he is no different.”

With Dundee’s roster light on star power, Johnson could quickly become a key player as LeFebvre attempts to lock in a playoff spot with his new team.

Glasgow Clan centreman Michael Pelech

The Glasgow Clan approach the new season with a much-improved roster and a relatively straightforward aim – leave the drama behind and focus on winning hockey games.

Canadian centreman Michael Pelech, who joins Glasgow from the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators, will be a key puzzle piece this term and should be expected to hit the ice in full stride.

The 33-year-old arrives in Scotland and the Elite League after a 13-year ECHL career, amassing 686 points (208 goals, 478 assists) in 884 games for a handful of high-performing clubs.

Last term, Pelech exceeded the point-per-game plateau despite finishing the campaign with almost a century of penalty minutes.

In other words, the 6-foot-3 attacker plays the kind of eventful style that Elite League fans adore.

“Mike completes our forward lines and I’m delighted to welcome him to the Clan,” said head coach Jason Morgan.

“He’s coming off his best pro season in the ECHL and we’re excited to see him compete in a purple jersey in the season ahead.

“Mike is a big, natural two-way centre who excels in all areas of the game and another key piece of our team’s success. He adds size, skill and leadership to our deep forward core and another welcome addition to the Clan hockey family.”

Fife Flyers defender Aleksi Mäkelä

Aleksi Mäkelä is the kind of sneaky performer who will fly under the radar in the Elite League.

The Finnish defenceman boasts a wealth of experience around the continent, headlined by a seven-year career in Liiga.

While Mäkelä has never produced points prolifically, his defensive results speak for themselves and will translate quickly to life in Fife.

The 30-year-old spent last term with Ritten in the Alps Hockey League, finishing the season plus-16 and with 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) to his name. While plus-minus is an imperfect metric, his plus-seven performance in the postseason is also worthy of note.

Mäkelä skates well, is known for making savvy defensive reads, and will play top-pair minutes the second he arrives in Scotland.

“Aleksi brings 250 games from the highest level in Finland,” said Fife head coach Tom Coolen.

“He was recently an SMLiga champion with powerhouse Karpat, as well as a European Champions League-winner. I see Alexsi bringing his experience as a steady defender to our team, helping us in the defensive and transitional aspects of the game.”

Netminder Shane Owen is still expected to be the main man in Fife, but Mäkelä’s emergence will play a key role in reducing the Canadian’s workload.

Which Scotland-based Elite League players are you looking forward to watching this season? Reply in the comments.

The Manchester Storm have finalised their roster for the 2023-24 Elite League season, signing forward Andreas Heier on Thursday [31 August].

The Norwegian sharp-shooter boasts a wealth of experience across the continent, with spells in the Fjordkraft-Ligaen, Hockey Allsvenskan, and International Central European Hockey League (ICEHL).

“I’m thrilled to add Andreas to our group and complete our roster,” explained second-year head coach Matt Ginn.

“He is a very versatile player that we will look to contribute on both sides of the puck. Andreas’ experience across Europe and representing his country internationally will be very beneficial to our group. Signing Andreas completes our roster and I can’t wait to get started.”

Heier, a 32-cap player for his national team, split last season between his boyhood club, Stjernen Hockey, and new ICEHL franchise Pioneers Vorarlberg, notching 22 points (15 goals, seven assists) in 50 appearances.

The 29-year-old’s best senior season came in 2020-21, scoring 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists) in 24 appearances as Stjernen’s captain and top offensive player.

“I’m very excited to come to Manchester and get started,” said the Fredrikstad-born sniper. “I’m looking forward to getting to know my new teammates, coaches, the staff and of course the fans. I’m very glad for this opportunity and I can’t wait to get there, get going and work for achieving our goals.”

Manchester Storm set for another competitive season after Andreas Heier signing

The Manchester Storm have built the kind of under-the-radar squad that will come into their own down the stretch.

Matt Ginn has an impressive array of talent at his disposal, with Andreas Heier sneaking through the door as his final addition of the summer.

