FINISH THE STORY

FINISH THE STORY

2 FOR FLINCHING LOOKS BACK ON 23/24

AND AHEAD TO THE NATIONAL FINAL

CAN STREATHAM FINISH THE STORY IN COVENTRY?

Something that fascinates me in life, is the butterfly effect theory, and causality. It likely stems from my love of Doctor Who. How one action creates waves that travel outward causing reactions. The shorthand being a butterfly flaps its wings in central park and you get rain in the Philippines. Many years ago, a young man was born in Pensacola Florida. Born into a family who were royalty in the world of professional wrestling. This event and its ripples would lead to one of the greatest wrestling storylines in the last decade. As he and his Bloodline would enter a long-term war with the son of another of wrestling’s dynasty families. All leading to these two men Roman Reigns and Cody Rhodes battling for the WWE Title at this year’s wrestlemania. All through this Cody Rhodes a man who back in 2016 had been released by the company, had left and gone on a storied journey to rise to the top of the pro wrestling world in other federations would, say that winning the WWE title would be the final chapter, it would finish his story. 

The reason I’ve just tried to compact 4 years of wrestling story line into a paragraph in a post about hockey is this. Just as Cody came up on the losing end to Reigns many times in the course of his story. Streatham have been on the receiving end of two heavy and hard to take losses at the hands of the Solway Sharks. Denying them the one trophy they have been unable to secure, in the NIHL 1 National title. But on April 28^th the RedHawks will get another chance to claim this title, to finish their story against the Billingham Stars. 

On that April day in 2023, fresh off losing 4-0 to the Solway Sharks for the second season in a row. I had to interview head coach Ben Paynter; it wasn’t easy for me to find the questions to ask him about what had just happened. But it was plain to see behind the disappointment on Ben’s face. There was some form of a plan forming, he would be back here next season, he would rebuild and retool to not just make this final for a third time. But to win it at the third asking. Now that outcome is still to be decided of course. But the way it could be done was decided I think that day. 

For 3 seasons the game plan in Streatham had been, victory by overwhelming firepower. Win games by 12 to the oppositions 11. And while the defence had always been strong and able to ensure that the opposition rarely got the better of the team. It was apparent in both final appearances that Solway was able to pick the defence apart, and the team struggled against the strong opponents on the penalty kill. So, I believe Ben decided there and then, it was no good scoring over a hundred goals in a season as a team if you can’t score them when it matters, but equally if you can’t stop the team that’s shutting you down from scoring them. Defence wins championships he told me in an interview. A philosophy made famous by American Football coach Bear Bryant, it’s a sound one that has this season carried the RedHawks to 2 cups and a 4^th league title in a row. While also possessing the lowest Goals against and statistically making Danny Milton the number 1 netminder in NIHL 1. 

Those defensive numbers translated into a close shot at the grand slam, as the RedHawks have ended this season with the challenge cup, Britton cup and the league title. But unlike previous seasons this one hasn’t been one where the team had it all its own way. Early season results suggested the dominance may be coming to a close as Invicta spoiled the party on the opening night of pre-season and then also scoring 3 past us and shutting us out a month later. 

The road to triumph can often be paved with overcoming adversity. In Streathams case these early season losses to Invicta and others to Oxford and Chelmsford, while shattering the myth of the all-conquering RedHawks to some. Where all part of the adversity that has forged this team this season. Of course Ben had to make some changes, releasing Ewan Hill, and bringing back Jared Lane, along with adding another Lane in Ethan Lane(no relation) these changes were an instant boost to the team. As it went on a run into the new year that set Streatham up perfectly for another run at the title. 

But it was the games in the new year that truly tested this team’s ability to triumph through adversity. The infamous brawl between Streatham and the Dynamos lead to several long suspensions and an injury to a key forward. Losing JJ Pitchely, Josh Martin,Nate Gregory ,Brandon Miles and Josh Ealey Newman at a time when the team was pushing for the league title, and was prepping for the challenge cup semi-finals was far from ideal timing. Being down to 6 forwards heading into the 2 semi-finals the team had to put in a gargantuan effort in Invicta to come away 3-2 winners before sealing the tie with a 4-2 win on home ice. Granted in that home tie both Miles and Pitchley made returns. But now there was to be new adversity to overcome. 

In Invicta Jordan Gregory would go down injured, a week later James Warman would suffer a dislocated shoulder in a fight in slough. Down to 4 defencemen Streatham would see themselves double shifting for several games. The prospect loomed that the RedHawks would have to face the Slough Jets potent offence with only 4 D-Men. Enter a returning Michael Farn, and James Warman returning from injury surprisingly early to bolster the D core ahead of the biggest challenge the team would face all season. The Slough Jets, in the challenge cup final. 

The week before Streatham sealed the league championship with a 4-1 win over Romford. Streatham would just about escape Slough with a 3-2 lead over the Jets after a defensive battle of wills between the 2 sides. Before possibly the greatest 60 minutes of hockey seen in South 1 for some time. As the Jets and RedHawks battled for 58 minutes holding each other at bay. Until Lukas Smital’s choice to pull Brett Massey for an extra attacker backfired giving Streatham the go-ahead goal. 

The league has improved all round this past season, meaning the team has not had it all its own way. But it has made it through the adversities and controversies to come away with 3 trophies. The playoffs and that chance of a grand slam has eluded us, but that in itself. Is just one more adversity to have to overcome in the long run. Because for this team, it’s now about how they pick themselves up from that disappointment, how they fight back, how they find a way to finally win. To find a way to finally win the big one and finally FINISH THE STORY 

5 For Thinking - Return To The Rink - My article from the 18/09/21 match night magazine.

 

Return To The Rink

              Good evening, and welcome back to Streatham High Road, for another week of exciting hockey action. As the Redhawks look to continue the strong start to the season against the Oxford City Stars in NIHL 1 action. Oxford will be looking to get their league campaign going with a strong start after only facing NIHL 2 Norths Coventry Blaze in challenge matches a few weeks ago.

              Before we begin with this week’s article. I want to just say something. What’s going to follow is sort of an outpouring of how I feel after 18 months without the sport I love, and returning to the High Road 2 weeks ago. As the saying goes, you never know what battles someone else is fighting. And you never know how someone feels till you’ve walked a day in their shoes. The last 18 months has been hard on us all, and I don’t want anyone to think what follows is me putting my own struugles over that of others. I lost hockey for 18 months, others lost loved ones and their lives. And there are hockey fans who sadly will never see a puck dropped again because of the pandemic. We live in a time where we’ve realized so much was taken for granted. And this is my personal story from the past 18 months, how life without these weekly hockey games felt, and the impact it had on me as a person. And how I feel, now that hockey’s back

              It does feel good though, to be able to start these with the words, “Welcome, back to Streatham High Road” every week when I write these articles I rely on the hockey landscape, my own loudmouth opinions on the sport, and talking points around the team to come up with something I hope you the readers will enjoy. But this week, I find myself reflecting upon that sentence “welcome back to Streatham High Road” and what being able to say it again, means to me, my mental health, and all of us who have spent 18 months wondering if we’d ever see a puck dropped again.

              I hope you’ll forgive that this week’s article is going to be, a little self-indulgent in places. But I hope at the same time I reflect what some have been feeling. And I hope you will forgive that I’m going to talk about the world of the last 18 months, I know we all want to escape the new cycle were so daily bombarded with by press briefings and statistical analysis and experts. That these few hours in the rink should be a sacred haven from such things, but sometimes we have to talk about things we don’t want to.

