Sheffield Steeldogs coach Ben Morgan hails debut NIHL National season a success

Sheffield Steeldogs' player-coach Ben Morgan
Picture courtesy of Cerys Molloy — Sheffield Steeldogs' player-coach Ben Morgan Picture courtesy of Cerys Molloy

The British game’s second tier had suffered somewhat since the demise of the English Premier League at the end of the 2016-17 campaign, forcing English Ice Hockey Association bosses to come up with a temporary fix that only served to produce too many mis-matched games.

Last summer saw the NIHL National established, bringing together 10 teams, including brand new franchise Leeds Chiefs and Milton Keynes Lightning, who were returning to the second tier after two years struggling in the Elite League.

The result was an entertaining season which, after Telford Tigers enjoyed a league and cup double, was cut short by the coronavirus pandemic, denying the opportunity for playoffs.

The Steeldogs ended the regular season in seventh and while player-coach Morgan would like to have closed the gap further on the teams above, he regards the overall season as a successful one.

“The new league has been a breath of fresh air,” said Morgan. “You generally couldn’t pick a winner on any given night which is what we had all been crying out for.

“It has closed the gap significantly between the top and the bottom teams in the league, compared to how it was in the two previous seasons.

“And even if you go back and compare it to the old EPL days, it has closed the gap on teams like Telford, Guildford and Milton Keynes who were pushing boundaries in the quality of their signings compared to other teams towards the bottom end of the table which, historically, was ourselves.”

Sheffield Steeldogs' Alex Graham (21) battles with Leeds Chiefs' Steven Moore, right and Liam Charnock. Picture courtesy of Cerys Molloy.

Morgan said the limit of two imports per team had resulted in more young British players developing their game further.

“If we are going to continue to be a development league, as well as a club, we’ve got to give opportunities for British players,” added the 32-year-old defenceman.

“Because they are getting the genuine ice time and the opportunity to play on special teams and, in some cases, alongside imports and the quality British guys who have recently come down from the EIHL, it gives them a real taste of what they can achieve.”