The Norwegian attacker is a sensible acquisition for the Storm, who always find a way to maximise their budget in a competitive recruitment market.

Heier joins with a well-established record across the continent, with plenty of middle-six know-how from his time in Norway and Sweden.

The 29-year-old’s numbers from last season are ‘meh’, but he was on a bottom-feeding roster with no chance of making the playoffs.

In Manchester, Heier is poised to assume a prominent role within a team that is on the rise and unafraid to challenge the status quo.

There’s no doubt that the Storm intend to solidify their position in the playoffs this season.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed head coach Sheldon Keefe to a two-year contract extension, nixing speculation about the Canadian’s future at the Scotiabank Arena.

The 42-year-old’s new contract shouldn’t come as a major surprise, considering recently appointed general manager Brad Treliving hinted at a refreshed pact last week.

“Since I’ve joined the Maple Leafs, I’ve been very impressed with Sheldon,” said Treliving on Wednesday.

“He has shown great leadership skills with his staff and our players, and has a clear vision for this team and where it needs to get to. Sheldon has established himself as one of the top coaches in the league and I look forward to working alongside him as we head into the upcoming season.”

Keefe, 42, was promoted to the Maple Leafs’ bench in November 2019, posting a 166-71-30 regular-season record through parts of four seasons on the hotseat in Toronto.

In the Maple Leafs’ 105-year history, he ranks second in regular-season wins and set single-season records in wins (54) and points (115) in 2021-22.

Toronto rank fourth in winning percentage (.622) since the appointment of Keefe, behind only the Boston Bruins, Colorado Avalanche, and Carolina Hurricanes in that span.

“Coaching this team has been a great privilege, and I’m truly excited at the opportunity to continue building towards our ultimate goal,” added Keefe.

“I’m thankful for the support from MLSA and its ownership along with [team president] Brendan Shanahan and Treliving, who I’ve really enjoyed getting to know and work with this off-season. We have so many great players and people within our organization that I’m grateful to work with, and together our commitment to team success remains steadfast.”

Analysis: Why the Maple Leafs were wise to extend Sheldon Keefe

There were only two realistic outcomes for Sheldon Keefe and the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer.

With their bench boss entering the final season of his contract, Toronto’s new-look front office had to choose between sacking or extending Keefe.

And they were right to pick the second option.

Despite his lack of playoff success, and valid concerns about the Maple Leafs’ postseason performances (even in victory) last term, Keefe is the safe and well-respected pair of hands the franchise needs behind the bench at this point in their window.

Still in his first major league job, the former Soo St. Marie Greyhounds head coach confidently cleared up his predecessor’s mess and quickly turned his hand at producing record-setting results.

For the first time in his professional career, Keefe now has the opportunity to coach under a general manager whose name isn’t Kyle Dubas.

In other words, he has the chance to lead a different kind of team in Toronto, one that might not repeat the same mistakes of the past.

Of course, there is a chance that Keefe doesn’t work out in the six and Treliving will be forced to fire him.

Thankfully for Toronto’s bean-counters, coaches are immune from the salary cap and MLSE has more than enough financial clout to pay an underperforming head coach to leave the building.

Like with the Auston Matthews extension, this was a no-brainer for the Maple Leafs, who will now turn their attention to William Nyalnder’s future.

For Adam Keefe and the Belfast Giants, the season starts now, with a trip to Finland in the reformatted Champions Hockey League.

The Giants swept everyone aside in the Elite League last time out and completed their historic treble with a dominant run to the playoff title back in May.

They return to action with the same stated ambition – to win it all – but start with a mountain to climb on the continent.

Belfast kickstart their season with a back-to-back versus Lukko Rauma and Tappara Tampere, two of Finland’s best squads.

There are few reasons to believe that the Giants will stun their rivals from Scandinavia, both of whom will ice future and former NHLers.

