Unanswered questions: Manchester Metros A season begins in disarray after losing one of its top players from last season to injury in exhibition game this past Friday night.
Manchester A retained their place in BUHIA's north division and will be facing the likes of Edinburgh Eagles, Hull Ice Hogs, Northumbria Kings, Nottingham Mavericks, and Sheffield Bears. Edinburgh were champions of the north division in 2013/14. Northumbria Kings are the only newcomers to the division.
Seven players return from last season's team that miracuously finished middle of the pack -- Max Drakely, Tom Wilson, Mike Di Paoli, Matt Lowry, Allen Gunn, Callum Notman, and goalie Phil Pearson. It has lost Tyler Schock, Topi Jylha, and Patrick Thomson to graduation and has further lost Shayne Langlois and Gino Poulin who are on indefinite leave from the sport.
Additions from last year's B team include defensemen Matt Crouch and Dean Smith and forwards Jamie Bower, Ste Chorlton, and Jack Walker. Matt Crouch and Jamie Bower played Division 1 Nationals last year, while Jack Walker saw action in a few A team Cup games.
The team holds onto its top scorers from last year, Gunn and Lowry, but the pair lose their centre, Wilson. The centre from Glossop will be sidelined for a considerable amount of time after suffering a broken wrist in an exhibition game against Widnes Wildcats a week and a day before the team was set to Nottingham for the first Cup game.
The loss of several quality players over the last few years will require new additions to Metros A to fall into gigantic roles from the get-go or the team could suffer the drop. The year-to-year changing of personnel in university ice hockey means no one can predict the strength of other teams until after a few games, but it is expected that Edinburgh, Nottingham, and Sheffield will simply retool and not skip a beat. Northumbria proved last year that they were a tough opponent, gaining Div 1 North status through promotion.
Metros home games will continue to be played on Friday nights at Deeside Leisure Centre with face-offs at 2230. For all Manchester Metros information and to be kept up to date about the North West Varsity versus LJMU Leopards follow @MancMetros on Twitter.
Manchester Metros 2014/15 Roster: Jamie Bower, Ste Chorlton, Matt Crouch, Mike Di Paoli, Bryce Dorin, Max Drakeley, Allen Gunn, Matt Lowry, Callum Notman, Phil Pearson (G), Max Phillips, Lee Pollit, Dean Smith, Brad Valentine, Jack Walker, Tom Wilson (inj.), Mike Zyczkowski.
Division 1 North Schedule:
1 Nov - @ Nottingham
7 Nov - vs. Edinburgh
15 Nov - @ Northumbria
21 Nov - vs. Sheffield
5 Dec - vs. Hull
24 Jan - @ Sheffield
6 Feb - vs. Nottingham
19 Feb - @ Hull
22 Feb - @ Edinburgh
27 Feb - vs. Northumbria
For full BUIHA information, updates, and schedules check their website at www.buiha.org.uk.
For full BUIHA information, updates, and schedules check their website at www.buiha.org.uk.
