Skates scraping ice, pads bracing for impact and pucks hit the back of the net. It is fast, physical, and steadily gaining ground in the UK.
Ice Hockey. The rink is cold, and it will get into your bones.
Well, it is definitely in Douglas.
“I played goalkeeper for 40 years. My father played before me, so there is a bit of family history dating back to the 1970s”.
Having played for so long in the NIHL (National Ice Hockey League), when asked what he does for work or if he played sports in his past. These questions are usually met with curiosity when he responds. “It is normally a bit of a surprise from whoever is asking. People do get very intrigued.”
Ice Hockey may not be on everyone’s radar when it comes to sports in the UK. People may be aware of the game but not its involvement in the lives of fans across the country.
Chris shows a bit of insight into why.
“If you look at other sports like football or rugby, there are grassroots-level clubs all the way up to the Premier League in a majority of towns and cities.
“The teams in the NIHL are pretty spread far apart, and the numbers to spread awareness just are not there.
“When I do talk about my job, people are always surprised because a lot of people just do not know that there is a hockey rink in Bristol, let alone an entire ice hockey team.
“So, the sport is very much localised to where there are rinks available in certain areas in the country “.
His days of being a keeper are very fresh in his mind. The team talks, the high-speed games and having to keep his hands active.
“I was a goalie and would face a minimum of 40 to 60 shots a game. It kept me in great shape and allowed my mind to stay sharp.
“Even in a low scoring, there’s always going to be a lot of action or maybe the occasional fight”
After retiring professionally in 2020, Chris has stayed close to his last team, the Bristol Pitbulls. His role with the club now has him swapping his gloves and pads for a suit and tie.
“So, I am a man of many roles with the Bristol Pitbulls. I make sure that the ice and arena are maintained. I also manage fan interactions, especially if fans have any issues or problems. I help out at competitions for attendees, and I consult with our sponsors.”
Though the London native has hung up his skates professionally. Because his experience is so invaluable, he is still called into action for the Pitbulls’ second team as be player or to help in training.
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🆚 Bristol Pitbulls 2 vs Solent Jnr Devils
🚪 Doors: 4:45pm
⏰ Face-off: 5:30pm
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“I still do a bit of goaltending for our second team. If there is an injury or no-show, I am there to put on the pads again if needed.
“I also help the second team with their off-ice programmes and coaching.”
Being in the profession so long and being so engrossed in the sport, Chris has seen the gradual growth of his beloved Pitbulls and the game overall.
“Every time a new rink opens, the talk of a hockey team being established is close by. Most rinks average around 1300 fans, but around Christmas time, here at Planet Ice (Bristol Pitbulls rink), we will have 1300 seated and another 150 standing”.
Teams in the higher league consistently get 7000+.
“I’ve been told by our event planners that attendances and overall fanbases across all teams in the NIHL have gone up by 10% this year alone”.
“It is a big sport for families. We do not get crowd trouble. It is a family atmosphere with noise and intensity. There is a lot of entertainment in between puck drops and out-of-play moments.”
Getting people interested in the sport early and often is the believed way of promoting the sport further for Chris. “
It can be difficult to access. But here with the Pitbulls, we have numerous recreational teams. So, for younger kids, we have the Snow Dogs.
“For young adults, especially at the university age, we would love for those who can come down and learn to skate and hone the fundamentals. Potentially, we hope for Bristol universities to reach out so we can house their teams.”
