How it might go...

Cardiff Fire

Returning to NIHL 1 after they were forced to drop to NIHL 2 due to ice costs. The emergence of a new NIHL 2 side in Cardiff see’s the Fire re-join the league. They have a young squad, which has a lot of NIHL 2 experience with a sprinkling of players who have played at this level before. I see a few mirrors of the MK Thunder there which has me believing the Fire could be strugglers at the wrong end of the table

Chelmsford Chieftains

Jay King, Callum Wells, Ben Russel, Dylan Dix, the Bartletts and Jordan Lawday. A list of names you’d expect to be in the National (much the same as us) Chieftains have loaded for bear. They have seen the example set by us that defence first wins titles and have gone heavy on the talent in the defence. Currently only 8 forwards are announced but no doubt Chelmsford will be filling that out with talent. I fully expect them to be challengers for everything this season

Invicta Dynamos

Strength in depth, at least on defence seems to have been the guiding principle behind Invicta’s team build this season. That and adding more firepower. They are shallow on the numbers up top but have a lot of quality. Aaron Connolly coming in provides them with a huge boost of energy and aggression, with scoring ability. The loss of Stan Lascek could be a blow, but they will hope Villius Kraskaukus can rediscover the form he had for Romford. Lastly the combo of Brad Windebank and Owen Rider should see them up there in the trophy challenge this year.

Milton Keynes Thunder

My biggest criticism of Thunder over recent seasons has been that the club had plenty of depth, but none of it really up to scratch for NIHL 1. New head coach Will Fry has given the clubs flagging recruitment a fresh outlook. With highly rated youngsters Xander Robinson and Theo Sire joining on 2-way deals, and former Solway Shark Travis Lavery joining to bolster the likes of Julian Smith and Mark Austen with a host of young talents. 24/25 may see the Thunder a bit more competitive. I don’t see them troubling the title picture, but they hopefully can get past the title of nailed on wooden spoon recipients

Oxford City Stars

The title of nailed on wooden spoon recipients, sadly may end up going to the Oxford City Stars. Not a lot has been known about what’s happening with the Stars this off season, with the meme being “will Oxford announce a player”. The club has been the victim of the Swindon 2 move into NIHL 1. With the head coach, and a large chunk of the roster departing. New head coach Mark Austen has had half a summer to assemble a roster. Which has seen the Saunders play to his strengths bringing in up and coming young players, with a smattering of the experienced returnees. Luckily Ross Miller and Chris Cooke have returned. But I see it being a long season for the Stars

Romford Buccaneers

Another side the victim of upheaval caused by events beyond their control. The Buccaneers spent most of the summer wondering if they would ice, with the news hockey in Romford was undergoing a change in ownership. The loss of Brynley Capps one of the best young prospects at this level will have been a big blow. But the Romford system has been a machine for churning out these talents. Capps departure gives Leo Markey, Lou Kynaston, the Pascale’s and Harvey Briggs a chance to steal the limelight. Backstopped by Sonny Phillips the Buccs could be somewhere in the mix come play off time. 

Slough Jets

The Jets had weaknesses in the last 2 seasons. They lacked size and strength. Plenty of speed, and scoring. But no sandpaper, no one to step up after Luke Smital has punched Alan Lack in the face in the play-off semi-final. Enter Brandon Miles and Ben Ealey Newman. Both players who can generate goals and who are more than willing to mix things up. Add them to the arrival of goalie Matt Smital and the holy trinity of the Mohrs and Jack Goodchild, and you have a potent side, ready to take the next step and win a championship. 

Solent Devils

The Devils will be up there again this season. The unfortunate situation in Basingstoke has seen the Devils benefit. Harry Harcupp, Cameron Buckle, and Thomas Banner all come in to bolster an already strong roster. Banner in particular provides something the Devils were missing which is an offensive D man with size. It will be interesting to see how speedy offensive D Man Jack Hoppes gets on with the tight confines of the Solent rink, but he and Leo Harris add some quality youth to the roster. The Devils will be in the mix, and I wouldn’t put it past them to make another play off weekend, especially if they can ride Aaron Taylor there

Swindon Wildcats 2

Of the 2 teams to step up Wildcats 2 look the more dangerous. A solid mix of young prospects who the team will hope play to potential. Paired up with a solid group of experienced players. Brett Masey in net gives them a solid presence on the back end, coupled with Ben Nethersell, Oliver Stone and William Harding who all can do the job at this level. Upfront Steve Osman will be looked to as an offensive leader while being backed up by Jay Warren and Matt Lawday. With Liam Coleman being looked to, to continue the form that saw him single handedly end Streatham’s grand slam hopes last season. 

So that is a brief run-down of all the teams we’ll be facing. There is an obvious split between teams that will be in the title fight and those fighting for the wooden spoon this season. Of course, I think we’ll be up there in the title fight, but this season promises to be the toughest season in the current era of Streatham hockey.