The history of
the Manchester Storm
(Pocket PC version)
1997 season
The
new Coach and General manager of the Manchester Storm was Kurt Kleinendorst,
brought in from the ECHL team the Raleigh Ice Caps.
Kurt had experience in Europe and with Team USA. He soon set about rebuilding the team to the strengths needed to compete in the strong domestic and European Leagues. In came players like Kris Miller and Dave Morrison and fan favourites like Brad Rubachuk and Hilton Ruggles were retained.
At
the end of the season the team's performance had greatly improved ...
though no top flight silverware was in the Club's hands. Storm
came second in the 28 game Ice Hockey Superleague & second
in their EHL group (missing out on the play off section on goal difference).
In the knock out competitions, Storm failed to make the final of both
the B&H Cup and the end of season play offs.
1998
season
This was the year when Storm felt that they could deliver the trophies
to the fans and Kurt Kleinendorst further strengthened the team.
The team's new netminder, Frank Pietrangelo, brought a wealth of experience
from the NHL (where he helped win the Stanley Cup) and Europe.
The season proved to one of highs, lows .... and nearlies! The high was without doubt the team winning the Superleague title. The Storm had set the early pace and were chased to the finishing line by the Cardiff Devils. The Storm didn't crack - some might say they wobbled slightly - and the first top flight silverware came to Manchester
In Europe Storm again played well but once more missed out on the play off stages of the competition. Domestically Storm again failed to make the final of any of the knock out competitions. Nottingham won the B&H Cup, Sheffield the Challenge Cup and Cardiff Devils the Play Off final ... all after beating Storm along the way.
The
facts and figures speak for themselves in the 1998-99 season. The Storm.....
· Scored more goals than any other team.
· Conceded less goals than any other team.
· Won more games that any other team.
· Lost fewer games than any other team.
· Have the best Penalty Killing record.
· Have the best Powerplay Scoring record.
· Have the league's best netminder.
· Have accumulated the most points.
· Have the biggest and best support.