A VIEW FROM THE GLASS – the new bi-weekly Q&A fans prospective held with resident club writer Callum Schora.

Chapter 1. Andrew Willis – a lifelong Storm supporter from Salford.

CS: How long have you been watching the Storm and what were your first memories of the club?

AW: My first Manchester Storm game was in their inaugural year, 1995. I attended the matches with my Dad – in what was formerly called the Nynex Arena throughout their time in the city centre. Since, the reformation in 2015 I have been a regular attendee and it forms a huge part of my routine in the winter months. The very first memory I have of ice hockey and the club is the famous saved made by Grant Sjerven in the 1997-98 season.

 

CS: How do you think the current Storm have evolved over the years?

AW: The club have made huge strides since 2015 and the number of fan interaction opportunities is one of the reasons I think ice hockey is so popular for families in this area. Obviously last season was hugely impressive in terms of attendances and performances on the ice, so hopefully that can be repeated in order to grow the franchise more.

 

CS: Who is your all-time favourite player, and why? 

AW: My all-time favorite Storm player is Brad Rubachuk. He was the only player I wanted my picture taken with from the first franchise. He embodied everything you would want in a player—giving 100% in every game and sticking up for his teammates. It probably also helped that he was a good fighter; as a kid, I loved watching the fights. But which hockey fan doesn’t?

 

CS: Who is your current favourite player on the roster, and why?

AW: My favourite current player is Joe Morrow. It’s an easy choice for me; he’s the best defender I’ve seen in a Storm jersey. His calmness and composure with the puck, combined with his ability to get out of trouble on the ice and counter with his skating and passing, are just remarkable. I also can’t forget his winning penalty shot from last season, where he went behind his legs—it just proves how good he is. The fact that we signed him for the first season and managed to retain him is a huge thumbs up to the management team.

 

 

CS: What are your predictions for the year throughout the league?

AW: For this year’s predictions, Sheffield were clearly the best team last year, but I expect Cardiff and Belfast to present a stronger challenge. I also think Clan might be a team to watch. I believe Belfast will win the league, and I feel that if the Storm can secure a top-six finish, it will be a solid effort. However, based on the team’s performance in pre-season, I think a top-four finish is achievable, provided we stay injury-free.

 

CS: What were your thoughts on how the side looked in pre-season and opening night?

AW: The side looked very competitive in pre-season and seems better than last year. It appears we have a stronger team this season, with more depth in our forwards. Keeping Wenninger is also a significant advantage; having good goaltending gives us a better chance to win games. The opening night performance evidently built itself off a solid pre-season and they were very unlucky to drop points away to the Flames.

 

CS: What are your thoughts on the current standard of the EIHL?

AW: I think the overall standard of the EIHL has massively improved over the last three to four years. There seems to be an influx of younger players coming over now, rather than just older players nearing the end of their careers coming for a last paycheck. I think it has been a great thing for our league and long may it continue, as spectator seeing high-energy players and great skating has been a wonderful addition.

 

CS: What is the most memorable Storm game you’ve watched?

AW: The most memorable game I’ve seen is a tough choice. The match when we lifted the league trophy in 1999 is significant, but I was only eight years old at the time, so my memories are quite vague. The same applies to the B&H Cup final game the following year—I remember Frankie saving the last penalty shot and us lifting the trophy, but that’s about it. This also goes for the record attendance game against Sheffield; I remember the arena being full and the atmosphere being loud, but I don’t really recall the actual game. Therefore, I would have to choose the away win at Sheffield in 2018. Coming back from a 5-2 deficit to win 7-5 was especially memorable, as its historical been a tough place to win in, so that victory was particularly satisfying.

 

 

CS: If you could bring in any player from within the league, who would it be and why?

AW: Another easy answer for me, although it might not be popular, Robert Dowd. I’ve always liked him as a player. He’s a top-tier Brit who plays at a level that makes him feel like an import signing due to his high skill. It’s a shame he wears the orange jersey, but he would fit on any top line in the league. I believe he could have played at a higher level than just the EIHL. Dowd has a very well-rounded game for a forward; he’s not afraid to finish his checks and never backs down when it comes to supporting his team.

I would like to thank Andrew for his time to do this Q & A. If you would like to be apart of future chapters of ‘A View From The Glass’ please contact: schoracallum@yahoo.com