Vectis Tigers

The Vectis Tigers are an amateur English ice hockey team from the Isle of Wight, they are currently in pool A of the southern conference of the ENIHL. Although no promotion or relegation system exists between the leagues, the ENIHL is seen as the third tier of English ice hockey. The Isle of Wight also have a team in the EPIHL called the Wightlink Raiders although they play at the same arena the teams currently are not linked in any way.
Currently all Vectis Tigers players pay for their own training and travel, although there are sponsorship opportunities available for the forthcoming season.

History

At the end of the 2006/2007 hockey season the EIHA (English Ice Hockey Association) made a decision that the current junior ice hockey format in England needed updating. After much discussion it was agreed that juniors would now end at 'under 18s'. This left many Junior players across the country with a sudden loss of teams to play for. Players not good enough for the English Premier League (EPIHL) but who didn't just want to play Recreational (Rec) hockey were left with only one choice but to play in the ENIHL (Formally English Division 1). Roy Meadows along with the help and support of Campbell MacFarlane as well as many other committed helpers formed the basis of what became the Vectis Tigers.

After a failed attempt a few years previous of bringing an ED1 team to the Isle of Wight, it was great news in July 2007 it was announced the Vectis Tigers had been accepted to play in the Southern group of the ENL.

The Tigers unfortunately haven't had the best of starts to their history, losing their first 15 games of their opening season, However, there have been moments where the Tigers have pound for pound matched some of the better teams in the league. On February 17th 2008, the Vectis Tigers recorded their first competitive win in the clubs history, beating namesakes the Telford ENL Tigers 5-2 in the last game of the season.

Tigers Tournament May 10th/11th 2008 Winners - Lee Valley Lions

2008-2009

The first names for the 2008-2009 roster were announced 08/08/08 and include returnees Micheal Treadwell and 2007-2008s players player Aaron Taylor joined by former Solihull Barons player Elliott Foley. Micheal Palin and Joe Osborne return as Captain and Alternate respectively while Ex-Wightlink Raiders player Steve Gosset makes the move down to the ENL to concentrate on his studying.

Team Roster

Coaching Staff

Goaltenders

Defencemen

• Non EIHA Traned
• (A)
• EIHA Trained

Forwards

• (A)
• - Captain
• EIHA Trained

Notes and references

iwcp: http://www.iwcp.co.uk/Sport/Ice_Hockey/MK_STEAL_TIGERS_DEBUT_THUNDER_1.aspx

     http://www.iwcp.co.uk/Sport/Ice_Hockey/TIGERS_AIM_TO_WIN_THEIR_STRIPES.aspx

oxford mail: http://www.oxfordmail.net/display.var.1716731.0.ice_hockey_tigers_are_mauled_by_rampant_stars.php

External links

• Vectis Tigers Myspace page''' - Vectis Tigers on Myspace