A little bit about the Ice Hockey team I support
In 2002, the Manchester Storm, once the best supported Ice Hockey team in Europe became bankrupt. An initial protest against arena owners SNG, turned into a fan rally, and this is how 'The Friends of Manchester Storm' was established in order to ensure that Manchester would still remain with an Ice Hockey team. Once it became clear that the storm were out of business, the fans changed their focus to 'Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey, they had two stated aims:
- to bring ice hockey back to Manchester
-to bring a new ice facility to Manchester
Unable to use the name 'Storm', the club was launched using the name Manchester Phoenix. They were founding members of the British Elite Ice Hockey League and played out of the MEN Arena for their inaugural season. Under player-coach Rick Brebant, and later Paul Heavey, the team finished sixth out of eight in the league, the final qualifying place for the playoffs. Phoenix finished second in their Playoff group ahead of the Belfast Giants, qualifying for the semi-final, where they were beaten 6-1 by the Nottingham Panthers.
Despite an impressive beginning, with 3,600 turning out for the first home game (vs. London Racers), crowds struggled and it soon became apparent that ice hockey at the busiest indoor venue in Europe would no longer be viable. The seasons average was approx 2150 per game. In May 2004 the Phoenix announced that they had the funding to construct a new ice rink and subsequently would withdraw from the 2004-05 season while it was completed. The club had still not managed to build a new venue by Summer 2005 and announced that would not be playing in the 2005-06 season either.
In November 2005, the club announced details of a new rink to be built in partnership with Nikal, David McLean and Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council. The new rink would seat 2,026, with 24 wheelchair spaces, and standing for approx 4-500. (Although there is some confusion as the latest plans have 2 capacities listed for seating: 2,026 and 2,200. It remains to be seen which of these is correct.) Planning permission for the rink was granted in early January 2006 and construction began on March 30.
The building was scheduled to host its first game on September 24th, but delays meant this date was revised to November 30th 2006 at a pre season meeting between the fans and club management held on September 3rd 2006. In the interim, home games were held at either IceSheffield or Deeside Leisure Centre. Poor weather resulted in further delays, and the new ice dome was scheduled to open on the 28th of January, 2007, Phoenix hosting the Basingstoke Bison. This date was also missed, and the rink eventually opened (with a reduced capacity of 1,000) on February 25th, when the visitors were the Basingstoke Bison. As of early August 2007, there remain 700 seats still to be fitted inside the rink. According to an interview given by Neil Morris (the team owner), he has a letter of intent from the developers, promising the seats will be installed in time for the first game that the clubs season tickets are eligible for.
In April 2006, the Phoenix announced their new coach would be Tony Hand, regarded by many to be the finest British ice hockey player of all time.On Tuesday, 16th January 2007,Tony Hand, MBE has announced that he will be staying with Manchester Phoenix,having accepted terms with the club to a new two-year contract and with a new title of Director of Hockey.
During May 2007 the squad was rebuilt, with Captain Scott Basiuk and forwards Matt Rich, K. C. Timmons, Adam Walker, Brett Clouthier and defenceman Simon Mangos all resigning to Tony Hand's team as well as the additions of Rhys McWilliams from the Solihull Barons and Jeff MacMillan from the ECHL's Phoenix Roadrunners and on Tuesday the 10th July the Phoenix announced the exciting signing of Scott Fankhouser as first choice goaltender.
The season started well for the Phoenix, with Fankhouser winning EIHL player of the week early in the season. A more negative turn in results has followed though, and player/coach Hand responded to the lack of goal scoring ability by releasing K. C. Timmons and signing former Fresno Falcons forward Luke Stauffacher
