CS: How long have you been watching the Storm and what were your first memories of the club?
DC: 1995: Inaugural season (so almost 30 years)! My sister had been to Vancouver to see her friend, and they went to a Canucks game. She came home, and we went to watch a Storm game. 10,000+ people all filing in to watch a match, European hockey nights, a sold-out arena v Sheffield, live on Sky Sports. Overall, a team of players with the finesse of figure skaters who could hit like a car crash every time they stepped on the ice. Add in some good old American razzmatazz to keep the atmosphere going, and you have an almost perfect night’s entertainment…

CS: Who is your all-time favourite player, and why?
DC: #41: Brad Rubachuk. Don’t even need to think this one through. Ruby epitomised everything came to believe an ice hockey player needs: passion, power, and points ability. He gave you everything every shift. Add to that a genuine, down-to-earth guy. I remember talking to him at the very first All-Star game down in London. He had been voted into the team and was gutted to be injured and miss out. He always had time to stop and chat.

CS: What would your advice be for new or first-time hockey fans?
DC: Learn the basics… Icing… Offside… Understand that it’s not like any other sport with regard to line changes and players coming on and off. After that? Perch on the edge of your seat, go with the flow. It won’t take long until the atmosphere grips you, and you’re up and down out of your seat like a seasoned 30-year hockey fan. My daughter says, “Get a hot chocolate with cream and all the toppings!”

CS: What is/was one of the main reasons you keep coming back to watch the Storm week in, week
out?
DC: Hockey is unpredictable. I think this season is a prime example. Beat the Steelers one week, lose to the Stars the next. I love the fact that there is nowhere to hide on the ice. You’re there, and you have to give everything you have for that burst of time. Football, rugby, and other sports, you can vanish for a period of the game and become a passenger. Ice hockey? Nope, no chance. Your shift: give me 110%, and I’m happy.

CS: How does the atmosphere in the Shelter compare to other arenas you have watched the game in?
DC: The Shelter has a unique atmosphere due to its small, intimidating structure. It’s our responsibility as fans to make that happen. I always feel the bigger the arena, the more you find that you need a larger crowd to make it count.

CS: If you could bring in any player from within the league, who would it be and why?
DC: Hmm… So, if you're going to poach someone, you’ve got to make it count. I want an MVP-type player, someone who has been voted a top-six forward the last two seasons, a starter in the 23/24 All-Star team, and a 2nd All-Star team in 22/23. Also, continental cup best forward in 22/23, who racks up over a point a game in all competitions… I give you Mr Cole Sanford…

CS: If you could pick an all-time starting six from the Storm, who would you include and why?
DC: WOW! I thought this was going to be the easy question. How do I select a starting six from almost three decades of Storm players? So many real quality players have worn the Storm jersey over the years; I could put together 20 lines! I can’t even get Ruby in this six. He would be on line 2.

N/M: Frank Pieterangelo – Ok, this was an easy choice… 141 NHL games, 1 Stanley Cup. I want a netminder I can trust and rely on. Frankie gives me that. B&H Cup final: 5/5 in the shootout. If you don’t know, go online and look up “the save” – Pittsburgh Penguins in the Stanley Cup Final.

D: Rob Robinson – 22 NHL games, ISL 2nd All-Star team. Rob was a true unsung hero, stay-at-home defenceman. Happy for others to take the limelight while he did his job. Didn’t rack up points nor penalty minutes, but a true leader on the ice. If you were a forward and Rob was on the ice, you knew he was there.

D: Joe Morrow – 32 points in 162 NHL games. Our very own smooth-skating defenceman who is very rarely ruffled, complementing the stay-at-home style of Rob Robinson. Perfect partnership. And a nice shot from the blue line to boot.

LW: Dane Byers – 14 NHL appearances, 125 points in 111 Storm games. Again, another leader. A
true power forward. Skills and brawn. Used his physicality and size well and was not shy to stand up for anyone.

C: Mike Hammond – 170 points in 119 Storm games. A 2-time EIHL All-Star, league top point scorer, and top assists. Mike oozed quality off and on the ice. A GB international, so gives me an extra import space in the roster.

RW: Kevin Brown – Due to an impressive 16 points in 64 NHL games, Kev arrived in Manchester with the “X Factor.” Not only did he amass 49 points in only 36 games for Storm, but he also racked up plenty of penalty minutes with his in-your-face style and was never afraid to drop the gloves. A fiery player with plenty of finesse. Also, born in the UK.

H/Coach: Kurt Kleinendorst – Left Storm when the New Jersey Devils came knocking for an assistant coach. Always cool on the bench and a genuine guy to talk to.

I would like to thank Dave 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