Guildford Flames

Last updated

Guildford Flames
Guilford Flames Logo.png
City Guildford, Surrey
League Elite Ice Hockey League
Founded1992
Home arena Guildford Spectrum
(capacity: 2,200)
ColorsNavy, crimson, gold, white
    
Owner(s)Sportfact Ltd
Head coach Paul Dixon
CaptainTBC
Affiliates Guildford Phoenix, NIHL 2
Guildford Lightning, WNIHL (Elite)
Championships
British National League Titles2 (1997–98, 2000–01)
English Premier League Titles4 (2005-06, 2007-08, 2011-12, 2012-13)
British National League Playoff Championships3 (1998, 2001, 2004)
Hockey current event.svg Current season

The Guildford Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Guildford, Surrey. They play their home games in the Guildford Spectrum and compete in the top-tier of hockey in the United Kingdom, the Elite Ice Hockey League.

Contents

Founded in October 1992, the Flames originally played in the second-tier leagues of British hockey, first the British National League until 2004, and subsequently the English Premier Ice Hockey League until 2017. On 24 February 2017 it was announced that the Flames would become the 12th Elite Ice Hockey League team, joining from the 2017–18 season.

The team's head coach is Paul Dixon, who took over after Stan Marple retired in 2007.

Formation

Barry Dow, an American who sponsored and owned the basketball team Guildford Kings and Bill Hurley established and owned the team as management – the two were new to the sport of ice hockey, and brought in Mike Urquhart as coach and Darrin Zinger as captain.[ citation needed ]

Key players signed for the first season included Canadians Sean Murphy and Dave McGahan due to their high scoring at Solent Vikings. In addition a number of British players including goaltender, Mike Kellond; forward, Danny O'Hanlon and defender, Gary Shearer.[ citation needed ]

The Flames' inaugural season began in October 1992; they began, unseeded, in the English League Division One. With the Guildford Spectrum not yet completed, the team had to train at Slough's facility. The Flames played their home games at Alexandra Palace until their new home ice was ready and played there for the first time on 23 January 1993.[ citation needed ]

When 23 January 1993 finally arrived and the Guildford Spectrum opened, the event was a big one. The area's paid-for newspaper The Surrey Advertiser described the local council's £28 million arena as "awesome".[ citation needed ] Guildford's first game at their new home showed a convincing win with Andy Sparks scoring the first goal at the Spectrum. The team went to the top of the Conference due to that game, a position they held onto for the whole season.[ citation needed ]

Elite League

The Guildford Flames were confirmed as an Elite League expansion team in February 2017, stepping up from the English Premier Ice Hockey League (EPIHL), and began play in the UK's top division at the start of the 2017–18 EIHL season. [1]

The Flames finished in sixth in their first season (2017–18), followed by a fifth-placed finish in 2018–19 – a campaign in which they finished runners-up to the Belfast Giants in the Challenge Cup final. [2]

Guildford were again in sixth when the 2019–20 EIHL season's remaining matches were cancelled in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The play-offs were cancelled with only the Challenge Cup seeing a winner (the Sheffield Steelers) crowned. [3]

Then, the 2020–21 Elite League season – originally scheduled for a revised start date of 5 December – was suspended on 15 September 2020 because of ongoing coronavirus pandemic restrictions. The EIHL board determined that the season was non-viable without supporters being permitted to attend matches and unanimously agreed to a suspension. [4] The season was cancelled completely in February 2021. [5]

In the 2021–22 EIHL season, Guildford finished the regular season in fifth place with a 25-25-4 record, reaching the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup (losing 6–5 on aggregate to Nottingham Panthers) and the play-off semi-finals (beating Nottingham 7–6 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, before losing in the last four to Cardiff Devils 3–2). [6] [7] Guildford claimed third place by beating Dundee Stars 7–5 in the third/fourth place play-off. [8]

The 2022–23 EIHL season proved to be even better for the Guildford Flames, propelled by a strong start to the campaign that saw the Flames top the league for much of the first half of the season, including at Christmas. Forwards Daniel Tedesco (80 points), captain Brett Ferguson (67 points) and Ryan Tait (62 points) led the way.

