The Manchester Storm ice hockey club was founded in 2015 and is based in Manchester, England. The team began playing in the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), the top-level ice hockey league in the UK, during the 2015-16 season. The team assumed the identity of the Manchester Storm that folded in 2003. The Storm replaced the Hull Stingrays and seen Manchester have a top flight team since the Manchester Phoenix departed the EIHL in 2009.
In their first season in the EIHL, the Manchester Storm failed to reach the playoffs although. Although, in their first season they set a record for the highest scoring EIHL game by defeating the Edinburgh Capitals 13-9.
After a slow start to life in the EIHL, the Manchester Storm appointed then Braehead Clan coach Ryan Finnerty as their new Head Coach. In his first season in charge Finnerty led the storm to a second place finish in the EIHL, including a 10 game unbeaten run. The Storm have failed to reach the same heights since, with the 2017-18 season being the last time they featured in the playoffs.
The Manchester Storm play their home games at the Planet Ice Altrincham, nicknamed the Storm Shelter, and have a passionate fanbase. Trips to the Manchester Storm are often dreaded by other EIHL teams as it is seen as a difficult place to play. The smaller ice pad means the games are played at a faster pace and can often lead to favourable results for the Storm at home.
The team has had a number of successful players over the years, including Ciaran Long, who was named the EIHL British Player of the Year in 2018, and Luke Moffatt, who scored 128 points in 113 games for the Manchester Storm. Recently, players such as Anthony Deluca and Jesper Öhrvall entertain fans at the Storm Shelter.
The Manchester Storm has a short but relatively successful history in British ice hockey, playing in the top-level EIHL and having a number of successful seasons and players. With former goaltender Matt Ginn behind the bench and Ryan Finnerty steeping up to an organisational role, the Storm fans have a lot to look forward to in the near future.