As the beginning of the 2024–2025 EIHL season looms upon us, the Guildford Flames have announced nine signings. As they look to improve on their 5th place finish in their seventh Elite League season, From new faces to returnees, let's take a look at the Guildford Flames so far.
Starting from the back, the recipe for every good team is the netminder. The Guildford Flames truly have one of those in Eamon McAdam. McAdam, who is returning for his third season in Guildford, didn’t have a huge part last season as he found himself injured towards the business end of the season. Despite this, McAdam still boasted an impressive save percentage of .919%. The 2013 70th overall pick in the NHL draft will be a huge part of Paul Dixon’s plan to take silverware away from the ‘big three’ for the first time in the club's EIHL history. It is a fact that injuries have massively affected the 29-year-old shot stopper's time in Guildford, as he has failed to play a full season in his last two attempts. If he can stay fit, the Flames will undoubtedly succeed next season with McAdam between the pipes.
In front of him is the reliable defenseman Kyle Locke. Locke, who has only ever played pro in Guildford, is returning for a fourth season as a flame. Requiring one more appearance to reach the 200-game milestone in the EIHL, Locke signed a 2-year contract, taking him through the 25/26 season. Locke scored 13 points across his 49 league appearances last campaign and popped up in the cup, scoring the Flames only goal in the final. His defensive responsibilities mean Locke is a great character for Paul Dixon’s squad, which looks to attack with speed and shut up shop in their own zone.
Alongside Locke is new signing Matt Murphy. Murphy joins the flames from fellow EIHL club Manchester Storm after he spent the 23/24 season there. In his 49 EIHL games, the 29-year-old defenseman scored 22 points from the back. Murphy is a great addition to the Flames, as his two-way game will somewhat fill the void left by Ben O’Connor. The former ECHL Kelly Cup Champion will be looking to help the Flames win their first trophy of the EIHL era with his reliability in both defence and attack. Standing at 6'2", Murphy will suit Guildford’s game plan, which is to be physical and ruthless with the opposition.
This style of hockey is epitomised by returning captain Brett Fergerson. Returning for his 7th season, Fergerson will be looking to produce well, as last season he capped off his 51 games with 41 points. Fergerson has been a staple for Paul Dixon, as he has played in every season since the franchise joined the Elite League in 2017. The 34-year-old suits Flames hockey to perfection, as he is able to use his size well during the game and his rink-rat ability well during breaks in play, getting under the opposition's skin. Over his seven seasons, Ferguson has scored a huge 283 points. This puts his points per game average at a very respectable 0.93. If the Flames are to win silverware this season, it will only feel right to see Fergerson lift the trophy, as his loyalty and professionalism are unmatched by others across the league.
Another re-signing by Paul Dixon is 2024 Playoff semi final goal scorer Matt Alvaro. Alvaro is returning for his second season with the Flames after last season's campaign saw him score 38 points in 52 league games. The Canadian-born forward offers lots of skill in attack, which will be key in breaking down tough defensive units such as Sheffield and Belfast. The 27-year-old, who has played 120 games in the East Coast Hockey League, adds much-loved pace to Paul Dixon’s side, which is often feared for this attribute across the league.
This can also be seen through the addition of well-travelled Josh Waller. Waller played two seasons with the Flames prior to his departure in 2021, when he joined the Sheffield Steelers for the Elite Series, and later he offered his services to the Cardiff Devils. The young British winger had his season cut short last year as he suffered a season-ending injury after just 30 league games. In that time, Waller registered 15 points from his regular 3rd line position. Waller will be looking to reassert himself this season, as he missed out on a plane seat to Prague for the 2024 IIHF World Championships due to injury. Paul Dixon will be hoping that the Reading-born winger attacks the season with a bit between his teeth as his team battles for trophies night in and night out.
Another British player with a point to prove is new signing Sean Norris. Norris joins the Flames after his previous two seasons with the Belfast Giants, where he won a Grand Slam in the 22/23 season. After playing nearly every night (50 appearances), the British forward scored an underwhelming 14 points. However, this was enough to get Norris to the World Championships with Great Britain, where he played five of GB’s seven games. This addition is a good one for Paul Dixon, as often the Flames lacked a 4th line throughout the season. Having Norris in the fold helps with this, as it adds extra homegrown talent to the arsenal.
Homegrown talent doesn’t come much bigger or better than Lewis Hook. After spending the 23/24 season with the Flames, Hook has signed a new multi-year contract to keep him in Guildford until 2027. Hook, who was also part of the Grand Slam-winning Giants team of 22/23, adds high levels of skill and point scoring, as last season he contributed to 46 of Guildford’s goals. Having a player like Hook is crucial to success in the EIHL, as his import-like ability helps with the budget off the ice as well as the hockey on the ice.
Finally, the last player to have been announced already by the Flames is American forward Ryan Tait. Returning for his third year, the 27-year-old is a huge part of Guildford’s attacking threat. Having scored 46 points in 54 games last season, Tait was the joint top point scorer for Dixon’s men as he tied with Lewis Hook. Tait requires just five more league goals to hit the half-century mark, and he will be more than capable of doing that next season as he has scored five or more goals every year he has been pro.
Overall, the Guildford Flames have so far assembled a very good and competitive roster, which will improve even more as the off-season continues.
Wrote by Will Harris
Proofread by Calan Yule
Edited by Calan Yule
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