London Knights (UK)

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London Knights
London Knights UK logo.png
City London, United Kingdom
League Ice Hockey Superleague
1998 - 2003
Founded1998
Folded2003
Home arena London Arena
(capacity: 12,500)
ColoursRed, navy blue, gold, white
    
Owner(s) Anschutz Entertainment Group
Head coach Flag of Sweden.svg Jim Brithén
Captain Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Paul Rushforth
ECM uniform Lodon Knights.png
Championships
Playoff championships 2000

London Knights was an English ice hockey team based in London. They played in the UK's Ice Hockey Superleague between September 1998 and April 2003.

Contents

History

The Knights were founded in 1998 by Anschutz Entertainment Group in the hope of being able to partake in the British ice hockey boom of the 1990s, when teams like Manchester Storm and Sheffield Steelers drew in large crowds of up to 8000 on average and up to 17,000 in single games. Anschutz hoped that a London-based team would help raise the awareness of the sport not only in London, but in the whole of the UK. Furthermore, the team was founded in order to help make the financially struggling London Arena (which was co-owned by Anschutz and SMG) more profitable.

The team shared its name with the Ontario Hockey League team, the London Knights, but they had nothing to do with each other as the origin of the name came from the then policy of Anschutz Entertainment Group to brand its ice hockey franchises with a regal theme associated with its flagship Los Angeles Kings NHL franchise, hence the Ontario Reign, Reading Royals and the Manchester Monarchs and Munich Barons, both of whom are now defunct as well.

The Knights enjoyed some success in their brief existence. They won the British Super League playoffs in 2000, thus becoming British league champion, but their biggest success was reaching the final of the Continental Cup in 2001, becoming the first British team to do so and being the most successful British team in the history of the tournament until it was won by the Nottingham Panthers in 2017. They beat HC Slovan Bratislava 5:2 and the Munich Barons 4:1, but lost to the ZSC Lions 0:1.

They were coached by Jim Fuyarchuk, Chris McSorley, Bob Leslie and Jim Brithén. McSorley would later go on to coach Great Britain and work as assistant coach to Team Canada. His brother Marty McSorley, then of the Boston Bruins, was almost signed by the Knights while serving a 100-game ban in the NHL. [1] [2]

Despite their on-ice success, their attendance figures were always rather disappointing as they never drew much more than 3000 people on average [3] - which certainly wasn't bad considering that before the Knights, there hadn't been a professional ice hockey team in London for decades, but on the other hand, there was certainly much more potential, considering the size of the town, the attendance figures of the other teams in the league and the fact that the arena could hold up to 12,500 people and Anschutz invested much in marketing.

In 2003, the team's arena, the London Arena, was sold, and the team were left homeless. There were hopes they would find a temporary home for two years before moving to the O2 Arena in 2005, [4] but when the Superleague folded after the 2002–03 season, the team announced that it would "not be icing" in the following season, and never returned.

After the demise of the Superleague, the Elite Ice Hockey League was founded as its replacement, and the London Racers were established as a successor to the Knights, but they were much more low-profile and played at a much smaller venue, and after only two and a half seasons, they folded in late 2005 due to safety problems at their home venue. Since then, there hasn't been a London-based ice hockey team in the top-tier league again.

Season history

Chris McSorley, the Knights' head coach from 1999 to 2001. Fribourg Gotteron vs. Geneve Servette, 6th March 2010 - Chris Mac Sorley.jpg
Chris McSorley, the Knights' head coach from 1999 to 2001.

Superleague

This table shows the Knights' standings and results [5] in the British Ice Hockey Superleague.

The team finished bottom of the league in their first season, but followed that in the 1999-2000 season by winning the playoffs, beating the Newcastle Jesters 7–3 in the final.

