Hockey in England

I was just wondering how populalr ice hockey is in England.  Until recently, I thought it was virtually nonexistant until I saw it mentioned on a web page on this site.  The one thing I didn't like about England was that I thought there was no hockey.  I know it sounds crazy that I'd be that obsessed with a sport  ...  Are there professional/amatuer team that you can watch say, every weekend if you want?  Are there organizations you can join to play?   

I too, am a huge hockey fan. The current lock out is really bad and is taking it's toll on a lot pf players and fans alike. As for Ice Hockey in the UK, I know there is a team in Milton Keyens called the MK Lightning and I suppose I will be following them soon. There is also the Sheffield Steelers and if you do a Google you should be able to find them. I don't know what part of the UK you are in so I can't help you with an area but thought the above two could help you get going.

Just be careful about calling it hockey here because here, hockey is actually field hockey...so you actually have to call it "ice hockey".  Yippee!   I play hockey in London, not ice hockey. (and I love it being called just hockey like I was used to back in my old high school days).

There are two leagues. For info starters, try:


http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/default.stm

http://www.sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;sessionid=QA3TZJDH5YO5XQFIQMGCM5OAVCBQUJVC?menuId=69&menuItemId=481&view=HEADLINESUMMARY&grid=C1

There was a London team, but it seems like they went kaput or something, this is their site:

http://www.knightice.co.uk/

The London ice hockey team is called the Racers.  They play at Ally Pally.

I just went to a Bracknell Bees game against Sheffield 2 weekends ago.
I've also seen the Slough Jets a couple times.

Ice hockey is around in the UK and you can usually see games for about £7-10 a ticket.
At Slough they let you ice skate for up to 2 hours after the game as well, really good fun.

The arenas are nothing like the NHL ones although I do hear Nottingham's is an exception, it has
about 10,000 seats.

Matt

The radio today said that the Coventry Blaze won some cup last night. We are the champions! of the world!