2011/12 EIHL season preview

Skysports.com's ice hockey expert Neil Chiplen previews each team ahead of the new Elite League season.

It really is the best time of the year. The leaves begin to change, the mercury begins to fall and the night draws in. Whether you call it "autumn" or "fall", the new season is almost upon us, and more importantly the new season of Elite League ice hockey is right here! That's right, whether you're a season ticket holder at the Skydome, a Zamboni driver at Murrayfield or the player-coach of the Sheffield Steelers, you have to be excited at the prospect of another year of hockey. Thankfully, Timmy Thomas and the Boston Bruins kept the NHL season going as long as possible by fighting their way through three game 7s to win the Stanley Cup and dragging the playoffs out until June 15th. And then the summer months kept us fixated with enough news and rumour, comings and goings, disappointment and satisfaction to remain glued to the never-ending soap opera that is the EIHL. Whether it was a fans forum in Cardiff, a business meeting in Fife or a call to an agent in Coventry, there has been enough scandal and intrigue to last, well, to last a usual off-season in the Elite League and now it's time to shut up and put up. Hockey's back. And as usual there are many newcomers that will be playing in the Elite League for the very first time, getting their first taste of this wacky circus. Some of the new players will stay for years. Some will be gone by November. For every Rod Sarich, there's a Marlon Joseph. Here on skysports.com we've got every team in the league previewed from Adams to Zembergs. Click on each club to see how they have been shaping up for the new campaign. Belfast Giants - Can Big Doug do what he was supposed to do last season? Braehead Clan - Can the Clan build on their momentum from last year? Or will they be Jaded? Cardiff Devils - Without Weller, will the Devils be breaking any records again this year? Coventry Blaze - How good is Dave Phillips after his time in the States? Dundee Stars - Will Dan Ceman and the Stars get started quicker than they did a year ago? Edinburgh Capitals - What will the Capitals look like in the Richard Hartmann era? Fife Flyers - Can the Flyers make the jump and fill the spot left by Newcastle? Hull Stingrays - Is Jereme Tendler for real? Nottingham Panthers - Is it a make or break year for Corey Neilson? Sheffield Steelers - How will Ryan Finnerty cope in his new role?