Slough Jets

Slough Jets are an ice hockey team from Slough, Berkshire, England playing in the NIHL South Division 1. The team was founded in 1986 after the construction of the Slough Ice Arena in Montem Lane in Slough and joined the first division of the British League. With the help of Gary Stefan who had previously been with Streatham Redskins, the Slough Jets were formed.

Slough Jets
CitySlough, Berkshire
LeagueNIHL South Division 1
Founded1986
Home arenaThe Hangar
ColorsRed, White, and Blue
     
General manager Steve English
Head coach Lukas Smital
WebsiteSlough Jets
Franchise history
1986 – PresentSlough Jets

The Slough Jets are one of the few clubs in the UK who from their foundation have continued to play to the present day without interruption or a change of name.

The British Hockey League years 1986-96

It did not take long for Slough Jets to make their mark, winning the London Cup in 1989 . They followed this up by winning the Southern Cup and the British League Division One the following season, but they lost the final of the promotion play-off and so did not move up to the Premier Division.[1]

The Jets were runners-up in Division One for three of the next four seasons, before winning the Division and the promotion play-off in 1995, thus moving up to the Premier Division.

The British National League years 1996-2002

After a brief settling-in period in the new league structure, the Jets won more silverware in 1998, capturing the Benson & Hedges Plate,[1] and also finishing second in the BNL Southern Premier League the same year. The following season, 1998–99, was the most successful in the club's history to that point, as they won the British National League for the first time.[1] They were also runners-up in the British National League Play-offs, losing to Fife Flyers on penalties.

The club were beaten finalists in the Benson & Hedges Plate in 2000, and this was also the year that one of their greatest players, Gary Stefan, was elected to the Great Britain Hall of Fame.[2] The next few years were to be a fallow spell for the club, who were actually disbanded in 2002 due to financial problems, but were re-formed the same year.

The English Premier Ice Hockey League years 2002-2014

In 2002 Teal & White Ltd took over the management of the Slough Jets.[1] In their first EPIHL season the Jets finished 3rd and qualified for the play-offs. In the following year they made the Final of the play-offs.

There was another change of ownership in 2005 as Slapshot Ltd took over the running of the club.[1]

Jets took runner up in the league in 2005–06, 2007–08 and 2009–10 but never made it to league champions. They were successful in the post season play-offs, winning the titles in the 2007–08, 2009–10 and 2011–12 seasons. They also claimed the Premier Cup in 2011.[1]

The final EPIHL season ended with the Jets struggling financially and coach Craig Moran having to hold together a team after Head coach Slava Koulikov left part way through the season [3] along with other players.[4] The Jets finished bottom of the 10 team league and failed to make the play-offs.

End of the Professional era

In 2014 the Slough Jets ceased professional competition following a decision by Slapshot Ltd to exit the English Premier Ice Hockey League (EPIHL) which was the 2nd tier of British Ice hockey at the time.[5] The Slough Jets name continued with its existing amateur senior team in the National Ice Hockey League South 2 division and the Junior club. It was alleged that some supporters saw the move by the owners to end the professional era to effectively be the end of the club they supported. A move was made by Gary Stefan and Jets media man Mark Denholm [6] to create a new EPIHL team at the rink but attempts to secure ice time were not successful.[7]

A Slough Jets legends match was setup and played on July 14, 2014 to honour the clubs professional history and raise money for charity.[8]

The National Ice Hockey League years 2014 - current

Slough Jets currently play in the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) South 1 Britton Division, which is the third tier of UK hockey.[9] After winning NIHL2 league and National honours in the 2018/19 season, Slough Jets senior team moved to a 10 team NIHL1 division for 2019/20 season in a revised English Ice hockey league structure which introduced a new second-tier league called the NIHL National hockey league.[10]

Background to amateur side

The Slough Jets ENL side had already been formed in 2010 to replace the disbanded Slough Harrier Hawks side and provide a bridge for young players to move from junior hockey to senior hockey. Craig Moran initially took on the Head coach role before resuming his Assistant Manager role for the EPIHL side. When professional hockey ceased in Slough, the Slough Jets NIHL side became the top level of Senior mens hockey at the venue. The coach for the amateur side for the 2014/15 season was Tony Milton.[11]

2014/15

The season was a success as they stormed to the title losing just one match in regular season play from their 6 team league. Franchise owner and player Zoran Kosic leading the points scoring with 48 points and notable performances from Alan Green and exciting Slough U18 pair Ben and Josh Ealey-Newman. Jets lost in the final of the playoffs however 4–0 to the Bristol Pitbulls.[12]

2015/16

Player departures affected the side with Zoran Kosic leaving and Alan Green [13] and the Ealey-Newman brothers headed to Oxford.[14] Nathan Darmanin was the top points scorer with 18 points as Jets only won 4 of 19 matches, finished 5 in their 6 team league and didn't make the play-offs.