SEASONGPWTLOTWOTLGFGATPRANKPOSTSEASON
1998 - 1999 4210325-4114183278Qualification
1999 - 2000 4223315-1135125504Champion
2000 - 2001 4818-1776143130744Finalist
2001 - 2002 48141321--130145416Semifinalist
2002 - 2003 3211812-18790314Finalist

Continental Cup

The Knights became the first British team to reach the finals of the Continental Cup in January 2001, where they narrowly missed taking the title at their first attempt. Their run included a surprise 4-1 win over Anschutz stablemates the Munich Barons, and only a 1-0 loss to eventual champions Zurich Lions denied them further glory. Their silver medal was considered a major success for a British side. [6]

SeasonRoundGPWTLOTWOTLGFGATPRANK
2000 - 2001 Second Group Stage3210--15251
Final Group Stage3201--9442
2001 - 2002 Second Group Stage3111--111233

Bensons and Hedges Cup

The Knights performed well in the Bensons and Hedges Cup, making two semifinals and one final in three seasons.

SeasonRound
1998 - 1999 Semifinal
1999 - 2000 Final
2000 - 2001 Semifinal

Challenge Cup

The Knights also took part in the Challenge Cup, making three semifinals in five seasons.

SeasonRound
1998 - 1999 First round
1999 - 2000 Semifinal
2000 - 2001 Semifinal
2001 - 2002 First round
2002 - 2003 Semifinal

All-time roster

The majority of Knights players were Canadian-born; only a handful were British natives. Rich Bronilla is the most-capped Knights player with 125 appearances, and fellow Canadian Ian McIntyre was London's top scorer, with 25 goals. The following is a list of players who played for the Knights. [7]

