Hawks set to soar
Sami Narkia
_Sami Narkia. To most people the name will mean nothing. But to the fans of Blackburn Hawks, he’s the man who’ll spark a long-awaited return to top level ice hockey.
The Finn’s signing from EHC Red Devils, Helsinki, has been heralded as a major coup for the team who've been in the wilderness for over a decade.
The Hawks are one of UK ice hockey’s greatest under-achievers. The team with an Olympic sized ice pad, high quality facilities and room for over 3000 fans – are currently playing in the third tier of the sport. Think of the likes of the two Sheffield teams in football and you won’t be far away.
Hawks’ Player/Coach Jared Owen is confident Narkia will prove to be an inspired signing, describing the Finn as “a marquee import who’ll be a big asset to the team” - and initial results seem to bear him out, with Hawks winning four of the five games he's played since arriving.
The Finn’s signing from EHC Red Devils, Helsinki, has been heralded as a major coup for the team who've been in the wilderness for over a decade.
The Hawks are one of UK ice hockey’s greatest under-achievers. The team with an Olympic sized ice pad, high quality facilities and room for over 3000 fans – are currently playing in the third tier of the sport. Think of the likes of the two Sheffield teams in football and you won’t be far away.
Hawks’ Player/Coach Jared Owen is confident Narkia will prove to be an inspired signing, describing the Finn as “a marquee import who’ll be a big asset to the team” - and initial results seem to bear him out, with Hawks winning four of the five games he's played since arriving.
Excited
Narkia in action against Nottingham
“Since Sami came in he’s brought out the confidence in other guys”, said Owen. “They’ve relaxed more, not gripping their sticks as tightly and guys I thought would score are now scoring.” He admitted he’s already had other imports in touch about moving to Blackburn and, while stressing the financial and logistical difficulties involved, was excited by the prospect of further strengthening his squad.
Narkia’s signing was made possible through the sponsorship of two long-standing Hawks fans and Owen was grateful for the gesture. “Bringing in an import isn’t cheap, especially the cost of the international transfer card. Thanks to Joan and Eddie Brigdale we were able to make it happen, and it’s a massive boost for everyone connected to the club”.
Narkia’s signing was made possible through the sponsorship of two long-standing Hawks fans and Owen was grateful for the gesture. “Bringing in an import isn’t cheap, especially the cost of the international transfer card. Thanks to Joan and Eddie Brigdale we were able to make it happen, and it’s a massive boost for everyone connected to the club”.
Decline
_Hawks have a history of attracting quality imports to the North West. From ex-Toronto Maple Leafs forward Fred Perlini, to former AHL forward Steve Moria, they were a major player during a boom-time for the sport in the UK.
By the mid-1990’s, they were challenging the might of Manchester Storm at Nynex Arena watched by millions on Sky TV. League attendance records were regularly broken as fans flocked to Arenas throughout the country. With the likes of ex-Maple Leaf Steve Chartrand, Russian Oleg Sinkov and Fife Flyers legend John Haig in their ranks, Hawks were a force to be reckoned with.
The creation of the Ice Hockey Superleague in 1997 was the start of their decline. Financial problems forced them into the Northern section of the British National League, with a limit on the number of expensive imported players. The team struggled.
By the mid-1990’s, they were challenging the might of Manchester Storm at Nynex Arena watched by millions on Sky TV. League attendance records were regularly broken as fans flocked to Arenas throughout the country. With the likes of ex-Maple Leaf Steve Chartrand, Russian Oleg Sinkov and Fife Flyers legend John Haig in their ranks, Hawks were a force to be reckoned with.
The creation of the Ice Hockey Superleague in 1997 was the start of their decline. Financial problems forced them into the Northern section of the British National League, with a limit on the number of expensive imported players. The team struggled.
Hope
Jared Owen
_By 1998 a new English Premier League was formed, but more money issues forced the Hawks to drop into the English National League after just one season. A decade of mediocrity followed.
There was a false dawn in 2008 with the appointment of Neil Abel as coach. Having led Sheffield Scimitars into the EPL in 2005, Abel was expected to repeat the feat at Blackburn but failed spectacularly, losing a relegation play-off to Manchester Phoenix. Hawks were saved at the eleventh hour by Billingham Bombers’ withdrawal from the league, but the club was at an all-time low.
