Men’s Blues

Men’s Blues ice hockey – National Champions 2016

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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.

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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

Men’s ice hockey – a Discretionary Full Blue sport

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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.

OUIHC Women’s Blues and Ice Hockey in the UK

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Oxford-Cambridge team photo after the 2015 Varsity Match “We win by building our teams up, NOT by tearing each other down”.

Standing behind the OUIHC booth at fresher’s fair for both the University of Oxford and Brookes University, I was approached by a number of people who were surprised to see us there. “Ice hockey?! There’s a team?!” was a common reaction among the passers-by and enthusiastic students. While it is true that the UK is not necessarily one of the first places one associates with ice hockey, the sport has a deep and rich history here, much of it emerging from Oxford University and its students. In response to those surprised students, I quickly mentioned that yes, there is a team – in fact there are 3 teams that make up the OUIHC, the second oldest hockey club in the world.

For others, however, playing ice hockey was a strange proposition approached with caution. Especially for women, many students assumed that it was a men’s sport that is violent and dangerous. When I mentioned the women’s team, so many were truly surprised and amazed. A few keen people were intrigued (some of which are now devoted members of the club). In fact, women’s ice hockey is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, with much of that growth taking place here in the UK. The OUIHC Women’s Blues are proud to be a part of that growth and a part of the history of women’s ice hockey nation-wide.

The OUIHC Women’s Blues were formed in 1981/1982 and were among the first four teams in the British Women’s League founded in 1984. Over the years, we have won several titles, but this year has been exceptional.

Playing in the British University Ice Hockey Association’s (BUIHA) league, we compete against men (and a few other women) in non-checking hockey. For many of those prospective female players at our recruitment booth before the season had even begun, this seemed intimidating and, for some, perplexing. Little did anyone know that we would dominate our division and go on to make history at the National Championships by placing third with only 6 skaters in the final semi-final match. We don’t play “women’s hockey”, we are women who play non-checking ice hockey, alongside men’s and mixed teams. The OUIHC Women’s Blues are not just good ‘for a women’s team’, but we are one of the top teams playing non-checking hockey – period.

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OUIHC Women take on the Bradford Sabres in the 2015 BUIHA National Championships. The OUIHC Women’s Blues won this match 2-1.

Still, as one of the very few all-women’s teams in the BUIHA at any level, we have received mixed responses from other teams and fans over the years. In the past, we had been ‘written off’ by game predictions made by the BUIHA, and we’ve been ridiculed for being ‘an easy win’ by opposing teams (innuendo abound, to our disgust). In the particular match that these insults were flung, based purely on our gender, I am very pleased to report that we destroyed the opposing team 8-0 – the inverse score predicted. This year at Nationals, one of our fans overheard a gentleman in the crowd exclaim that there was no way we would win, again on the basis of our gender. We won that match with only 7 skaters, dominating the game despite the close score.

While it can be difficult playing a male dominated sport, achievements are deeply rewarding and work to improve the reputation of the sport beyond just our league. This year, we are incredibly proud to say that we are the best women’s university team in the UK, beating Cambridge and playing above the Newcastle Wildcats. But it is difficult, especially when we face deeply engrained sexism that is, unfortunately, a part of many team cultures in the sporting world. This fuels us to persist and to be the best we can be, playing the sport we all love. In recent years, we’ve done this with the support of the OUIHC men’s teams who have helped on the ice and off, and who respect us as hockey players and people (a mutual sentiment!).

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OUIHC and CUIHC men supporting women’s ice hockey after the 2015 Varsity Match.

As we look forward to the 2015-2016 season, we are filled with excitement. We’ve come a long way and have made massive strides, year-over-year. We pride ourselves on our commitment to the sport and our role in developing ice hockey nation-wide through our development camp. Our annual camp is open to all female hockey players in the BUIHA, and in 2016, we hope to secure a coach who has experience playing women’s hockey at the national level. While the camp is beneficial for the development of our own team, it is also an important opportunity to develop women’s hockey and a supportive community of women’s ice hockey players across the country.

When recruitment begins and our stall at the fresher’s fairs set up again, I will be behind the table once more looking for recruits for both the men’s and women’s teams. While I’m not sure if ice hockey will ever become as popular here at Oxford as it is in other places, especially in North America, I do hope that one day soon, people will cease to be surprised that women play this ‘men’s’ sport. We play – and we’re damn good.

OUIHC goalie wins Nautilus Award

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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.”

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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

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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.

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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.

 

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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.

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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).

OUIHC Tour, Stockholm, Sweden

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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Caption: The KTH Royal Blue and Oxford University Blues prior to the Stockholm-Göteborg Varsity Match.

Cambridge University Triumph in Restored Ice Hockey Varsity Match

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Cambridge Blues Triumph in Restored Ice Hockey Varsity Match

Despite having Blues status since 1933, it has been three years since a bona fide University Men’s Blues ice hockey team has played a recognised Varsity Match. Not since the Oxford Blues won by a score line of 17-1 in 2012 has an Oxford University ice hockey player earned an Oxford Blue in the sport. This changed on Friday 13th March 2015.

