Blackburn Hawks
Encyclopedia
The Blackburn Hawks are a British ice hockey
team based in Blackburn, Lancashire
. They are currently members of the ENIHL, and have previously played in the British National League
and the English League Premier Division. Their home ice is the 3,200 seat Blackburn Arena
.
The Blackhawks played their first game on 28 October 1990, in which the Blackhawks defeated Oxford City Stars
6–3. The game was played as a non-import challenge match, where no professional players born outside of the United Kingdom were iced. During the 1990–91 season that followed, all Blackhawks games were played away, since the newly built Blackburn Arena
had not yet been completed. The first home game, played on 26 January 1991, coincidentally also resulted in a 6–3 victory against Oxford. The first goal scored at the Arena was by the Blackhawks' Dan Holden, an offensive defenceman who accrued a total of 116 points over the course of the season. The Blackhawks highest points scorer in 1990–91 was Fred Perlini
, who contributed 132 points (83 goals and 49 assists) in just 21 games. Other notable players were Trevor Fostor, Georgie Powell, and Paul Fleury. Under manager Keith Purvis and coach Pete Murray, the Blackhawks finished fourth place in the English League Division One and received a promotion due to the collapse of Solihull in the Heineken League.
A promising start to the 1991–92 season saw ex-Toronto Maple Leafs
coach Doug McKay
take over the running of the team. However, his tenure was short-lived due to financial problems, and soon the Blackhawks were left without a manager. By the end of the season the Blackhawks were relegated back into the English League Division One.
forward Steve Moria
. The team's financial situation was improved following a buy out by Peel Holdings, the firm owning the site on which Blackburn Arena
is situated. This change in financial status allowed for an influx of new imports.
The Hawks competed well and fought hard until the last weekend of the season, just missing out on a play-off spot. The early season demolition of the Milton Keynes Kings
was not only the greatest shock defeat of the season, but made the Hawks a feared and recognised team.
It has been dubbed a "tremendous season and certainly one that the Hawks's faithful should remember for a long time to come" and is taken to be the birth of competitive hockey in Blackburn.
Prior to the start of the 1994–95 season, the Hawks were again left in turmoil due to the sudden departure of Steve Moria
for the Swindon Wildcats
. Inexperienced forward Mark Stokes volunteered himself for the role of player-coach. This season was the year of the Hawks' most disastrous B&H Cup campaign, with six successive defeats. However, the Hawks headlined for other reasons.
The British Ice Hockey Association
imposed bans on the new imports Sverre Sears
, Matt Zilinskas, and Jeff Winstanley after they appeared on the front page of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph following a late night naked skating session. This led to their dismissal from the club, and prompted a shakeup in staffing. Ex-Toronto Maple Leaf
Rocky Saganiuk
arrived, promising the fans a spot in the playoffs. Sangiuk brought in Trent Casey, Darren Durdle
, and Tony Cimellaro
, but the Hawk's leaky defence contributed to their relegation to Division Two come the end of the season. However, a last minute re-structure of the league meant that the team began the new season back in division one.
Before the 1995–96 campaign began, it became apparent that Saganiuk was not to return, electing to stay in Canada. Under the management of Mike Cockayne, the Hawks secured sponsorship with Thwaites Beer
, and began the season sporting new look red, black, and yellow uniforms.
For the first time, the Hawks took top place in the league, with the most important result being a 12–9 victory over the newly formed Manchester Storm
. The match was played at the Nynex Arena in front of a then record-breaking crowd of 9,500, and watched by millions on Sky TV
, in what was the first live UK hockey match to be shown on satellite television
in the UK. Later in the season the Hawks again visited the Nynex Arena in a league title decider that generated another British attendance record of 16,280.
The 1996–97 season gave the Hawks yet another new coach in Jim Pennycook, one of the most experienced players in the British game. The season saw the start of the well-televised Ice Hockey Superleague
, which ultimately split British ice hockey teams according to their financial position. Blackburn were not part of this new wave, and instead competed in the Northern Premier League of the BNL
, which was limited to three imports.
The Hawks' difficulties began right at the start of the season, losing two of their three imports before the end of November. Pennycook played most of the season through injury and suffered from a very depleted roster after Christmas with only eight players available for some games. They quickly made a couple of new signings before the transfer deadline, and finish the season in a mid-table position.
For the 1997–98 season, another name change was brought in, with the intention of promoting the team across the County; thus the Lancashire Hawks were born. However, attendances failed to improve, and many fans expressed disapproval of the new name.
A number of staffing issues, injuries, and roster changes saw the Hawks finish bottom of the league and last in the play-offs.
. This was a league set up for teams that wanted to compete effectively, but on a smaller budget than those in the British National League
. The Hawks competed against teams such as Solihull
, Swindon
and Milton Keynes
, and reverted back to the previous name, the Blackburn Hawks, thanks to the pressure put on the management team at the Supporters Club annual general meeting that took place in the Arena bar in May 1998.
Jim Pennycook was invited back to the Arena in a playing capacity but Arena management were to look elsewhere for a coach this season. An experienced Scotsman came to the helm; brother of former Hawk John, Bobby Haig, was the man charged with bringing back the teams' former glory.
