Ayr Scottish Eagles
City	Ayr, Scotland
League	Ice Hockey Superleague
Founded	1996
Operated	1996–2003
Home arena	Centrum Arena
Colors	Green and Orange
Owner(s)	William James Barr OBE FICE
Head coach	Paul Heavey
Affiliate	Barr Construction Ltd
Franchise history
1996–2002	Ayr Scottish Eagles
2002–03	Scottish Eagles
Championships
Regular season titles	1997–98
Autumn Cups	1997–98
Challenge Cups	1997–98, 2001–02
Playoff championships	1997–98

The Ayr Scottish Eagles were a professional Scottish ice hockey club, from Ayr, Scotland. They were formed in 1996 and played their home games at the Centrum Arena. The team competed in the Ice Hockey Superleague and the club's main (title) sponsor was Barr Construction. The club folded during the 2002–03 season after a move to Braehead Arena.

History

The Ayr Scottish Eagles were founded in 1996 and played in the Ice Hockey Superleague. The team quickly rose to become one of the top teams in the United Kingdom, due in part to achieving the grand slam in their second season (1997–98) winning all four major UK ice hockey trophies, these were the British Championship, Superleague, the Autumn Cup and Express Cup, the first team ever to do so during the existence of the Ice Hockey Superleague. Also in 1998 they achieved great success (for a British team), when they twice defeated Ak Bars Kazan in the European Hockey League.^[1]

2002–03

In August 2002, it was announced by owner Bill Barr that the team were to permanently relocate to the Braehead Arena in Renfrewshire, outside Glasgow.^[2]

Bob Zeller, Belfast Giants' founder was announced as managing director and the team changed their name to Scottish Eagles, dropping Ayr from their name.^[3] Bob Zeller remained a shareholder in the Belfast Giants.^[2] The reason given for the relocation was due to the Braehead Arena having a larger seating capacity and a larger catchment area, expected to increase the fanbase of the club.^[2]

The club (with the new name) folded on 14 November 2002, after just six home games, in what was to become the final season of the Ice Hockey Superleague.^[4][5] They were the second team in the league to fold that season; the first being Manchester Storm.^[6]

Post demise

Friends of Eagles Hockey, organised an exhibition match at the Centrum Arena on 4 February 2003 as a fund raising event to raise funds for players and officials who had been left in financial difficulty due to the bankruptcy of Ice hockey Services Ltd, the Eagles operating company.^[7] The Eagles side was an all-star team that played against a UK select all-star team. The match officials were referee Moray Hanson and linesmen Alan Craig and Rab Cowan.^[8]

Friends of Eagles Hockey, campaigned for the return of ice hockey to the Centrum Arena after the Eagles's demise. Ice rink operators Planet Ice showed an interest in running the Centrum as an ice arena; however the arena was demolished in 2009 and the site is now home to a new supermarket.^[9]

Braehead Clan

The Braehead Clan ice hockey club are now based at the Braehead Arena and play in the Elite Ice Hockey League. In their first season, there was an effort to recruit former Ayr Scottish Eagles fans to the Clan support. Ayr Scottish Eagles fans who held a season ticket at Braehead in the 2002–03 season that was cut short due to the team folding were offered a season ticket in Braehead's first season.^[10]

Although the Scottish Eagles and Braehead Clan were both based at the Braehead Arena, this is where the commonalities between the two ice hockey clubs end. The Scottish Eagles were operated by Ice Hockey Services Ltd ^[11] which underwent a Voluntary Members Liquidation and was wound up on 23 June 2005.^[12] Braehead Clan is operated by Clan Entertainment Ltd ^[13] that was Incorporated on 3 February 2010.^[14]

Home arenas

The original home of the Eagles was the Centrum Arena. It was officially opened on 25 August 1996 and was run by Barr Leisure Limited, a subsidiary of Barr Holdings Ltd. The Eagles played their first home game there on 1 September 1996.^[15]

After an announcement by Bill Barr, the Eagles moved to the Braehead Arena for the 2002–03 season, where they played just six home games before folding.^[2] The Centrum was still used as a training venue throughout this period.