But, as they demonstrated last season, Belfast will make life as uncomfortable as possible for their Champions League opponents, despite losing the likes of star forward Scott Conway to free agency.

Refreshed Belfast Giants face daunting Champions League challenge

“It’s hard to improve on last year, obviously,” Keefe exclusively told Adam McKendry of the Belfast Telegraph, “We had a very good season, but this is completely different because we lost a lot of last year’s team.

“We were going out to one: replace some of the talent we lost, and two: try to improve because we believe the league is going to get better and it looks like it has in terms of competitiveness across the board, all the while taking the best player available.

“We could be sitting here all summer waiting for the perfect player to come along in the perfect position, but it’s very hard when a guy comes up who fits a lot of the boxes you want ticked and you need to find the best players available. A lot of thought went into the roster and we are very happy, specifically with the references that came back.”

Per McKendry, the Giants are set to roll out a first line of Daniel Tedesco (newly signed from the Guildford Flames), Elijiah Barriga (newly signed from the Dundee Stars), and Mark Cooper (the producer of back-to-back point-per-game seasons in Belfast).

Greg Printz, Quinn Preston, and Ara Nazarian are forecast to play second-line minutes in Finland, with Keefe not afraid to construct an offensive unit comprised entirely of summer arrivals.

There are familiar faces elsewhere, notably in the crease with the retention of star tandem Tyler Beskorowany and Jackson Whistle, but there is mainly a fresh feel to the Giants as they attempt to defend their league, cup, and playoff treble.

“Everyone seems to be a good person off the ice, which makes them a good fit for our team and that’s a good starting point,” explained Keefe.

“Now, we look to get better together on the ice and we’ll see where everybody fits in.”

With their offseason rebuild in mind, the Giants touch down in Finland relatively unhindered by pressure.

In the history of the Champions League, a team from the Elite League has never beaten an opponent from Finland and it would be a mind-bending achievement for Keefe’s new-look squad to re-write history in their first week together as a team.

However, they could make an impact further down the line, with winnable fixtures against HC Bolzano, Dynamo Pardubice, and HC Innsbruck scheduled later this fall.

“We’ve shown in the past we can be dangerous when we’re written off and we want to take that on and go out there to get points,” said Keefe.

“We expect to come home with some points. I do and I don’t think the draw has been kind to us. Every team in the Champions League is there on merit and is therefore a good team. Although we’ve drawn three teams from Austria, they are the three best teams from Austria and you don’t need to look any further than their rosters to see that, and then we’re up against the Czech regular season champions and a team that is fighting for the championship every year.

“It’ll be a great challenge for us but we’re focused on ourselves and improving with each game and trying to come out with some good teachable, positive clips that we can use to positively reinforce what we’re doing here and get to a better level.”

Hockey is back, everyone.

Adjust your schedules and work commitments accordingly.

Hockey, often considered a sport reserved for ice-covered arenas and fervent fans, has a unique power to transcend borders, cultures, and political tensions. In the realm of sports, there are those remarkable moments when a hockey game becomes more than just a competition – it becomes a catalyst for change, a symbol of unity, and a testament to the human spirit. Throughout history, there have been instances where hockey games have left an indelible mark on the world stage. From promoting diplomacy to igniting national pride, here are some hockey games that changed the world.

If you’re seeking a unique way to experience excitement off the hockey rink, look no further than the world of online gaming. The realm of entertainment has expanded into the digital sphere, offering enthusiasts a chance to try their luck at 5 deposit casinos in UK. These platforms provide an accessible and affordable avenue for players to engage in thrilling casino games, from classic slots to sophisticated card games, all while maintaining a budget-friendly approach. Just as hockey games have the power to captivate audiences and bring about change, these 5 deposit casinos in the UK offer an opportunity to indulge in an exhilarating experience without breaking the bank.

