Manchester Storm

Manchester finished 6th last season and reached the semifinals before being knocked out, and head coach Cameron Critchlow returns with arguably the most settled roster of any Elite League club this summer. The move back to the AO Arena is a huge bonus for the Storm, if they garner some success it can allow them to grow their fanbase exponentially.

The list of returning, extended players is extensive: Brendon Clavelle, Chase Harrison and Bradley Jenion all re-sign on the blue line, while Brandon Cutler, Rais Francis, Brady Gilmour, Stephen Johnson, Joseph Nardi and Loren Ulett are all back up front. Goaltenders Drew DeRidder and Evan Weninger have both extended too.

The new additions are modest but sensible. Swedish forward Anton Karlsson joins after a brief spell with Fife Flyers earlier in the year and a stint back in Sweden, while Kyle Maksimovich and Tim McGauley add further forward depth. Drydn Dow arrives on defence from Dundee Stars.

The most notable departure is Zach Sullivan, a longstanding fixture of the club and a listed fan favourite, whose next destination isn't yet known. Dante Hannoun, Gary Haden and Nicholas Welsh — the latter moving to Cardiff Devils — have also moved on.

With this much of the roster returning intact, Manchester look like a team betting on continuity and internal improvement rather than a summer of change — a reasonable approach after a semifinal run last season.

With so much of the roster returning, Manchester's lines carry more certainty than most clubs at this stage though pre-season will still have the final say.

First Line: Brady Gilmour, Stephen Johnson and Anton Karlsson

Second Line: Brandon Cutler, Joseph Nardi and Kyle Maksimovich

Third Line: Tim McGauley, Loren Ulett and Rais Francis

First Pairing: Brendon Clavelle & Chase Harrison

Second Pairing: Bradley Jenion & Drydn Dow

Netminders: Drew DeRidder, Evan Weninger