              As I write this, I am sipping tea from a mug with the words, “warning may start talking about hockey” printed on it. This mug served as a warning to all my colleagues at work that I may unprovoked begin talking about my favourite sport, or to engage me about it when UK hockey made the headlines, such as when Petr Cech signed for the NIHL 2 Guildford Phoenix. Or as one colleague learned, to remind me that my NHL team had lost to a Zamboni driver was not a good idea. My point here is, I love hockey, and everything that comes with it. And over the 25 years the sports been in my life. Its become woven in to the very fabric of my person and my mental health.  

              The sports been such a big part of my life that my dad often remarks I studied hockey not media production at Coventry Uni. This stems from the fact that when asked if I’d be coming home to visit in the winter months. I would always say I was either filming games, watching games, or playing for the university team. My 3 years at Coventry uni I did immerse myself in the sport. I owe my career in media to it as I learned the skills I use today in those 3 years working on  hockey projects. My first flat was with a friend I had made attending hockey in Basingstoke. Every year I cleared my schedule and put friends on notice that from September till April invites to weekend activities would be met with the response “sorry I have hockey” The game is for lack of a better term my escape. Its like my version of attending church every week. And much the same as those who take solace in faith. I take solace in the escape it allows me. My friends and family know this, so well by now that they know if I’m dating someone, and I invite them to hockey. Things must be getting serious. While others dreamed of a Caribbean get away or a trip to Disney World. I spent my life dreaming of seeing hockey games in all manner of arenas around the world. That’s how much hockey means to me in my life. In part it is my life.

              18 Months ago, I packed up my bag, having watched the Redhawks pick up another home win. The following weekend was due to be the single biggest test of the league campaign so far. The Solent devils on Saturday, followed by the Chelmsford Chieftains on Sunday. A 4-point weekend would all but guarantee the team would lift the league title on home ice two weeks later. But as I left that night there were questions in the air, Vanya Antonov despite reports of his departure had remained with the team after news out of China. A storm was brewing, black and terrible. A storm that would as we all now know, change everything.

              When the announcement was made that hockey was shutting down, at first, I didn’t realize it would change things for me. After all, I’d gone through many an off season. Surely this was no different. But over time I realized that I’d begun to feel a part of me had been taken away from me. Because unlike every April when I said goodbye for the summer, there was no guarantee there would be a return in September. Though the clubs did their best to encourage optimism and hope by announcing rosters. I simply found myself unexcited by the announcements. I looked at every one with doubt that they would ever happen.                                                                                                             My mental health hadn’t exactly been in good shape going into that March. I’d had personal life setbacks, I wasn’t feeling satisfied in my career anymore, and I was trapped in a living situation that was progressively getting worse and worse. But all through that I’d had an escape, a way out for a few hours a week at least. Hockey, and not just the game. But everything that came with it, the found family I made that stretches from here in Southwest London, out to Swindon, Basingstoke, Coventry and all the way to Canada. I knew I wouldn’t see those people for a long time, and with the news that the virus was a killer. I began to worry if I’d see them again ever. Some I only saw at the rinks and had no contact info for, some were deeply entrenched in my life away from hockey as well as in it. Either way they all helped me forget the failures of my life when I was in a rink with them for a few hours. It was like therapy in a way for me, it was what got me through the week. Knowing the countdown to puck drop started on Saturday or Sunday and went on till the next week. But with a countdown now set to infinity, my mind went to a dark and scary place

              I found myself closing off from people, those who follow my twitter will have seen it became less whimsical and fun stuff about Nerd culture and hockey. And a place where I daily railed against the government and its handling of things. I was no longer the guy on the mug my friend got me. The next big blow came when it was announced by my employers, they were making redundancies, and I had been selected. My last day, was on a Friday, and I found myself wishing I had the rink to go to the next day to at least get away from the panic and fear in my mind. I wished I had one of these articles to write to take my mind off worrying how I’d pay rent after my severance ran out.

              Now I will say I wasn’t bereft of support mechanisms. My friends and family were always there for me. But when every phone conversation begins with, how is the job hunt going it eats away at your sanity. When there was no hockey news to discuss with my hockey friends, except going over the old stories. I began to miss the rink even more; I began to miss the escape even more.

              Luckily the story here has a happy ending. A good friend when consoling me one day said redundancy could be the best thing ever to happen to me. Because every friend she had who had gone through this, had gone on to do something they loved. And that friend was absolutely right, it sadly meant moving out of Streatham, but I now work for an international leader in my field, and in the sector, I always wanted to be in when I graduated university.

              Still despite the success, I still missed the rink. The EIHL elite series, and the NHL regular season did something to satiate the need for a live hockey game to enjoy. But without others around me yelling and shouting, without friends to laugh with it just wasn’t the same. Twitter enabled some of this, but it was never constant. At the tournaments close I found myself really missing hockey.

              So, I guess by this point, you are probably asking, Chris what point are you building to with all this maudlin history? Well, I guess the point is this, I took hockey being in my life for granted, and when it and everyone that I had in my life attached via it was taken away I felt like a part if me was gone. And I was worried it wouldn’t come back

              I don’t know if I’m the only one who felt that way. The last 18 months has shown all of us different priorities. And the importance maybe of those very things we used to say no to in favour of attending hockey.

              I’m not ashamed to admit 2 weeks ago, when I walked in the rink, . That I was emotional (I always have been an emotional soft type) I was happy to be back, but I was apprehensive as to if I would see the old familiar faces. Would everyone have come through ok, would anyone be missing. For 18 months I had pondered this. And I’m happy to say I saw so many of the old familiar faces in the old familiar places. And as I settled in to my perch at the top of the block to resume my twitter duties. I felt like I was whole again, for the next 3 hours the only reminder to me of the last 18 months was the mask over my face. Other than that, it was just another night at the High Road

              But I’m happy to say, it feels like that part of me is now back, and I hope its back for a very long time. And I hope if anyone else reading this feels that way that its back for you to. You see for me hockey’s not just about 22 players with sticks and a puck. It’s always been about the hockey family that goes with it. Who I’m so happy to have back in my life (yes that includes the referees)

              For now, hockey, something I took for granted in life is back in mine and all our lives. And for that I am grateful. Grateful to see all the familiar faces, grateful I got a game of hockey out of the evening. Grateful I got to see the arrival of Milique Martelly and Harvey Briggs on the hockey landscape. Grateful that the countdown clock has restarted, as I type this, I have 5 days to go till its game day again. Grateful that in a few weeks I’ll be heading off on the road to Swindon to see a friend and take in a Wildcats game. Grateful that even though there’s still so much uncertainty in the world, and about the coming months, that for now there is at least some sort of normalcy to our lives again. Grateful that tonight we get to see a game of hockey again, and for the time being an escape from the world outside.

Taking The High Road Martelly Magic

 

Taking The High Road

              After 18 months, the long wait was finally over on Sunday the 5^th September. As the Streatham Redhawks hosted the Romford Raider jrs in a preseason challenge game. In football they call these friendlies, but if the night befores action was anything to go by it would be anything but friendly.

              Streatham entered the game 2 men down as Danny Ingoldsby and David Millner would not be icing. As challenge games do not count towards his suspension Brandon Miles would be in the line-up. The Raiders fielded a full bench with James Hounsome, Villius Krakauskas and Alan Lack the danger men to watch. While Danny Milton would be looking to repeat the head stands that had seen him shut Streatham out on his last visit to the High Road.

              There was a great deal of buzz ahead of puck drop surrounding Streathams two new junior recruits in Millique Martelly and Harvey Briggs who had shown up quite well the night before and had made good on the extra ice time the absence of Millner and Ingoldsby had given them. With Briggs scoring his first goal at this level of play.

