The Sunny Gill Incident
This took place during the year two semi-final game between the R&R and Punjab Penguins. Sunny Gill was being the pest that he has always been and pestering Punjab Penguins captain Jessie K. This continued throughout the game. After a While Jessie had enough and retaliated to this abuse, he tried to elbow him however the blow caused Sunny's teeth to be knocked out. Jessie ended up getting a game misconduct. Sunny Gill returned to the game despite his bleeding mouth (He later required emergency dental surgery). This moment will live on in EIHL history. The Punjab Penguins went on to win their first EIHL cup that year.

Stick Swingers
There have been some crazy stick swinging incidents. Once, Sukhs G (a foreign player) was trying to win the ball from Gurpal G. This became a very intense battle. One thing led to another and Sukhs SWUNG his stick at GURPAL. The stick broke as a result of the impact. This incident changed the EIHL's stick policy forever, Sukhs g and the rest of the foreigners were banned from the league.

Missing Stanley Cup
The EIHL trophy was a well designed cup. This cup was very important to the players and fans alike. During the early times of the Punjab Penguins dynasty, Lucky K. a young mischievous player has been rumored to have stolen the cup. There is no concrete evidence but it is widely known that he has lost or stolen this valuable artifact. The EIHL sadly misses the cup and all players and management wish for its safe return one day.

Allstar Game
The EIHL has attempted many all-star games, but only one such event was memorable. This was during the second season. When all players were invited to attend the all-star festivities. This took place in a snow laden venue, with full contact. The game itself was fun to play in and all participants had a blast. The all-star game has not been a big part of the EIHL but hopefully one day it will return!

County Court Hockey System
County Court has been the primary source for players in the EIHL. This system has been churning out top notch hockey players. County Court, is like how Canada is to the NHL. The league has now decided to look elsewhere for players due to substance abuse problems and interest in other dumb sports. Hockey used to be the BE ALL AND END ALL in county court sports. Now its competing with basketball, soccer and bar hopping. But its a great sign to see that the EIHL and COUNTY COURT hockey is once again becoming the Pinnacle in Sports Entertainment

EIHL Venues
The EIHL has called many arenas home during its history. Games used to be played primarily on Blackmere Circle (maple leaf gardens) - With the picturesque park looking over the playing surface. Many memorable games and finals were played there. "EIHL" was even spray painted there and its there to this day! Games have also been played on Kesteven, this is where we would have the second game if two games were running at the same time. It proved to be a good place to play. THE IGLOO or BEXLEY is where many of today's EIHL superstars learned how to play hockey. There were a few games held there on occasion however that arena has been closed due to legal difficulties. EIHL has also played some games Plover Place, it was disastrous, and plover place will be remembered as the EIHL's Varsity Arena. The league used the baseball diamond parking lot as a primary venue during its second season. The surface was smooth however there were too many stoppages. EIHL has played on the backside of Blackmere, peel building parking lots, tennis court parking lots and the legal aid parking lot. We currently play in the tennis courts (ACC) and this is a world class facility. We are currently working on extending our lease.

EIHL Bribery Scandal
The EIHL had gone through some dark days in its past. Once such incident involved a devilish captain who decided to try to buy the EIHL cup that he had never won as a captain. He approached the captain of the Havelock Whalers, Amarpreet S. and offered him numerous financial incentives (video tapes and money) to trade him a superstar goalie at the time Ian G. This trade was suspicious in the beginning but no one stop it because it was legit at the time. It was later revealed by the whalers captain of this incident and there was a full investigation. The outcome for the devilish captain was not what he expected the resilient Punjab Penguins led by their captain Jessie K. captured yet another EIHL cup!

No Rings
The EIHL cup has eluded many players in the league. Many players have yet to drink from the Holy Grail. Other such players include Roger M, who was a superstar back in the day but never won, he has been compared to Marcel Dionne. Also Harj K has not yet won a cup, he has had the opportunity to play in the finals but did not win that cup. So there have many players who fall under the "ray bourque" syndrome. There are many other current young players who have not had the privilege of calling themselves an EIHL champions.

The First Season
The First season was full of excitement. It was a new idea, organized ball hockey was new to the residents of county court. The first franchises were the Punjab Penguins (Jessie K), R&R (Jagjit G.), Somalia Sharks (Roger M.) and Blackmere Kings (Harj K.) This was the original four. The first cup was awarded to R&R who had an excellent regular season led by their captain Jagjit G. They beat out the future dynasty Punjab Penguins in an exciting and well received EIHL FINAL. This first season laid out the foundation for what it has become today!