1. The Miracle on Ice – USA vs. USSR (1980)

No discussion about hockey games that changed the world can begin without paying homage to the “Miracle on Ice.” The year was 1980, and the United States was in the midst of a Cold War struggle with the Soviet Union. The U.S. Olympic hockey team, composed of amateur players, faced the seemingly unbeatable Soviet team, a group of highly skilled professionals. Against all odds, the U.S. team triumphed with a stunning 4-3 victory, capturing the gold medal. This victory resonated beyond sports, uniting a nation and symbolizing the triumph of democracy over communism. The game also marked a turning point in the way Americans viewed themselves and their capabilities, forever reminding us of the power of determination and teamwork.

2. The Summit Series – Canada vs. USSR (1972)

In the height of the Cold War, another pivotal hockey moment unfolded during the Summit Series in 1972. Team Canada faced off against the Soviet Union in an eight-game series that captured the attention of the entire world. The games were not only a display of hockey skill but also a reflection of the political tensions between the two superpowers. With each hard-fought game, the series encapsulated the ideological battle that characterized the era. The emotional rollercoaster that fans experienced during this series showcased the unifying force of sports, highlighting the potential of sports diplomacy in bridging divides.

3. The Inclusion of Women – First Women’s Olympic Hockey (1998)

Hockey is not only a sport of international significance for men but has also played a transformative role in the realm of women’s sports. The inclusion of women’s ice hockey in the Winter Olympics in 1998 marked a significant step toward gender equality in the sports world. The inaugural tournament showcased the skill, dedication, and determination of female athletes who had long been marginalized in the sports arena. This watershed moment not only changed the landscape of women’s hockey but also contributed to the broader conversation about women’s representation and recognition in sports.

4. The Sled Hockey Movement – Paralympics and Beyond

Hockey’s influence extends beyond the able-bodied community. Sled hockey, also known as sledge hockey, was introduced to provide individuals with physical disabilities an opportunity to engage in the sport. This adaptation of traditional hockey involves players sitting on sleds with blades and using specialized sticks to maneuver and score. Sled hockey has not only transformed the lives of disabled athletes but has also spotlighted the importance of adaptive sports. Its integration into events like the Paralympics has challenged perceptions of athleticism and showcased the incredible resilience and determination of individuals overcoming physical challenges.

5. Hockey for Good – Charity and Social Impact

Hockey games have proven time and again that they can be a force for good. Charitable initiatives that revolve around hockey have raised significant funds for various causes, from medical research to community development. Players and organizations alike have come together to support local communities and global causes, leveraging the popularity of the sport to make a positive impact. The influence of hockey extends far beyond the rink, proving that the game has the potential to change lives and create a better world.

Conclusion

Hockey games that change the world do more than simply determine winners and losers. They transcend the ice, the arena, and the scorelines to inspire change, unity, and progress. From historic clashes that thawed Cold War tensions to games that promote peace in the midst of conflict, hockey has proven its potential to make a difference. Whether by breaking gender barriers, championing inclusivity, or contributing to charitable causes, hockey’s impact reaches far beyond its players and fans. As the sport continues to evolve and captivate audiences around the world, we can expect more moments that remind us of its power to shape the course of history. So, the next time you witness a gripping hockey match, remember that you might just be witnessing a game that has the potential to change the world.

The Toronto Maple Leafs finally locked star forward Auston Matthews into a contract extension on Wednesday [23 August] and all involved parties should be content with the deal, including fans of the tortured franchise.

Matthews, who still has one season left on his current deal, will remain in Toronto on a four-year contract worth $13.25 million per season.

The American will receive most of his pay packet in bonus form, allowing the Maple Leafs to flex their financial clout within salary cap rules.

There has been lots of noise and conjecture in the wake of the announcement, but this is a quality deal for Matthews, who remains underpaid despite signing the sport’s most lucrative contract, and recently hired general manager Brad Treliving.

Don’t overthink this.

Why the Auston Matthews’ extension is a win-win for everyone involved:

Let’s start from the perspective of the player, who extracted most of what he wanted from the negotiations.

Matthews takes three major wins away from this deal.