1ST PERIOD

              Off the draw the puck found its way into the Streatham end where an attempt to play up the boards by the Redhawks would see an icing call put them back in their own end. However, the Redhawks D would choke off the Raider attack despite a shot from Fay forcing a save from Gregory. Martelly would then make the first of many men of the match plays as he forced a blue line turnover. Releasing Antonov, Martelly matched pace with the winger and was able to link up for the shot but Milton was equal to the early attempt.

              Next it would look like Raiders would get on the board as Cooper would play it across the crease to a waiting Holicka who’s shot almost found a way under Gregory at point blank range. But Gregory covered it.

              From there the play would be all Streathams as the Redhawks choked off the neutral zone. Every Raider attempt at going forward was met by a wall of Streatham players forcing turnovers and mistakes. And it wouldn’t take long till at 5:38 Joshua Ealey-Newman was found by Sam Waller. With Raiders around him Ealey-Newman was able to spin and fire the puck by Milton to make it 1-0

              More Streatham pressure would follow till the Raiders earned a power play off Josh Baileys interference. However, the Raiders couldn’t get settled on the puck and it was Vanya Antonov with a golden chance on a breakaway that he couldn’t quite get lined up on net for that looked more dangerous in these 2 mins.

              Soon as he returned to the ice Bailey would get an up-ice rush and while he couldn’t convert on 2 chances the momentum was in full favour of the Redhawks as Ziggy Beesley set up Harvey Briggs who’s shot bounced off the post and back to a waiting Conner Smith who fired it in to make the score 2-0

              The Raiders would end the period on the Powerplay but again couldn’t gain ground and were consistently driven out by the Redhawks D with the best chance being a tight close range shot for Alan Lack that hit the side netting of Gregorys net and was cleared

2ND PERIOD

              The second period would see the Redhawks start on the back foot again as an early shot attempt created a face off. Which lead to Villius Krakauskas getting a shot away off the face off that Nathen Gregor was equal to. The Raiders began to get a little more purchase on the play here with Streatham struggling with mistakes on drop plays on break outs and at their own blue line. Forcing the D to work hard to clear the puck. Once such forced turnover off Ryan Watt would see Gian Marco Pascale break up ice. Andrew Cook would force him behind the net, but he would find a way to play it Tjay Anderson who was able to get the puck on net. Gregory had no idea in the net front chaos where the puck was but was eventually able to cover it up. 

              Harvey Briggs would then show another flash of brilliance collecting the puck in the right-side circle cutting behind the net back up and firing low from the half boards, only to be denied by Milton low glove side.

              Warman would then sit 2 for tripping after a puck battle in the corner with Wilson and Lack. On the following powerplay Lack and Donald Campbell would both find themselves with chances in the slot that they would fan on. Lack would then be called for interference ending the man advantage. The Redhawks would capitalize on this to apply some pressure that would eventually see Watt and Waller combine passes to set up Michael Farn who unleashed a shot on net that flew by Milton and in to make the score 3-0 Streatham.

              Raiders would try to fire back with Fay setting up Pascale at the point, but Gregory continued his denial of every shot coming his way.

              Then came the goal that got the biggest cheer from the home crowd, as the two junior grads linked up on the power play. Harvey Briggs would feed Millique Martelly at the point. Martelly would fire the puck netward and see it sail in for his first goal against pro level opposition.

              With the score now 4-0 the Raiders would call a time out to try and figure out a way back in the game. It seemed to work as Lack and Hounsome linked up on a 2 on 1 but neither could apply a finish. The same would happen when Dunnage and Casey Wilson got up ice 2 on 1 but again, they were closed out and neither could get a shot off.

Then would come one of the games flash points as Vanya Antonov would break on the wing at speed with 2 Raiders climbing all over him. He would cut across Milton and with an open net would be denied by the post. In the scramble for the lose puck Antonov would be felled. This would enrage Brandon Miles who would charge in and receive 5+Game for checking from behind.

3RD PERIOD

              This would leave the Redhawks starting the third on the back foot and at 41:01 the Raiders found a way to get on the board. Off the face off the Redhawks found themselves trapped in their own zone and set up work from Vilius Krakauskas Samuel Cooper found Ewan Hill alone on the doorstep able to fire it under Gregory to break the shut out.

              Still on the kill as Miles’s penalty was a major, Streatham found themselves in more penalty trouble as Josh Ealey-Newman got himself a roughing penalty to put the Redhawks on a 5 on 3 penalty kill. Fay and Lack would set up Pascale off the next face off for a point shot but it would be saved by Gregory. Before Wilson would feed Hounsome from the half boards but again Gregory would be equal to the blast from the point.

              Streatham would successfully kill the rest of the penalty minutes on the clock, Gian Luca Pascale would get 2 chances in quick succession firing off the wing before grabbing his rebound. But the Raiders would now enter penalty woes as they would be called for too many men on the ice.

              A minute later the Redhawks would capitalize at 47:34. With a series of shots on net Antonov, and Ben Ealey Newman would create enough chaos that a goal mouth scramble would find the puck on Beesley’s stick with a prone Milton at his mercy. Beesley would fire it in to make it 5-1 Streatham

              At 50:22 the game would then see its next flash point as tempers flared when Alan Lack boarded young Harvey Briggs in the corner. Briggs would fortunately spring back to his feet seemingly unaffected. But This drew the ire of Ben Ealey-Newman who would grab hold of Lack and an exchange of fists took place as Ealey-Newman showed he was more than willing to stick up for his teammate.

              The game would become bad tempered from here on both sides, but in between the Raiders continued pushing. Gian Luca Pascale would intercept an attempt to release Watt and find himself in on Gregory. But Gregory would once again save and clear, this would see chances for Bailey and Farn the other end. This would then see another moment of Martelly magic as the young defenceman did his best Rupert Quiney or Vanya Antonov impression charging from one end of the ice to the other with such speed, he left the Raiders D for dead. It was only Milton who was able to stop him. Ben Paynter would then get a cross check penalty allowing the Raiders a breather as they went on the PP

              Casey Wilson would get a shot off from a tight angle forcing a sprawled save from Gregory, before Samuel Cooper would break down the wing and fore low in to Gregory’s glove. Ultimately another fruitless PP for the Raiders though.                     

              A huge hot by James Warman on Dyaln Holicka would draw a crowd, and a charging call at 59:54. In the aftermath Daniel Fay would get mixed up with Ryan Watt. Watt would be sat for roughing, while the Raiders would receive a bench minor penalty for abuse of official. At the next face off Fay would then be ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. Seeing there was just seconds on the clock and sensing a brewing storm the referee decided to call the game early

              Reaction

              Many years ago, I was fortunate enough to see Vanya Antonov playing for Bracknell Bees. He wasn’t the star first line forward he is today. But I remember commenting he was vicious on and off the puck, tenacious, fearless, and so skilled when on the puck combined with his speed. He looked like a player full of potential, a few years later I was lucky enough to see the same when I saw Liam Kirk play for the first time. In this game Millique Martelly put this league on notice, and I saw what I saw in Kirk and Antonov. Tenacity, fearlessness, skill, speed and so much potential, if he plays every game like that, we have found money on our hands

              Harvey Briggs wasn’t putting in flashy up ice rushes, but he put in a solid performance that showed he belongs at this level as well. It was quite wonderful that Briggs was the player to provide Martelly the service for his goal. Again, if Briggs continues to play that way more found money is on the table.

              With David Millner and Danny Ingoldsby absent, I have doubts last nights lines were the finished article. In fact I expect Michael Farn to give them some tweaks this week ahead of next.

Nathen Gregory was tremendous in net staking a claim for starting when King and Annett’s are unavailable. Sam Waller on his return looked solid and reliable. And played well in the system Streatham uses of forcing the play wide and choking the middle lane.

