The Elite league…
Described by Paul Thompson as “Europes Best Kept Hockey Secret”
Described by Mike Blaisdail as “A launch pad to European Hockey”
Described by Patrick Smyth as “a semi-professional, moderately structured hockey league that acts as a land for developing the upper echelons of local talent while allowing seasoned ECHL-er and College players the opportunity to shine abroad”
Having been a fan of Elite league hockey for a number of years now, and going in to my third season as an AHL fan, I decided it was time to do a kind of comparison blog between the two leagues.
The basics:
– The EIHL is a 10 team league (at least this year, there are always threats of teams dropping out and teams adding in) spanning England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The AHL is a 30 team league covering the U.S. and Canada and for each AHL team, there is generally an affiliate NHL ‘parent’ team.
For example, Houston’s AHL team, the Houston Aeros, are the affiliates for our NHL parent team, the Minnesota Wild.
Gottit? Good!
-In terms of standard of hockey, the EIHL is described as being one of the ‘lesser’ standards of hockey in Europe, while the AHL is second only to the ‘premier’ NHL hockey league.
– Each season, the Elite league teams compete for three competitions, the league, the Challenge Cup and the highly coveted playoffs. The AHL teams compete solely to achieve a place in the playoffs, for the very prestigious Calder Cup.
– The AHL season runs from October through to April and, depending on if you get in to the playoffs, and how far you get, your season can run right through June. The EIHL season is shorter, it runs from September through late March, early April. Both seasons finish with a playoff run, however, the EIHL’s playoffs last only a weekend, whereas the AHL’s can last for months, with numerous rounds and various team battles.
– As a fan, one of the biggest differences I’ve noticed here in Houston, is that there’s a clear line of demarcation between the team and the fans. For instance, after the occasional game, there will be a meet and greet by some players, it’s organised, it’s supervised and it’s short. Whereas at home, after every game you’re likely to bump in to many, if not all of the team in the nearby sports bar, they do autographs, pictures, and primarily just decompress after the game.
Furthermore, I think it’s easier to make ‘hockey friends’ in the EIHL pool of fans, as it’s a minority sport, compared to here in Houston. I’ve made one hockey friend here, and I even met her through a different medium before I met her at hockey!
It’s one thing getting the basic facts about the two leagues and my perspective, a fan’s observation of some of the differences between leagues across the pond, but I recently interviewed former Belfast Giant and Houston Aero, Mike Hoffman.
Fan favourite, Hoffman played a 45 game 2010-11 seasin with the Giants, racking up 28 points and 53 penalty minutes, here’s what he had to say on playing in both leagues across two continents.
What is the perception of UK hockey in the US?
The perception of UK hockey is a little unknown, guys always ask what is it like and how the travel is. They see big names play over there here, and there, and are always curious. Everyone that I know who has played over there comes back and is happy with their experience though.
Are the differences are as big as they seem between the EIHL and the AHL? How did you cope with the differences?
The biggest difference is speed and depth. The teams over there (EIHL) carry 3 lines of forwards and 5-6 D and if injuries happen then they are shorter than that. In the AHL it is 4 forward lines with 6 D playing every game, most teams carry extra players who don’t dress, so very rarely is there a game short of a full bench. There are two feeder leagues the ECHL and CHL that fill spots on AHL teams if need be. The EIHL has a very limited feeder league, so most teams play short benched a lot. Also, the AHL is a league down from the NHL so players are faster and bigger.
Did you get homesick? What kind of things do you miss?
(for me out here, I miss fish’n’chips, a good curry and bacon/sausages, yes, it’s all food, I know! LOL!)
My year over there was tough, I lost my mom really early in the season to cancer while being over there, so I spent about a month or so home. It was a tough time in my life, but other than that, I wasn’t too homesick, because Belfast is such a great city and the people are so nice.
What made you sign over there with the Giants? Had you heard good things from people who had played here in the past? Did the lack of language and cultural barrier make it a more appealing destination than mainland Europe?
Anyone who ever played over there always said Belfast was the best city to play in and they were right…it may be the best city in Europe to play in. The lack of language barrier definitely makes it a lot easier and usually a lot more appealing for guys maybe looking to play in a comparative league in Europe.
What did your hockey friends at home think of you playing for the Giants?
They loved hearing stories of me playing over there. And all have inquired about playing over there later in their careers.
And finally, If one of your friends were to visit with you in Belfast for a day, what would you do/where would you take them?
Belfast for a day…tough one…1st take them for a real English/Irish breakfast (hotels usually have the best Buffets) then tour the city and the history, take them to the Falls Rd and the Peace wall etc, show them the Titanic area….then head up to Portrush to play a round of golf and then show them the town and especially the Giants Causeway. Head back to Belfast, catch dinner at ‘Made in Belfast’, grab drinks at the apartment then head to 21 Social and close the night up at “Rain”…action packed day.
Sounds to me like the Hoff put his season in Belfast to good use, what a stand up guy, thanks for your time Mike! 🙂