What is Riot ?
Riot was a team that was supposed to make an impact in the EIHL. They were promoted as being EIHL cup favorites, however they were a huge flop. If you look at the situation. You have an "allstar" team, the best a certain area has to offer. They played in league in which the area had been split into four pieces. Yet, they still couldn’t win. Nor did they make any significant impact, they barely made the playoffs. This goes to show you that the County Court Hockey system was producing a ton of great hockey players. In almost everyone’s opinion RIOT was a complete flop and utter failure and the EIHL tarnished its reputation by being involved with such a group.

Banned Players
There are many players who no longer play in the EIHL. People wonder why they don’t play. The reason they don’t play is because they chose to leave the EIHL on their own terms. People who choose to leave on their own terms and make fun of the league will never be welcome to this great league. The EIHL is not a professional league, its a very competitive and FUN league. MOST PEOPLE in the league are friends or are on friendly terms. We do not wish to have evil, backstabbing, enemy players in the league. That is why some players are banned. Some players were into devil worshipping and we do not condone this. If you ever feel that you need to know why a certain player is no longer playing just ask any captain or ask on the ever popular EIHL message board! Once your EIHL, your EIHL 4 life!

Roger Marok's Somalia Sharks
This team under Roger lasted two seasons. Without knowing it this team has some future superstars on its hands. Players who played for this team include current stars like Gogs K, Atul B, Lucky K, Rejean R, Rup S, and the Johal Bros. During the first season this team was the easy team to beat. They had little defence and were easy pickings for the elite R&R and Penguins. They were blown out on many occasions. The games were timed during this stage in the EIHL, they were blown out once by the Penguins 19-6 that record still stands. The Sharks were also known as the best team on snow. They had pulled off some upsets on the snow and beat the Penguins 4-3 on one occasion. Roger provided some great leadership and he was quite upset that they couldn't compete with the big boys. He was a good player who could score but he just couldn't lead his team to the cup. He reminds me of a great player named Marcel Dionne. They were a rowdy bunch who knew that they were going to do the job. But as time has gone by you can see that this was just a step in many players evolution.

R&R strange rituals
After a wildly successful first season that included a EIHL CUP. R&R took a wrong turn. This club in season two had superstars like Jag G, Poon S, Atul B, Sunny G, and many more. But they were destined for the basement. It was a drastic turn from being unbeatable to being a team that anyone could walkover. After loosing the first few games in the season they started this strange ritual where they would meditate before games in a large circle, players not complying would be benched. This ritual did not help the clubs fortunes as they missed the playoffs.

The reason for strict High Sticking rules?
As noted in previous stories, high sticking is big deal in the EIHL. Way back before there was an EIHL we all played in a "white" version of the EIHL. It was called the County Court Hockey League. It was run by a bunch of gora and we were the only Indian team, there were 3 other teams (2 county court teams and Timberlane). Our team consisted of many good players who were all very young at the time players like Jessie K, Harj K, Gill bros, Roger, Amit, and the junior players had limited playing time. It is here were a player almost lost his eye and vision. We were playing a white team from Timberlane and one of the dumb players from the white teams took a swing at one of our players. Our player happened to move out of the way and his blade went into one of his own players eyes. This was a vicious blow that caused this guy to have many surgeries and reduced vision. He was a friend of ours and he could never play hockey again. SO THE NEXT TIME YOU GO OFF FOR A HIGHSTICKING PENALTY PLEASE DON'T COMPLAIN, AND PLEASE DON'T HIGHSTICK.

Hall of Shamers
Sunny B - All-Star defenceman won 4 cups with the Penguins. Was a great offensive defenceman. His play dipped drastically forcing his retirement. He is considered to be a Hall Of Shamer because he is associated with the bund suckers. He is a convert who sold his soul and has lost respect from everyone. Would have been a sure hall of famer but blew it. Gurj G - Famous for his attempt to buy the cup, this so called Ted Dibiase was a great player but there was just something wrong with him. He annoyed his teammates and become to overbearing. His approach did not work as a captain and never really won the cup as a captain during the real years in the EIHL. As a player he won a couple of cups one with the Penguins, his own team the Ducks or Rangers made the finals on many occasions but never won. He was called many things but that’s beside the point, he sold-out. He became a true RIOT member and his soul changed. Lucifer was born. Sukh D and Manjinder D - They were followers of Lucifer and suffered the consequences. They both won a few cups as members of the Penguins but were black listed by the entire league. There are some who still want them in the league, but EIHL Mgt has decided that they do not belong. They were both defencemen, but Manjinder D possessed better offensive skills.  *** updates to the last two hall of shamers – they were subsequently reinstated by league vote back in Season 23 and have gone on to become two key members of this league.  They are both captains who have tasted cup glory.  BTW Sukh has developed into the better offensive player, but Manjinder is cuter.  It goes to show you that anything is possible and redemption amongst friends is always possible.