Since the resurgence of the Men’s Blues team, the men’s contingent of the Oxford University Ice Hockey Club (OUIHC), the scheduling of a Varsity Match with Cambridge has slowly become a reality with the reviewing of the Varsity Match rules following two years of unrecognised Varsity Matches played between Cambridge and an unaffiliated Oxford team.

Following a rule change by the Oxford Men’s Blues Committee, the notion was then passed unanimously by the Cambridge Men’s Blues Committee which clarified that the official Varsity Match in which Blues can be earned will only be played by a University team of matriculated students that is recognised by the University as being registered with the Men’s Blues Committee, the Sports Federation (for Oxford) and the University Proctors. It is worthy of note that as a gesture of good faith, the team offered an olive branch to the new players of the Oxford Blues who were due to graduate that year (the team of the Oxford Ice Hockey Trust which is not eligible to play the official Varsity Match and earn Blues). This provided one last opportunity for them to play for the University and earn their Oxford Blues in the Varsity Match – they declined.

Given the opportunity presented to the matriculated Oxford students of the OUIHC, the 10-man Oxford roster eagerly anticipated a heated affair, travelling to Alexandra Palace in London with a cohort of fans and alumni.

Oxford started the game strong with a clear strategy of solid defence and opportunistic attacking play. To Cambridge’s surprise, it was Oxford on the immediate attack from the face-off, with the Jesus College duo of fresher Ben Verboom and MCR President Damien Frost who opened the scoring. After a great offensive effort by defensemen Frost to beat the Cambridge player to the outside, it was Verboom who directed the cross-crease pass goal-wards past a stunned Cambridge netminder.

The Cambridge Light Blues came back strong with star player Christopher Finch spear-heading the attack. Several minutes later, the Light Blue had tied the game and had quickly added two more, utilising their mobile defence led by Spencer Brennan who notched two assists.

The game quickly turned into more of what the Oxford team had expected with a deliberate Finnish style of hockey shown by the Dark Blue, keeping the opposing players to the periphery forcing low percentage shots. However, Cambridge showed why they had the top two point scorers in the league by exhibiting their shooting accuracy and potting a couple more goals to extend the lead.

However, just like the start of the period it was Oxford who would get the tally. Winnipeg native Dallas Clement split the D after a defensive error and sniped a snapshot high glove side. The score line ending the first period was 6-2 in favour of Cambridge.

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Caption: A result of Oxford forcing Cambridge to the outside through the neutral zone

With the first period behind them, coaches Mitch Breisner and Naeem Bardai reiterated the game plan and moved versatile Teddy Hall fresher Josh Hammond from defence to forward. The resulting period was a much more composed one for the Oxford side, playing a deliberate collapsing defensive structure to frustrate the talented Cambridge players. Despite tallies from Finch and Swede Oscar Willsby for Cambridge, the resilience shown by forwards Daniil Butman, Dan Lock and Hammond epitomised what it meant to take a hit in order to make a play.  Selfless was the defence of Oxford and clinical was the attack, with Clement driving the puck forward following a restart after Cambridge’s 9th goal. The Aularian split the Cambridge defence for a breakaway and following a sweet fake to the backhand, slotted the puck on his forehand past an out-of-position Cambridge goalie – Roman Tourenne.

 

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Caption: Dallas Clement scoring his second goal of the game on a breakaway

Entering the third period, the score line was 9-3 to the tabs, reflecting the size and the talent of their roster. With almost double the numbers of players compared with Oxford, Cambridge forced the play and the tempo, shunning the Dark Blues into their own zone and exploiting the depth of their bench. With tallies from Michal Barabas, Captain Jaason Geerts and Finch’s hat-trick goal, the Light Blue would have run away with the score if it wasn’t for Oxford goaltender Alan Keeso. After coming out of a NCAA programme to Oxford’s Geography department and Saïd Business School, the Canadian MBA showed why he was arguably one of the better goalies in the league and best imports Oxford has had in a long time. Keeso was sound in his positioning and quick to react, stifling the Cambridge snipers and preventing a Varsity record being set in the number of Cambridge goals scored. In recognition of his stellar performance between the pipes, he was awarded the Man of the Match award for which there was no doubt from either the Oxford or Cambridge camps.

 

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Caption: Oxford’s star goaltender Alan Keeso faced 73 shots during the contest

With the final buzzer, Cambridge were triumphant in a 12-3 victory over their Oxford counterparts. Despite the score line, the Oxford Dark Blues showed outstanding commitment and sportsmanship throughout and had arguably played their best team game of the season despite having only 9 skaters. Thoroughly deserving winners Cambridge showed why they finished 2nd in the league and are favourites for the National Championship title. Credit goes to their players and captain Jaason Geerts after a tremendous year.