The season started with a convincing win over the Wightlink Raiders
, with a 13–1 scoreline. A successful 1998 was followed by controversy at the beginning of 1999, when it emerged that the team had spent three times their seasons budget by Christmas. Five players were released from their contracts at this point to try to ease the financial burden on the club, including import Chad Brandimore
and club captain Simon Mills. By mid March the team were floundering in the league, and it became clear that the team would not be taking part in the end of season play-offs due to their financial problems. However, this did not deter the fans, as almost 1,500 watched a 10–9 victory over Chelmsford
and a close 7–6 defeat to the hands of Milton Keynes
at the close of the league campaign. The victory over Chelmsford
meant that this season's team had won more home games than any previous year since the team's formation in 1991.
With the financial problems at the end of the season came the obvious worries and rumours over the club's future. Some feared that Blackburn would not host competitive ice hockey team in 1999–2000 campaign, and sections of the press were reporting that the team had been threatened with expulsion from the league for refusing to take part in the playoffs.
It was decided to drop into English League Division One again, a decision which prompted a mixed reaction from fans, largely due to the lack of skilled import players in the league. To boost the number of games that the team played, they also signed up for the Border League, consisting of teams from Scotland and northern England. Under the leadership of Haig, the Hawks just missed out on a play-off place at the end of the season.
The 2000–1 saw the Hawks still guided by Bobby Haig, and playing in the English National Ice Hockey League
(the new name for ED1). The season started with many ups and downs, ranging from 14–1 defeat at the hands of the Kingston Jets
, to a 14–0 victory over the Bradford Bulldogs
, and all before Christmas. In this time the team also retained the North West Cup at the expense of the Altrincham Aces
. However, on January 27, 2001, the Aces
gained their revenge, knocking Blackburn out of the English Cup. The team ultimately finished fourth in the league.
April 3, 2001 saw the Blackburn Hawks celebrate their 10th anniversary in style, with the return of Steve Moria
and many former players. The game, where Bobby Haig's All Stars played Steve Moria's Select, ended 8–9 in favour of Moria's squad. The match, which attracted a crowd of over 1,000, raised £4,000 for the NSPCC
.
The 2001–2 season was far from successful for the Hawks, who ultimately finished fourth in the ENIHL North Division. The team also lost all six games played in the ENIHL Cup, and did not make it past group stages in English cup. This season set precedent for the Hawks, and subsequent seasons seem to follow a pattern; a place in the league's top five, a reasonable performance in the cup, and Bobby Haig as the team's top scorer.
In 2002–3 it was fifth in league, and just missing out on the final of the English National Premier Cup by placing second in qualifying table. This close brush with cup success was not matched in the Northern Cup, where the Hawk's did not with a single game.
After a no point weekend mid-season, it seemed that Haig attributed the team's lack of success to an absence of young blood on the team, saying "We had no Under 19s and we also found it difficult to raise our game after the disappointment of (an 8–2 defeat at) Sheffield. Perhaps we need an injection of some new players. It's been a bad weekend and I have got some serious thinking to do."
One of Haig's new young player's was 19 year old Richard Hulme, who debuted in a challenge match against Spartak Durham. Hulme, a product of the Hawks youth teams, was to be involved in a controversial incident.
In October 2003, minutes from the end of an under 19 game against the Altrincham Tigers, Hulme was attacked and injured by Tigers' player Robert Brownbill. Hulme lost two teeth and received a broken jaw when hit with a stick during the game. In January 2003 Brownbill appeared before Preston Crown Court, charged with assaulting Richard Hulme causing actual bodily harm. In what was the first case of its kind in the country, Brownbill was initially remanded on bail on what was to become a test case for the sport. Brownbill was eventually fined £250.
As predicted, by the end of the season, Bobby Haig was the team's top scorer (fourth in league) with 56 points in just 18 games. (Interestingly, the three scorers above Haig were all from league winners Altrincham).
The 2003–04 season had a positive start; a new logo, a new strip, a renewed sponsorship contract with Thwaites Brewery
, and a clutch of upcoming young players left Haig and new team captain Neil Haworth in high spirits before the first game. The team's preparations paid off; the first weekend of the season consisted of a 13-2 win over the Bradford Bulldogs, and another 20-3 victory against the Grimsby Buffaloes.
However, this success wasn't to continue through the season. The Hawks attained a fourth position in the league, lost every game in the Premier Cup, and finished second in playoffs table, missing out on the final. Despite all of this, Bobby Haig continued to flourish at Blackburn, and posted another great season with 52 points in 18 games (fifth points scorer in the league).
The following season, despite initial optimism, held much of the same for the Hawks. A series of poor results led to pressure being placed on player/coach Haig, and the Scot contemplated taking his experience elsewhere. However, after talks with the Arena management and club owners, Haig settled on staying at the expense of his job as duty manager and as the junior ice hockey development director, in order to concentrate fully on the coaching of the senior team.
By mid-November, the team had no chance to progress in the Premier Cup, but had more success in the league, sitting comfortable at the top of the North division. Their championship hopes were boosted when a 4–2 loss against the Swindon Wildcats
was recorded as a 5-0 victory by the EIHA after Swindon fielded an ineligible player.
