Ice hockey may not be the most popular sport in the UK, however it is rapidly gaining popularity in the country. Nowhere is this more evident than in a shopping centre on the outskirts of Glasgow where the Braehead Clan play in front of upwards of 3,000 supporters each week. VAVEL recently had the chance to catch up with the club's coach Ryan Finnerty, whose contract at the club has been extended to next season.
You signed for the Sheffield Steelers in 2007, did you know much about British ice hockey before then?
I had a few friends at the time playing in the league, so I did a little research while I was in Italy, where I was playing before I moved to Sheffield.
Did you enjoy playing in Italy?
It depends what style of hockey you play. I didn't enjoy it personally but some guys go over and enjoy it. There are some teams over there with good money and it's a good set-up.
Did you find any difficulties with the language barrier or the culture?
You just get on with it; most people in Italy speak enough English to help you through but It can be a bit challenging at times.
How would you compare playing in the UK and Italy to North America?
Obviously European hockey is a bit different; Britain is closer to the North American style, whereas Italy is a little bit more open and perhaps not as physical.
What would you say was your biggest achievement as a player?
When I played in Sheffield, we won the double in 2009. Every player likes to win championships so that was a good feeling to win the Challenge Cup and the League.
You just took Braehead to third in the play-offs, what are your goals for next season?
I think we could improve our league standing. I wasn't happy about the way we finished [5th]. I thought we were a second place hockey team, third place at worst. We struggled for consistency but we found our game again in the play-offs and managed to knock out the defending champions [Nottingham Panthers] convincingly to make the final four. I think our goal for next season is mainly to finish as high up in the table as possible - we'd like to be in the top three and get to a further stage and compete for the Challenge Cup.
Do you think you are capable of winning the Challenge Cup next year?
I think we have a good chance. Obviously it's tough; you have to go up against some of the big boys like Sheffield, Nottingham and Belfast - they've won every trophy in the past 5 or 6 years. You have to break that chain but we're definitely taking steps and edging closer. That's all we can do as a club is keep getting better and better and close the gap between us and the top three.
The off-season is from April until August; does a lot go on behind the scenes in that time?
It's a busy time for all the coaches and general managers forming their new clubs and trying their best to keep their fan base entertained and informed as the summer goes on. Some of our imported players are flying back today and tomorrow, so hopefully we will have signing news in the next couple of weeks.
You've been a part of the British ice hockey scene for a few years; have you noticed a growth in popularity of the sport in your time here?
When I played I wasn't a popular player, I annoyed the other team's fans but my team's fan base was pretty good. I think all the fans in this league are fantastic, it's not like the football mentality here, they're passionate and want to win but that doesn't leave the ice. I don't understand how people can look football, which is probably the softest sport in the world, and then fight in the stands. You get grown men rolling about on the park and tough guys fighting in the stands; it makes no sense! But like I said, the British fan base is tremendous. There are some genuinely nice people and you get to meet a lot of them.
You grew up in Canada, where ice hockey is almost like a religion, who were your idols growing up?
If you were French-Canadian it was probably Mario Lemieux but for me it was Wayne Gretzky; he was every kid's idol in the 80's. Growing up around Edmonton I got to look him play and that was special.
The NHL play-offs are just around the corner; who is your money on for the Stanley Cup?
It's tough, I think it may be Boston's year but I'm wrong almost every year! I would like to see a team from out west win it. Maybe San Jose or Anaheim.
Not a Canadian team?
We only have the Montreal Canadiens and I'm not a Montreal fan. I don't think Canadian teams have a good chance of winning anything this year.
Lastly, many still argue about the best player in the world; in your opinion is it Alexander Ovechkin or Sidney Crosby?
Obviously Crosby is a Canadian, so I've got to go with him. Ovechkin is pretty dynamic but in the past Crosby has won Stanley Cups and Olympic Gold medals, his experience alone is impressive. Whether you like him or not, you've got to go with Sidney Crosby.