2016/17

With the closure of the rink for refurbishment, the team training in Guildford and Bracknell ice rinks and some fixture cancellations,[15][16] the team struggled throughout the season. Player injuries and fixture congestion [17] due to lack of ice whilst a temporary rink was constructed meant they could only finish bottom of the league with 4 victories to their name. Top points scorer again was Nathan Darmanin with 25 points.

New player coach arrives

In June 2017 it was announced that the former Bracknell Bees and Guildford Flames forward Lukas Smital was joining Slough Jets as player-coach to replace the departing Tony Milton.[18] Smital took on a side who had struggled the previous season and finished bottom of their league of 6 teams. He was joined by former Bee and Slough player Joe Ciccarello as his assistant.

2017/18

Backstopped by impressive veteran Netminder Chris Douglas and with a mix of youth and experienced players, Slough finished a creditable 7th out of 13 teams in an expanded league structure [19] achieving unexpected results against strong Chelmsford, Peterborough and Bracknell sides as Jets turned their temporary rink into a very difficult place to go and get a result.

Lukas Smital himself was top points scorer for the Jets with 67. Chris Douglas and Lukas Smital made the NIHL2 South first All-Star team.[20] Luke Reynolds who joined the club part way through the season from Milton Keynes Thunder made the NIHL2 South second All-Star team [21]

2018/19

Following their return to the 'Hangar', the team showed good form and produced a series of victories to lead the league. Wins against the Solent Devils home and away being the decisive results. Jets were tied on points with Solent Devils after victory against Peterborough Phantoms 2 in the final match of the season but were awarded the league title due to the head to head results.

After achieving the NIHL2 South title, the Slough Jets went to Coventry Skydome to play the NIHL2 North champions Widnes Wild for the NIHL2 National title . Man of the Match Sean Norris did the damage as Slough Jets came out victors 7-1 [22]

The play-offs were less successful as the Slough Jets went out with a heavy 9–3 defeat in the semi-finals to eventual champions Chelmsford Chieftains in a match which was missing influential player-coach Lukas Smital.

Top points scorer for the Jets during the season was Lukas Smital with 84 points. Lukas Smital again made the NIHL2 South first All-Star team.[20] Sean Norris and Sam Talbot made the NIHL2 South second All-Star team [21]

2019/20

Jets re-signed Lukas Smital and the core of the NIHL2 South title winning side including Matt Smital in net, Lindgren, Reynolds, Rose, Talbot and Norris. In defence the experienced Matt Jordan came in from Bracknell. Lukas Smital announced his retirement from playing at the age of 44.[23] The club also moved to the NIHL 1 South Britton division.

The Jets made a strong start to their life in NIHL1 by leading the division at the end of the first month with Sean Norris winning Player of the Month.[24] They were unable to carry on this form though and a severe concussion injury to key forward Sean Norris against Oxford City Stars on October 13 [25] put him out of the side for several weeks and a further injury against Milton Keynes Thunder upon his brief return saw him sidelined again before he made a decision to leave the club. Norris left the club to join the NIHL National Basingstoke Bison full time and was followed there in mid-January by Sam Talbot further weakening the Jets side. Despite the loss of two key forward players and injuries to others, the emergence of junior players kept the club competitive and a top 4 spot still looked a possibility. By March the Jets still had several games in hand on other sides in the top 4 as the COVID-19 pandemic struck.

COVID-19 and Season cancelled

After the Elite Ice Hockey League announced it was cancelling the season on March 13 [26] the EIHA made a statement that fixtures for the weekend were expected to continue.[27] Chelmsford Chieftains cancelled the away fixture on March 14 citing players self isolating as well as concerns for player and supporter safety. Slough Jets cancelled their away fixture on March 15 against Bracknell Hornets as it became clear of the risk and concern amongst the players, supporters and their families. The EIHA made a decision to cancel the season the day after on March 16.[28] The EIHA decided to award Bracknell Hornets a 5–0 victory for Slough Jets refusing to travel which moved them above Slough in the table and all other remaining fixtures were marked completed with no points awarded.[29] This resulted in Slough Jets finishing the season 6th in the table.