              All in all a sold 48 hours from the RedHawks, with plenty to be hopeful and excited about going in to regular season action next weekend against Slough and once again against the Raiders.

             

Taking Flight. THE WAITING IS OVER!!

 

TAKING FLIGHT

THE WAITING IS OVER

In the eternal words of Howie Rose, THE WAITING IS OVER!! For Streatham fans those words have a dual meaning as we approach September. When Streatham dismantled the Invicta Dynamos in February 2020 it ended a multi decade trophy drought, and just like a 109 Bus on the High Road, if you wait long enough for one another will turn up at the same time. A month later that’s exactly what would happen as after a season that saw the RedHawks demolish the opposition going 32-1 on the season to win the league title. Sadly, outside forces would mean there was no party on the pad, no joyous lifting of a trophy. And no play off run to follow. As UK jockey fans had to make the ultimate sacrifice, to keep everyone safe we had to say goodbye to the rink for 18 months.

              A sad truth of the last 18 months is that there are likely those who were among us that night, who had waited longer than any of us, who will sadly have departed us because of the pandemic. There’s a rather dark joke in sports, of a fan holding a sign up saying I can now die in peace, and the Maple Leaf fan skeleton in a lawn chair with the sign saying waiting since 67. It hits home harder when its actually true though that, there are members of our hockey family who are no longer with us because of the last 18 months, who could go to their rest knowing they’d seen the Redhawks end the drought. We must never forget them and do all we can to honour them by bringing the noise in their absence.

              If you’ll forgive the maudlin turn this article has taken, but I felt it important before looking ahead, that we look back. Because I hope when I turn up at the rink on September 5^th, that I get to see all the familiar faces I have missed these 18 months. So that we can all get away from the world and escape in to those nights of beer drinking, chirping, yelling and maybe hugging(if you feel comfortable) at the High Road again, because on September 5^th The Waiting is over.

              As is the case in UK hockey, Streatham have been the victim of the off season as much as anyone. Being a championship winner is no guarantee all of the previous seasons roster will return. And in fact, that is very much true with the 2021/2022 Streatham Redhawks roster. Key players have departed leaving gaps on the roster and behind the bench. Meaning the team will need to bring in re-enforcements to fill those gaps or even look within to fill them.

The biggest and most notable change is behind the bench, as head coach Adam Carr has opted to retire after a long and successful career. Carr has retired for much the same reasons as Jeremy Cornish, to spend time with his family. Given the length of Carrs career, combined with how much of family life the travel from MK to Streatham cost him its understandable. Carr leaves behind a continuation of the blueprint left by Cornish, one which Farn can use to bring future success. Much like Carr Farn is in his rookie season as a coach, but like Carr he knows how to lead, has the experience, and will have a list of contacts he can call on, Farn being a known quantity has seen the bulk of last season squad return as well.

As I like to build from the net out, we’ll start there. In net the Redhawks see the return of its reliable goal tending tandem of Nathen Gregory and Damien King. King brings the pedigree of not only a starting netminder, but a championship winning netminder, not only having done that with Streatham in 2020 but with Invicta long before this. King is the kind of netminder all coaches want in that he stands on his head night after night and keeps tight games tight and soaks up shots like a sponge. Waiting in the wings Gregory provides that able back up who can step up and play, not just when the teams up by 5 with 1 period to go, but who can play from the start. Gregory will look to build on what can be seen as a breakout season, that saw him record shut out performances and put in strong performances as a starter.

              Joining King and Gregory this year is new addition Tom Annetts. Due to Kings commitments away from hockey preventing him from playing in every game coach Farn has acted to give his crease some more depth. In a season where games against the likes of Chelmsford, Solent and Oxford will be expected to be tough. Being with the 1A option may be a handicap the team doesn’t want. Annetts gives the team that depth option to cover for King, or come in for relief of Gregory in a game if he struggles. Annetts also provides another experienced voice for Gregory to learn from. Depth at every position is key in a winning season

              Now while it is important to build strongly in net (and building from the net out is a philosophy I very much subscribe to) its no good having a Damien King in net if there’s no one clearing the rebounds, driving the play wide and choking off the lanes, while also providing fire support from the blue line.

              Streatham’s defence is missing two of its most key and physical components from the 19/20 roster. The physical presence and offensive capability of Rupert Quiney will be sorely missed, his up-ice rushes before firing puck into the net where a sight to behold, and in his own end he was never afraid to do the dirty work in the corners, block shots and drop the gloves if needed. Similarly, Adam Wood who has also opted to take an opportunity up North that sees him icing for the Whitley Warriors, Wood will not be missed by the rest of theSouthern league, but sadly will be  sorely missed by Streatham fans. If you cut Wood, he would bleed red and white, a player who gave his all for the team, a constant agitator and pain to opponents, Wood was a terrific transitional player able to change the flow of the game with an up ice rush from the back end much like Quiney. Right now these two leave a large hole in the Streatham D that will need to be filled either by outside signings or internally. With 2 D men set to be announced watch this space

So that is what the Redhawks are without on the back end, so what do they have currently?

Making a return is the surprise of the 19/20 season in Andrew Cook. Signed after some time away from the sport Cook was a player, I had seen playing for Whitley in my days watching up in Coventry. He impressed me then, but I had reservations he would pick up where he had left off. I love when players make me feel foolish for doubting them as Cook did exactly that, the kind of defenceman you don’t notice over the course of a game for all the right reasons. Because he does exactly what he is supposed to and does it well, he’s a solid work horse in the Streatham back end.

              Joining him in returning alongside his brother Nathen is Jordan Gregory, just as Nathen has shown great promise and development in net Jordan has shown great development playing a more and more responsible role on the back end for the Redhawks. Deceptively fast for his size, the yeti as he’s been nicknamed by some Invicta fans is not afraid to mix it up and use his size and physicality along with his fists if needed to get the job done. While both Cook and Gregory don’t net the puck often both have shown the ability to create with double digit assist scores last season.

              Returning for yet another season alongside them is another stalwart of the Redhawks team core in James Warman, just like Cook Warman is one of those defencemen who has the ability to go unnoticed because he does the little things right. Another unafraid to mix things up physically Warman saw something of a renaissance in form last season playing alongside Michael Farn, providing a strong back up as the offensive D man surged forward.

              Speaking of which, returning as head coach Michael Farn is back to carry on what he started when he first arrived in Streatham in 2017. As if carrying on the torch passed from Cornish to Carr,Farn has returned to make his debut as a head coach in the NIHL. An all-star defenseman, with a career full of trophies and success there is no doubt Farn, the former team captain is the man to lead the team from the bench. A powerplay quarterback who I liken to heavy artillery with his deadly point shots, who’s not afraid to pinch down and sneak a wrister home Farn does the job at both ends. Closing out lanes and not being afraid to get involved physically, expect more of the all star performances we have come to expect from Farn.

              The 2 newest faces on the roster are a mix of an unknown quantity and for lack of better terminology a reclamation project. Milique Martelly joins as graduate from the Streatham academy. Much the same as Conner Smith he jumps from the academy straight into the main team. Having never seen Martelly play I can only speculate, but his size fits in with the blueprint of D-Men Farn has signed and his junior numbers suggest an offensive minded defenceman(That being said Junior numbers can be widly over inflated. Martelly is a high calibre prospect having represented GB at U16 level and having been invited to the GB U18 Selection camp as well. Ultimately Farn clearly sees some potential here or he would not have signed him to fill one of the two D core spots.  

