Wikipedia

Oxford City Stars

The Oxford City Stars are an ice hockey team based in Oxford, Oxfordshire, England.The team was founded in 1984. They currently play in the NIHL South Division 1 at Oxford Ice Rink, Oxford

Oxford City Stars
CityOxford, Oxfordshire
LeagueNIHL South Division 1
ConferenceDivision One South
Founded1984
Home arenaOxford Ice Rink
Capacity: 1,025
ColorsYellow, Blue & Black
     
General managerJo Mundy England
Head coachShannon Taylor England
CaptainDax Hedges England
AffiliatesBristol Pitbulls, NIHL National

Basingstoke Buffalo, NIHL 2
Oxford Rising Stars, NIHL 2

Oxford Midnight Stars, WNIHL 2
WebsiteOxford City Stars
Franchise history
1984–1997Oxford City Stars
1997–1998Oxford Chill
1998–2000Oxford Blades
2000–presentOxford City Stars

History edit

The British Hockey League (1984–1996) edit

The Oxford City Stars made their debut in 1984 and had an instant impact winning the BHL Division 2 (Midlands) as well as the post season playoffs and moved into the BHL Division 1 where they were unable to repeat their success, succumbing to a 9th placed finish in their first season. The following season would see them finish 15th and return back to the BHL Division 2. They would however endure more success in the 1990–91 and 1995-96 seasons as they claimed First Place, but nothing in the post season.

The Turbulent Years (1996–2000) edit

After the formation of the National Ice Hockey League in 1996, the Oxford City Stars were placed in the Division One South where the finished 6th and failed to qualify for the Playoffs. The following season due to issues with the Ice Rink, they moved to Swindon under the guise of Swindon Chill. The 1998-99 season saw the Stars return under the name of Oxford Blades, losing all 32 games in a dismal season with only worse to come as they folded midway during the 1999-2000 season.

ENHL Years (2001–2012) edit

The City Stars returned to the ENHL for the 2000-2001 season and would endure mid range results over the coming years, finishing in highs of 2nd and lows of 9th with one quarter final playoff appearance as the highlight of the performances.

NIHL Years (2012–present) edit

The Oxford City Stars found traction in the newly formed National Ice Hockey League where they won the Southern Division 2 Title back to back in 2012-13 and 2013-14 with no Playoffs being played. The Stars struggled the following season in Division 1 garnering just 7 wins from 36 games on their way to a 9th place finish. They picked up the following year finishing 4th and losing in the Quarter Finals of the Playoffs. The Stars would then return to Division 2 for the next 3 seasons, picking up One League Title in the 2017-18 season.

Covid Pandemic in Ice Hockey (2019–2021) edit

In late 2019/early 2020 the World was rocked by the emergence of a respiratory disease across the world eventually dubbed the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected the world in a major way as governments struggled to control the outbreak. The Stars were due to play the Invicta Dynamos but the visiting team cancelled due to a positive test amongst the team. Shortly after this the Government announced that measures would be taken to contain the outbreak including the cancellation of all sporting events as well as other measures. Thus the 2019 Season was incomplete and halted and the post-season was cancelled as well. The outbreak would go on to claim the 2020-21 season as well.

Returning to Hockey (2021–present) edit

After the culmination of Covid19, the League announced the 2021 season would go ahead as planned. The Stars had moved back into the NIHL South Division 1 at this point and the season would commence with 9 teams due to the closure of the John Nike Leisure Complex, home of the Bracknell Hornets who since folded. The Stars struggled in their return to action, finishing 8th of 9 with just 18 points and an elimination in the Quarter Finals of the Playoffs

Club roster 2023–24 edit

(*) Denotes a non-British trained player (Import)

Netminders
No. Nat. Player Catches Date of birth Place of birth Acquired Contract
29   Joe Dollin L (1987-01-09) 9 January 1987 (age 37) Guildford, England 2023 23/24
31   Ross Miller L (1995-07-25) 25 July 1995 (age 28) Cardiff, Wales 2019 from Bristol Pitbulls 23/24
39   Petr Čech* R (1982-05-20) 20 May 1982 (age 41) Plzeň, Czechoslovakia 2023 from Chelmsford Chieftains 23/24
Defencemen
No. Nat. Player Shoots Date of birth Place of birth Acquired Contract
4   Charlie Roche R (2006-01-01) 1 January 2006 (age 18) Oxford, England 2021 23/24
9   Christopher Cooke R (1994-11-13) 13 November 1994 (age 29) Guildford, England 2021 23/24
13   Marcus Mitchell R (1998-01-04) 4 January 1998 (age 26) Guildford, England 2023 from Basingstoke Bison 23/24
19   Tom Stephens L (2003-08-19) 19 August 2003 (age 20) Milton Keynes, England 2023 from Bristol Pitbulls 23/24
79   Ben Nethersell R (1998-01-05) 5 January 1998 (age 26) Worthing, England 2023 from Swindon Wildcats 23/24
80   Will Harding R (1996-08-21) 21 August 1996 (age 27) Swindon, England 2023 from Swindon Wildcats II 23/24
84   Tom Ravenscroft R (2000-07-01) 1 July 2000 (age 23) Oxford, England 2019 23/24
Forwards
No. Nat. Player Shoots Date of birth Place of birth Acquired Contract
8   Danny Williams L (1994-08-11) 11 August 1994 (age 29) England 2023 from Swindon Wildcats 2 23/24
21   Matt Lawday R (1991-05-04) 4 May 1991 (age 32) Basingstoke, England 2017 23/24
22   Theo Bundock R (1999-07-01) 1 July 1999 (age 24) England 2021 23/24
42   Travis Penny R (2003-01-01) 1 January 2003 (age 21)* England 2023 from Basingstoke Bison 23/24
71   Dax Hedges R (1990-05-14) 14 May 1990 (age 33) Oxford, England 2012 23/24
77   Darren Elliott R (1980-07-07) 7 July 1980 (age 43) Oxford, England 23/24
78   Brad Watchorn R (1989-09-24) 24 September 1989 (age 34) London, England 2022 23/24
81   Ethan Taylor R (2008-01-30) 30 January 2008 (age 16) Swindon, England 2024 23/24
95   Loris Taylor L (1993-08-01) 1 August 1993 (age 30) Swindon, England 2023 from Swindon Wildcats 23/24
97   James Pentecost R (1989-10-09) 9 October 1989 (age 34) Peterborough, England 2024 from Chelmsford Chieftains 23/24
??   Jan Košťál* R (1980-04-13) 13 April 1980 (age 44) Karlovy Vary, Czechoslovakia 2023 23/24
Team Staff
No. Nat. Name Acquired Role Place of birth Joined From
  Shannon Taylor 2023 Head coach Swindon, England
  Darren Elliott 2012/13 Assistant coach Oxford, England
  Josh Florey 2024 Assistant coach Oxford, England
  Jo Mundy 2018/19 General Manager England

