Team Talk

Team Talk

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Reflecting on his sixth campaign with Billingham Stars, defenceman Andy Finn discusses his season highs and lows, the joys of junior ice hockey and why he drew the line at netminding…

What has been the highlight of your season so far and which moment would you change if you could?

Beating Solway at home was pretty good. I think they were unbeaten in the league prior to this so it was good to be the first to take points off them. I would change the game we played against Whitley shortly after Christmas. It’s never good losing to them.

How do you feel Billingham’s campaign has been so far this season, both as a team and for you personally?

We are doing well this season, although we have lost a few points in games we should have maybe won. We are still in second place with a few points between third and us. This is a massive improvement on last year. For myself, I have had to miss a few games due to work commitments. That always disappoints me, following the game on Twitter at work instead of actually playing.

What do you make of Billingham’s progress this season compared to last, in both the Moralee Conference and NIHL North Cup?

We won the cup last year and sadly this year we just didn’t perform in the cup competition. However, our league campaign this year is a lot better. We have a great team this year and if we were to miss out on the playoffs for a second year, we would have a lot to answer for.

As a defenceman, who is the trickiest forward you've faced this season?

There are a lot of good forwards in the league this year; one of the hardest to play against is Callum Watson. He is just too quick to keep up with.

As a junior, you started out on Teesside with Billingham Bears before switching to Sheffield’s junior setup where you played for the Rapiers and Steelhawks. What was your reason for this switch, how did the setups compare and what did you enjoy most about ice hockey when starting out in the sport?

There were a couple of reasons for the switch to Sheffield. The Billingham team I was on were playing in the B team and selfishly I wanted to play in the A league. I also had a few friends playing in Sheffield and really enjoyed the club so for some reason my parents agreed to drive me there and back three to four times a week. They must have been crazy!

What has been your favourite season with Billingham Stars to date?

It would definitely be the first season that Billingham Stars were a club. We won some trophies that year, plus it was nice to be back playing in The Forum.

As Billingham’s close rivalry continues with Whitley Warriors, what have you made of the derby clashes this season and do you think this is still the greatest rivalry in the NIHL at present?

The games against Whitley are great. I think both teams really enjoy those games and a win in a Tyne-Tees derby is always a bit sweeter than a game against another team. 95% of the league plays because we love ice hockey so it’s great to see such rivalry in an amateur league.

Of the thirty one goals you have scored to date, which is your favourite and why?

That is such a bad statistic. It’s crazy to think that’s all the goals I’ve scored. I’m sure Dennis [Boström] has scored thirty goals already this year. That being said I did enjoy the penalty shot I scored this year. It was my first penalty shot and quite possibly my only.

In terms of the position you play, was it one you chose through preference or was it one you came to be assigned early on due to your defensive ability?

Being a goalie just looked like a ridiculous idea. I can never understand why you would want people to shoot pucks at you and, if you look at the previous question, I clearly don’t score many goals so defence it was!

If you could play for any team in the world, which would you pick and why?

I’d have to pick Columbus Blue Jackets. They are my favourite NHL team, plus I think they have the best coach in the NHL this year. 

Looking ahead, it appears that the Stars will be in the playoffs this season, after narrowly missing out in their last campaign. How will it feel to be one of the top four teams playing at Ice Sheffield in April and, as a player, what are you most looking forward to about playoff weekend?

Last year, most of the team went down to Sheffield to watch the playoffs. It was good to go as a spectator and watch some good ice hockey but it just didn’t feel right. The weekend is set up well and attracts a good amount of fans so it will be good if we are there competing and not just spectating this year.

What are your hopes for the remainder of the season?

Hopefully we keep our second place in the league; it would be good to finish that high in the league. I would really like to make the playoff final and see what happens. After not making playoffs last year, I think that would be a good accomplishment for the team. 

Thank you to Andy Finn for taking the time to be interviewed by NIHL Northern Trio.

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