Manchester Storm
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| Manchester Storm | |
| League | Ice Hockey Super League |
| Founded | 1995 |
| History | 1995 - 2002 |
| Arena | Manchester Evening News Arena |
| Capacity | 17,245 |
| City | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Team Colours | White, Purple & Blue |
The Manchester Storm was an ice hockey team from Manchester, England. The team formed in 1995, playing their home games at the then newly built Nynex Arena (since renamed to the MEN Arena). Storm won the British League Division One in their first season, watched by an average crowd of 6,342. Success in the end of season promotion/relegation play-offs followed, resulting in Storm being promoted to the British Premier League. However, Britain's league structure was changed in 1996, with the formation of the Superlague, of which the Manchester team were a founder member. This was alongside Ayr Scottish Eagles, Basingstoke, Bracknell, Cardiff, Newcastle, Nottingham and Sheffield. The highs of the inaugural season weren't matched in season 2 though, and Storm finished a disappointing. 7th in the league. This led to the sacking of coach John Lawless. American Kurt Kleinendorst was brought in for the 97/98 season, and he completely changed the face of the playing staff. There were 12 new faces on the 19 strong roster when the season started, and they went on to make history for a British club in the European Hockey League. As well as holding the mighty Dynamo Moscow (Ice Hockey) to a regulation time draw (losing 2-3 in overtime), they did the double over Sparta Prague, winning 7-0 at home and 4-3 in the Czech capital.
Storm hold the record for the largest ice hockey attendance in Britain, set on February 23, 1997, when 17,245 people watched a match against the Sheffield Steelers. At the time, this was also a European record. The team folded in 2002 after running into financial problems.
A supporters group was formed following the collapse of Manchester Storm, and formed a new team called the Manchester Phoenix. Phoenix only played for one season, 2003/04, before deciding to sit out the next two seasons in order to build their own rink, rather than continuing to rent the excellent yet expensive Manchester Evening News Arena. The Phoenix are competing in the 2006/07 season and will move into a new home rink soon (Altrincham Ice Dome).
[edit] Past Managers/Head Coaches
- John Lawless 1995-1997
- Kurt Kleinendorst 1997-2000
- Terry Christensen 2000-2001
- Daryl Lipsey 2001-2002
- Rob Wilson 2001-2002 (assistant)
[edit] Honours
- Superleague Winners 1998-1999
- Benson and Hedges Cup Winners (former Autumn Cup) 1999-2000