Rosters

2002/03^[16]

Goaltenders
Number		Player	Catches	Acquired	Place of Birth
32		Mark Cavallin	L	2002	Mississauga, Ontario
1		Eoin McInerney	L	2002	London, Ontario

Defencemen
Number		Player	Shoots	Acquired	Place of Birth
3		Evan Marble	R	2002	Eston, Saskatchewan
17		Bob Quinnell	L	2002	Coquitlam, British Columbia
20		Dan Ratushny	R	2002	Nepean, Ontario
33		Stefan Bergkvist	L	2002	Leksand, Sweden
9		Scott Campbell	L	2002	Glasgow, Scotland

Forwards
Number		Player	Shoots	Position	Acquired	Place of Birth
10		Xavier Majic	L	C	2002	Fernie, British Columbia
14		Jonathan Weaver	L	LW	2000	Sunderland, England
29		Sean Selmser - C	L	LW	2002	Calgary, Alberta
18		Johan Astrom	L	LW	2002	Boden, Sweden
16		Jeff Williams	L	LW	2002	Pointe-Claire, Quebec
28		Jason Bowen	L	LW	2002	Port Alice, British Columbia
12		Jeff Johnstone	R	RW	2002	Niagara Falls, Ontario
7		Jason Ruston	R	RW	2002	Victoria, British Columbia
21		Jonni Vauhkonen	L	RW	2002	Suonenjoki, Finland
19		Mike Harding	R	RW	2000	Edmonton, Alberta
16		John Downs			2002

2001/02^[17]

Goaltenders
Number		Player	Catches	Acquired	Place of Birth
8		Colin Ryder	L	2000	Stirling, Scotland
41		Joaquin Gage	L	2001	London, Vancouver Columbia

Defencemen
Number		Player	Shoots	Acquired	Place of Birth
5		Alan Schuler - C	R	2001	100 Mile House, British Columbia
21		Ian Herbers	L	2001	Jasper, Alberta
3		Ryan Risidore	R	2001	Hamilton, Ontario
43		Paddy Ward	R	2002	Kirkcaldy, Scotland
28		Anders Hillström	L	2000	Sweden
41		Johan Silfwerplatz	L	2000	Sweden

Forwards
Number		Player	Shoots	Position	Acquired	Place of Birth
17		Ed Courtenay	R	RW	2000	Verdun, Quebec
14		Jonathan Weaver	L	LW	2000	Sunderland, England
13		Dody Wood	L	LW	2001	Chetwynd, British Columbia
30		Dino Bauba	R	LW	2002	Kaunasc, Lithuania
16		Shawn Byram	L	LW	1997	Neepawa, Manitoba
27		Rhett Gordon	R	RW	2000	Regina, Saskatchewan
12		Mike Jickling	R	C	2001	Edmonton, Alberta
19		Mike Harding	R	RW	2000	Edmonton, Alberta
11		Cam Bristow	R	RW	2000	Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
		Erik Norback	R	C	2001	Stockholm, Sweden
		Johan Molin	R	RW	2001	Nacka, Sweden
		Phil Crowe	R	RW	2001	Nanton, Alberta

2000/01^[18]

Goaltenders
Number		Player	Catches	Acquired	Place of Birth
		Philippe DeRouville	L	2000	Victoriaville, Quebec
8		Colin Ryder	L	2000	Stirling, Scotland

Defencemen
Number		Player	Shoots	Acquired	Place of Birth
		Travor Doyle	R	2000	Ottawa, Ontario
29		Derek Eberle - A	L	2000	Regina, Saskatchewan
21		Jan Mikel	L	2000	Brno, Czech Republic
28		Anders Hillstrom	L	2000	Sweden
41		Johan Silfwerplatz	L	2000	Sweden

Forwards
Number		Player	Shoots	Position	Acquired	Place of Birth
		Debb Carpenter	R	RW	2000	Edmonton, Alberta
11		Cam Bristow	R	RW	1999	Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
		Rhett Gordon	R	RW	2000	Regina, Saskatchewan
		Mike Harding	R	RW	2000	Edmonton, Alberta
		Ed Courtenay	R	RW	2000	Verdun, Quebec
7		Tony Hand	R	C	1999	Edinburgh, Scotland
16		Shawn Byram - C	L	LW	1997	Neepawa, Manitoba
		Jonathan Weaver	L	LW	2000	Sunderland, England
		Teeder Wynne	L	F	2000	Calgary, Alberta
30		Dino Bauba	R	F	1997	Kaunasc, Lithuania
10		Mark Montanari	L	F	1997	Toronto, Ontario

1999/00^[19]

Goaltenders
Number		Player	Catches	Acquired	Place of Birth
31		Geoff Sarjeant	R	1999	Orilla, Ontario
33		Stephen Foster	L	1999	Durham, England
35		David Trofimenkoff	R	1999	Calgary, Alberta

Defencemen
Number		Player	Shoots	Acquired	Place of Birth
44		Kevin Pozzo	R	1999	Calgary, Alberta
24		Ryan Kummu	L	1996	Kitchener, Ontario
29		Jim Mathieson	L	1999	Kindersley, Saskatchewan
6		Vince Boe	L	1996	Calgary, Alberta
4		Scott Young	L	1996	Oakville, Ontario
44		Mike Bishop	L	1999	Sarnia, Ontario
5		Yuri Krivokhija	L	1999	Minsk, Belarus
22		Jan Mikel	L	1999	Brno, Czech Republic

