👀 Thursday News: Coach Critchlow announced at Storm
Manchester fill coaching position for 2025/26
Manchester Storm have announced the appointment of Cameron Critchlow as their new head coach for the new season.
The 33-year-old retired at the end of the season as a player, but will swap the skates for a suit after agreeing to take on the role, replacing Mike Morin, who spent much of 2024-25 as interim head coach.
Speaking on the Manchester Storm website, Critchlow was excited about his new opportunity.
“I’m honoured to take on the position of Head Coach for Manchester Storm,” he said. “This organisation has been my home for several years, and I’m committed to building upon our strong foundation and striving for excellence on and off the ice.”
Storm’s General Manager Ryan Finnerty added: “Critch has been a key part of our leadership group for a long time. I’ve worked closely with him during my coaching days and even more so alongside Ginner, so I’ve seen first-hand the qualities that make him a strong leader.
I really value the progression from player to coach—it’s a path many successful coaches in this league have taken. I have complete confidence in Critch’s ability to lead the club forward after a challenging season.”
Storm also confirmed Morin would resume his role as assistant coach in support for Critchlow.
🗣️ SIMMS CONFLICT OVER THOMPSON’S DEVILS MOVE
Dave Simms says he’s not at all happy that his good friend, Paul Thompson is returning to the UK where he’s been announced as the new head coach of Cardiff Devils.
The Sheffield Steelers media manager was a guest on the first episode of our new Elite podcast, where he gave his view on his long-time pal joining one of the Steelers’ rivals, which was announced a couple of weeks ago.
But his tongue was firmly planted in his cheek as he described the sort of man Devils are getting.
“I’m not happy at all he’s back,” he said. “Simply because I know how good he is. I wished he’d stayed in Denmark or gone to Austria or gone somewhere else even though he’s my best friend.
“It tells you in a roundabout way how good a signing he is for Cardiff. Since the news broke, I haven’t really spoken to him about it, but he’s outstanding and the Devils have got themselves a very good coach and an even better bloke.
“Knowing him as I do, he’ll do an outstanding job there and he’ll live and breathe it, like he’s done everywhere else he’s been in his career – Solihull, Coventry, Troja, Aalborg, Sheffield then on to Italy then Odense, where he’s just won the championship.
“He basically took a Dundee Stars or a Manchester Storm and in four years, made them the champions but I hope he loses every game he coaches in Cardiff.
“Kidding aside, he knows what I think of him as a coach and a person.”
Episode one of the Elite podcast is available now
🤝 ON THE MOVE
Time to take a look at the latest moves - either new or extensions - as the clubs build their 2025/26 rosters.
We’ll update this in every edition over the summer
⭐️ Dundee Stars announced their first new signing of the summer when they revealed defenceman Jackson DeSouza would be arriving from Lillehammer in Norway - Dundee Stars on X
🔥 Guildford Flames welcomed back British forward Lewis Hook for the second year in a three-season deal - Guildford Flames website
🟠 Sheffield Steelers have signed American winger Ryan Tait from Elite League rivals Guildford Flames - Sheffield Steelers website
🐉 Coventry Blaze announced the return of defenceman David Clements, who will be back at the Skydome for an 11th season - Coventry Blaze website
🐆 Nottingham Panthers have announced an extension for Jordan Kelsall, who is about to embark on his eighth season with the club - Nottingham Panthers website
🏟️ AROUND THE RINKS
Let’s take a look at what else has been going on up and down the country as we go around the rinks
🟠 Before their signing news, Sheffield Steelers not only teased their roster activities, but revealed a first date in the calendar for the new season - Sheffield Steelers website
🏴 Former Steelers and GB captain Jonathan Phillips has been inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame - Ice Hockey UK website
🏒 More faces have been added for Adam Keefe’s Testimonial in Belfast next month - including Mike Hoffmann - Belfast Giants on X
🗣️ Dundee Stars TV got the first interview with their new addition, Jackson DeSouza
🔵🟡 Fife Flyers shared some photos from their commemorative night to mark the 40th anniversary since their British Championship win - Fife Flyers Historian on X
📰 Plus many more images from a special reunion lunch for the players involved 40 years ago marking a special night in the Kirkcaldy club’s history - Fife Free Press website
💪 Belfast kept the announcements coming as they revealed the coaching team - Jeff Mason, George Awada and Rob Stewart - would all participate in Adam Keefe’s Testimonial - Belfast Giants on X
🇬🇧 Glasgow Clan defenceman Joe Hazeldine reflected on his first campaign with the national team, which resulted in a gold medal - Glasgow Clan on X
🐉 Nottingham Panthers head coach Danny Stewart is getting his skates on and returning to the Skydome where he’ll take part in David Clements Testimonial - David Clements Testimonial on X
🤭 Guildford Flames enjoyed the slight technical issue with Sheffield Steelers’ signing announcement - Guildford Flames on X
🎧 It was the 20th year for Belfast Giants podcast, “A View from the Bridge” and what a year it’s been for the boys - A View from the Bridge on X
📻 New Sheffield Steelers signing Ryan Tait spoke to BBC Sheffield’s Peter Spencer about his move from Guildford Flames - BBC Radio Sheffield
😲 Oh and more names announced for Adam Keefe’s Testimonial next month, with another five added to the ever-growing list - Belfast Giants on X
🗣️ Cardiff Devils forward Joey Martin sat down for a chat after confirming his upcoming 10th season with the club:
🗣️ Nottingham Panthers forward Jordan Kelsall also spoke following the announcement of his return to the club for 2025-26
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