Nottingham Panthers: Difference between revisions

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The GMB Nottingham Panthers are a British Ice Hockey team who play in the city of Nottingham, England. They play their home games at the National Ice Centre and have one of the largest fanbases of any club in English ice hockey. The club are members of the Elite Ice Hockey League.

The Panthers were originally formed in 1946, using players imported from Winnipeg, Canada such as Chick Zamick and Les Strongman. The origin of the name 'Panthers' is unknown and remains 'one of the greatest mysteries of sport in Nottingham.' The club closed down in 1960 but were reformed in 1980.

Until 2000 they played at the Nottingham Ice Stadium, affectionately known to Panthers supporters as 'The Barn.' The Panthers moved to the new National Ice Centre (NIC) building at the start of the 2000-01 season. The Ice Stadium was demolished soon after the final game there to allow for the NIC's completition.

The Panthers are one of the best supported teams in the United Kingdom with an average attendance of 4,134 for the 2005-06 season. Games with arch rivals Sheffield Steelers regularly attract over 6,000 fans.

The club's head coach is Mike Ellis, who was appointed in May 2006. He had previously coached the Bracknell Bees, leading them to the British National League title and Winter Cup in the 2004-05 season and to the EPIHL Cup in 2005-06.

It is common practice in ice hockey to retire the shirt numbers of those players who have been great servants of the club. The Panthers have retired the shirt numbers of Randall Weber (#10), Greg Hadden (#11) and Paul Adey (#22) in recognition of their service as players. The shirt number of Gary Rippingale (#3) was retired as mark of respect following Rippingale's sudden and tragic death at the age of 18.

File:Kewardg.jpg

Gary Keward, the man who brought the Panthers back to Nottingham

Club Roster 06/07

Netminders

#04 Rastislav Rovnianek
#20 Geoff Woolhouse

Defencemen

#02 Jan Krajicek
#19 Danny Meyers
#42 Paul Moran
#53 Mike Rees
#76 Corey Neilson

Forwards

#05 David Clarke
#08 Matthew Myers
#09 James Cooke
#12 James Neil
#13 Steve Simoes
#17 James Ferrara
#24 Joe Cardarelli
#27 Ryan Shmyr
#28 Matus Petricko
#37 Sean McAslan
#38 Rod Stevens

Honours

League

League Championships

Season	League	Games	Wins	Losses	Ties	Points
1950-51	English National League	30	18	9	3	39
1953-54	English National League	24	15	5	4	34
1955-56	Autumn Cup	24	16	6	2	34
1955-56	British National League	32	17	14	1	35

Championship

Winners

Season	Opponent	Venue	Score
1988-89	Ayr Bruins	Wembley Arena	6-3

Beaten Finalist

Season	Opponent	Venue	Score
1959-60	Brighton Tigers	Home/Away	5-6 (OT)
1991-92	Durham Wasps	Wembley Arena	6-7
1995-96	Sheffield Steelers	Wembley Arena	3-4 (PS)
1996-97	Sheffield Steelers	Nynex Arena	1-3
1998-99	Cardiff Devils	Nynex Arena	1-2
2003-04	Sheffield Steelers	National Ice Centre	1-2
2004-05	Coventry Blaze	National Ice Centre	1-2 (OT)

Autumn Cup

Winners

Season	Opponent	Venue	Score
1986-87	Fife Flyers	NEC	5-4 (OT)
1991-92	Humberside Seahawks	Sheffield Arena	7-5
1994-95	Cardiff Devils	Sheffield Arena	7-2
1996-97	Ayr Scottish Eagles	Sheffield Arena	5-3
1998-99	Ayr Scottish Eagles	Sheffield Arena	2-1

Beaten Finalist

Season	Opponent	Venue	Score
1995-96	Sheffield Steelers	Sheffield Arena	2-5

Challenge Cup

Winners

Season	Opponent	Venue	Score
2003-04	Sheffield Steelers	Home/Away	4-3 (OT)

Season	Opponent	Venue	Score
1998-99	Sheffield Steelers	Sheffield Arena	0-4
1999-00	Sheffield Steelers	London Arena	1-2
2002-03	Sheffield Steelers	MEN Arena	2-3

External links

@@ Line 9: / Line 9: @@
    city = [[Nottingham]], [[United Kingdom]] |
    colours = Gold & Black or Black & Silver|
+   captain = David Clarke  |
    coach = Mike Ellis |
    ownership = Aladdin Management Ltd. |