OUIHC Men's Captain 
Many congratulations to Club President, Dan Lock, for winning the Oxford University Sport Atalanta’s Team-mate of the Year Award 2017!
Over the past 3 years, Daniel Lock has embodied what it means to be a team player. His selfless attitude, unabated commitment, and unwavering leadership has steered the OUIHC over many years, to national success and laid the foundation for the Club to become one of the U.K.-leading premier university ice hockey programs.
As Captains of the Women’s Blues 2016-2017, we would like to say a heartfelt congratulations to all the players that received a half blue or team colours in recognition of their performance and dedication this season. Well done Rebecca Guerriero, Fiona McLoughlin, Emma Hay, Diana Garibaldi, Andrea Francisco, Charlotte Graham, Nina Lindsay, Ellie Park, Maria Holdcroft, Fiona McKendrick, Rebecca Wardell and Yvette Dell.
In addition, we are thrilled to announce that the Oxford University Women’s Ice Hockey will be awarding a Full Blue to Lisa Choi! Lisa has played with the team for 4 years, participated in 3 varsity matches (all wins) and has been nominated for Sportswoman of the Year by St. John’s College (in 2016 and in 2017) and Teammate of the Year by SportsFed in 2015-2016. We believe that her outstanding standard of play and dedication to the team are worthy of recognition, and we were elated that the Women’s Blues Committee agreed with us and voted to award her an Extraordinary Full Blue.
Thank you all for your hard work and dedication, in what has been an unforgettable season with the Oxford Women’s Blues!
–Fiona McKendrick & Andrea Mae Francisco, OUIHC Women’s Blues Captains 2016-2017
On Wednesday 29th of March, 2017, the Oxford Women’s Blues made their first trek to Nottingham’s National Ice Centre where they faced off against five other all-female teams in the BUIHA. The Oxford Blues would go on to win the tournament in a decisive fashion, remaining undefeated throughout the day-long event and without conceding a single goal.
We are pleased to see so many women in the BUIHA as the sport continues to grow across the country. Alongside the Oxford Women’s Blues, the Cambridge Women’s Blues, Notting Mavericks, Newcastle Wildcats, London Dragons, and two mixed squad teams representing the BUIHA in the North and South battled for the first ever title. We are excited for the 2017-20128 tournament where the Oxford Women’s Blues hope to bring home the championship again.
“We are proud to be able to make history as the (undefeated) champions of the first ever female inter-university ice hockey tournament in the UK. We are immensely pleased with the performance today and I think the results speak for themselves as we won 5-0 against Nottingham in the finals. Looking forward to Nationals this weekend!” — Andrea Mae Francisco & Fiona McKendrick, OUIHC Women’s Blues Captains 2016-2017
🏆🏆
Oxford University Blues – National Champions 2015-16
With the regular season over, the Oxford University Blues took to the ice in Sheffield this past weekend (April 23rd/24th 2016) to compete for the annual British Universities Ice Hockey Association (BUIHA) division one National Championship. Seeded sixth out of nine going into the tournament despite going 5 wins and 3 losses in the regular season and only one loss in 2016, the OUIHC Blues looked to prove they were the best university ice hockey team in the nation after a close second place finish behind league winners – the Cambridge Blues.
Oxford started their campaign with an impressive 6-3 win over northern champions Nottingham Mavericks much to the surprise of everyone. A close 3-2 win against hometown-team Sheffield Bears, an intense 3-3 back and forth game with the defending National Champions – the Southampton Spitfires – and a 7-0 routing of the Northumbria Kings led to a semi-final matchup against the St. Andrew Typhoons.
A physical semi-final match and shootout heroics saw the Blues take down St. Andrew’s (2-1 overall; 3-2 in the shootout) to face defending champions Southampton Spitfires in the final (who knocked out the Cambridge Blues also in a shootout in their semi-final encounter).