              Just as last season the team saw Andrew Cook become something of a surprise return to UK hockey, Sam Waller makes his return after 4 years in retirement. At 6ft he has the size needed to play the physical strong hockey that Streatham has played over the last few seasons. Having seen Waller play as part of a Guildford D that would choke opposition offences off, he can certainly do this if he can pick up where he left off. Waller has all the tools to be a success in Streatham and could become another key free pick up. One I was not expecting.

              The forward group sees a large majority of its number returning as well, again with 2 positions vacant due to the departures of Adam Carr and Rhys McCormick. McCormick arrived in Streatham as a player with something to prove according to my friend at Solent Devils. I remember seeing him for the first time in a preseason practice and being really impressed. He was an energy player who was eager to get on the puck and make something happen with it, I felt if he could just put himself in the right spot and improve his accuracy, he would be more dangerous than he was. That said he was a valuable addition in the bottom 6 of the team and helped ensure the bottom 6 contributed points as well as the top end.

              Adam Carr’s retirement leaves a gap in the line up that any coach will find incredibly difficult to fill. The first line centre roll is a roll that coaches from the NHL down struggle to fill, its what makes the number 1 draft choice so valuable as a franchise centremen is often there to be had. Carrs leadership and points production will be sorely missed, able to provide the quality passing a star winger like Vanya Antonov needed Carr was as deadly with his set ups as he was with his shooting. Hopefully though a solution to this problem can be found within the roster for the coming season

              The first of the new faces for 21/22 is Harvey Briggs. At 18 years old Briggs is going to be a development project of the team the same as Conner Smith. Much the same as Smith Briggs has strong high scoring seasons at junior level, which if Smith is an indication should hopefully translate into a solid developing prospect. Briggs spent part of the last full season playing in 11 games for Streatham’s NIHL 2 side. With 4 goals and 3 assists in 11 appearances that is a strong record for a young player making the jump up from junior. While there is something of a gap between NIHL 1 and 2 in terms of quality the fact Briggs bridged that gap and performed well is a good sign for his continued development at this level. Briggs describes himself as a playmaker able to slot the puck home, given he’s done both at every level he’s played I have belief he will back this up. When I saw Briggs play NIHL 2 his performances were limited by the quality of support around him, and I predict with support from the higher quality linemates available on the roster Briggs should take the next step in his development.

              Conner Smith makes his return after an impressive first season playing in the bottom half of the Streatham roster. The 18-year-olds haul of 4 goals is testament to the fact that there was and is offensive ability up and down the roster. Adapted well to the style of NIHL 1 after jumping straight from the U18 level and has a very accurate and effective shot when given the space but can also be counted on in his own end. He’ll be expected to build on last seasons development and be pushing to move up the order

Another of my personal favourites Ziggy Beesley makes his return, it was not really a secret that Beesley would be back after comments he made on social media indicated his return. The diminutive centreman is an energy player who is like a dog with a bone on the ice, when he doesn’t have the puck, he’s agitating and hassling to reclaim possession. Not only this but Beesley also has a weapon of a shot that saw him hot a career best in points production. He’ll provide the speed element of any line he ends up on but speed with truculence.

              Given his suspension Brandon Miles will start the season on the side-lines for the first 10 games or so. The result of the fallout from a bad-tempered game between the Redhawks and Devils in February. Miles surprised me on his return to Streatham, I made no lie about how I viewed Brandon in my last preview. I felt he wouldn’t contribute much beyond penalty minutes, but a season playing top line in Invicta seemed to develop him as a player. While he is still the player, we know who plays on and way over the edge, his partnership with Vanya and Carr turned him in to a scoring and set up threat. His size and physicality are an asset when used to make space and intimidate opponents. Hopefully when Miles returns, he gives Farn a selection headache and picks up where he left off.

              The first of the new arrivals David Millner presents the first potential selection headache, but also the potential solution to the Carr problem. A utility player who can play D Millner also plays centre, having played in the 3^rd tier of Swedish Hockey Millner is of a better quality than a lot of imports at this level. A speedy player who could keep up with Vanya Antonov, but also more fond of creating goals than scoring them Millner gives the team some flex and an offensive threat. It will be interesting to see if he takes the first line centre position, ahead of other more established players

              Another of the new arrivals though Ben Ealey-Newman represents the second option.  While Ben isn’t strictly a centre more a forward and more a goal scorer than a set up guy, his goal scoring ability added to Antonovs on line 1 or the first PP unit could make for a pairing that gives every goalie a red severe case of red light sun burn. Newman being new I would not expect to receive a letter just yet but being a former Assistant captain of the Hornets I’d see him leading as best he can on the ice. I would suspect he will slot in on the first or second lines, unless Farn plans to have 3 free scoring top lines with a defensive 4^th.

              What though is better than one Ealey-Newman, that’s 2. With the arrival of Ben, I hoped his brother Joshua would follow. However, I suspected that despite being inseparable from his brother most of his career Josh having had a successful season with Bracknell Bee’s meant that he would be returning there. He provides something that is key to the success of any line up beyond scoring and that is chemistry. If paired up with his brother and another forward who can work well with them the potential is there for the roster to smother opponents with 3 scoring lines, not just 2. Even if they are split up the arrival of both the Ealey-Newman brothers gives the secondary scoring more depth.

              That brings us to last seasons second line, and first Ben Paynter. Paynter was one of the players who left the team for the greener pastures of Doug Shepherds Bracknell Bes rebuild. But returned last season and showed why the Bee’s had signed him for that level of hockey. His line was expected to provide the secondary scoring but he, Ingoldsby and Bailey had never really been free scoring forwards before. This all changed as Ben had a career year at pro level with 20 goals and 32 assists. The blueprint of the Redhawks is very much the same as under Carr, physical forwards on each line with speed players and in Paynter we get the physical side of hockey in spades, happy to hit agitate, mix it up in front of net and throw hands Ben is just that player. Hopefully eh kicks on and resumes the form he had in 2020

              Of course, Paynter’s success was mirrored by that of his line mate Danny Ingoldsby. Having seen Ingoldsby playing for the Bison years prior I was excited to see how he had developed, but his numbers indicated he was something of a gamble. There was obviously something Carr had seen about Danny that made him confident he would turn in to a productive second line player. He had never gotten out of single figures in the goal column before with a high of 7 in NIHL 2 and 5 in NIHL 1. But he obliterated this over a season where he evolved from simply being an agitating more defensive forward to a legitimate secondary scoring player.

              The final element of the trio who also developed well over the course of the season was Scott Bailey. Who makes his return after his own break out season for the team, signed as a development project by Jeremy Cornish, Bailey showed signs in his first season of what Cornish had seen in him, only falling short of equalling his career best by 2 points. But when paired up with Paynter and Ingoldsby his scoring exploded ending the season on 45 points. Bailey found his confidence in front of net, and like his line mates uses his size to his advantage everywhere on the ice. But he also has deceptive speed for a player of his size.

