Quotes of the Year

“Two sticks for each guy should be enough. I’m sure they’ll only break one a weekend and if more break then they can borrow someone else’s.” Tomas Enerston, owner of financially troubled Basingstoke Bison.
Basngstoke Gazette, October.

“Any time you can get a team of hockey players all happy with no moans, the Pope will become Prime Minister of England. It isn’t going to happen.”
Harry Robinson, Basingstoke Bison’s director of hockey, after sorting out the players’ accommodation problems following Enerston's sudden departure.
Basingstoke Gazette, November.

"Coventry are not the team they used to be. If that's a first place team we've got a really good shot at the title." Corey Neilson, player-coach of Nottingham Panthers, after they lost the battle between the Elite League’s top two teams in a shootout.
Nottingham Evening Post, November.

"These comments by an apprentice show that Nottingham are still Team Hollywood - all talk and no show.” Paul Thompson, coach of league leading Coventry Blaze.
Coventry Telegraph, December.

“I need a gun right now. Has anybody got one?”
Rob Wilson, player-coach of Newcastle Vipers, after their 4-1 home defeat by Edinburgh Capitals.
Newcastle Chronicle, November.
 

The Nottingham Panthers Factual Scrapbook 1939-2007

Player of the Year

First Star - Tony Hand MBE, Manchester Phoenix

After turning 40 just before the start of the current campaign, the iconic Scotsman is tenth in Elite League scoring with his team, Manchester Phoenix. Last month he reached the staggering total of 4,000 career points in all major competitions.

But his personal performances are not the only reason we've picked the Great One. Tony is also the Phoenix's coach and he has proved to be a fine recruiter and motivator. Earlier this season the team hit third place in the Elite League and they are currently within touching distance of the big clubs.

Second Star - Steve Moria,
Slough Jets

At an age when many athletes are relieved just to be able to walk without feeling aches and pains, 'Mo' is still strutting his stuff in the English Premier League. And what stuff! He's the league's top points scorer with 65 which includes a (joint) leading 29 goals in 28 games. All this while he coaches the Jets who are third in the league.

Coach of the Year

Paul Thompson,
Coventry Blaze and GB

Thommo's record at club and national level is unrivalled.

We have to go back to the Peter Woods' era to find a national team coach who has worked so hard with so little silverware to show for it. Despite suffering only one major loss - to the promoted Austrians - in the World Championships, GB could only finish fourth in their group. And in November's Olympic Qualifiers, Britain won once and lost twice (each time by one goal) and ended up third. Just think what they could achieve if they were allowed some quality practice time together!

In the Elite League, Thommo's Blaze retained their title last season and are lying second this term.

Photos : MEN/Simon Curtis/GB