Successive Oxford goals and relentless pressure from the Blues defence lead to a final score of 5-1 securing OUIHC’s first division one National Championship. An honourable mention goes to the teams who made it out of the group stages, especially Southampton who played in their third division 1 final in as many years.
The Blues celebrated their accomplishment at the Blues Presentation Ceremony on Thursday 28th April at the Oxford Town Hall with the Oxford Women’s ice hockey Blues and other Dark Blue Varsity teams. The ladies received their Blues from Olympic rower Debbie Flood while the Men’s Blues await their Varsity Match.
The Men’s Blues representing the Championship winning team at the Blues Presentation Ceremony.
The newly crowned National Champions face off against the League Champions – the Cambridge Blues – in the 98th instalment of the ice hockey Varsity Match on May 15th at Oxford ice rink.
Come and support your classmates and fellow Dark Blues onto victory! Tickets (£6 for one, £20 for four) are available here: https://try.tilt.com/ouihc-varsity
Caption: The Oxford University Blues prepare for their match against rivals the Oxford Blues (Final score: 6-1 win)
Men’s Blues Ice Hockey – a Discretionary Full Blue Sport
The Oxford Men’s Blues, known in the top BUIHA league as the Oxford University Blues, continue to build on their successful season with an upgrade of Blues Status from Half-Blue to Discretionary Full Blue. The upgrade was passed at a Blues Committee meeting of the University’s Blues captains at the Vincent’s Club on Monday 8th February, week 4 of Hilary term.
The Oxford Blue, established in the early 19th century around the advent of the Boat Race, is the highest sporting accolade awarded by the University of Oxford. It is awarded based on the scholar’s performance during the annual Varsity Match – the athletic competition between the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Blues are a prestigious University award and have been awarded in ice hockey since Charles Little first petitioned for Half-Blue status for the OUIHC in 1933 after relocating the Varsity Match from the continental Europe to England.
The re-establishment of Discretionary Full Blue status, which was lost in the 2012/13 season, adds to a string of successes for OUIHC that include Half Blue status reinstatement in 2014, resurrection of a Blues Varsity Match in 2015 and recognition as Oxford University Sport ‘Club of the Year’ award during the 2015/16 season.
The Blues currently sit atop the BUIHA division 1 south league with 5 wins and 3 losses. In mid March, they will venture to Europe for their annual tour before returning to the UK to compete in the National Championships. The season will end in May in the Blues Varsity Match against the Cambridge University Blues. Tickets are now for sale.
The Oxford University Ice Hockey Club (OUIHC) constitution was amended to stipulate the OUIHC as a single club of Men’s Blues and Women’s Blues (rather than the OUIHC acronym being plural). Despite the change of the club constitution, the OUIHC had been a single club, of three teams, registered with the University Sports Federation since 2007.
Fittingly, in the year this occured both men’s and women’s Varsity Matches were played in the same season, the first time since 2012, which consisted of squads of only matriculated Oxford University students abiding by the Varsity Match rules set by both the Oxford and Cambridge Blues Committees.
Caption: Alan Keeso – recipient of the Nautilus Award
In Trinity term of 2015, OUIHC Men’s Blues goaltender Alan Keeso was recognised for his commitment to Oxford University ice hockey with the awarding of the Green Templeton College Nautilus Award. The award is given based on outstanding academic or sporting achievement at the University level.
Over the past season, Alan’s contribution to the development of the Oxford University Ice Hockey Club (OUIHC) has been astounding, paying testament to his work ethic and drive to succeed. The following is a snippet from the article:
“Alan Keeso (MBA) has contributed vastly to Oxford University Ice Hockey by successfully negotiating the re-establishment of the recognised Blues Varsity Match and earning the Man of the Match award in this year’s game.”
Caption: #1 Keeso at the Varsity Match against Cambridge
The full article can be read here.