Despite leaving the Jets mid season, Sam Talbot was voted onto the second NIHL1 South All-Star team.[30]

The 'Hangar'

The Slough Jets' home rink is the Slough Ice Arena, which is also known as the "Hangar". A complete renovation of the rink begun in November 2016 [31] with the reopening of the refurbished and remodelled facility in April 2018. Whilst renovations where carried out, the Jets played out of a temporary facility located in the leisure centre car park.[32] In 2020 a NIHL National league team the Bees (formally Bracknell Bees) moved to the rink following the closure of the John Nike Leisuresport ice rink facility in Bracknell.[33] The teams announced a desire to work together for mutual success and to develop players.[34]

Slough Jets Juniors

The Slough Jets have a full junior programme with everything from 'Learn to play' programme to teams in all the junior age groups; under 9s, under-11s, under-13s, under-15s and under-18s. The Jets junior structure is part of the same organisation as the senior team with U18 players being included in senior training and match day squads.

Famous Jets

Future Oscar winner Gareth Unwin, who produced The King's Speech, once played for the team.

Season-by-season record
Blaž Emeršič scoring a penalty shot goal for Jets' EPIHL Play-Off Champions title in 2009–10

This is a partial list of the last ten seasons completed by the Jets. For the full season-by-season history, see List of Slough Jets seasons.

Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses, Pts = Points, GF = Goals for, GA = Goals against, PIM = Penalties in minutes, POS = Position in league table at end of season

Note: *2019-20 season cut short due to COVID-19 pandemic. Points awarded or remaining games annulled[29]

Note: **2020-21 is the current season, last updated 21 December 2021 - Slough announced intention to form a team in NIHL1 South. It is not known if there will be participation due to the ongoing pandemic.

SeasonLeagueGPWTOTLLGFGAPTSPIM POS
2010-11 EPIHL 55 41 0 0 14 249 175 83 590 3
2011-12 EPIHL 54 33 0 2 19 228 175 68 - 4
2012-13EPIHL5430022219618462676 5
2013-14EPIHL5417033416024637- 10
2014-15NIHL2 (SE)20190011464138414 1
2015-16NIHL2 (SE)2041015771489375 5
2016-17NIHL2 (SE)20440126710312550 6
2017-18NIHL2 (S)2612001410415324618 7
2018-19NIHL2 (S)28250122048151475 1
2019-20*NIHL1 (S)3613321313112434429 6
2020-21**NIHL1 (S)000000000 -

Franchise scoring leaders

These are the top-ten point-scorers in franchise history. Figures are updated after each completed EPIHL regular season.

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games Played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; * = current Jets player

Franchise individual records
  • Most goals in a season: Derek Higdon, 96 (1993–94)
  • Most assists in a season: Brian Mason, 112 (1993–94)
  • Most points in a season: Scott Rex, 192 (1993–94)
  • Most penalty minutes in a season: Mike Flanagan, 252 (1995–96)
  • Most goals in a season, defenceman: Brian Mason, 48 (1993–94)
  • Most assists in a season, defenceman: Brian Mason, 74 (1990–91)
  • Most points in a season, defenceman: Brian Mason, 160 (1993–94)

Club roster 2020–21
Netminders
No. Nat. Player Catches Date of birth Place of birth Acquired Contract
29 Matthew Smital L (1999-06-16) 16 June 1999 Brno, Czech Republic 2018 from Swindon Wildcats 20/21
Defencemen
No. Nat. Player Shoots Date of birth Place of birth Acquired Contract
10 Timo Lindgren R (1993-10-27) 27 October 1993 Slough, England 2008 from Bracknell Stingers 20/21
13 Liam Clark R (2002-04-13) 13 April 2002 London, England 2018 from Bracknell Drones 20/21
55 Matt Jordan R (1988-01-16) 16 January 1988 Basingstoke, England 2018 from Bracknell Hornets 20/21
Forwards
No. Nat. Player Shoots Date of birth Place of birth Acquired Contract
2 Adam Rosbottom 1996 (24) England 2018 from Unattached 20/21
24 Dan Rose R (1991-12-16) 16 December 1991 Isleworth, England 2018 from Streatham IHC 20/21
54 Christian Mohr 2003 (17) England 2016 from Bracknell Hummers 20/21
90 Jacob Soper R (2002-12-22) 22 December 2002 Oxford, England 2016 from Oxford City Stars 20/21
TBA Jamie Chandler L (1996-04-26) 26 April 1996 Slough, England 2020 from Milton Keynes Thunder 20/21
TBA Conor Redmond R (1995-03-29) 29 March 1995 Glasgow, Scotland 2020 from Invicta Dynamos 20/21
TBA Luke Smital R (2003-02-11) 11 February 2003 Johnstown, Pennsylvania, USA 2020 from VSK Technika Brno 20/21

2020/21 Outgoing
Outgoing
No. Nat. Player Shoots Date of birth Place of birth Leaving For