The following season saw Hawks finish fifth; giving hope the corner had been turned. Former Telford EPL forward Owen took over in 2010 and led Hawks to the end of season play-offs, losing a semi-final to Whitley Warriors.
There was a false dawn in 2008 with the appointment of Neil Abel as coach. Having led Sheffield Scimitars into the EPL in 2005, Abel was expected to repeat the feat at Blackburn but failed spectacularly, losing a relegation play-off to Manchester Phoenix. Hawks were saved at the eleventh hour by Billingham Bombers’ withdrawal from the league, but the club was at an all-time low.
The following season saw Hawks finish fifth; giving hope the corner had been turned. Former Telford EPL forward Owen took over in 2010 and led Hawks to the end of season play-offs, losing a semi-final to Whitley Warriors.
Improve
_Owen had a busy summer, adding five new players to his squad. “I wanted more depth to what we had; players who’d buy into the systems and what we’re trying to achieve”, he said. “Solid guys like Bobby Streetly and Scott Glover have come in and done really well. Then there’s Brian Worrall – an intense guy who wants to win.”
The Hawks fall from grace still sees them playing in the ENL, and Owen confessed his team have some way to go before going back up the ladder.
“If we can improve the infrastructure of the club – especially progression from the junior Hawks – there’s no reason we can’t get where we want to be. A few years of success in the ENL would improve crowds and create extra finances, so we could look at bringing in the extra imports you need to play in the EPL.”
The Hawks fall from grace still sees them playing in the ENL, and Owen confessed his team have some way to go before going back up the ladder.
“If we can improve the infrastructure of the club – especially progression from the junior Hawks – there’s no reason we can’t get where we want to be. A few years of success in the ENL would improve crowds and create extra finances, so we could look at bringing in the extra imports you need to play in the EPL.”
Special
Brittle keeps out Sheffield
_The league has risen in quality in the past few seasons, with a number of southern teams boasting two imports. Though ENL North has lagged behind, Owen can see things changing.
“ENL has improved massively. In the south you’ve teams like Chelmsford, Romford and Invicta, who are attracting guys who put up good points in the EPL – Gary Clarke, Dwayne Newman and Danny Marshall to name three. Teams up here are now signing players like that and it’s an exciting league to be in.”
While Owen and his assistant Danny Brittle are responsible for the playing side of things, the Hawks have a management committee to deal with off-ice matters. Graham Lomax is one of that team and was bullish about the work the pair are doing.
“The Hawks are very much a work in progress, but under Jared things are starting to take shape. I’m 100% convinced he’s the right man for the job”, said Lomax. “People with the level of commitment he and Danny put in are few and far between. They’re still young men and still learning, but they’re definitely the right people.”
Hawks seem to be building something special. With Narkia on board and others keen to follow, Owen’s ambitions for Blackburn could well be realised. Whether a return to the heady days of the nineties is on the cards remains to be seen – but the confidence Owen has in what the club are trying to achieve is plain to see. If they fail it won’t be down to a lack of effort.
(Images by kind permission of Steve McKelvey)
“ENL has improved massively. In the south you’ve teams like Chelmsford, Romford and Invicta, who are attracting guys who put up good points in the EPL – Gary Clarke, Dwayne Newman and Danny Marshall to name three. Teams up here are now signing players like that and it’s an exciting league to be in.”
While Owen and his assistant Danny Brittle are responsible for the playing side of things, the Hawks have a management committee to deal with off-ice matters. Graham Lomax is one of that team and was bullish about the work the pair are doing.
“The Hawks are very much a work in progress, but under Jared things are starting to take shape. I’m 100% convinced he’s the right man for the job”, said Lomax. “People with the level of commitment he and Danny put in are few and far between. They’re still young men and still learning, but they’re definitely the right people.”
Hawks seem to be building something special. With Narkia on board and others keen to follow, Owen’s ambitions for Blackburn could well be realised. Whether a return to the heady days of the nineties is on the cards remains to be seen – but the confidence Owen has in what the club are trying to achieve is plain to see. If they fail it won’t be down to a lack of effort.
(Images by kind permission of Steve McKelvey)