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Caption: The Oxford University Blues Varsity squad (Top left to top right: Naeem Bardai – coach, Damien Frost (A), Daniel Lock, Dallas Clement, Martin Vesely (A), Joshua Hammond, Michael Breisner – coach, Ben Verboom; bottom left to bottom right: Jordan Thompson, Daniil Butman, Tim Donnison (C), Alan Keeso)

Victories must be taken and celebrated wherever they appear and the restoration of an official Varsity Match is certainly one of them. The awarding of Oxford Blues, like in other Oxford University sports, is an honour and something shared and recognised alike with many great alumni of this ancient institution. It seems only fitting that students can once again earn their Blues and join this distinguished list in the year 2015 – the 130th anniversary of the 1885 Ice Hockey Varsity Match played between these two historic universities.

Prospective men’s players who wish to partake in the Blues Varsity Match and have an opportunity to earn their Oxford Blues are encouraged to contact the Men’s Blues Captain at ouihcmen@gmail.com.

 

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Caption: The Oxford and Cambridge Blues Teams come together for a united photo showing mutual respect for each other and support for their respective women’s teams

Men’s Ice Hockey (OUIHC) regains Blues Status

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Men’s Ice Hockey (OUIHC) regains  Blues Status

The Oxford University Ice Hockey Club are proud to announce the reinstatement of Blues status to the men’s team at the Vincent’s Club. The club have re-entered the men’s team into the top university league (BUIHA Division 1) as the Oxford University Blues.

Roughly 18 months ago, the outcome of the longest meeting in the history of the Oxford Men’s Blue Committee, was a loss of Blues status for men’s ice hockey after the Men’s Blues players resigned from the OUIHC. The subsequent formation of the Oxford Ice Hockey Trust by these players and the disaffiliation from the University resulted in failure to reinstate Blues status as they were not recognised as a University team – unanimously agreed on by all Blues captains at the Men’s Blues Committee meeting. The Oxford Ice Hockey Trust now operates under the control of the remaining individuals from 2012 and their team, the Oxford Blues, does not have affiliation with the University, the Sports Federation or the Oxford University Ice Hockey Club.

The revival of the Men’s Blues team over the summer of 2014 has paved the way to recognition from the Men’s Blues Committee as a bona fide Blues team capable of awarding Blues to matriculated students who play the recognised Varsity Match against the Cambridge Blues. The attainment of Blues by male ice hockey players dates back to the acquisition of Blues status in 1933 but despite 79 years of hockey history since this date, no Blues have been awarded since the 2012 season when Oxford beat Cambridge 17-1 on home ice. The club and sport at the University boasts a distinguished list of Blues athletes and alumni that includes Clarence Campbell and Lester B. Pearson (former Prime Minister of Canada).

Given the high turnover of student athletes in university sport, the current men of the OUIHC have yet to earn their Blues, or even play a recognised Varsity Match, something that up until the 2014 season has not been possible. With the opportunity presented, this may well lead to an official Blues Varsity to be played between these two historic institutions and in any case is another chapter in the history of the sport that dates back to 1885.

Oxford University (Ice Hockey) Club reform Men’s Blues team

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Oxford University (Ice Hockey) Club reform Men’s Blues team

It has been two seasons since the split of the men’s Blues players from the Oxford University Ice Hockey Club (OUIHC), players that made up a team that formerly held Blues status with the Men’s Blues Committee as well as registration with the University Sports Federation. Since the disaffiliation of the top men’s team, the second team, the Oxford Vikings, took up the mantle as the sole University men’s ice hockey team. However, due the extraordinary success of the Vikings in the 2013-14 season, the Club decided to re-form the Blues team, the “Oxford University Blues”, and enter them back into the top tier of university ice hockey.

Since the start of the season, the revived Men’s Blues team have had their fair share of ups and downs. One such obstacle has been competition for recruitment with the Oxford Ice Hockey Trust, a charity and team established since the split and run by the players who orchestrated the breakaway from the University club. This team does not represent the University of Oxford and cannot earn Oxford Blues, instead they are governed by a chairman and have no affiliation to the University.

The current Men’s Blues team, jointly with the Women’s Blues team and our talented hockey neighbours from Brookes University, collectively known as the Oxford University Ice Hockey Club, strive to create and promote a fun, integrated, and inclusive community that is in keeping with values that initiated the formation of the Oxford University Ice Hockey Club in 1921 when Englishmen and Rhodes scholars united to form a joint club.

Through the club and respective Blues teams, new players have an opportunity earn a coveted Oxford Blue, the highest sporting accolade that Oxford awards to it’s student-athletes and gain admission to Vincent’s Club. Such Oxford sporting alumni include Olympians Sir Matthew Pinsent, Sir Roger Bannister and specific to hockey – Lester B. Pearson and Clarence Campbell.

The Oxford University Blues hope to continue the success of ice hockey at Oxford that the club has enjoyed since it’s golden era in the 1920’s-30’s with the hope of re-instating an official Blues Ice Hockey Varsity Match that has not been played since 2012.