Penguin Pride
Penguin pride began with a simple season.  A season where one player defined what the EIHL would be for the next 10 seasons.  The longest running franchise in EIHL history had a great start, but what made it into a dynasty was its second cup win, the one that started the streak of SEVEN straight cups.  This was no ordinary team.  This was the 5th  official EIHL season, (remember season 3 and 4 did not include the stars from seasons 1 and 2).  Jessie K made his comeback to the league, thus he was relegated to pick his team last, putting him at a huge disadvantage.  His team consisted of  Jessie K. (captain), Poon S., Lucky K, Manjinder D, Rana B and Simran.  You have to remember that Poon and Lucky were mere children in 1994.  Manjinder did not show up to many games that season and Simran and Rana never held a hockey stick.  But what would transpire that season was pure magic.  Jessie K instituted a system where by he would have 1 goalie and 3 defenceman and 1 forward, they managed to win most games and frustrate the hell out of other captains.  By clogging up the defensive zone,  and having Jessie score on his own with Poon S in net the Penguins were unstoppable.  Jessie K scored a record 90 goals in that season (120 including playoffs), records still to be untouched.  You must remember that games went up to 8 goals (no time).  The Penguins finished first overall, with the other teams such as the Ducks,  Redwings and Whalers were left scratching their heads.  They tried many things to stop this Cinderella story, they tried shady trades, calling unnecessary penalties and anything else they could think of, but they could not stop the Penguins.  The Penguins went on to the finals and beat the Ducks for the EIHL cup.  Think about it in today’s day in age, a team with one superstar surrounded by the likes of homies and bippies winning the cup! Unbelievable is it?

Game sheets
There used to be games sheets in seasons #1 and #2 to record goals, and in season two goals and assists.  This system was put in place by Amar and Jessie K to help the league record statistics.  Back then before the Internet weekly reports were printed by the league office and given to everyone free of charge (Gurj G was responsible for making photocopies)  This helped make the league a success, people reviewed the sheets and then talked about them.  They were posted throughout the local high school and even teachers took interest in this league.

The PEN Dynasty
The Penguins are without a doubt the most successful franchise in EIHL history.  They have amassed 9 cups (8 as the Penguins and 1 as the Red Army), they have been to the finals 13 times out of 13 seasons (Season #1 , #2 and #13 the Penguins were not in the league and season #12 was canceled). If that is not dominance then I don’t know what is.  They also won 7 straight EIHL cups, a record that will never be beaten.  Why all the success, I think it has to do with the spirit of the team.  The team is synonymous with winning and players who come to play know that and want to keep that tradition alive.  The captain has been lucky to pick so many great players that helped them keep the dynasty going.  Many great players have gone through the system, many captains and many current superstars owe their success to the time spent in the Igloo.

Bad Captains
There has been discussion as to who the worst captain was.  One of the worst captain’s in history must be Sunny Gill.  His team took over and he was relegated to the sidelines.  Gogs, Goldie and Chewa took over a good team to upset the Punjab Penguins.  His team had total disrespect for him and we saw a captain being benched on this own team.  But this was not the first time he was captain, he was also captain in season #9 of the Leafs.  That team was also a disaster, it forfeited many games and finished dead last that season.  EIHL should learn from its mistakes and never make Gill a captain again, but never say never. Bippy Rai was another captain who we consider bad.  His team did not like him, they did not show up and one player had a high profile holdout.  The team with so much talent finished third place and was eliminated by the Redwings in the semi’s.  Bippy was a hated player/captain for his trashing talking over the Internet.  His over confidence for no reason was most amusing.  He will hopeful learn from his mistakes and maybe in 10 seasons or so he may once again bring back the Pirates.  *** update on this the Pirates are no where to be seen, but Bippy has become a credible defenceman and sound player.

Coming Soon:

The worst trade ever

Ending a Dynasty

New teams

Changing Demographics of the EIHL