The team were neck and neck with eventual league champions the Belfast Giants, with Guildford finishing in 2nd place in the Elite League with a 40-12-2 record from 54 games, good for 82 points, just two behind the Giants. [9] Belfast secured the title after a 6-1 win over the Flames at the SSE Arena on 1 April 2023. [10]

In the Challenge Cup, Guildford reached the semi-finals, before an eventual 6-3 aggregate defeat – once again at the hands of the Belfast Giants. And in the play-offs, the Flames were on the end of an upset at the quarter-final stage, losing 7-6 at the hands of seventh seed the Nottingham Panthers in April 2023. [11]

Guildford's second place league finish in the 2022–23 season saw them earn qualification for the 2023–24 IIHF Continental Cup. However, in May 2023, the club released a statement confirming they would decline their place in the competition. [12]

The 2023–24 EIHL season saw the Flames maintain a record that kept them in the top half of the league table. On 13 March 2024, Guildford finished runners-up in the Challenge Cup final to the Sheffield Steelers, losing 3-1. [13] Guildford ended the regular season in 5th with a 24-20-10 record, eventually losing in the play-off semi-finals to the Sheffield Steelers, 6-3. [14] [15] The Flames also lost the 3rd/4th play-off 7-5 to the Cardiff Devils. [16]

In 2024–25, Guildford finished 6th in the league standings, thus once again qualifying for the end of season play-offs. The Flames regular season record was 25-22-7. The Flames were eliminated at the quarter-final stage by eventual champions the Nottingham Panthers, 8-6 on aggregate.

Club honours

Domestic

Benson & Hedges Cup

British National League

Challenge Cup

Christmas Cup

The team celebrates winning the 2011 Playoff Championships Guildford Flames - Playoff Champions 2011 (5610430608).jpg
The team celebrates winning the 2011 Playoff Championships

English Premier Ice Hockey League

Patton Conference

Individual

The team celebrates winning the 2016 Playoff Championships Guildford Flames - Playoff Champions 2016.jpg
The team celebrates winning the 2016 Playoff Championships

EIHL All-Stars First Team

EIHL All-Stars Second Team

Team logo and jersey

The current team jerseys, for both away and home. Guildfordflamesjerseyssmall.gif
The current team jerseys, for both away and home.

The team logo is very similar to that of the Calgary Flames of the NHL. The team jerseys mirror those used by a former NHL team, Atlanta Thrashers from 1999 to 2006 (with logos replaced and advertisements added).

Current squad

Squad for 2025–26 Elite League season [17] [18]

Netminders
No.PlayerCatchesAcquiredPlace of BirthJoined fromPress Release
1 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of Ireland.svg Taz BurmanL2025 Vancouver, Canada Cardiff Devils, EIHL [20]
30 Flag of England.svg Adam LongL2021 Crewe, England Haringey Huskies, NIHL 2 [21]
73 Flag of the United States.svg Jake KupskyL2024 Waukesha, United States HKM Zvolen, Slovak Extraliga [22]
Defencemen
No.PlayerShootsAcquiredPlace of BirthJoined fromPress Release
6 Flag of England.svg Ben SolderL2025 Chelmsford, England Milton Keynes Lightning, NIHL [23]
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Sean ComrieR2025 Edmonton, Canada MacEwan University Griffins, U Sports [24]
19 Flag of the United States.svg Charlie CurtiL2024 Mound, United States Belfast Giants, EIHL [25]
20 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Marcus TesinkL2023 Saint John, Canada Concordia Stingers, U Sports [26]
25 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg James ShearerL2025 Brandon, Canada UTE, Erste Liga [27]
42 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jamal WatsonR2025 Calgary, Canada ESV Kaufbeuren, DEL2 [28]
45 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Travis BrownL2024 Winnipeg, Canada Belfast Giants, EIHL [29]
57 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jacob GravelleL2025 North Bay, Canada Western Mustangs, U Sports [30]
Forwards
No.PlayerPositionAcquiredPlace of BirthJoined fromPress Release
13 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Tyler BuschC2025 Lloydminster, Canada Cardiff Devils, EIHL [31]
16 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jack JacomeRW2024 Caledon, Canada Rungsted Seier Capital, Metal Ligaen [32]
17 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Tyler PreziusoRW2025 Burnaby, Canada Alberta Golden Bears, U Sports [33]
26 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of Italy.svg Daniel TedescoLW2024 Maple, Canada Belfast Giants, EIHL [34]
27 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Josh NixonRW2025 Mississauga, Canada Maine Mariners, ECHL [35]
28 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Matt AlvaroLW/C2023 Toronto, Canada Fort Wayne Komets, ECHL [36]
29 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Austin GloverC/RW2024 Saskatoon, Canada Watrous Winterhawks, LLHL [37]
63 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Mathieu GosselinRW/LW2025 Quebec City, Canada Cincinnati Cyclones, ECHL [38]
86 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Jake CoughlerC2024 St. Catharines, Canada Lausitzer Füchse, DEL2 [39]
88 Flag of England.svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Lewis Hook LW2023 Peterborough, England Belfast Giants, EIHL [40]
91 Flag of England.svg Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Joshua WallerLW2024 Reading, England Cardiff Devils, EIHL [41]
93 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Ethan StrangF2024 Cochrane, Canada South Carolina Stingrays, ECHL [42]
94 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Brett WelychkaC/RW2024 London, Canada SC Bietigheim Steelers, DEL2 [43]
96 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Cole Ully LW2025 Calgary, Canada Glasgow Clan, EIHL [44]
98 Flag of England.svg Samuel TalbotF2023 London, England Milton Keynes Lightning, NIHL [45]
On Loan
No.PlayerPositionAcquiredPlace of BirthPlaying ForPress Release
Team Staff
No.NamePositionPlace of BirthJoined fromPress Release
N/A Flag of England.svg Paul Dixon Head coach/GM Sunderland, EnglandAppointed in 2007
N/A Flag of England.svg Andrew HemmingsAssistant coach Guildford, EnglandAppointed in 2022
N/A Flag of England.svg Matty SimpsonEquipment manager England Appointed in 2024
Recent departures
No.PlayerPositionAcquiredLeaving ForPress Release
6 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Kyle LockeD2021 Manchester Storm, EIHL
7 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Flag of Italy.svg Daniel Catenacci C/LW2024TBC
8 Flag of the United States.svg Ryan TaitC/RW2022 Sheffield Steelers, EIHL
18 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Brett Ferguson C LW/C2021TBC
27 Flag of the United States.svg Eamon McAdam G2022 Sheffield Steelers, EIHL
40 Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Sam Jones D2024 Belfast Giants, EIHL
46 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Michael Crocock A D2022TBC
77 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Zack HoffmanD2025 GKS Katowice, Polska Hokej Liga