Player NameGPGAPtsPIMSeasonsYrs.Pos.BirthdateBirthplaceHighest Level
Gerad Adams 4948121762001-20032D1978-04-03 Regina, CanadaMinor Pro
Kim Ahlroos 75203454322001-20032F1971-07-02 Helsinki, Finland European Elite
Domenic Amodeo 815622001-20021C1968-03-06 Mississauga, CanadaMinor Pro
Steve Aronson244913102002-20031R1978-07-15 Minnetonka, United States Minor Pro
Tom Ashe3751116481999-20001D1974-06-07 Springfield, United States Minor Pro
Peter Åslin 600001998-19991G1962-09-21 Norrtälje, Sweden European Elite
Scott Bailey 100022001-20021G1972-05-02 Calgary, CanadaMajor League
Darren Banks 2382101011999-20001L1966-03-18 Toronto, CanadaMajor League
Mike Barrie482024441402001-20021C1974-03-17 Kelowna, CanadaMinor Pro
Andy Bezeau 11156441999-20001L1970-03-30 Saint John, CanadaMinor Pro
Sean Blanchard67111829382001-20032D1978-03-29 Sudbury, CanadaMinor Pro
Aaron Boh 22134202000-20011D1974-04-04 Lethbridge, CanadaMinor Pro
Rick Brebant 1991423321999-20001C1964-02-21 Chelmsford, CanadaMinor Pro
Rich Bronilla125224062762000-20033D1975-07-15 Mississauga, CanadaMinor Pro
Mark Bultje 3972027661999-20001C1973-06-08 Etobicoke, CanadaMinor Pro
Greg Burke79916251371999-20033D1969-03-12 Boston, United States Minor Pro
John Byce 2911182961999-20001R1967-08-09 Madison, United States Major League
Scott Campbell 10022181999-20001D1972-01-22 Glasgow, United Kingdom Minor Pro
Jason Campeau3371017121998-19991C1974-10-23 Ottawa, CanadaMinor Pro
Debb Carpenter 347613201998-19991R1972-08-11 Edmonton, CanadaMinor Pro
Mark Cavallin 5302241998-20002G1971-10-20 Mississauga, CanadaMinor Pro
Nicky Chinn161231052000-20011F1972-09-14 Cardiff, United Kingdom European Lower Leagues
David Clarke 1021302001-20021L1981-08-05 Peterborough, United Kingdom European Lower Leagues
Ian Cooper 5471522771998-20002R1968-11-29 Durham, United Kingdom European Lower Leagues
Dean Crossland200002001-20021G1974-05-21 Penticton, CanadaMinor Pro
Troy Crowder 16235711998-19991R1968-05-03 Sudbury, CanadaMajor League
Brent Cullaton 411221999-20001W1974-11-12 Petawawa, CanadaMinor Pro
Andrew Dale2641115201998-19991C1976-02-16 Greater Sudbury, CanadaMinor Pro
Dom DiGiorgio100002001-20021G1977-01-09 Niagara Falls, CanadaMinor Pro
Rob Donovan4111314962001-20021D1970-05-26 Boston, United States Minor Pro
Shane Dungey37088381998-19991D1973-09-21 Richmond Hill, CanadaMinor Pro
Ryan Duthie 2161521161999-20001C1974-09-02 Red Deer, CanadaMinor Pro
Mark Dutiaume 1010162000-20011L1977-01-31 Winnipeg, CanadaMinor Pro
Bruce Eakin 1131215221998-19991C1962-09-28 Winnipeg, CanadaMajor League
Jussi Eloranta1121342000-20011F1976-03-07 Turku, Finland Minor Pro
Pat Ferschweiler 3931720262000-20011R1970-02-20 Rochester, United States Minor Pro
Eric Flinton39161733241998-19991L1972-02-02 Williams Lake, CanadaMinor Pro
Greg Gatto286511561998-19991R1971-01-01 Lethbridge, CanadaMinor Pro
Kelly Glowa20891741998-19991C1963-08-11 Fort Saint John, CanadaMinor Pro
Jamie Hanlon100002000-20011F1968-08-11 Montreal, CanadaMinor Pro
Mike Harding3791221491998-19991R1971-02-24 Edmonton, CanadaMinor Pro
Peter Hasselblad18459121998-19991D1966-04-20 Långbro, Sweden European Elite
Jeff Hoad 73242953661999-20032C1973-01-26 Brandon, CanadaMinor Pro
Bill Huard 110142000-20011L1967-06-24 Welland, CanadaMajor League
Marc Hussey3961319581999-20001D1974-01-22 Chatham, CanadaMinor Pro
Shane Johnson 3661117481998-19991D1974-01-01 Brandon, CanadaEuropean Lower Leagues
Jeff Johnstone722421999-20001R1975-09-21 Niagara Falls, CanadaMinor Pro
Jonas Junkka1223501998-19991D1975-05-04 Kiruna, Sweden Minor Pro
Claude Jutras411514292602000-20011R1973-09-18 Hampstead, CanadaMinor Pro
A.J. Kelham911222002-20031C1974-03-30 Vancouver, CanadaMinor Pro
Mike Kelleher2413481998-19991D1973-03-29 Brookline, United States Minor Pro
Rob Kenny 39172340631999-20001R1968-10-19 Bronx, United States Minor Pro
Scott Kirton4071421421998-19991R1971-10-04 Penetanguishene, CanadaMinor Pro
Mikko Koivunoro 4792130362000-20011C1971-11-12 Joensuu, Finland European Elite
Mark Kolesar 124235174882000-20033C1973-01-23 Neepawa, CanadaMajor League
