The Billingham Stars continue their build up to the new season with a friendly against Scottish National League outfit Aberdeen Lynx this evening.
After a busy summer of transfers and competition format changes, the Ultimate Windows-sponsored Stars are ready to take on all-comers as they look to avoid three seasons on the spin without a trophy.
The Teessiders have seen quite a few comings and goings throughout the summer. The major blow is the loss of top scorer Stephen Wallace, who takes a sabbatical from hockey.
His loss is offset somewhat by three big new signings.
Canadian Thomas Stuart-Dant and Chris Sykes - both high-scoring forwards - were signed from League rivals Sutton Sting, while Billingham-born defenseman Tom Keeley returns after three years playing in North America.
Billingham have made sure they have a squad large enough to cope with the rigours of an exciting new cup competition by retaining the bulk of last season’s team.
The National Ice Hockey League North competition has reverted to a two division format with promotion and relegation after the perceived failure of the more regional Conference system.
For the Stars this will be a shortened league programme after the late withdrawal of Telford Titans. However, the prospect of real competition at both ends of the table will mean that every point is critical.
Fewer games in the league is more than compensated for by the creation of the new English Challenge Cup, a competition that will see Billingham take on four teams from the higher level English Premier League – Manchester Phoenix, Peterborough Phantoms, Sheffield Steeldogs and Telford Tigers - as well as current rivals Solway Sharks and Blackburn Hawks.
The playing field will be levelled by restricting the EPL teams to icing only one import - different rules regarding non-British trained players cover the two leagues – which should make for some very exciting hockey at the Forum.
The Stars’ general manager Allen Flavell has big expectations of his strengthened side as they go for league and cup glory.
“Our target in the league is play-offs as a minimum but we really should be challenging for top spot,” he said. “I think we’ve put together a good enough team to win the league.
“I was always conscious that the EPL crossover cup competition was likely to happen, the rules are that the EPL sides can only ice one import at a time so we should be of a similar standard.
“They may have the better of the British players but I feel that we will be competitive and I’m sure the lads and all the fans will be right up for it.
“We’ve picked up a few really good players this summer,” he added. “Stuart-Dant and Sykes both posted good stats at Sutton last season so I’m expecting a lot from them. At the back we’ve picked up Tom Keeley – he’s looked really impressive in training.
“We’ve kept pretty much everyone else from last season so we’ve got some real talent in the squad. I’m expecting to pick up silverware this season.”
Flavell sees tonight’s game against the Lynx game as an ideal opportunity for the Stars to get some early momentum to take into what he believes will be a massive season.
The fixture faces off at Billingham Forum at 6.30pm.
Tickets can be bought from the box office from 5.30pm priced at £8.00 (adults), £5.50 (concessions) and £25 (family 2+2).
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