Forwards
Number		Player	Shoots	Position	Acquired	Place of Birth
46		Rob Trumbley	R	RW	1999	Regina, Saskatchewan
11		Cam Bristow	R	RW	1999	Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
23		Yves Heroux	R	RW	1999	Terrebonne, Quebec
14		John Varga	R	LW	1999	Chicago, Illinois
27		Patric Lochi	R	C	1999	Silandro, Italy
7		Tony Hand	R	C	1999	Edinburgh, Scotland
16		Shawn Byram - C	L	LW	1997	Neepawa, Manitoba
15		Louis Dumont	R	C	1999	Calgary, Alberta
19		Shayne Stevenson	R	C	1999	Aurora, Ontario
30		Dino Bauba	R	F	1997	Kaunasc, Lithuania
9		Jamie Steer	R	F	1996	Winnipeg, Manitoba
10		Mark Montanari	L	F	1997	Toronto, Ontario
21		Eric Murano	R	C	1999	Calgary, Alberta

1998/99^[20]

Goaltenders
Number		Player	Catches	Acquired	Place of Birth
		Frank Caprice	R	1998	Hamilton, Ontario
		Sean Basilio	L	1998	Stoney Creek, Ontario
		Vincent Riendeau	L	1998	St. Hyacinthe, Quebec

Defencemen
Number		Player	Shoots	Acquired	Place of Birth
3		Angelo Catenaro - C	L	1996	Toronto, Ontario
24		Ryan Kummu	L	1996	Kitchener, Ontario
5		Alan Schuler	R	1996	100 Mile House, British Columbia
6		Vince Boe	L	1996	Calgary, Alberta
4		Scott Young	L	1996	Oakville, Ontario
		Trevor Burgess	R	1996	Carleton Place, Ontario

Forwards
Number		Player	Shoots	Position	Acquired	Place of Birth
17		David St. Pierre	R	C	1996	Montreal, Quebec
23		Jeff Hoad	R	C	1997	Brandon, Manitoba
23		Karry Biette	R	C	1997	Estevan, Saskatchewan
12		Matt Hoffman	R	C	1996	Saginaw, Michigan
7		John Parco - A	L	C	1997	Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
27		Samuel Groleau	R	C	1996	Longueuil, Quebec
16		Shawn Byram	L	LW	1997	Neepawa, Manitoba
19		Dennis Purdie	R	RW	1997	Amherstburg, Ontario
8		Mark Woolf - A	R	RW	1996	Brandon, Manitoba
30		Dino Bauba	R	F	1997	Kaunasc, Lithuania
9		Jamie Steer	R	F	1996	Winnipeg, Manitoba
10		Mark Montanari	L	F	1997	Toronto, Ontario
		Corey Lyons	L	RW	1997	Calgary, Alberta

1997/98^[21]

Goaltenders
Number		Player	Catches	Acquired	Place of Birth
32		Rob Dopson	L	1997	Smiths Falls, Ontario
34		Colum Cavilla	L	1996	Lethbridge, Alberta

Defencemen
Number		Player	Shoots	Acquired	Place of Birth
44		Joey Mittelsteadt	L	1997	Scarborough, Ontario
3		Angelo Catenaro - C	L	1996	Toronto, Ontario
24		Ryan Kummu	L	1996	Kitchener, Ontario
5		Alan Schuler	R	1996	100 Mile House, British Columbia
6		Vince Boe	L	1996	Calgary, Alberta
4		Scott Young	L	1996	Oakville, Ontario

Forwards
Number		Player	Shoots	Position	Acquired	Place of Birth
17		David St. Pierre	R	C	1996	Montreal, Quebec
23		Jeff Hoad	R	C	1997	Brandon, Manitoba
23		Karry Biette	R	C	1997	Estevan, Saskatchewan
12		Matt Hoffman	R	C	1996	Saginaw, Michigan
7		John Parco - A	L	C	1997	Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
27		Samuel Groleau	R	C	1996	Longueuil, Quebec
16		Shawn Byram	L	LW	1997	Neepawa, Manitoba
25		Darren Colbourne	L	RW	1997	Cornerbrook, Newfoundland Labrador
19		Dennis Purdie	R	RW	1997	Amherstburg, Ontario
8		Mark Woolf - A	R	RW	1996	Brandon, Manitoba
30		Dino Bauba	R	F	1997	Kaunasc, Lithuania
9		Jamie Steer	R	F	1996	Winnipeg, Manitoba
10		Mark Montanari	L	F	1997	Toronto, Ontario

1996/97^[22]

Goaltenders
Number		Player	Catches	Acquired	Place of Birth
40		Sven Rampf	R	1996	Pfronten, Germany
24		Colum Cavilla	L	1996	Lethbridge, Alberta