Honours edit

  • British Division 2 (South) Champions – 1984/85, 1990/91, 1995/96
  • British Division 2 Playoff Champions – 1984/85
  • National Ice Hockey League, Division 2 (South) Champions – 2012/13, 2017–18
  • English National League Runners-up – 2003/04, 2004/05
  • English National League Cup Runners-up – 2003/04

National Championship Trophy 2017/18

Retired jersey numbers edit

  • 11 - Paul Linton
  • 16 - Alan Green

Season-by-season record edit

'*Stars folded midway through the campaign and all of their results were expunged.

'# Oxford Chill were forced to relocate to Swindon just prior to the start of the league campaign due to a major ice plant failure at the rink. After this happened, they were renamed the Swindon Chill.

- Post-season cancelled due to the 2019 Covid Pandemic—2020-21 Season cancelled due to the ongoing Covid Pandemic

    • 1 Tie awarded after no Ice at Milton Keynes

Season-by-season record (reserve teams) edit

Over the seasons the Stars have periodically iced teams in division as a reserve teams and a season by season list is below:

All time records edit

All Time Appearances
No. Nat. Name Games played Period Years
1   Darren Elliot 414 1996–2024 20
2   Andy Cox 323 2001–2022 17
3   Joe Edwards 318 2007–2023 16
4   Josh Oliver 314 2009–2024 14
5   Paul Donohoe + 293 1987–2007 14
6   Dax Hedges 271 2006–present 17
7   Trevor Joseph 236 1985–2005 12
8   Josh Florey 239 2009–2022 11
9   Darryl Morvan 223 1985–1999 12
10   Scott Gough 217 1985–2006 11

[1]

Top Goalscorers
No. Nat. Name Games played Goals Period Years
1   Dan Prachar 194 403 1989–2006 8
2   Scott Gough 217 310 1985–2006 11
3   Darren Elliot 414 259 1996–2024 20
4   Alan Green 209 216 2004–2017 11
5   Derek Flint 178 190 1991–2005 9
6   Josh Oliver 314 177 2009–2024 14
7   Joe Edwards 318 170 2007–2023 15
8   Rick Smith 25 150 1998–1999 1
9   Paul Donohoe + 293 145 1987–2007 14
10   John Gravelle 61 134 1991–1993 2

[2]

Top Assists
No. Nat. Name Games Played Assists Period Years
1   Dan Prachar 194 334 1989–2006 8
2   Darren Elliot 414 304 1996–2024 20
3   Scott Gough 217 261 1985–2006 11
4   Derek Flint 178 219 1991–2005 9
5   Paul Simpson 105 205 1985–1989 4
6   Paul Donohoe + 293 190 1987–2007 14
7   Joe Edwards 318 179 2007–2023 15
8   Alan Green 209 175 2004–2017 11
9   Andy Cox 323 155 2001–2022 17
10   Don Jamieson 52 151 1989–1991 2

[3]

Most Penalty Minutes
No. Nat. Name Games Played PIMs Period Years
1   Darren Elliot 408 824 1996–2024 20
2   Andy Cox 323 823 2001–2022 17
3   Dax Hedges 267 666 2006–present 16
4   Alan Green 209 567 2004–2017 11
5   Trevor Joseph 263 559 1985–2005 12
6   Darryl Morvan 223 521 1985–1999 12
7   Josh Florey 239 461 2009–2022 11
8   Grant Bailey 139 380 1996–2011 6
9   Joe Edwards 318 371 2007–2023 15
10   Dan Prachar 194 353 1989–2006 8

[4]

+ Some Data Missing

Other associated teams edit

The Oxford City ice hockey club also have junior and women's teams as follows:-

  • Under 9s (English League South)
  • Under 11s (English League South Division 3)
  • Under 13s (English League South Division 3)
  • Under 15s (English League South Division 3)
  • Under 18s (English League South Division 3)
  • Under 20s
  • Oxford Midnight Stars (Women's League Division 1 South)
  • Oxford Rising Stars (NIHL South Division 2)

References edit

  1. ^ "Elite Prospects - All Time Regular Season Player Stats for Oxford City Stars".
  2. ^ "Elite Prospects - All Time Regular Season Player Stats for Oxford City Stars".
  3. ^ "Elite Prospects - All Time Regular Season Player Stats for Oxford City Stars".
  4. ^ "Elite Prospects - All Time Regular Season Player Stats for Oxford City Stars".

External links edit

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