Retired numbers

The retired numbers at the Guildford Flames are:

Team captains

References

  1. "Guildford Flames to join elite league". Coventry Blaze. 24 February 2017. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  2. "Challenge Cup: Belfast Giants retain trophy with overtime win against Flames". BBC Sport. 10 March 2019. Archived from the original on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  3. "EIHL cancels all matches for rest of season". eSports Media. 13 March 2020. Archived from the original on 12 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  4. "EIHL Board Suspend 2020-21 Season". eSports Media. 15 September 2020. Archived from the original on 16 September 2020. Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  5. "No Elite League Season 2020/21". eSports Media. 2 February 2021. Archived from the original on 3 March 2021. Retrieved 21 February 2021.
  6. "Cardiff Devils 3:2 Guildford Flames".
  7. "Gamecentre".
  8. "Guildford Flames 7:5 Dundee Stars".
  9. "Standings 2022/2023 Elite Ice Hockey League".
  10. "Giants clinch third straight Elite League title!". 21 August 2019.
  11. "Panthers hold on to knock out second-seeded Flames". 21 August 2019.
  12. "Flames not entering Continental Cup".
  13. "Steelers win 2024 Challenge Cup". 21 August 2019.
  14. "Standings 2024/2025 Elite Ice Hockey League".
  15. "Sheffield Steelers 6:3 Guildford Flames".
  16. "Cardiff Devils 7:5 Guildford Flames".
  17. "Guildford Flames at eliteprospects.com". www.eliteprospects.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2020. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  18. "Team". Guildford Flames. Archived from the original on 7 October 2021. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  19. "Guildford Flames Ice Hockey Club - Milton returns for 23-24".
  20. "Burman returns to Flames". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
  21. "Long back in Flames kit". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
  22. "Kupsky returns" . Retrieved 21 May 2025.
  23. "Ben Solder transfers to Flames". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
  24. "Comrie making pro debut at Flames". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  25. "Curti agrees second term". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 27 June 2025.
  26. "Tesink returns for third term". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 21 August 2025.
  27. "Shearer added to D group". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 15 January 2025.
  28. "Watson back for 2nd stint". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  29. "Brown signs on for second tour". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  30. "Gravelle signs with Flames". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  31. "Busch moves to Flames". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  32. "Jacome back for second term". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
  33. "Preziuso added to roster". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  34. "Tedesco back with Flames". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  35. "Flames add forward Josh Nixon". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  36. "Alvaro back with Flames". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
  37. "Glover returns". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
  38. "Mathieu Gosselin joins Flames". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 4 July 2025.
  39. "Coughler back for second season". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 23 June 2025.
  40. "Hook returns". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  41. "Guildford Flames Ice Hockey Club - Waller back for 25-26". www.guildfordflames.com. Retrieved 12 May 2025.
  42. "Strang back for follow-up campaign". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  43. "Welychka joins Flames". www.guildfordflames.com. Retrieved 19 June 2024.
  44. "Ully transfers to Flames". www.guildfordflames.com. Retrieved 26 May 2025.
  45. "Talbot back for second year of deal". Guildford Flames. Retrieved 15 July 2025.