ECL Elite 16 in 16 is a season preview series we're implementing ahead of ECL 7. The idea was conceived by @chavelski, but due to time constraining the man himself, the project is now being carried out by the rest of our Elite writing team. The series will be released in 16 parts, one article for each team. The teams have been ranked by all team captains, and articles are being released in order from predicted last place finish to predicted champion of ECL 7. The objective of this series is to give an idea to the community of who is representing which team, added by a small insight into the team with an interview of the team captain.
In the third part of our 16 in 16 series we are going to take a look at a team that's been along for quite a while already. During the three seasons of ECL divisions, this team has already suffered one relegation and had the joy of one promotion. You could say it's been a rollercoaster. The team under our close investigative eye is Gotham Knights.
Gotham Knights hasn't always been around as it is currently. The team started off as Refuse To Lose when EASHL made the transition to the new gen consoles in NHL 16. Refuse To Lose competed without any mentionable accomplishments until the summer of 2017, when @ReDMisTi, and @Kefleri decided to join forces and create Gotham Knights as we know it. ReDMisTi brought @Hanssonni and @MKivinen95 with him from RTL and the team recruited some new faces to bolster their ranks. Since the beginning, Gotham has wanted to prove that they can compete at the Elite level. It's something that will be even more of a theme now in NHL 19, as the team goes into their first consecutive season at the top tier.
IN
Nieppii <-- Sypperstaars
erholtzi <-- Red Machine
swagx88 <-- FILADELPHIA
OUT
PleeMaker --> FILADELPHIA
Serg1vratar --> Free Agent
ktewjh --> Rusty Blades
jyrkkis_ --> Team Frosty
EemilK02 --> Raccoon Rampage
Sweaty__99 --> Unlucky Boys
Current roster:
Forwards
ReDMisTi (C) @ReDMisTi
Kefleri @Kefleri
Hanssonni (A) @Hanssonni
Puteli88 @puteli88
Defensemen
Mkivinen95 @MKivinen95
Nieppii @Nieppii
Goaltenders
swagx88 @swagx88
erholtzi @Erholtzi
After this introduction of the team, I'd like to get into some questions to team captain and former teammate of mine, @ReDMisTi:
What are your expectations going into the 7th season of ECL competition?
Our expectations are that we can play a good season. We're trying to keep the playing level high and minimizing the amount of bad days. Staying in Elite is an absolute minimum, but reaching the playoffs is our goal.
Do you guys have one player you'd like to showcase as a potential difference maker?
I can’t name just one key player, we will play as a team and therefore every player is a big part of our success.
Would you like to share your thoughts on the ECL Elite License?
I guess the idea is good for sure. Remains to be seen who will pay up and who won't.
Can you talk a little bit about the moves Gotham made during the summer?
We had a few players leave, and a few players joined so it’s going to be interesting to see what kind of impact the transfers have on our game and the league. I guess we still play the same kind of hockey we did last season.
Who would you say are the favorites to take home ECL 7 Elite?
FILADELPHIA has easily been our toughest opponent for now, I’m surprised if they are not in finals.
Do you have a "Hidden Gem" in your team?
Yes, @Nieppii is one of the best versus players in Europe and now he wants to be one of the best 6vs6 defensemen too. We're talking about a really skilled player and he can easily become one of the best D's after a bunch of training and facing the worlds best players in ECL Elite.
Are you going to play offensive or defensive hockey?
Hard question, a good defense is the key for sure, so we want to defend hard but at the same time keep the puck as much as possible. We don't want to be just a counter attack team. We're staying versatile, so I'd say we're 50/50.
Thank you for your interview and good luck with the new season!
Ranked to finish 13th by our ECL Elite captains and making a comeback to the Elite level, we'll have an exciting one for you guys tomorrow. You'll be given the pleasure of seeing two long-time NHLGamers having a chat about the upcoming season and the return of a dearly missed writer. Check back tomorrow evening for more of the goodness we've called ECL Elite 16 in 16!
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