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1994-1995
 

New season, new management, new name - well nearly, new start.  After ending the previous year virtually penniless Flames' long-term financial stability was ensured when a new consortium, SportFact Ltd, led by Canadian merchant banker John Hepburn, took over during the summer. They installed former Team International netminder Ron Charbonneau as general manager and gave him the task of building up the side until it was good enough to fulfil the club's dream of making the Premier in three seasons.

Charbonneau recruited two experienced dual-nationals; Romford's Terry Kurtenbach as bench coach and the much-travelled Fred Perlini to join the returning import trio of Rob Friesen, Ryan Campbell and Paul Thompson.  Last year's brits, Andy Sparks and Billy Rawles were joined by a large number of fellow GB junior team members such as John Noctor, Ben Challice, Drew Chapman and Elliot Andrews.  The team also experienced Bobby Brown on his never-ending tour of the country as he played a brief seven league games. Joining mid-season from Milton Keynes, Andy Allan proved a reliable blue-liner bringing some much needed experience to the side and was popular with team mates and fans alike.  Another addition before signing deadline was of American Tom Peart, who relieved Kurtenbach of his duties coaching.

With only the five players back from the previous year's squad everyone feared a slow start to this year's campaign as the team gelled, but Flames cruised through their Autumn Trophy group, scoring double figures in each game.  But in the semi they came up against their jinx team, Solihull Barons, who went onto win the trophy. 

As the league started, the team pulled themselves out of the bottom third of the Division One table and threatened to take a playoff spot for most of the season.  However, after losing four points when Teeside withdrew in January, Flames found themselves instead with the prospect of battling against relegation.  But seven wins in their last ten games ensured that they finished safely in seventh place, though out of the promotion play-offs for the second year.

Among the high point of Flames' season were extremes - the total bench clearance at the end of the home leg of their challenge game against Milton Keynes and the draw with Cardiff Devils in the Southern Cup, with fans getting a glimpse of life in the top league.  The biggest low point was having five points deducted for an alleged breach of the wage-capping regulations.  Fortunately Guildford won their case, but has never since been able to shift the reputation of being a rich club.

To beat dwindled numbers at the gate and as thank you for returning after last season's hard times, fans were treated to almost monthly social events. From the summer Meet the Players Bar-B-Que, to Halloween and Valentine discos, Christmas meal and Skate with the Flames session which was attended by over 700 people, to the traditional End of Season Awards dinner.

Ryan Campbell has to head any list of Flames' most influential players.  Apart from making his presence felt with opposing goalies - he increased his average to almost three points a game - he continued his work in the team's re-organisation in the off-season earning himself a position in the office.  His attitude and work commitment, were an inspiration to his teammates.  The other imports began work in setting up the 'Drug Freeze' programme during this season, more information about this can be found elsewhere in the book, as well as general duties in the office and with the junior teams.

League Table
Division 1  GP  PTS  GF  GA 
Slough Jets 44  37  79  451  232 
Telford Tigers 44  31  12  63  359  238 
Paisley Pirates 44  29  11  62  394  300 
Swindon Wildcats  44  29  15  58  431  271 
Trafford Metros  44  22  14  52  325  283 
Solihull Barons  44  19  19  44  328  315 
Guildford Flames  44  19  20  43  317  273 
Medway Bears  44  19  21  42  290  328 
Blackburn Hawks  44  17  23  38  341  357 
Chelmsford Chieftains  44  17  23  38  341  357 
Dimfries Vikings  44  37  12  253  455 
Lee Valley Lions  44  38  11  191  498 
Player Stats
Player  GP  PTS  PIMS 
Fred Perlini 62  109  87  196  56 
Ryan Campbell  58  73  93  166  44 
Rob Friesen  62  63  100  163  34 
Terry Kurtenbach  62  42  90  132  70 
Nicky Iandoli  59  44  74  118  133 
Paul Thompson  59  37  55  92  248 
Elliot Andrews  42  24  32  56  40 
Andy Sparks  59  30  18  48  53 
Bill Rawles  61  23  14  37  24 
Andy Allan  47  30  36  77 
Drew Chapman  60  13  17  30  162 
Ronnie Evans-Harvey  36  12  20  26 
Ben Challice  51  14  19  40 
Adam Anderson  13  10 
Danny O'Hanlon  18  10  16 
Kevin Parrish  45 
Wayne Trunchion 33 
Bobby Brown  10 
Joe Johnston 
Peter Morley 
Paul Donohoe
Netminder  Mins  SOG  GA  SV %  SO  GAA 
John Noctor 2479  1646  243  85.24  5.88 
Dean Russell-Samways  1240  825  135  83.64  6.53 
Ron Charbonneau 
Simon Drury
Looking Back

GUILDFORD FLAMES ICE HOCKEY CLUB
Guildford Spectrum
Parkway, Guildford
Surrey GU1 1UP

Tel: 01483 452244

Sportfact Ltd t/a Guildford Flames Ice Hockey Club registered in England number 2936656
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