The team finished third in ENIHL, which did not allow them to progress through to the playoff group stages. The Hawks also lost every game in ENIHL cup.
2005–06 held similar successes; a third place in the ENHL which, due to an altering of the playoff format, led them to the group stages. However, despite placing second in the playoff group stages table, the Hawks did not make it to the final. Other cup competitions had mixed successes; the team made the semi-final of ENIHL Cup (where they lost 7-5 to Cardiff), yet finished bottom of group C in the Premier Cup.
The following season heralded a change in the Hawks usual pattern; they finished fifth in ENIHL (missing out on playoffs), fifth in Northern League, and missed out on the playoffs in ENIHL cup on goal difference. However, for the first season in a while, the team's top scorer was not Bobby Haig, but David Meikle, with 35 points in 16 games.
. Coaching duties were taken over by Ian Hough and John Dunford.
In a mixed season, the club had no success in the ENIHL cup, and finished the season bottom of Northern League and sixth in ENIHL North. Despite this, some good performances were given by the team; the superb combination of Rick Bentham and David Meikle score 48 and 46 points, respectively. The goaltenders also had a good season; in 21 games Daniel Brittle posted a 90.03% save percentage, while Ian Thirkettle attained 89.08% in 18 games.
Following the addition of three teams to the ENIHL in 2008–09, the league was restructured. It was given a four division structure; North 1 and 2, South 1 and 2, with promotion and relegation between the two sides. The Hawks competed in the North 1 division and did not compete in the Northern League this season. Under coach Neil Abel
, the Hawks finished next from last in ENIHL North 1, and were involved in a relegation series against fellow local side Manchester Phoenix ENL. After a close run first leg at the Blackburn Arena, the Hawks lost 8–7, making it 10–9 on aggregate. Following this defeat, the team would originally have played in ENL North 2 for the 2009/10 season; however, Billingham Bombers
dropped out of the league, saving Blackburn from relegation.
, due to the similarities in name. However, upon his arrival in 1992, Steve Moria
changed the colours to teal, grey, black, and white, a similar scheme to that of the San Jose Sharks
. This change coincided with the change in name. In 1994, following the departure of Moria, the club adopted a red, white, and gold scheme which can still be seen today.
supports 3,200 spectators seated at each side of the ice, with standing room on the balcony behind the goal. The rink is measured as 60m x 30m (197 ft x 98 ft).
Home matches attract an average of around 400 fans.
The team is supported by the Blackburn Hawks Supporters Club (known as The Mohawks), which organises regular events for fans.
and the old Altrincham Ice Rink in Broadheath, Greater Manchester
. Many of the original Hawks played in Altrincham, which resulted in a fierce rivalry both on and off the ice.
More recent ongoing feuds have been with Flintshire Freeze
and the Billingham Bombers
.
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
team based in Blackburn, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. They are currently members of the ENIHL, and have previously played in the British National League
British National League
The British National League is a defunct second-level professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom. Although no formal promotion and relegation existed during its period of existence, it was considered to have a standard below that of the Ice Hockey Superleague and above that of the...
and the English League Premier Division. Their home ice is the 3,200 seat Blackburn Arena
Blackburn Arena
Blackburn Arena is an Olympic size ice arena in Blackburn, England, and the home of Blackburn Hawks and Lancashire Raptors ice hockey clubs. The arena, which opened in 1991, holds 3,200 people and has an ice pad of ....
.
The Blackhawks Era
Oxford City Stars
The Oxford City Stars are an ice hockey team based in Oxford, England. They currently play in the English National League, South. A second team was formed in the summer of 2010 and they compete in the English National League South Division 2.-1984-1999:...
6–3. The game was played as a non-import challenge match, where no professional players born outside of the United Kingdom were iced. During the 1990–91 season that followed, all Blackhawks games were played away, since the newly built Blackburn Arena
Blackburn Arena
Blackburn Arena is an Olympic size ice arena in Blackburn, England, and the home of Blackburn Hawks and Lancashire Raptors ice hockey clubs. The arena, which opened in 1991, holds 3,200 people and has an ice pad of ....
had not yet been completed. The first home game, played on 26 January 1991, coincidentally also resulted in a 6–3 victory against Oxford. The first goal scored at the Arena was by the Blackhawks' Dan Holden, an offensive defenceman who accrued a total of 116 points over the course of the season. The Blackhawks highest points scorer in 1990–91 was Fred Perlini
Fred Perlini
Fred Perlini is a former Canadian NHL ice hockey centre. He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in 1980.-Junior:...
, who contributed 132 points (83 goals and 49 assists) in just 21 games. Other notable players were Trevor Fostor, Georgie Powell, and Paul Fleury. Under manager Keith Purvis and coach Pete Murray, the Blackhawks finished fourth place in the English League Division One and received a promotion due to the collapse of Solihull in the Heineken League.
A promising start to the 1991–92 season saw ex-Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
coach Doug McKay
Doug McKay
Douglas Alvin McKay was a professional ice hockey player who played left wing, shooting left. He played pro-hockey from 1947-48 season to the 1951-52 for 5 different teams in 4 leagues. He won the Calder Cup in 1950 with Indianapolis Capitals in AHL...
take over the running of the team. However, his tenure was short-lived due to financial problems, and soon the Blackhawks were left without a manager. By the end of the season the Blackhawks were relegated back into the English League Division One.
