Telford Tigers look to season opener

First up is the visit of last season's play-off champions, Manchester Phoenix, at 5.30pm in a fixture that always produces high scoring end to end games, with Tigers more than holding their own over the last couple of seasons.

The EPL is the second tier of ice hockey in the UK, comprising ten teams, all of which have a roster made up of British and foreign players. The league is classed as a semi-professional development league and attracts high quality experienced players from around Europe and North America.

Tigers are the UK's first and only supporters trust run team, owned and run entirely by supporters on a voluntary basis.

Player coach Tom Watkins is a vastly experienced former GB International who spent 10 years with Elite League Coventry Blaze, winning every domestic trophy during his time there.

This season Tigers have a new look to their squad, having recruited three new import players, defenseman Michal Pavlu and forward Marek Mikusovic from the Czech Republic, Finnish forward Miika Kiviranta who join returning Czech defenseman Jaroslav Kruzik.

Watkins, who is also the Great Britain Under 20's assistant coach, has assembled a nucleus of top young British talent looking to establish themselves in the EPL this year. The netminding duo of Declan Ryan and Sam Gospel is as good a combination as anywhere in the league, along with experienced forward Scott McKenzie who this year becomes Tigers captain, and players such as James Preece, Adam Taylor, Nathan Salem, Danny Rose, James Smith to name a few, Tigers are significantly improved from last season and will be in the shake up for an end of season play-off spot.