              Up Next, we have the controversial, the most loved and hated player in UK hockey depending on who you talk to, in Ryan Watt. Watt was part of Cornishes change in culture for the club when he arrived in 2017 where he excelled as a top line forward. He exceled so much that it saw him signed away b Bracknell who used him poorly in a bottom six enforcer role. Watt plays on the edge, in fact he often plays way over it. But the fact is when given a top line job Watt is a real threat, he loves nothing more than to out dangle defences and fire the puck by netminders, and he has the skill to do just that. Not only that though, his on the edge style means he’s not afraid to play a physical game and drop the gloves. Watt does need to watch himself as he’ll be a target for agitators and the league has already put the hammer down on him before. But following his quick return and then suspension last season we then saw Watt focus more on silencing critics by amassing points not penalties. I would expect Watt to feature somewhere in the top 2 lines

              And of course, we then arrive at the jewel in Streathams crown, a player I still can not believe the team has the services of in Vanya Antonov. Described as the steal of the draft during the Pandemics EIHL Elite series where teams drafted brits to rosters for a mini tournament I was thrilled to see Vanya end up on my team the Coventry Blaze(so thrilled I have both his home and away game worns one of which I sponsored) During the tournament Antonov was a talking point and no doubt Vanyas had offers for his services. But he appears to have decided to stay here in Streatham, I can only assume he’s continuing his studies. The club sadly almost lost Antonov to a business opportunity that had come up in March 2020. But of course, history intervened and it seems that chance is now gone as Antonov returns. The sight of his stick held aloft in celebration was a sight many Streatham fans became accustomed to as the free scoring forward terrorised offences up and down the league in the 19/20 season.  Able to play in the corners and behind the net where the lack of space should neutralize him Antonov always finds a way to be in the right place at the right time ready to fire in the puck. If Farn can put him with someone to feed him the puck and someone to make others think twice about taking a run at him and make the space, he will no doubt continue lighting the lamp for fun at this level

              So there you have it the 2021/2022 roster. So how do I think this team will do, well I’m fortune teller so its impossible really to know how this team will do. Every other team seems to be upgrading their armouries ahead of facing us this year. Solent have retained the bulk of a strong squad, as have Chelmsford and Invicta. The new Bristol squad has some really strong players as well, so its tough to predict just how things will shape up this season. But that said the game plan for this roster seems the same as before, victory by intimidation. If the fact the roster has 3 free scoring lines doesn’t intimidate then then teams’ physical style and abrasive on the edge approach will. Going 3 deep in net is also a strong way to guarantee success this coming season, but the team will need to find some new tricks and not just rely on heavy scoring. If the new players gel and the unknown gambles pay out this team will be fighting at the top end again.  

 

 

                             

Taking Flight:Who's that skating through your legs

Taking Flight

So signing season is pretty much over. Pre-Season begins this week and the rosters are pretty much set with a few players to be signed in places. Coaches will now spend this weekend tinkering with rosters and strategy ideas, seeing how their new signings gel with those players who have returned. The same will be the case here in Streatham as new player coach Adam Carr gets set to see if his assembled team can challenge for a trophy, will be mid table fodder or worst of all fighting for the wooden spoon.

Flying the nest

As with any off season, players have come and players have gone. So first lets asses who the team has said good bye to this off season.

Joshua Condren

One of Jeremy Cornishes development projects from last season, the Croydon native saw his season truncated by a mid season concussion injury. Limiting him to only 23 games. When healthy he did look a good fit in the bottom 6 of the team. And was showing signs of developing in to a good special teams player. Right now Condren has not been announced as signing anywhere else, but my money would have been on a return to Invicta.

Ryan Webb

A way to look at Ryan Webbs departure is that it was a trade to Bracknell in exchange for us signing one of if not the best forwards in the league this season(and if you don't know who that is where have you been?) With Webb leaving the team lost a key part of its top 6, the way Webb linked up with Roberts and Carr made them a three headed monster. Webb would win the corner wars and feed Roberts or Carr at the net. He also became an adept rebound specialist, his speed allowing him to out pace defensemen in getting to lose pucks. Over the last 2 seasons Webb has shown he belongs at a higher level and will get that chance with Dough Shepperd in Bracknell

Ben Russell

One 4th of the MK Connection departs the club, heading back to second tier hockey with the new MK Lightning set up. Ben was brought in as part of Jeremy Cornishes concept of building a team with more experience. Even though he's 25 Ben has hockey experience in spades. A good offensively minded D-Man he gave the teams power play more depth and offensive options. While also providing a solid strong option in the teams own defensive end.

Leigh Jamieson

A 2nd 4th of the quartet I called the MK Connection also fly's the nest. This one to be honest I knew was coming the second it was revealed that the MK Lightnig were dropping down to National League. While Carr Farn and Jaimo may be good friends and that will have had a great deal to do with the club landing Jamiesons signature last season. Jamieson is MK through and through, and when the Lightning went Elite I am sure Jaimo saw his chance to retire a Lightning player evaporate, so I don't blame him for grabbing the chance to keep playing at home in MK one bit.

A versatile player who can be used both as a forward or defenceman Jaimeson gave the Redhawks options besides Michael Farn on the power play. The two were like howitzers bombing in pucks on the power play. Jaimeson could be a game changer at times for the Redhawks using speed no one of his size should posses to skilfully skate up ice and leave opposition D men standing. A leader on and off the ice Jaimo was also more than willing to stand up for team mates when called upon.

Tom Soar

Opting to return home to the midlands and the Solihull Barons, as I can only assume the job he was in the capital for has now concluded. Soar arrived with a great deal of fanfare and expectation placed upon him. His stats, and experience all pointed to a player who should dominate in the NIHL.

Sadly Soar struggled to adapt at first, and a lot of the expectations failed to materialise in the eyes of many. I felt this was unfair, as his stats though a drop in comparison to previous seasons should take in to account that the NIHL 1 North was a much weaker league than NIHL 1 South. And so Soar finding it harder to get regular points shouldn't have been a shock as his opposition was more ex EPL than NIHL most weeks. That said he was  a strong presence on the Powerplay and PK units and always in the mix around the net and came up with some very big goals. Certainly he's a player I would have liked back this season.

Jacob Ranson

The teams resident Taylor Swift lookalike as my former flat mate described him, has departed after 3 seasons. The teams terrier of a defensive forward, who was tenacious both on and off the puck has returned home to join Romfords assault on the new National league,he leaves a big gap in the bottom 6 that will be hard to fill.

Ever since I saw him play as a development player for Doug Shepperds Bison I was impressed with Ransons sheer speed. He can strip a player and be gone in a flash, hence while my flatmate was calling him Taylor Swift, I dubbed him the Flash. Though not always on target he could still pop up with vital goals or create them. His speed and tenacity will be missed.

Andreas Siagris

The teams other member of the speed force has opted to return home to Canada. 2 seasons ago the opening salvos of the first "NIHL 1 " season had seen Streatham compete but struggle against the bigger budget EPL teams. Coach Cornish had identified that the team needed some import players to boost the strength of the squad. However with little to no budget options were limited. Luckily the answer was under his nose. By virtue of his attending University in London Andreas Siagris had been training at the rink and was training with the team. Seeing that he had the ability to contribute Cornish signed up the young Canadian.

He made an impact from the start, bringing a speed , skill and style that was lacking. I described his as Tomas Karpov light as he would out dangle players in much the same way Karpov could. Over the course of two seasons Siagris became a firm fan favourite with his break away goals a particular favored high light. His speed, creativity and tenacity will all be hard things to replace. Especially in the current import market.

Alex Roberts

Probably the biggest gut punch the fan base has had this off season was the announcement that Alex Roberts had signed to play in the Frances second tier. Alex Roberts was very much a gamble of an import signing, but one that paid off so well that I very much expected the Canadian power forward would be heading for the National League if he stayed in Britain. With seemingly every teams coach envious of the team being the ones to land the smooth skating sniper.

With Roberts departure a giant hole has been left in the line up. 59 points, 32 of which are goals are not easy to simply sign. Neither is the ability Roberts had for turning PK poke checks in to break away short handed goals. It wasn't just the points Roberts generated it was also the presence he held on the ice. Teams would be forced to pay much closer attention to Roberts freeing up space for his line mates to wreck havoc on the opposition. Signing a player that fills these holes will be difficult, especially if its a new import but Carr should be able to find someone to meet these needs.