Building to league success
In 1992–93, the team began to rebuild under the new name of the Blackburn Hawks. Canadian Glenn Knight took up the reins as player-coach, but soon passed the responsibility to the new addition to the team, ex-AHLAmerican Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
forward Steve Moria
Steve Moria
Steve Moria is a British-Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
. The team's financial situation was improved following a buy out by Peel Holdings, the firm owning the site on which Blackburn Arena
Blackburn Arena
Blackburn Arena is an Olympic size ice arena in Blackburn, England, and the home of Blackburn Hawks and Lancashire Raptors ice hockey clubs. The arena, which opened in 1991, holds 3,200 people and has an ice pad of ....
is situated. This change in financial status allowed for an influx of new imports.
The Hawks competed well and fought hard until the last weekend of the season, just missing out on a play-off spot. The early season demolition of the Milton Keynes Kings
Milton Keynes Kings
Milton Keynes Kings were an Ice Hockey team based in Milton Keynes from 1990 to 1996 and from 1998 to 2002. Following a dispute with the Planet Ice Arena in Milton Keynes, the team relocated to Solihull, where they became Solihull MK Kings for a while...
was not only the greatest shock defeat of the season, but made the Hawks a feared and recognised team.
It has been dubbed a "tremendous season and certainly one that the Hawks's faithful should remember for a long time to come" and is taken to be the birth of competitive hockey in Blackburn.
Prior to the start of the 1994–95 season, the Hawks were again left in turmoil due to the sudden departure of Steve Moria
Steve Moria
Steve Moria is a British-Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
for the Swindon Wildcats
Swindon Wildcats
The Swindon Wildcats are a professional ice hockey team based in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. They are member of the English Premier Ice Hockey League . Since their inception, the Wildcats have played their home games at the 2800 capacity Link Centre. The club was founded in 1986, as the Swindon...
. Inexperienced forward Mark Stokes volunteered himself for the role of player-coach. This season was the year of the Hawks' most disastrous B&H Cup campaign, with six successive defeats. However, the Hawks headlined for other reasons.
The British Ice Hockey Association
British Ice Hockey Association
The British Ice Hockey Association was founded in 1913 and was the governing body of ice hockey in the United Kingdom during the 1913–14 season and between 1923 and 1999 when it was replaced by Ice Hockey UK....
imposed bans on the new imports Sverre Sears
Sverre Sears
Sverre Sears is a retired American professional ice hockey player. He was born in the small town of Dover, Massachusetts. Sears was drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1989 NHL draft. During his career, Sears has played in the NCAA, the ECHL, the BNL, the IHL, the CoHL and the CHL.-External...
, Matt Zilinskas, and Jeff Winstanley after they appeared on the front page of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph following a late night naked skating session. This led to their dismissal from the club, and prompted a shakeup in staffing. Ex-Toronto Maple Leaf
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
Rocky Saganiuk
Rocky Saganiuk
Rocky Ray Saganiuk is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 259 games in the National Hockey League...
arrived, promising the fans a spot in the playoffs. Sangiuk brought in Trent Casey, Darren Durdle
Darren Durdle
Darren Durdle is a retired Canadian-born professional ice hockey player. Durdle was born in Gimli, Manitoba; although Durdle also holds British citizenship....
, and Tony Cimellaro
Tony Cimellaro
Tony Cimellaro is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player who played two games in the National Hockey League for the Ottawa Senators during the 1992–93 NHL season...
, but the Hawk's leaky defence contributed to their relegation to Division Two come the end of the season. However, a last minute re-structure of the league meant that the team began the new season back in division one.
Before the 1995–96 campaign began, it became apparent that Saganiuk was not to return, electing to stay in Canada. Under the management of Mike Cockayne, the Hawks secured sponsorship with Thwaites Beer
Thwaites Brewery
Thwaites Brewery is a regional brewery founded in 1807 by Daniel Thwaites in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. The firm still operates from its original town centre site. A variety of cask ales, draught beers, lagers and ciders are produced in Blackburn or imported from Europe by Thwaites. In 1999,...
, and began the season sporting new look red, black, and yellow uniforms.
For the first time, the Hawks took top place in the league, with the most important result being a 12–9 victory over the newly formed Manchester Storm
Manchester Storm
The Manchester Storm were an ice hockey team from Manchester, England. The team formed in 1995, playing their home games at the then newly built Nynex Arena . Storm won the British Hockey League Division One in their first season, watched by an average crowd of 6,342...
. The match was played at the Nynex Arena in front of a then record-breaking crowd of 9,500, and watched by millions on Sky TV
British Sky Broadcasting
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc is a satellite broadcasting, broadband and telephony services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with operations in the United Kingdom and the Ireland....
, in what was the first live UK hockey match to be shown on satellite television
Satellite television
Satellite television is television programming delivered by the means of communications satellite and received by an outdoor antenna, usually a parabolic mirror generally referred to as a satellite dish, and as far as household usage is concerned, a satellite receiver either in the form of an...
in the UK. Later in the season the Hawks again visited the Nynex Arena in a league title decider that generated another British attendance record of 16,280.