Men’s Blues put in a strong show at National Championships
With the regular season over, the Oxford University Blues Ice Hockey Team (the men’s contingent of the Oxford University Ice Hockey Club) had finished mid-table in a strong division with the likes of London Universities Union and Cambridge University powering their way to the top of the table. Not surprisingly, the team were ranked lower than most entering the Division 1 National Championships – the highlight of every university ice hockey player’s calendar. Despite the league prediction, the Oxford team were in high spirits at pre-nationals training with a set game plan and a strong, condensed roster.
Entering the weekend, the Blues knew they would have their backs against the wall having seen the pre-released group’s opponents – the mighty London Dragons, hometown team Sheffield Bears and the undefeated St Andrews Typhoons.
Caption: Opening faceoff against the Northumbria Kings – a 5-1 win for the Dark Blue
Despite the draw of the bright lights of Sheffield, the team were ready to go from the outset with first puck-drop against the Northumbria Kings. The Kings, whose second team had narrowly stolen a win from the Oxford Women’s Blues two weekends prior, were not to experience such a favourable result and ended up conceding five goals in a win for the Dark Blues.
Up next was the Sheffield Bears, a team who have historically dominated the British University Ice Hockey Association division 1 league (BUIHA Div1). Despite the incredible effort to fight for every puck battle, the OUIHC men could not compete with the well-drilled Sheffield team who were efficient moving the puck up the ice and clinical in front of goal netting half a dozen past the Oxford goaltender.
Going 1 win, 1 loss into Saturday night, the Blues knew they had a shot at a semi-final spot if they secured at least one win in their last two games against London and St Andrews. Disregarding the pressure, the Saturday night was chilled with the team adopting an unexpected pre-game routine of bowling. Hockey players worldwide practice weirder superstitions/“routines” and as it turned out the Oxford lads were in the lead for the majority for their next game the following morning. Superstitions aside, the men in Dark Blue played a perfect game against the speedy northern team and it took a great individual effort from St. Andrews superstar Chase McCarthy to salvage a point for the group leaders.
Caption: Jesus College student Ben Verboom leading the Oxford attack
With league predictions blown out of the water and after a number of St Andrews players claiming it was the best game they’ve played in all year, the Blues were quietly confident entering the final group game against the dominant London Dragons. Only a week previously, the Dragons had scorched the Northern Conference winners, the Nottingham Mavericks, in a 15-3 display of relentless physicality and ruthless offensive play.
The game started full throttle with the both teams utilising their larger forwards in relentless fore-checking. However, it was the men in blue who opened the scoring thanks to Winnipeg native Alex Bergin with a quick accurate shot to the top corner of the net. The lead was not held for long with London netting consecutive goals to turn the game on its head for a 3-1 London lead.
The Oxford team had become practiced in resilient play against bigger opponents and this was no exception. The Blues game out strong after the restart and a powerful slapshot from Naeem Bardai blew past the Dragon goaltender into the roof of the net. Despite the Dragons netting another goal, capitalising on Oxford’s lack of defensemen (i.e. none) at the tournament, the Blues team came up big yet again with an excellent passing play from the captains resulting in a textbook backdoor goal cutting the lead in half. This was shortly followed by a screened wrist shot by Slovakian forward Tomas Alfoldi to tie the game with emphatic celebrations from the Oxford bench. However, London demonstrated why they had been crowned BUIHA Champions the week before and pushed for a winner in the final minute. To Oxford’s dismay, the Dragons top line duo of Captain Kalle Uusitalo and Andrew Bulovsky connected for the final goal despite an outstanding acrobatic effort from Oxford goalie Chris Edwards. The game ended dramatically with a 5-4 win for London meaning Oxford missed out on a semi-final place.
Caption: The all-forward Oxford University Blues
Despite the heart-breaking exit from the tournament, the guys can look back on the weekend with pride. A number of outstanding team performances meant that the Blues were in with a shot at semi-final spot right until the last.