Martin Krainz20336161998-19991D1967-05-25 Klagenfurt, Austria European Lower Leagues
Nate Leslie626612522001-20032W1977-09-28 Winnipeg, CanadaMinor Pro
Ake Lilljebjorn900002002-20031G1969-09-23 Ludvika, Sweden European Elite
Corey Lyons301382181998-19991R1970-06-13 Calgary, CanadaMinor Pro
Maurizio Mansi 77192847482001-20032F1965-09-03 Montreal, CanadaMinor Pro
Terry Marchant 2951116122000-20011C1976-02-24 Buffalo, United States Minor Pro
Neal Martin 86142741691999-20012D1975-09-08 Greater Sudbury, CanadaMinor Pro
Dennis Maxwell3097161102002-20031L1974-06-04 Dauphin, CanadaMinor Pro
Ian McIntyre80252752942001-20032L1974-02-12 Montreal, CanadaMinor Pro
Sonny Mignacca901141998-19991G1974-01-04 Winnipeg, CanadaMinor Pro
Jesper Morin17224221998-19991F1975-05-27 Malmö, Sweden Minor Pro
Dave Morissette 132131172000-20011L1971-12-24 Baie-Comeau, CanadaMajor League
Tim Murray 4011011261999-20001D1974-11-14 Calgary, CanadaMinor Pro
Jay Neal48161531242000-20011R1970-06-03 Oshawa, CanadaMinor Pro
Barry Nieckar 182021431999-20001L1967-12-16 Rama, CanadaMajor League
Ed Patterson 412322002-20031R1972-11-14 Calgary, CanadaMajor League
Randy Perry 4811819322000-20011D1976-06-19 Edmonton, CanadaMinor Pro
Nick Poole4271623221998-19991C1973-07-11 Calgary, CanadaMinor Pro
Brent Pope 513462000-20011D1973-02-20 Hamilton, CanadaMinor Pro
Pasi Raitanen100001998-19991G1971-05-13 Forssa, Finland European Elite
Bryan Richardson45173047422000-20011C1973-07-28 Montreal, CanadaMinor Pro
Grant Richison 32268492000-20011D1967-05-05 Detroit, United States Minor Pro
Trevor Robins7002241999-20023G1972-05-31 Brandon, CanadaMinor Pro
Trevor Roenick3013922202001-20021R1974-10-07 Derby, United States Minor Pro
Paul Rushforth1202144654011999-20034C1974-04-22 Prince George, CanadaMinor Pro
Vezio Sacratini 73203858682001-20032F1966-09-12 Lasalle, CanadaEuropean Lower Leagues
Claudio Scremin 4072633181999-20001D1968-05-28 Burnaby, CanadaMajor League
Doug Searle23123152001-20021D1972-03-21 Toronto, CanadaMinor Pro
Shawn Silver2100002000-20011G1975-09-06 Thunder Bay, CanadaMinor Pro
Chris Slater321671352002-20031D1974-12-25 Mattawan, United States Minor Pro
Greg Smyth 9000421999-20001D1966-04-23 Oakville, CanadaMajor League
Lee Sorochan 8134482000-20011D1975-09-09 Edmonton, CanadaMajor League
Regan Stocco26134241998-19991D1975-08-16 Guelph, CanadaMinor Pro
Darren Stolk9022101998-19991D1968-07-22 Taber, CanadaMinor Pro
David Struch 2931114182001-20021C1971-02-11 Flin Flon, CanadaMajor League
Travis Thiessen2821113281998-19991D1972-07-11 North Battleford, CanadaMinor Pro
Steve Thornton 15371082001-20021C1973-03-08 Gloucester, CanadaMinor Pro
Mikael Tjallden 33022632000-20011D1975-02-16 Sollefteå, Sweden European Elite
David Trofimenkoff5402222001-20032G1975-01-20 Calgary, CanadaEuropean Lower Leagues
David Vallieres822482000-20011L1974-07-14 Juneau, United States Minor Pro
Darby Walker 29134602000-20011F1974-08-05 Beaverlodge, CanadaMinor Pro
Shawn Wansborough11022571999-20001L1974-06-03 Deseronto, CanadaMinor Pro
Mike Ware 6186141231999-20022R1967-03-22 York, CanadaMajor League
Todd Wetzel33111122221999-20001C1973-09-03 Sarnia, CanadaMinor Pro
Ken Wotherspoon100001998-19991G1978-06-01 United Kingdom European Lower Leagues
Brendan Yarema 391716331392000-20011C1976-07-16 Sault Ste. Marie, CanadaMinor Pro

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References

  1. "Ice Hockey: McSorley foiled by ban". Daily Telegraph. 23 January 2001. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  2. Newman, Paul (20 March 2001). "Ice Hockey: McSorley unable to sign brother". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  3. Geering. "Hockeyarenas.net". www.hockeyarenas.net.
  4. Crosse, Simon (27 March 2003). "Ice Hockey: Knights' future in doubt". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  5. "London Knights". Elite Prospects. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  6. Newman, Paul (2001). "Ice Hockey: McSorley savours surprise success". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  7. "London Knights (UK) history". Hockey DataBase. Retrieved 16 September 2017.