The Northern Premier League
Ice Hockey Superleague
The Ice Hockey Superleague was a professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom between 1996 and 2003. Formed in 1995, it replaced the Premier Division of the British Hockey League, it was the highest level of ice hockey competition in the United Kingdom...
, which ultimately split British ice hockey teams according to their financial position. Blackburn were not part of this new wave, and instead competed in the Northern Premier League of the BNL
British National League
The British National League is a defunct second-level professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom. Although no formal promotion and relegation existed during its period of existence, it was considered to have a standard below that of the Ice Hockey Superleague and above that of the...
, which was limited to three imports.
The Hawks' difficulties began right at the start of the season, losing two of their three imports before the end of November. Pennycook played most of the season through injury and suffered from a very depleted roster after Christmas with only eight players available for some games. They quickly made a couple of new signings before the transfer deadline, and finish the season in a mid-table position.
For the 1997–98 season, another name change was brought in, with the intention of promoting the team across the County; thus the Lancashire Hawks were born. However, attendances failed to improve, and many fans expressed disapproval of the new name.
A number of staffing issues, injuries, and roster changes saw the Hawks finish bottom of the league and last in the play-offs.
The Bobby Haig Era
At the start of the 1998–99 season, the team found themselves competing in yet another new league, the English League Premier DivisionEnglish Premier Ice Hockey League
The English Premier Ice Hockey League commonly abbreviated to EPIHL, or simply EPL, is a senior ice hockey league in England, and is run and administered by the English Ice Hockey Association...
. This was a league set up for teams that wanted to compete effectively, but on a smaller budget than those in the British National League
British National League
The British National League is a defunct second-level professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom. Although no formal promotion and relegation existed during its period of existence, it was considered to have a standard below that of the Ice Hockey Superleague and above that of the...
. The Hawks competed against teams such as Solihull
Solihull Barons
Solihull Barons are an English ice hockey team from the town of Solihull who play at Solihull Ice Rink on Hobbs Moat Road. They were formed in 2005, although they are named after the team of the same name who played at the same ice rink between 1972 and 1996...
, Swindon
Swindon Wildcats
The Swindon Wildcats are a professional ice hockey team based in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. They are member of the English Premier Ice Hockey League . Since their inception, the Wildcats have played their home games at the 2800 capacity Link Centre. The club was founded in 1986, as the Swindon...
and Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes Kings
Milton Keynes Kings were an Ice Hockey team based in Milton Keynes from 1990 to 1996 and from 1998 to 2002. Following a dispute with the Planet Ice Arena in Milton Keynes, the team relocated to Solihull, where they became Solihull MK Kings for a while...
, and reverted back to the previous name, the Blackburn Hawks, thanks to the pressure put on the management team at the Supporters Club annual general meeting that took place in the Arena bar in May 1998.
Jim Pennycook was invited back to the Arena in a playing capacity but Arena management were to look elsewhere for a coach this season. An experienced Scotsman came to the helm; brother of former Hawk John, Bobby Haig, was the man charged with bringing back the teams' former glory.
The season started with a convincing win over the Wightlink Raiders
Wightlink Raiders
The Wightlink Raiders are an ice hockey team based in Ryde on the Isle of Wight, England. They are sponsored by Wightlink and play in the third-tier English National Ice Hockey League...
, with a 13–1 scoreline. A successful 1998 was followed by controversy at the beginning of 1999, when it emerged that the team had spent three times their seasons budget by Christmas. Five players were released from their contracts at this point to try to ease the financial burden on the club, including import Chad Brandimore
Chad Brandimore
Chad Brandimore is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, currently without a club after being released by the Corner Brook Royals of the West Coast Senior Hockey League. Brandimore began his career playing for the Daytona Beach Breakers in the Southern Hockey League...
and club captain Simon Mills. By mid March the team were floundering in the league, and it became clear that the team would not be taking part in the end of season play-offs due to their financial problems. However, this did not deter the fans, as almost 1,500 watched a 10–9 victory over Chelmsford
Chelmsford Chieftains
The Chelmsford Chieftains are an Ice Hockey team based in Chelmsford, Essex that are currently playing in the English National Ice Hockey League. Since the team was founded in 1987, the Chieftains have played their home games at the Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre.Chelmsford played their first...
and a close 7–6 defeat to the hands of Milton Keynes
Milton Keynes Kings
Milton Keynes Kings were an Ice Hockey team based in Milton Keynes from 1990 to 1996 and from 1998 to 2002. Following a dispute with the Planet Ice Arena in Milton Keynes, the team relocated to Solihull, where they became Solihull MK Kings for a while...
at the close of the league campaign. The victory over Chelmsford
Chelmsford Chieftains
The Chelmsford Chieftains are an Ice Hockey team based in Chelmsford, Essex that are currently playing in the English National Ice Hockey League. Since the team was founded in 1987, the Chieftains have played their home games at the Riverside Ice and Leisure Centre.Chelmsford played their first...
meant that this season's team had won more home games than any previous year since the team's formation in 1991.