With the season over, attention turns towards next season. While refocusing our gaze on academic matters, the team will prepare for out of season training to condition themselves over the summer ready to start the 2015-16 season the right way. Stay tuned for updates by following us @OUIHCmensblues on Twitter and liking our Facebook page (Oxford University Ice Hockey Club).
Oxford Women’s Blues defy the odds at National Championships
History was made at the division 1 non-checking National Championships in Sheffield this year. The Oxford Women’s Blues brought a roster of just 7 skaters and 2 goalies (due to unfortunate scheduling) and yet proved that they compete with the best division 1 non-checking teams. The ladies topped their group and narrowly lost to former champions Northumbria Kings B.
Leading up to the tournament, the Blues had finished second in the league competition and were ranked as fourth in the power rankings among all ten teams. It was clear from the start that the competition would be tough evident when there were more coaches on the bench than players. Despite the odds, the Blues opened their account with a 1-1 draw against the well-drilled Sheffield Bears C. Of particular note was the destructive play of Canadian veteran Lisa Choi who rocked two Sheffield players in what can only be described as thoroughly clearing your own zone – later commented by the Captain Linda Perkiö as the proudest moment of her life. Regardless, two points were within reach and areas of improvement were noted and preached ready for the second fixture just 90 minutes later.
This fixture was set to be an entertaining game as the opponents Bradford Sabres B had made the step-up from division 2 after a 100% win record and boasting a number of top goal scorers. However, the Blues exemplar team play and game strategy paid dividends with a number of defensive takeaways and stretch passes to the forwards. After a great individual effort by Choi to draw a penalty shot, the Blues were unfortunate to not open the scoring on this one on one. However, Bradford could not hold back the tide of dark blue with former Yale Varsity athlete Jennifer Lawrence netting a breakaway with the assist deservedly going to accomplished figure skater Park “Ellie” HyunSeo who was solely responsible for generating the scoring opportunity. A second goal by Lawrence saw the crowd go crazy – a fan base that quickly grew to realise that this Blues team was dominant and not the underdog originally thought by many. During the latter stages of the game, Bradford poured on the pressure around the Oxford goal, which led to a controversial swing of the stick to the helmet of the Oxford goalie Kate Koch. The scrum that erupted around the Oxford goal led to, surprisingly, Oxford’s standout goaltender to be chucked from the game with no equivalent penalty given to the offender. After a long discussion with the referee about the rules of the sport, it was clear that the decision would have to be taken the league committee and the match to be played out by Oxford’s other solid netminder Stephanie Clarke. Bradford managed to claw a goal back after a scramble in front of goal but the resilient defence and the fresh-legged Clarke kept the Sabres at bay resulting in a 2-1 dark blue win putting them at the top of the table.
Despite the positive atmosphere in the locker room, news that second generation OUIHC forward Charlotte Cato would not be returning after a blocked shot during the first game, only proved to motivate the ladies further after seeing the dedication shown by the baby of the team, affectionately known as “Cato”. Subsequently, the Dark Blue would close the first day with a second victory, this time over Coventry and Warwick Panthers B, the 2011 BUHIA division 3 champions. The tone was set early by Oxford’s powerplay unit of Lawrence, Choi, rookie Andrea Francisco, alumnus Ioana Gagea and Captain Linda Perkiö whose slapshot from the blue line, after a great feed from Choi, blew past the Panther’s goalie for the powerplay tally. Two more goals by Lawrence secured the win and Oxford’s place in a semi-final spot.
On the night the teams headed out for the annual BUIHA non-checking division social with this year’s theme being “dress as your team”. This fell in the favour of certain teams such as the Newcastle Wildcats, Imperial Devils and UCL Yetis, however, costumes proved difficult for the Manchester Metrostars, UEA Avalanche and Southampton Spitfires. The Oxford team dressed as Rosie the Riveter – consistent with their recruitment campaign of the past several seasons.
