CS: How long have you been watching the Storm and how did you get into watching hockey?

DP: Coming from a predominantly football family in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, I had never really watched much hockey growing up, though I knew who the Nottingham Panthers were and that they didn’t get along with the Sheffield Steelers. I went to a Steelers/Panthers game when I was little and couldn’t quite follow the puck, but I remember enjoying the physicality and the fights. Fast forward to 2010, and I spent the winter season at Red Mountain, British Columbia, where I got to watch the nearby Trail Smoke Eaters play in the BCHL.

Since moving to the Peak District, I’ve lived between Manchester, Sheffield, and Nottingham, so it was fairly open as to which team I would go to watch. In December 2022, I went to see the Sheffield Steelers play Manchester Storm, sitting in the Steelers’ section. This is where I realised I had made a crucial error in judgement. I immediately vowed never to wear orange or ‘Whoosh’ for any team again. Sheffield beat Storm 7-1, but I loved the fight and the “never say die” attitude from the Storm players. So much so, that the following night I visited the Storm Shelter for the first time. It was a fantastic 4-5 game, and although they didn’t win, I knew which team I would be supporting from then on. I’m now in my second year as a season ticket holder.

 

CS: What’s your pre-game or game-day ritual when the Storm are playing at home?

DP: On my drive over, I typically listen to 2 Ales and Hockey Tales with Wally, Brent Walton’s great hockey podcast where he interviews current and former players, managers, and more. He sponsored Cam Critchlow last season and interviewed a lot of our lads. He’s also a great guy, so check him out if you get the chance.

As Michael Scott would say, “I’m not superstitious, but I am a little stitious,” so my game day ritual would probably be choosing the best Storm jersey to fit the occasion/team and making sure I get my 50:50/SOTB from Ali for luck! I actually won on one of my first ever visits to the Storm Shelter!

 

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

DP: 9th December 2023, Storm vs Fife Flyers – This game stands out for me personally as it was the first time I had managed to get my parents, brother, and niece up from Mansfield for a match. To make it better, it was an ‘Air the Bear’ & ‘Skate with Storm’ night, which my niece Caitlin loved, especially getting involved and meeting some of the players. It ended 4-0, but it was closer than the scoreline suggests, and the Fife fans were great throughout, as always. I also have to mention our away win at the Steelers on 2nd March 2024. I think most people had written us off going into that game. Getting the 3-5 win at their barn, especially given the season they were having, was pretty special.

 

CS: How does watching hockey live compare to the other sports you watch?

DP: The biggest difference when watching hockey live is the atmosphere. The EIHL continues to improve, and so does the atmosphere and fan experience.

While we may not have the biggest, shiniest stadium, the club has built a strong connection with the fans, and the atmosphere in the Storm Shelter on game night is electric. The club, staff, stewards, volunteers, Aden Millen, Ric Thorpe, and the whole Storm support team put in a lot of work to make us all feel at home, and I really enjoy soaking up the pre-game atmosphere when I get to the Shelter.

Visiting the Storm Shelter for the first time and standing behind the glass, just metres away from the action, is an incredible experience. It gives you a real appreciation for the effort and skill that goes into the sport. I’d recommend it to anyone who hasn’t yet seen professional hockey up close!

 

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

DP: This is an easy one for me – Cam Critchlow. His leadership, consistent effort, professionalism, and commitment make him stand out.

 

CS: Who do you think our most underrated player is?

DP: I think our defensive line can be a bit overlooked sometimes. CJ Garcia always puts in a shift whenever he’s on the ice. He’s incredibly talented and fast, whether it’s making last-minute diving puck blocks or staying calm under pressure and picking out the right pass. He’s a real asset to the team. I was also really pleased to see Chase Harrison and Stephen Johnson pick up the alternate captain roles this season. We should also take time to appreciate what an attacking weapon Tyler Hinam is.

 

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

DP: I never would have said this before, but now that he’s ditched the orange and joined the Devils, I think it’s okay to say it – I would bring in Evan Mosey for sure. He’s experienced and versatile, having played both up front and in defence.

 

CS: What are your initial thoughts on the new additions to our roster for the season?

First off, you can’t understate the hard work done previously by Matt Ginn and now Mike Flanagan in retaining so much of our core squad. Without keeping key players like Critch, Ullett, Johnson, Morrow, Garcia, and Weni, the new additions wouldn’t be able to make the impact they already have.

Gianluca Esteves looks like he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve and is very exciting to watch. With him being an ex-Smoke Eater, I’m also looking forward to seeing Craig Martin on the ice. But so far, the biggest impact has come from Ryan Hughes. He’s a great signing, and I think we’ll be hearing his name a lot this season.

It’s going to be really interesting to see how the lines develop and what the finished team will look like this season. With the talent we’ve got, I genuinely think we should be aiming for another top 5 finish.

 

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