With the financial problems at the end of the season came the obvious worries and rumours over the club's future. Some feared that Blackburn would not host competitive ice hockey team in 1999–2000 campaign, and sections of the press were reporting that the team had been threatened with expulsion from the league for refusing to take part in the playoffs.
It was decided to drop into English League Division One again, a decision which prompted a mixed reaction from fans, largely due to the lack of skilled import players in the league. To boost the number of games that the team played, they also signed up for the Border League, consisting of teams from Scotland and northern England. Under the leadership of Haig, the Hawks just missed out on a play-off place at the end of the season.
The 2000–1 saw the Hawks still guided by Bobby Haig, and playing in the English National Ice Hockey League
English National Ice Hockey League
The English National Ice Hockey League is an amateur ice hockey league below the English Premier Ice Hockey League which is administered by the English Ice Hockey Association. It is split into two conferences, north and south...
(the new name for ED1). The season started with many ups and downs, ranging from 14–1 defeat at the hands of the Kingston Jets
Kingston Jets
The Kingston Jets are an ice hockey team which play in the English National Ice Hockey League. The team was close to extinction prior to the 2005-2006 season but, thanks to Kingston Junior Ice Hockey Club , the team was able to enter into the league again...
, to a 14–0 victory over the Bradford Bulldogs
Bradford Bulldogs
Bradford Bulldogs are an English ice hockey team that play in the North Division of the English National Ice Hockey League. They play their home games at the Bradford Ice Arena, Bradford, West Yorkshire. They were formed in 1978. The team, unlike most British sides contains an entrely British...
, and all before Christmas. In this time the team also retained the North West Cup at the expense of the Altrincham Aces
Altrincham Aces
The Altrincham Aces were a semi-professional and amateur ice hockey team based out of the old Altrincham Ice Rink, situated on Devonshire Road in Altrincham, a large town located just south of Manchester and Salford...
. However, on January 27, 2001, the Aces
Altrincham Aces
The Altrincham Aces were a semi-professional and amateur ice hockey team based out of the old Altrincham Ice Rink, situated on Devonshire Road in Altrincham, a large town located just south of Manchester and Salford...
gained their revenge, knocking Blackburn out of the English Cup. The team ultimately finished fourth in the league.
April 3, 2001 saw the Blackburn Hawks celebrate their 10th anniversary in style, with the return of Steve Moria
Steve Moria
Steve Moria is a British-Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
and many former players. The game, where Bobby Haig's All Stars played Steve Moria's Select, ended 8–9 in favour of Moria's squad. The match, which attracted a crowd of over 1,000, raised £4,000 for the NSPCC
NSPCC
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a United Kingdom charity campaigning and working in child protection.-History:...
.
The 2001–2 season was far from successful for the Hawks, who ultimately finished fourth in the ENIHL North Division. The team also lost all six games played in the ENIHL Cup, and did not make it past group stages in English cup. This season set precedent for the Hawks, and subsequent seasons seem to follow a pattern; a place in the league's top five, a reasonable performance in the cup, and Bobby Haig as the team's top scorer.
In 2002–3 it was fifth in league, and just missing out on the final of the English National Premier Cup by placing second in qualifying table. This close brush with cup success was not matched in the Northern Cup, where the Hawk's did not with a single game.
After a no point weekend mid-season, it seemed that Haig attributed the team's lack of success to an absence of young blood on the team, saying "We had no Under 19s and we also found it difficult to raise our game after the disappointment of (an 8–2 defeat at) Sheffield. Perhaps we need an injection of some new players. It's been a bad weekend and I have got some serious thinking to do."
One of Haig's new young player's was 19 year old Richard Hulme, who debuted in a challenge match against Spartak Durham. Hulme, a product of the Hawks youth teams, was to be involved in a controversial incident.
In October 2003, minutes from the end of an under 19 game against the Altrincham Tigers, Hulme was attacked and injured by Tigers' player Robert Brownbill. Hulme lost two teeth and received a broken jaw when hit with a stick during the game. In January 2003 Brownbill appeared before Preston Crown Court, charged with assaulting Richard Hulme causing actual bodily harm. In what was the first case of its kind in the country, Brownbill was initially remanded on bail on what was to become a test case for the sport. Brownbill was eventually fined £250.
As predicted, by the end of the season, Bobby Haig was the team's top scorer (fourth in league) with 56 points in just 18 games. (Interestingly, the three scorers above Haig were all from league winners Altrincham).
A new logo and a new start
Thwaites Brewery
Thwaites Brewery is a regional brewery founded in 1807 by Daniel Thwaites in Blackburn, Lancashire, England. The firm still operates from its original town centre site. A variety of cask ales, draught beers, lagers and ciders are produced in Blackburn or imported from Europe by Thwaites. In 1999,...
, and a clutch of upcoming young players left Haig and new team captain Neil Haworth in high spirits before the first game. The team's preparations paid off; the first weekend of the season consisted of a 13-2 win over the Bradford Bulldogs, and another 20-3 victory against the Grimsby Buffaloes.