After an intense first day, both on and off the ice, the ladies were more or less ready to hit the final day of the tournament hard. However, due to vast number of teams and therefore the odd scheduling, the Blues were not due to play until later in the day. Knowing that finishing top of the table was guaranteed, the team played a conservative game in their last group fixture against Birmingham Lions C dropping it 1-0.
Minds remained focused on the semi-final match-up, which turned out to be against Northumbria Kings B much to the disappointment of a number of individuals who were anticipating a re-match against league opponents Imperial Devils B. Northumbria, who boasted ridiculous stats from their scorers in the league as well as a large bench, opened the scoring. However, after JLaw’s one-timer shot rang off the inside of the post, much to the disappointment of the crowd, her second attempt moments later saw the puck ring off the pipe for a second time but this time into the back of the net – 1-1. The King’s shooters continued to pepper the Oxford goal but former MIT Men’s goalie Kate Koch stood tall and made save after save. It wasn’t until the latter half of the game that the scoring resumed with another two quick goals, one apiece. Jenn Lawrence again stepping up as a natural leader and splitting the Northumbria defence and slotting the puck into the net for the tying goal after a dirty dangle. Entering the last 2 minutes of play, a dubious delay of game penalty against the dark blue saw the King’s covert for the game-winning goal. Despite a last ditch effort, the game finished 4-2 with an empty net goal.
Caption: The Oxford Women’s Blues National Championship Team
Northumbria secured their third division 1 non-checking title in as many years with a 3-0 display against Imperial College Devils B in the final. The tournament had certainly been a successful one for the ladies in dark blue, demonstrating that they are one of the best non-checking university teams in the country despite participating in a male-dominated league. The future is certainly bright for the ladies of the OUIHC with a number of players returning for the next academic season, the pressure is certainly on the rest of the league to keep up with what is anticipated as another winning season for the OUIHC Women’s Blues.
Stay tuned on twitter @OUIHCMensBlues as the university men’s Blues take on the best in the country at the division 1 checking National Championships on April 25th and 26th.
Caption: Oxford University Blues Vs Brinken Vets.
OUIHC Tour Stockholm, Sweden
Between Hilary and Trinity 2015, nine Men’s Blues and four Women’s Blues left the bubble of Oxford and ventured north to Scandinavia for the OUIHC tour.
The OUIHC have been on numerous other tours including to Courchevel courtesy of alumnus John McCall MacBain who restarted Blues ice hockey tours back in the 80’s, but it was a first time the Blues have made the trip north.
After a very early flight, the OUIHC landed in Stockholm Arlanda, cruised down to central Stockholm in a pair of nice rented wheels and set up camp in a Carl Larsson house next to one of the Stockholm archipelago’s many harbours.
Caption: The tour team outside their Svenska hus.
After quickly acquainting themselves with their rooms and the lovely hostess, Mona, the team were off to Östermalms IP in central Stockholm. The next few hours consisted of an unusually early on-ice training session with the Royal Blue, the hockey team of the Royal institute of Technology (Kungliga Tekniska Högskolans). Founded in 1827, KTH is one of the top universities in Sweden and one of top technical universities in Europe. After a great training session with the Swedes, the team retired back to their cabin for a night of a certain card game made for horrible people.
The Saturday of tour provided an opportunity for exploring the beautiful Swedish capital taking in such sites as the Town Hall (with Tre Kronor spire), Gamla Stan (old town), the Nobel Museum, the Royal Palace and noting the many different islands that form the city. Despite a number of appeals from a certain player, time did not allow for a visit to the Vasa museum on Djurgården, known for housing the warship Vasa which sank during it’s maiden voyage in 1628.
