Part of the Newcastle United Sporting Club, which John Hall is trying to fashion out of Newcastle United Football Club. After his failure to obtain planning permission for a new arena in Newcastle, he quickly moved his team into the recently vacated one already in Newcastle, after the Warriors were thrown out for not securing a place in the ISL. The Cobras were originally the Durham Wasps, one of the most prestigious names in British Ice Hockey. However, Hall bought the club, against the wishes of many fans, and created from them the Newcastle Cobras. Opinion is still split in the North East over this event, with many Durham fans refusing to go and watch the Cobras. The Warriors have reverted back to being the Whitley Bay Warriors, as they were before.
The Cobras have just sacked former player/coach, rick Brebant, and promoted player dale Lambert to coach Last season, the Cobras were a curious mix of European and Canadian players, which didn't work well. The Europeans (mostly Finns) did not like playing a hard-hitting game, and were easily ruffled when checked themselves. That led to the British/Canadian players going out and "protecting" them, and so drawing heavy penalties. this year, the Cobras have dropped many of the fins, in exchange for more Canadians. Amongst their plyers to look out for are Justin Duberman (a real threat last year, despite their poor season), Carmine Vani (who also looks tasty up front), and Stephen foster, one of the best British keepers in the game. Cobras have also brought back from Germany Wayne Cowley, the former Sheffield favourite, and many are interested to see whether he will match up to his first stay in Britain.
The Cobras will have been very disappointed with a final finish of fifth, especially as they were in the top three for a long part of last season. Many believe that this is their make-or-break year, as many feel John Hall will drop backing if the Cobras continue in poor fashion. Hwever, I feel if they do fail, he must take some of the balme, having alienated practically all of the local hockey population, and so making it very tough to build up a good fan base.
GP W L D O GF GA Pts
B+H Cup 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
League 4 3 1 0 0 18 11 6
Express Cup 2 1 0 1 0 10 9 3
Play-offs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Overall 6 4 1 1 0 28 20 9
The Newcastle Roster 97/98
No Pos Name D.O.B. Nat Height Weight
4 D Chris Norton 11/03/65 Can 6' 1" 178lbs
6 D Roy Mitchell ??/??/?? Can 6' 2" 207lbs
8 F Shaun Johnson 22/03/73 Bri 5'10" 161lbs
12 F Anthony Johnson 04/01/69 Bri 5' 7" 158lbs
13 D Jamie Pegg ??/??/?? Can 5'10" 187lbs
14 F Johnathon Weaver 20/01/77 Bri 5' 7" 158lbs
18 D Dale Lambert 09/10/59 Can 5'11" 185lbs
19 F Ross Lambert 19/01/62 Can 5' 9" 175lbs
20 F Randy Smith 15/07/65 Can 6' 4" 200lbs
22 D Paul Dixon 04/08/73 Bri 5'11" 188lbs
27 F Frank LaScala ??/??/?? Can 6' 3" 205lbs
31 G Wayne Cowley ??/??/?? Can 6' 0" 185lbs
33 G Stephen Foster ??/??/?? Bri 5'11" 178lbs
34 D Petri Rautianinen 25/12/65 Fin 6' 1" 162lbs
36 F Rob Trumbley ??/??/?? Can 5'11" 187lbs
44 F Justin Duberman 23/03/70 USA 6' 0" 202lbs
48 F Brett Stewart ??/??/?? Can 5'10" 180lbs
97 F Carmine Vani ??/??/?? Can 6' 1" 210lbs
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