However, this success wasn't to continue through the season. The Hawks attained a fourth position in the league, lost every game in the Premier Cup, and finished second in playoffs table, missing out on the final. Despite all of this, Bobby Haig continued to flourish at Blackburn, and posted another great season with 52 points in 18 games (fifth points scorer in the league).
The following season, despite initial optimism, held much of the same for the Hawks. A series of poor results led to pressure being placed on player/coach Haig, and the Scot contemplated taking his experience elsewhere. However, after talks with the Arena management and club owners, Haig settled on staying at the expense of his job as duty manager and as the junior ice hockey development director, in order to concentrate fully on the coaching of the senior team.
By mid-November, the team had no chance to progress in the Premier Cup, but had more success in the league, sitting comfortable at the top of the North division. Their championship hopes were boosted when a 4–2 loss against the Swindon Wildcats
Swindon Wildcats
The Swindon Wildcats are a professional ice hockey team based in Swindon, Wiltshire, England. They are member of the English Premier Ice Hockey League . Since their inception, the Wildcats have played their home games at the 2800 capacity Link Centre. The club was founded in 1986, as the Swindon...
was recorded as a 5-0 victory by the EIHA after Swindon fielded an ineligible player.
The team finished third in ENIHL, which did not allow them to progress through to the playoff group stages. The Hawks also lost every game in ENIHL cup.
2005–06 held similar successes; a third place in the ENHL which, due to an altering of the playoff format, led them to the group stages. However, despite placing second in the playoff group stages table, the Hawks did not make it to the final. Other cup competitions had mixed successes; the team made the semi-final of ENIHL Cup (where they lost 7-5 to Cardiff), yet finished bottom of group C in the Premier Cup.
The following season heralded a change in the Hawks usual pattern; they finished fifth in ENIHL (missing out on playoffs), fifth in Northern League, and missed out on the playoffs in ENIHL cup on goal difference. However, for the first season in a while, the team's top scorer was not Bobby Haig, but David Meikle, with 35 points in 16 games.
The Modern Era
The start of the 2007 season saw the departure of legend Bobby Haig to his former club, the Braehead PiratesPaisley Pirates
The Paisley Pirates were founded in 1946 and are one of the oldest ice hockey clubs in Scotland and the UK . The Pirates were the epitome of the game in Scotland during the 1950s...
. Coaching duties were taken over by Ian Hough and John Dunford.
In a mixed season, the club had no success in the ENIHL cup, and finished the season bottom of Northern League and sixth in ENIHL North. Despite this, some good performances were given by the team; the superb combination of Rick Bentham and David Meikle score 48 and 46 points, respectively. The goaltenders also had a good season; in 21 games Daniel Brittle posted a 90.03% save percentage, while Ian Thirkettle attained 89.08% in 18 games.
Following the addition of three teams to the ENIHL in 2008–09, the league was restructured. It was given a four division structure; North 1 and 2, South 1 and 2, with promotion and relegation between the two sides. The Hawks competed in the North 1 division and did not compete in the Northern League this season. Under coach Neil Abel
Neil Abel
Neil Abel is a British professional ice hockey player who has played in the United Kingdom since 1980...
, the Hawks finished next from last in ENIHL North 1, and were involved in a relegation series against fellow local side Manchester Phoenix ENL. After a close run first leg at the Blackburn Arena, the Hawks lost 8–7, making it 10–9 on aggregate. Following this defeat, the team would originally have played in ENL North 2 for the 2009/10 season; however, Billingham Bombers
Billingham Bombers
The Billingham Bombers are an ice hockey team from the town of Billingham in the Stockton-on-Tees borough of Teesside. They are currently members of the English National Ice Hockey League and the Northern League. The Bombers play their home games at the Billingham Forum Ice Rink.The Bombers were...
dropped out of the league, saving Blackburn from relegation.
Colours and Origin
The club's colours were initially similar to the red, white, and black of the Chicago BlackhawksChicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
, due to the similarities in name. However, upon his arrival in 1992, Steve Moria
Steve Moria
Steve Moria is a British-Canadian professional ice hockey player. He was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada...
changed the colours to teal, grey, black, and white, a similar scheme to that of the San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks
The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. This change coincided with the change in name. In 1994, following the departure of Moria, the club adopted a red, white, and gold scheme which can still be seen today.
The Arena and Fan Base
Blackburn ArenaBlackburn Arena
Blackburn Arena is an Olympic size ice arena in Blackburn, England, and the home of Blackburn Hawks and Lancashire Raptors ice hockey clubs. The arena, which opened in 1991, holds 3,200 people and has an ice pad of ....
supports 3,200 spectators seated at each side of the ice, with standing room on the balcony behind the goal. The rink is measured as 60m x 30m (197 ft x 98 ft).
Home matches attract an average of around 400 fans.
The team is supported by the Blackburn Hawks Supporters Club (known as The Mohawks), which organises regular events for fans.
Rivalries
The club's biggest rivalry was formerly with the Trafford Metros, due to the proximity of Blackburn ArenaBlackburn Arena
Blackburn Arena is an Olympic size ice arena in Blackburn, England, and the home of Blackburn Hawks and Lancashire Raptors ice hockey clubs. The arena, which opened in 1991, holds 3,200 people and has an ice pad of ....
and the old Altrincham Ice Rink in Broadheath, Greater Manchester
Broadheath, Greater Manchester
Broadheath is a suburb of Altrincham in Greater Manchester, England. It is historically part of the county of Cheshire and has a Warrington postcode.At Broadheath's height as an industrial area, the industries supported perhaps 12,000 employees...