Caption: Walking passed the government buildings into Gamla Stan (Old Town)
From cultural vultures to hockey enthusiasts, the OUIHC arrived for a 4pm face-off as VIP guests to the KTH (Stockholm) Vs Chalmers (Göteborg) Varsity Match presented by The Scholar. Swedish university hockey at its finest saw 12 goals scored (7-5 win for KTH) and many assists awarded – no less than what to expect from a nation of the Nordic model. Following emphatic celebrations from the players and the fans (especially the OUIHC), all three clubs, KTH – Oxford – Chalmers, headed to Stureplan for dinner at the nightclub Collage. Exemplar Swedish cooking was provided and glasses were raised with both KTH’s Pontus Håstlund and Oxford’s Tim Donnison delivering impromptu speeches from the Captain’s table with special mentions to both KTH and Chalmers, thanks to the respective captains and The Scholar. Following a toast to university ice hockey at our respective institutions (skål!), the night turned towards the dance floor.
The following day proved to be a tough one for the Blues, not only because of lack of sleep but also down to the fact they were due to play two fixtures against veteran teams – at 12noon and 7pm. The former icing a veteran player who had played against the Oxford City Stars many decades previously. After a dehydrating ordeal against AC Camelen, the match was followed by a buffet of home-cooked BBQ lamb and drinks – quite different from the staple post-match beers seen in the British university league. Much water consumption later, the Blues stepped out onto the ice against Brinken Vets, the home team of the rink that KTH had won their Varsity Match in the afternoon before. Again, the Blues quickly learned what Swedish hockey was all about with a showcase of precision passing and excellent off-the-puck movement shown by the veterans of the game. Despite a losing score line, a number of Blues made the score sheet, and all were in agreement that it was an absolute pleasure to skate alongside these Swedish gentlemen. A shout out goes to Teddy Hall fresher Josh Hammond who secured his first OUIHC goal with an accurate one timer from the slot that found the back of the net after a great feed from talented Brookes student-athlete Jack Woods.
Caption: Post-game photo with Brinken Vets and the KTH Captain.
After three on-ice sessions in Stockholm, the OUIHC used Monday to travel to neighbouring town Södertälje to browse one of the largest hockey outlets in Europe (HockeyMonkey.eu) and get a game of shinny in at the Gnesta ice rink (alumni include a number of NHL players such as Nicklas Grossman of the Philadelphia Flyers). The break from the city provided a slower pace and an opportunity to relax after three hectic days, a theme that continued on into the evening as the team took in a meal at a local sports bar to catch the SHL playoff game between Linköping and Skellefteå – one of the Women’s Blues being an alumnus of the Linköping women’s team.
As this was the last night in Sweden it only made sense to OUIHC alumnus and Swedish native Richard Lindgren-Eklöw to take a dip in the chilling Baltic waters. The immediate reaction of the team was to eagerly follow, if not slightly naïvely, down to the harbour to run headlong into the freezing water. Saner heads did not prevail and the experience proved to be an effective get-up-and-go.
The day of departure saw an early morning open scrimmage in a third Stockholm ice rink of which the quality of ice has never be seen in the UK. Safe to say that wearing wet kit is not for the faint-hearted and rather an unpleasant experience, perfect practice for both blues teams for the National Championships that are held every year in April.
With the impending realisation that tour 2015 was coming to close, it provided a chance to look back on the previous five days and realise how awesome they were. However, touring goes beyond turning up to a new place and playing hockey against strangers, it is about an exchange of culture, knowledge and passion for the game that goes beyond the ice rink. Instead, it forms the foundations and establishes relationships for future generations of student hockey players to benefit from in whatever forms that they may take. As emphasised during the Varsity dinner, university hockey is on the rise in our respective university communities and as a university club with values of integration, respect and equal opportunity, we have the chance to build from this and keep that momentum going.
With that thought in mind, a special thank you goes out to Pontus and the Royal Blue lads for sharing their Varsity weekend with us – we hope to return the favour in Oxford! Hej då Sverige – Tack så mycket!
Caption: The KTH Royal Blue and Oxford University Blues prior to the Stockholm-Göteborg Varsity Match.
