Phil chats with Chelmsford Warriors coach Craig Metcalf and manager Fabrizzio Tessadri
Ice Hockey, the fastest team sport in the world provides a spectacle that’s action packed, full of excitement and hard, really hard, hits!
Did you know that it enjoys the largest aggregate annual attendance of all indoor sports in the UK with the top Elite pro teams regularly attracting crowds of 6,000- 8,000. And it’s played in front of an enthusiastic community of local fans right here in Chelmsford at Riverside Ice Rink where the men’s first team, The Chieftains, compete in the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) 1 South. The Warriors, operating as the development pathway for talented local youngsters, compete in NIHL 2 South. The girls are also in on the act with an U16 squad and the senior women’s team, The Cobras, competing in the WNIHL1.
Phil met with Chelmsford Warriors coach, Craig Metcalf, and manager Fab Tessadri, to gain some insights on the sport and its local popularity.
Phil: So Craig, I think I detect a Canadian accent. Tell us a little about yourself, your history in the sport and how you came to be in the UK and Chelmsford?
Craig: I grew up in Vancouver, played junior hockey but following university I longed to go back-packing around Europe. My dad, who’s originally from Wallsend, told me about the history of UK hockey and how, following the end of WW2, Canadian and US ex-servicemen increased the popularity of the sport over here. His team was Whitley Warriors. I came over to the UK in 1998 and started playing for Chelmsford Chieftains in the English Premier Ice Hockey League. In my second season we won a treble championship; great memories! I loved Chelmsford, still do, having spent the last 10 years coaching kids in the Chelmsford Ice Hockey Academy and now the Chelmsford Warriors.
Phil: I have very little knowledge of the sport. Enlighten me with a brief outline of the laws and format.
Craig: OK, so the sport is played on a standard ice rink. The two opposing teams each have six players on the ice at any one time. That’s five skaters and one goalie. The five outfield players comprise three forwards and two defenders. However, the squad (roster) consists of as many as twenty players. Due to the intensity of the sport it demands short bursts of extreme effort so players are rotated during play, spending as little as 45 seconds in action, before swapping with another squad member. The objective is to score goals by shooting a small rubber puck into the opponent’s net during the game consisting of three 20-minute periods. The game clock stops whenever the play stops so a match normally takes 2 to 2.5 hours to complete. The rules of the game are easy to pick up - our supporters are very friendly and would be happy to explain things to newcomers. Ice hockey is fast and physical and, in my opinion, the most exciting contact sport to watch.
Phil: What motivated you to take on the role of Warriors head coach?
Craig: A lot of it stems from a lifelong involvement and love of the sport. I’d represented the Chieftains and when my son Haydn, now 16, started playing I developed a real interest and passion for developing local talent. Here at Chelmsford we have 140 youngsters, boys and girls, in the academy from U10 to U19 - the Warriors creates a pathway for aspiring academy players alongside experienced senior players. Our aim is to develop players locally and keep them playing locally, realising their potential. We are proud that the academy has produced players who’ve represented England and GB in their respective age group. I must pay tribute here to the enormous support I get from my fellow coaches, Jon Beckett and Phil Chard. As a coaching unit we’re one of the more experienced groups in the league.
Phil: Fab, tell us about your role and history with the sport.
Fab: I’m the manager of the Chelmsford Warriors and that means I’m responsible for administration, finance, communications, logistics, kit etc. Basically, everything except coaching, tactics and team selection. I’ve been an avid follower of the sport since the 1990s when my company sponsored the London Knights. Like Craig, my passion and involvement increased due to my son’s involvement. Luca started playing the sport here, his talent as a netminder was spotted and he developed up to playing in the senior team at Chelmsford. He’s now 20, away at university and playing hockey for Widnes.
Phil: What makes a good hockey player?
Craig: It’s hard work, physical fitness, dedication and competitiveness; skill and agility are developed through a player’s commitment and love for the game. Ice rinks aren’t that common in the UK and are spread around the country. That dedication is required of players and parents alike, all having to endure the travelling!
Phil: What’s your final message to our readers?
Fab: I’d just encourage everyone to try to get along to watch a match, Chieftains, Warriors or Cobras, and experience the unique atmosphere of ice hockey. I promise you’ll have a great time. Hockey at Chelmsford is a family sport, we’re a real community. There’s great rapport and interaction between the players and the younger fans. Many of our talented local players started by attending matches, were inspired to learn to skate and then progressed to playing hockey. A family of four can watch the Warriors for £16 so it’s a very accessible and affordable sport. Food and beverages are available and our DJ will be pumping out tunes to maintain a great atmosphere. Please visit the Chelmsford Warriors website to find further details. We look forward to welcoming you at Riverside to watch the fastest team sport in the world!