. Many of the original Hawks played in Altrincham, which resulted in a fierce rivalry both on and off the ice.
More recent ongoing feuds have been with Flintshire Freeze
Flintshire Freeze
Flintshire Freeze are a Welsh ice hockey team that play in the English National Ice Hockey League, north division. They play their games at Deeside Leisure Centre, Flintshire. They won the North League championship in the 2003/2004 season...
and the Billingham Bombers
Billingham Bombers
The Billingham Bombers are an ice hockey team from the town of Billingham in the Stockton-on-Tees borough of Teesside. They are currently members of the English National Ice Hockey League and the Northern League. The Bombers play their home games at the Billingham Forum Ice Rink.The Bombers were...
.
Season-by-season Record
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes. This list only shows most recent seasons.| Season | League | GP | W | L | T | Pts | GF | GA | PIM | Finish | Playoffs/Post-season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004/05 | ENIHL (North Division) | 16 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 20 | 110 | 62 | NA | 3rd in division | 3rd of 4 in playoff group stage |
| 2005/06 | ENIHL (North Division) | 14 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 19 | 82 | 42 | NA | 3rd in division | 2nd of 4 in playoff group stage |
| 2006/07 | ENIHL (North Division) | 18 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 20 | 108 | 81 | NA | 5th in division | Did not make playoffs |
| 2007/08 | ENIHL (North Division) | 22 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 27 | 110 | 66 | NA | 6th in division | Did not make playoffs |
| 2008/09 | ENIHL (North Division 1) | 28 | 7 | 19 | 2 | 16 | 71 | 101 | NA | 7th of 8 in division | Relegation* |
- Not relegated due to Billingham BombersBillingham BombersThe Billingham Bombers are an ice hockey team from the town of Billingham in the Stockton-on-Tees borough of Teesside. They are currently members of the English National Ice Hockey League and the Northern League. The Bombers play their home games at the Billingham Forum Ice Rink.The Bombers were...
dropping out of league
Current squad
As of March 17, 2008| Goaltenders | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | |Player | Catches | Acquired | Place of Birth | |
| 29 |  |
Adam Baxendale | L | Jan 2008 | Unknown |
| 1 |  |
Matthew Michie | L | Oct 2008 | Unknown |
| 60 |  |
Ian Thirkettle | L | Oct 2007 | Unknown |
| Defencemen | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | |Player | Shoots | Acquired | Place of Birth | |
| 18 | |
Neil Abel | R | 2000 | Unknown |
| 22 | |
Christopher Arnone | R | Aug 2007 | Unknown |
| 10 | |
Lance Derbyshire | R | 2000 | Unknown |
| 13 | |
Neil Hawarth | R | 2000 | Unknown |
| 27 | |
Craig Rogers | L | 2000 | Unknown |
| 25 | |
Wayne Slater | R | 2000 | Unknown |
| 5 | |
Peter Tapp | R | Jan 2009 | Unknown |
| Forwards | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number | |Player | Position | Shoots | Acquired | Place of Birth | |
| 17 | |
Craig Ainscough | F | R | Nov 2007 | Unknown |
| 23 | |
Richard Bentham | F | R | 2000 | Unknown |
| 14 | |
Michael Brunton | F | X | 2000 | Unknown |
| 8 | |
Aaron Davies | F | R | July 2007 | Unknown |
| 16 | |
Karl Downie | F | R | Sept 2008 | Unknown |
| 4 | |
Sam Dunford | F | R | 2000 | Unknown |
| 6 | |
Adam Fuller | F | R | Jan 2009 | Unknown |
| 16 | |
Richard Hulme | F | X | 2000 | Unknown |
| 19 | |
Anthony Kinder | F | R | 2000 | Unknown |
| 15 | |
David Meikle | F | R | 2000 | England |
| 32 | |
Les Millie | F | R | 2000 | |
| Unknown |
Honoured Members
- 1994/95, Darren Durdle,Paul Hannant British League Division One Allstar
- 1995/96, Steve Chartrand, British League Division One Allstar
- 1995/96, Ryan Kummu, British League Division One Allstar
Head Coaches
- 1990-91 Pete Murray
- 1991-92 Doug McKay
- 1992-94 Steve Moria
- 1994-95 Mark Stokes & Rocky Saganiuk
- 1995-96 Ryan Kummu
- 1996-98 Jim Pennycook
- 1998-07 Bobby Haig
- 2007-08 Ian Hough & John Dunford
- 2008-09 Neil Abel & Les Millie
Team Captains
- 1995-96 John Haig
- 1996-97 Neil Abel
- 1997-98 Neil Abel & Simon Mills
- 1998-99 Simon Mills
- 2002-03 Gordon Whyte
- 2004-06 Neal Haworth
- 2006-08 Michael Brunton
External links
- Blackburn Hawks
- KIPAX Sports Photography, matchday photographs of the Blackburn Hawks