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mark
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Belfast have a history of not playing many home games in the early part of the season.
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Brian
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I wont miss the CHL. It ruins your domestic season.
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ginger
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There's definitely more to the decision than meets the eye, but not sure whether this is CHL or Belfast who've created the situation (possibly shared blame).

Belfast definitely pay well, but not sure their budget massively eclipses ours/Nottingham. The rosters at the start of last year looked pretty even, and given how well all 3 (and to be fair, beyond the Fife situations, EIHL teams generally) seem to be looking after their players, I think we are seeing more retained good talent.

Only the teams/players know ultimately, but I think if one team was running a significantly higher wage bill than other higher spending teams, there would be some intervention. Belfast unfortunately, have a very good core group, and an excellent coach who's systems suit that particular group. However, look what happened the year they all went to try Europe - they won nothing. Sometimes it's just the right group, and the right coach, at the right time.
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Brian wrote:
Wed May 13, 2026 5:49 pm
I wont miss the CHL. It ruins your domestic season.
Only, if you get injuries.

Belfast won the league this year having played CHL.

I still believe we win the league last year had Greenfield and DeFilipo don't both pick up injuries at the same time, and we made the knockouts.

Winning the league almost always, involves a little bit of luck somewhere.
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Bryan
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I have to say I strongly agree with Doom about Diffley. I’m puzzled at some other views. His stats absolutely shout re-sign me!
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NinjaBreadMark
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I've just seen a post on facebook linking to an article saying Brett Ritchie has signed with Vlci Zilina in Slovakia

https://vlcizilina-hockeyslovakia-sk.tr ... r_pto=wapp

I've tried to add the translation to English to the page, but not sure it's 100% worked!
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smbmetal
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NinjaBreadMark wrote:
Thu May 14, 2026 8:50 am
I've just seen a post on facebook linking to an article saying Brett Ritchie has signed with Vlci Zilina in Slovakia

https://vlcizilina-hockeyslovakia-sk.tr ... r_pto=wapp

I've tried to add the translation to English to the page, but not sure it's 100% worked!
Undoubtably a good player. Who, to my eye's, put an average of a 50% shift in. Not upset or surprised to see him leave.

If I had to pick between him and a Tremblay type player, I would pick Tremblay every single time.
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Jayboy
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Yeah.. me too.. Richie was undoubtedly a great player in his prime, and at times for us he was simply outstanding and on the verge of unplayable against.. but he was clearly on a downward curve and only showed that side of his game in 1-3 games... which is obviously not good enough, give me a Tremblay at 100% every game.. Type player every time..

Jayboy

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greeny
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would of been happy to have richie return, quality player, think we would of took the play/offs if he had of been playing
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southernsteeler
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smbmetal wrote:
Thu May 14, 2026 9:07 am
NinjaBreadMark wrote:
Thu May 14, 2026 8:50 am
I've just seen a post on facebook linking to an article saying Brett Ritchie has signed with Vlci Zilina in Slovakia

https://vlcizilina-hockeyslovakia-sk.tr ... r_pto=wapp

I've tried to add the translation to English to the page, but not sure it's 100% worked!
Undoubtably a good player. Who, to my eye's, put an average of a 50% shift in. Not upset or surprised to see him leave.

If I had to pick between him and a Tremblay type player, I would pick Tremblay every single time.
Agreed - I don't see what all the fuss was about after seeing him play. It seemed he was coasting and i've not respect for players like that!
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