Defencemen
Number		Player	Shoots	Acquired	Place of Birth
7		Colin McHaffie	R	1996	Ayr, Scotland
3		Angelo Catenaro - C	L	1996	Toronto, Ontario
24		Ryan Kummu	L	1996	Kitchener, Ontario
5		Alan Schuler	R	1996	100 Mile House, British Columbia
44		Frantisek Prochazka	L	1996	Brno, Czech Republic
4		Scott Young	L	1996	Oakville, Ontario
6		Vince Boe	L	1996	Calgary, Alberta

Forwards
Number		Player	Shoots	Position	Acquired	Place of Birth
17		David St. Pierre	R	C	1996	Montreal, Quebec
15		Brendan Flynn	L	C	1996	Boston, Massachusetts
23		Jiri Lala	L	F	1996	Tabor, Czech Republic
12		Matt Hoffman	R	C	1996	Saginaw, Michigan
21		Markus Berwanger	L	F	1996	Rosenheim, Germany
27		Samuel Groleau	R	C	1996	Longueuil, Quebec
		Steven Lynch	R	F	1996	Kirkcaldy, Scotland
		Mark Cupolo	L	LW	1996	Niagara Falls, Ontario
19		Scott Morrison	R	RW	1996	Hamilton, Ontario
8		Mark Woolf	R	RW	1996	Brandon, Manitoba
9		Jamie Steer	R	F	1996	Winnipeg, Manitoba

Coaching Staff

Number		Player	Position	Dates	Place of Birth
--		Paul Heavey	Head coach	2001-2003	Glasgow, Scotland
--		Scott Rex	Assistant coach	2001-2002	Brantford, Ontario
--		Jim Lynch	Head coach	1996-2001	Toronto, Ontario
--		Paul Heavey	Assistant coach	2000-2001	Glasgow, Scotland
--		Milan Figala	Assistant coach	1996-2000	Brno, South Moravian Region

Club record

Season-by-season record

Ayr Scottish Eagles season-by-season record.[23] Season League GP W L T OTL PTS GF GA League Position 1996–97 Ice Hockey Superleague 42 21 15 6 0 48 171 157 1997–98 Ice Hockey Superleague 45 34 6 2 3 73 200 113 1998–99 Ice Hockey Superleague 42 18 18 3 3 42 136 140 5 1999–00 Ice Hockey Superleague 42 17 16 5 4 43 144 147 5 2000–01 Ice Hockey Superleague 48 25 22 0 1 72 161 158 5 2001–02 Ice Hockey Superleague 48 20 19 9 0 49 136 130 2002–03 Ice Hockey Superleague 8 2 6 0 0 4† 20 34 -- Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime losses; PTS = Points; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; † = Club folded six games into the season

Player records

Franchise scoring leaders

These are the top-ten point-scorers, scoring leaders and assists in franchise history.

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game

Points Player Pos GP G A Pts P/G Shawn Byram F 200 63 123 186 0.93 Dino Bauba F 189 54 84 138 0.73 Scott Young D 210 49 82 131 0.62 Samuel Groleau F 120 56 66 122 1.02 Mark Montanari F 123 35 79 114 0.93 Jamie Steer F 156 61 49 110 0.70 Mark Woolf F 124 51 57 108 0.87 Tony Hand F 86 27 71 98 1.13 Ed Courtenay F 91 41 48 89 0.98 David St. Pierre F 118 18 67 85 0.72

Goals Player Pos G Shawn Byram F 63 Jamie Steer F 61 Samuel Groleau F 56 Dino Bauba F 54 Mark Woolf F 51 Scott Young D 49 Ed Courtenay F 41 Mark Montanari F 35 Matt Hoffman F 35 Jonathan Weaver D 32

Assists Player Pos A Shawn Byram F 123 Dino Bauba F 84 Scott Young D 82 Mark Montanari F 79 Alan Schuler D 72 Tony Hand F 71 David St. Pierre F 67 Samuel Groleau F 66 Mark Woolf F 57 Vince Boe D 50

Team captains

• Angelo Catenaro, 1996–99
• Shawn Byram, 1999–2001
• Alan Schuler, 2001–02
• Sean Selmser, 2002–03

NHL alumni

Many of Ayr's players were NHL draft picks and played in the NHL before signing for the Ayr Eagles.

International capped players

Several players were also selected to play for their national team in the Ice Hockey World Championships.

Honours and awards

Jerseys

• 
  The inaugural uniform (1996–97 season)
• 
  The uniform of the "grand slam" winning team (1997–98 season)
• 
  The uniform of the Express Cup runners-up (2000–01 season)
• 
  The uniform of the Express Cup winning team and Superleague Runners-up (2001–02 season)
• 
  The last uniform to be worn by an Eagles side, in the exhibition match held at the Centrum in 2003 (there was no away jersey of this design)