Coming In To Land

So those are the players departing, which has left a fair few roster spots to be filled. With the NIHL resetting to its original format coach Carr is looking to be a title challenger this season. So who has he signed to realise this dream? 

The Streatham Hawks

Though not officially a part of the Streatham organisation and so not really a new signing the formation of an NIHL 2 side in Streatham is to me an important signing of sorts. Graham D'Anger talked in an end of season article about how there was no pathway in UK hockey from U18/U20 to the pro level. With the formation of the Hawks steps are now being taken here in Streatham to create a pathway from the academy to the main roster.

Now while the Hawks will be run by the academy(a wise decision as it insulates both sides against any issues that may effect either club financially) I hope that the Redhawks will look to work with the Hawks to develop players for the roster, certainly having those NIHL 2 players and prospects who show promise training with the NIHL 1 side and getting on the bench to increase the teams depth can only help. In turn of course the NIHL 1 could help by making certain players available on 2 ways to get them some extra ice time, and help encourage the development of the relationship by aiding the Hawks when possible.

Adam Carr

Adam Carr evolves from team captain to head player coach this off season. With the news that head coach Jeremy Cornish was departing the club, everyone began looking around wondering who would take his place. But the club made the right decision in my mind in giving Adam Carr the reigns, in exchange for letting Carr cut his teeth as a coach the team got a first line centre and player who at this level still contributes a lot in front of the net. No doubt there will have been National league sides seeking his services so this a great signing for the club.

In Carr the club sees the return of one of its on and off ice leaders in all departments. He contributes goals, creates them in spades and is an expert at garbage area players around the net. Combining him with two of the signings mentioned later in this article will see chaos reign in opponents defensive zones as he drives the play to the net before collecting rebounds and lose pucks. Expect to see him lead up the special teams on the PK and powerlay where his experience will come to the fore.

Michael Farn

The seasoned veteran NIHL All star defense man returns for another season in Streatham. Despite the return of the MK Lightning and other National league sides, Farn has decided that he wants to finish what he started when he signed in Streatham 3 years ago, and help out his good friend Adam Carr. When the two were signed by Jeremy Cornish the side was touted as a contender but this quickly changed with the EPL collapse. Now after putting in 3 All Star seasons in NIHL 1 Farn has stated he's hungry to see the Redhawks lift a trophy and he will do all he can to help that happen. And will lead from the front as team captain

The blue line bomber as I like to call him, will be an ever present threat in all situations for the Redhawks this season. Providing the teams heavy blue line artillery alongside Rupert Quinney Farn is a goalies worst nightmare when his sights are dialled in and there is the the just right amount of traffic at the net. Whether he is trying to score or set up goals with a bounce he is extremely effective. But its not just his offensive skill, Farn is a master of his own defensive zone forcing players wide when he has to and taking away lanes to the net, best of all he doesn't seem to have lost any of his speed in all these years. He will be one of those players Carr looks to, to lead and lean on heavilly in the high pressure situations of a trophy challenge.

Damien King

The king, has returned. Damien King returns to Streatham for a 2nd season in red and white. I had my worries with the "new" look of the league King would be headed back to Invicta. But Adam Carr has convinced the 2017 play off winner to return to the Streatham crease for another season in red and white.

A look at stats alone would suggest King had a dip in form in 2018/19, but that isn't the whole story and does not reflect the calibre of goalie he is. In a league stacked with high end offensive calibre players King held his own last season, and while he may have let more past than he would have liked he never made it easy for any team to do so. Every game King would pull off amazing saves and put in the kind of performances that make him what he is, and what the team needs. A goalie capable of helping the Redhawks challenge for trophies this season.

Nathen Gregory

Behind every great starter there is a very good back up net minder. In Nathan Gregory Adam Carr has landed just that. His 18/19 season was cut short by an arm injury that saw him relinquish his back up position to Brett Shepherd. But Gregory is back fighting fit and ready to reclaim his position in the side

At 22 years old, Gregory is still very much a development prospect. Someone who will benefit greatly from working alongside the experienced Damien King. Hi stats for last season look impressive and he looks solid any time he gets put in net. If King has a blip in form at any point Gregory should be well positioned to take over the crease and put in some strong performances.
Gregory and King give the team a strong 1-2 in net.

Brendon Miles

Brendon Miles makes his return to Streatham after a year away playing for Invicta. Graduate of the Slough Jets academy system Miles returns to Streatham for his third stint in a Stretaham jersey. A popular fan favourite due to his physical style of play and willingness to play the enforcer Miles saw his role on the Dynamos squad of last year a bit removed from this. With the Dynamo's short handed most of the season Miles saw top line minutes and while his penalty count was at its highest last season, when the Mo's did visit last season he seemed to show more restraint than had been shown in a season that saw suspensions truncate it to 26 appearances for Streatham.

Miles fits the mould for the type of players I suspect Carr is looking to build the squad around. If I am correct this years team will mirror the kind of make up we saw in Carrs first season with size and speed spread across all the lines. More importantly as has been said by Carr, Miles wants to kick on from last season where his role was elevated from that of a bang and crash player.If the team mirrors the style of play Cornish had them playing last season, his style of physicality will fit in well, especially when it comes to wars in the corner.

Adam Wood

Adam Wood returns for his 6th season in Streatham. Though he may have joined from Cardiff no one bleeds Streatham red and white more than the man who has worn the assistant captains letter for the past few seasons. Just as with Brandon Miles Wood is very popular with the fan base and with team mates. Streathams equivalent of Brad Marchand or Brendan Gallagher Wood is a pest that winds up opponents every shift. However he is more than willing to back up his shenanigans when needed, and is more than able to challenge anyone who he feels is taking liberties

Wood fills the need for flexibility in the roster, as he can play both on defence and offence. Which will come in handy when any injuries bite at either end of the line up. Wood showed signs of evolving in to a more offensively threatening forward last season. Which when you consider the make up of the league last season shows the quality he has. Hopefully he can kick on this coming season and keep up the pace that saw him end the season on his 3rd highest points total. That is exactly what Carr has stated he is expecting from Wood

Rupert Quinney

Returning for a second season back in the Red and White, homegrown D man Quinney will be looking to build on a season that saw him ice 35 times and play a pivotal role on the special teams. With the departures of Jaimeson and Russell it was important for coach Carr to retain the services of Quinney for the coming season to provide a more physical stay at home presence to counter Farns offensive style.

Combined with Farn on the back end, Quinney provides some potent firepower. The powerplay will have point shot options that can flexibly be split between the two units. With well over 300 games experience at the pro level and over seas experience Quinney will give experience depth to compliment Farn. His pysical style of play will be well suited to Streathams corner warfare game plan, hopefully he can avoid the injury bug that struck him in recent seasons. Flexibility up and down the line up is important and Quiney's signing allows Carr to disperse offensive D men through out the lines

James Warman

Continuity in a teams make up is so important to challenging for trophies. With the return of James Warman coach Carr ensures that. Already tremendously experienced at this level at such a young age. Warman is someone who I dubbed a specialist on small rinks last season having played in both Cardiff big blue tent and been a product of Telfords junior system.

Another offensive minded defenseman, however one with more of an all round edge as he is also very good in his own end. He knows the Streatham rink inside out having been on the roster now for 5 seasons already with this being his 6th. He's another who enjoys the physical style, but while he puts himself about on teh ice and lets opponents know he is there, he also has speed to burn. Meaning he can be deployed alongside the likes of Farn or Quinney to provide that speedy cover if the two offensive D pinch down a bit too far.