Firstly, the 25-year-old netted a steamy fourteen percent pay rise to become the best-paid player in hockey.

Secondly, he steered clear of an eight-year pact, bucking the trend of franchise players in the salary cap era.

Matthews will also take satisfaction from the fact that the smoke around his future has stopped burning before the start of training camp.

With that said, the main win for the Arizona-raised forward is the length of his deal, which perfectly positions him to exploit the salary cap as it spikes after the pandemic.

By the time his next contract expires, capologists expect general managers to have at least an extra $12 million to spend on players per season.

Also of note: Connor McDavid, the world’s best player, is due an extension two seasons before Matthews, which puts him in the perfect spot to benefit from No. 97’s next inflation-busting contract.

Treliving should also be happy with the deal, not least because he avoided a repeat of his disastrous talks with former Calgary Flames star Johnny Gaudreau.

The Leafs won’t quibble about the mountain of cash they are set to pay Matthews – franchise players are expensive – and they shouldn’t be too fazed by the length of the contract.

While Treliving would have preferred to have locked his star forward in for a few more seasons, agreeing to a four-year term saved the Leafs money against the salary cap for now and will allow them to reconsider their plan once Matthews enters his 30s.

If the worst-case scenario plays out and injury derails his career, he becomes a free-agent in 2026 – which is fine insurance for Toronto.

Ultimately, though, this negotiation boils down to a simple fact.

Matthews is one of the best players in hockey and could yet become the greatest Maple Leaf of all time.

Divorce was therefore never an option for the team or player, at least not for now.

The Nottingham Panthers completed their defensive corps ahead of the upcoming Elite League season on Friday [18 August], adding Myles McGurty to their roster on a one-year contract.

The American is the latest player to join Jonathan Paredes’ new-look blueline, with Victor Björkung and Jake Ryczek also completing transfers to the Motorpoint Arena this summer.

“Myles is the prototypical two-way defenceman,” said Parades of McGurty.

“He moves very well and is extremely smart defensively. We felt for the last defenceman we wanted someone solid that can move the puck really well and is extremely strong defensively.

“Most importantly, he’s a defenceman that is reliable on the ice. He will fit in well on our roster and we’re excited to have him in Nottingham.”

The 29-year-old arrives in the Elite League with a wealth of experience in North America, amassing more than 200 appearances in the ECHL.

McGurty, who turned professional after playing five seasons of collegiate hockey in Canada with Dalhousie University, has split his senior career between the Orlando Solar Bears, Rapid City Rush, and Worcester Railers, totalling 59 points (five goals, 54 assists).

He also spent a short stint, comprising just five games, in the Hungarian Erste Liga.

“After having conversations with both Omar [Pacha] and Jonathan, it seemed like a good fit for both sides,” added the New Jersey-born defender.

“I am really looking forward to it. Nottingham seems like a great place with an awesome set-up. Everything I hear about the league is that it’s growing. Jonathan and Omar know what they want and they know what their goal is and that’s exciting.”

Analysis: Myles McGurty adds experience to Nottingham Panthers’ defence

Myles McGurty is a solid addition for the Nottingham Panthers, who were in desperate need of an experienced right-handed defenceman before he put pen to paper in the Midlands.

The 6-foot-1 blueliner arrives in the Elite League after a solid season with the Worcester Railers, registering 24 points (two goals, 22 assists) in 63 appearances.

Throughout his time in the ECHL, he proved himself to be a competent defender with minimal desire to make offensive plays.

He is “two-way” – in the words of head coach Jonathan Parades – in the sense that he covers plenty of ice, defends smartly, and isn’t a complete non-factor in the final third.

McGurty will slide into the top-four and play important minutes for the Panthers as they seek to bounce back from a disappointing first season with Omar Pacha in the boardroom.

In other words, he is a smart – if not spectacular – acquisition for Nottingham.

“Most importantly, he’s a defenceman that is reliable on the ice. He will fit in well on our roster and we’re excited to have him in Nottingham.”