ELITE SERIES: Manchester Storm take on the Coventry Blaze on Saturday the 3rd April at the Nottingham Ice Arena in Elite Series action! Buy the webcast HERE! Face-off is 2pm!

The debate over which players will play together has become somewhat part and parcel of any British hockey off-season. However, with such an abbreviated and brisk player signing process, the time for fans to study the possible combinations Ryan Finnerty will use has been reduced. Yet, with a unique British player draft and a star-studded roster complied for the Elite Series the excitement within the fanbase is palpable.

The following will be my take on how things could shape-up and are in no way factual, they are intended to spark a healthy discussion.

Forwards:

1^st line: Gran – Lake – Noer

The opportunity to flank dual-national Ben Lake with two point-per-game Norwegian forwards Gran and Noer would more than likely create a potent top-line. The EIHL experience of Lake (162 games) would no doubt benefit the two youthful and supremely talented wingers. Moreover, this trio would join-up arguably Storm’s three best skating forwards.

2^nd line: Fawcett – Simmonds – Fortier

The returning faces of Fawcett and Simmonds will provide a pleasant sense of familiarity for Storm fans, and the addition of youth sensation Fortier has already generated a buzz within the league. Again, a blend of EIHL experiences and rawness could work well for Finner and help to balance the bottom six forwards. This tournament offers an opportunity for Fortier to earn himself a contract for the season ahead and enables the two returnees more ice-time in the UK prior to the start of the 2021-22 campaign.

3^rd line: Peacock – Davies – Long

A premium Brit forward line, with an abundance of talent and defensive shrewdness to compete at both ends of the ice. The speed of Davies down the centre would be aptly supported by the snipping Long and veteran Peacock. The versatility of Peacock and Davies enables them to be interchangeable at the centre position and this duo will likely work together to provide good penalty killing coverage.

4^th line: Critchlow – Haywood – Ulrick

The ability to dress twelve forwards is a luxury for the franchise and one that should not be wasted in the Elite Series. As a result, I have paired arguably the best two checking forwards in the roster and the spirited exuberance of youth. It is highly likely that Critchlow and Haywood will be used mostly in defensive zone starts and asked to kill penalty after penalty. Furthermore, with a heightened standard of play for this Elite Series, the bottom line cannot be one that will be torched on a nightly basis, nor can it be one that isn’t trusted to square of against the opponents top six.

by Callum Schora

ELITE SERIES: Manchester Storm take on the Coventry Blaze on Saturday the 3rd April at the Nottingham Ice Arena in Elite Series action! Buy the webcast HERE! Face-off is 2pm!

#2021EliteSeries packages and single games are available to buy NOW! ! Multi-game packages will be available until 23:59 on Sunday 4 April 2021.

#WeAreStorm | #ATTWWY | #Manchester