Jordan Gregory

Making it 5 out of 6 returnees on the defensive end its Jordan Gregory. Already at 23 years old Gregory has an impressive level of playing experience on par with many of his fellow D men on this team. This year will likely see him break the century mark as a Redhawk.

A physical more stay at home style player Gregory will provide the team with that hang back presence while the more offensive D foray forward. He will likely see big minutes on the PK where his physical style and noted strength in the corners and around the net will see him come in to his own.

Ben Paynter

After a year away as part of Doug Shepperds maiden season in Bracknell Ben Paynter returns to pick up where he left off in SW16. With over 270 games of pro experience at 24 Ben is another with plenty of playing experience but combined with youth. A fan favourite during his previous stints in Streatham, undoubtedly the same will be likely this time around.

A truculent, physical style player Paynter will be another antagonist in the clubs arsenal. Much Liek Wood he is not afraid to wind up opponents. But aside from the sand paper and grit he provides he will also provide offensive skill as well. Though his stats don't scream goal scorer Paynter pops up with goals at vital moments. He's very much an all situations player and his love of the physical game should come very much in handy on the PK as well as goal mouth scrambles on the power play.

Danny Ingoldsby

When It was announced Danny Ingoldsby was not returning to Basinsgtoke it was suspected he was heading back to Bracknell to join up with Doug Shepperd. However the Frimley born, product of the Guidlford juniopr system has instead opted to sign here in Streatham. Despite being 22 Ingoldsby already has a fairly good amount of professional experience under his belt, with well over 200 games at both EPL and NIHL level. With international experiece for GB U18 thrown in as well.

With the loss of Jacob Ranson from the team, a new injection of tenacity was needed. In Danny Ingoldsby Adam Carr has found that tenacity. He may give up a bit in terms of speed to Ranson but the 6'1" forwrd is just as tenacious both on and off the puck. Always a player you notice on the ice, much like others in the squad he brings a good deal of physicality. While not a prolific goal scorer he can find the net, and did so 3 times against Streatham in the play offs. I expect to see Ingoldsby used heavily on PK duty where his size and tenacity should help defensively

Andrew Cook

Andrew Cook comes in with everything to prove. After a 5 years out of the sport(at least not playing anywhere that Elite Prospects or Hockey DB lists) Cook returns to the NIHL to pick up where he left off. Having been training with the side since last season he will be no stranger to Adam Carr and many of the returning members of the roster.

at 5'9" and 165lbs Cook will be looked to as one of the faster members of the Redhawks defence. However due to his lack of playing time over the last 5 years we will likely see him being phased in as he's brought back up to speed. However he was an impressive prospect during his time in the Northern leagues, and hopefully combined with his eagerness to get back on the ice this will all translate in to him picking up where he left off in 2014.

Conner Smith

A product of the Streatham youth system, Smith will be looking to push on and develop after a strong but injury shortened season in NIHL 2 for Lee Valley Lions. I would expect that Smith will also see ice time with the newly formed Streatham NIHL 2 side this year as an aid to his development.

Was a prolific points gatherer in junior and saw that translate in to 5 goals and 4 assists last season on a struggling Lee Valley side. While its unfair the expect these numbers from Smith out the gate, hopefully he can continue his scoring touch at this level. Has been training with the roster for a while now so is no stranger again to Carr or the rest of his team mates.

Rhys McCormick

Another young new face injecting a bit of youth in to the line up. Rhys McCormick will be another prospect in the pipeline so to speak that Adam Carr is looking to develop. At 20 years old he has already accrued a good bit of experience having played both abroad in Canada and at both NIHL 1 and 2 levels last season, with the Solent Devils and earning a call up to the Basingstoke Bison.

While his points totals may not be too impressive, as Carr has said in his press releases he is eager to learn and improve, and he is a player that has had nothing but good things said about him. Much Like with Smith and Cook I would expect to see him limited to low minutes to begin with, however the suspension of one team member for the first month of the season may give McCormick a chance to stake a claim for a roster spot higher up the order. Coach Carr wants to help him become an impact player and this opening may be the best way to do so.

Jonathan Wallius

A last minute addition to the squad, coach Carr will be hoping that lightning strikes twice for the club. That lightning being finding a quality import out of the BUIHA. Andreas Siagris worked out tremendously well and Jonathan Wallius boasts a very similar resume to the Canadian speedster. Having played in the GMHL and Finish junior leagues before making his way to London to study. Wallius has been training with the team for the last 2 weeks so will be no stranger to the roster. However he may need a little time to adjust

Whiel Siagris was a speedy winger, Wallius strikes me as being in the mould of a power forward much like Alex Roberts was. This fits in with the kind of line up that Adam Carr has built. A player who will put himself about physically, but also has proven scoring ability and speed to him. New imports are always voodoo, wizardry and nonsense. So right now any projections I could make would be wild guesses. But the hope will be that like Siagris Wallius develops in to a solid scoring forward able to take a place on the second power play unit.

Ryan Watt

Ryan Watt returns to Streatham, after a year away in Bracknell where he courted controversy at the tail end of last season. Watt is known more for his skills as an agitator and fighter than he is for his ability to find the net. However during the season he was a Redhawk, being used as a first line player saw a renaissance in the way he played as he would dangle around defenders looking for the net instead of a fight.

The team will be minus Watt for the first 7 games, a mercy courtesy of Bracknell keeping him on their roster after he was suspended 21 games for his going after James Ferrara and then getting in to an altercation with a fan as he left the ice. But once he returns expect him to take up the first line wing position alongside Carr, and look to return to the form he had last time he was in a Redhawks jersey. The form does seem to indicate this is possible as Watt seems to have a good followed by a bad season in terms of offensive production. I would expect him being used on the Powerplay when back will help boost these number and the teams performance as a direct result.

Vanya Antonov

As I used to sing when watching him play in Basingstoke.

Who's that skating through your legs? Vanya Vanya
Who's that skating through your legs? Vanya Antonov
Vanya Antonov, Vanya Antonov who's that skating through your legs Vanya Antonov

(If my friend Eleanor is reading this she is quoting Mean Girls at me and that I need to stop trying to make Fetch happen)


The marquis, and most unexpected free agent signing of the summer. One of if not the best snipers in the old EPL and the NIHL of the last 2 seasons, the speedy English trained Russina Vanya Antonov made the unlikely decision to sign here in Streatham. Now there are reasons behind this, wanting to focus on his education Vanya has chose Streatham as it will mean less travel time for him. But he is sure to be a crowd pleaser with his all skill and speedy style of play.

Speed, skill and an eye for the net. Antonov has it all, in one swoop the club has signed the replacement for both Ryan Webb and Alex Roberts who's goal and assist contributions were going to be difficult to replace. There is an argument as to why is such a talent dropping to NIHL 1, but focusing on his studies is a laudable reason for this. Paired with Adam Carr on the first line we can expect these two to become a deadly one two punch at both even strength and on the power play.
 Redhawks fans can expect to see plenty of the young forward signature raised stick celebration at the high road this season.

Conclusion

Its a roster built to make life hard for opponents who come to the high road. Both on the ice and on the score board. There is plenty of experience and potential up and down the line up, and every line will have some form of a physical presence player able to create space and allow the speedier more skilled players to move in to. It will be a team that provides entertaining modern hockey with that old time hockey edge in places.

 It certianly has the first line firepower to contend for a championship, and if certain elements of the secondary scoring bear fruit then the Redhawks could be in line to end the drought. Trying to be objective here though there are some question marks that give me pause as to whether this team will be lifting any trophies. Several players will need to continue the development and upward trends that saw Carr sign them, while certain others will need to catch up quickly to this level of competitive hockey. That being said there is enough quality at every position, and enough points potential at those positions that I could see the team being a contender come April.