Club honours
The Slough Ice Arena
  • 2018-19
    • NIHL 2 - Division Winners 2018-19
    • NIHL 2 - National Champions Winners 2018-19
  • 2014–15
    • NIHL 2 - Division Winners 2011–12
  • 2010–11
    • English Premier Cup Champions
  • 2009–10
    • EPIHL Play-Off Champions
    • English Premier League Runners-up
    • English Premier cup semi-finalists
  • 2008–09
    • EPIHL Play-Off Semi-finalists
  • 2007–08
    • EPIHL Play-Off Champions
    • English Premier League Runners-up
    • EPIHL Premier Cup Runners-up
  • 2005–06 Season
    • English Premier League Runners-up
  • 1998–99 Season
  • 1997–98 Season
    • Benson & Hedges Plate Winners
  • 1994–95 Season
    • British Division 1 Champions
  • 1990–91 Season
    • British Division 1 Champions
  • 1989–90 Season
    • Heineken League Division One Champions
    • Southern Cup Champions
  • 1988–89 Season
    • London Cup Champions

Retired Shirts
  • #12 Retired 1990 Richard Boprey
  • #18 Retired 1995 Mark Howell
  • #31 Retired 1998 Charlie Colon
  • #17 Retired 1999 Gary Stefan
  • #28 Retired 2002 Joe Stefan
  • # 4 Retired 2008 Warren Rost

Head coaches

See also

References
  1. "Club Honours". Slough Jets Legends. 19 May 2014. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  2. "HALL OF FAME – IHUK". Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  3. Copas, Graeme (11 December 2013). "Head coach Koulikov leaves Slough Jets to join Peterborough Phantoms". Slough Express. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  4. "EXCLUSIVE: Ghislaine Kozic opens heart on Slough Jets demotion". Royal Borough Observer. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  5. Mayo, Nick (25 April 2014). "Slough Jets pull out of English Premier Ice Hockey league". Maidenhead Advertiser. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  6. "My Personal Slough Jets Sign Off (for now)". Mark Denholm. 22 July 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  7. "Slough Jets founder Gary Stefan stalled in attempts to return club to English Premier Ice Hockey League". Royal Borough Observer. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  8. "Slough Jets Legends". Slough Jets Legends. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  9. "EIHA NIHL Britton division". The Official English Ice Hockey Association Website. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  10. "NIHL: New structure for National League agreed by clubs to start 2019/20 season – English Ice Hockey Association". Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  11. Martin, Bryce (20 September 2014). "The Jets are dead, long live the Jets". Slough Express. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  12. "SLOUGH JETS PLAYOFFS 25 04 15 - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  13. "ICE HOCKEY: Oxford City Stars re-sign fans' favourites Alan Green and Andy Cox". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  14. "ICE HOCKEY: Oxford City Stars sign trio ahead of new campaign". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  15. "Ice Hockey: Tony Milton hoping Slough Jets can make a January return". Royal Borough Observer. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  16. "NEWS: Slough fixtures postponed for this weekend – English Ice Hockey Association". Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  17. "Ice Hockey: Slough Jets are alive and well, insists head coach Tony Milton". Slough Observer. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  18. "NEWS: Lukas Smital announced as new Slough Jets Head Coach – English Ice Hockey Association". Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  19. "NIHL: structure for NIHL South 17/18 season – English Ice Hockey Association". Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  20. "Elite Prospects - Award - NIHL 2 South First All-Star Team". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  21. "Elite Prospects - Award - NIHL 2 South Second All-Star Team". www.eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  22. "NIHL: Slough Jets clinch NIHL2 National title with win over Widnes Wild – English Ice Hockey Association". Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  23. "Slough Jets: Lukas Smital retires as an active player to concentrate on coaching". Royal Borough Observer. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  24. "NIHL: Players of the Month for September revealed – English Ice Hockey Association". Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  25. "Injured Slough Jets ice hockey player will be unable to work for 'some considerable time'". Slough Observer. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  26. "EIHL cancels all matches for rest of season". EIHL. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  27. "NEWS: EIHA/SIH Boards make joint statement on state of play – English Ice Hockey Association". Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  28. "NEWS: Board meeting confirms competitive hockey cancelled through May 31 – English Ice Hockey Association". Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  29. "NIHL: final season 19/20 standings now confirmed by league management – English Ice Hockey Association". Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  30. Carr, David (1 April 2020). "NIHL Britton Conference all-star team 2019/20". Pro Hockey News. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  31. "Slough Ice Arena closing for £7.7m refurbishment". BBC News. 28 October 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  32. "Temporary ice rink approved at Slough Ice Arena". Slough Observer. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  33. Fort, Hugh (14 July 2020). "Bracknell ice rink has closed with immediate effect". BerkshireLive. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  34. Fort, Hugh (14 August 2020). "Name change for Bracknell Bees as relocation details announced". BerkshireLive. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
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