Belfast Giants

Belfast have, not surprisingly, been victims of their own success, with a number of key players jumping ship over the summer for the higher-paid leagues of Germany, Austria and Finland.

Star goalie Mike Bales will be missed, but coach Dave Whistle has managed to retain the rump of last season's Superleague-winning side, including leading points-scorer Kevin Riehl.

Whistle has also added some eye-catching new signings, suggesting the Giants will be a force to be reckoned with again this season.

Player to watch: Lee Sorochan made a big impression during his short stay with London Knights in 2000.

Returning to the Superleague after spells in Finland and Germany he can be expected to make a similar impact this time around.

Bracknell Bees

Discipline problems and personality clashes cost Bracknell dear last season.

The Berkshire side staggered pitifully through the tail-end of their campaign, managing just one win and a draw in their last 17 games.

Enio Sacilotto promised fundamental changes, so it is perhaps surprising that he has kept so many of last year's players.

Nevertheless. there are already hopeful signs, with Bracknell overcoming the odds to win the pre-season Enordia Cup in Germany.

Player to watch: At 6ft 5in and 235 lb, the New Jersey Devils draft pick Christian Gosselin will be an intimidating presence on the ice.

His fearsome penalty tally should give even notorious Nottingham hardman Barry Nieckar cause for concern.

London Knights

Where other teams have cleared out the locker room during the close season, London have re-signed the bulk of last year's squad.

But since Knights did little to impress last season, the wisdom of this tactic remains to be seen.

The signing of former Belfast Giants captain Jeff Hoad should help instil a positive ethos at Docklands, but London will still need to find creativity and a will-to-win that was sadly lacking last season.

Player to watch: Many questioned whether Nate Leslie was up to the task of playing at ISL level when he joined London from Dundee Stars as temporary cover for the injured David Struch.

The son of coach Bob Leslie proved the critics wrong, however, and he has matured into an extremely useful player.

Manchester Storm

Last season was a hugely frustrating one for Manchester.

Storm nearly salvaged their year by making it to the play-off finals only to lose out to Sheffield Steelers on penalties.

Coach Daryl Lipsey looks to have made some canny signings over the summer - maybe his second season in charge at the Storm Shelter can be more successful than his first.

Player to watch: David Longstaff's Tyneside accent may sound out of place in a dressing room full of North Americans.

But the former Superleague player of the year and Great Britain captain is sure to be the lynchpin of the Manchester squad. His return to the UK from Sweden is hugely welcome.

Nottingham Panthers

Nottingham's biggest loss of the summer was sniper PC Drouin, who packed up his skates for Augsburg in Germany.

Nevertheless, Panthers will be hoping that new signing Scott Allison will bring his scoring touch from Sheffield - and with Barry Nieckar and Dody Wood on the roster, Nottingham look set to be the toughest team in the league.

Player to watch: At 32, Eric Charron may not be the youngest player in the league, but with 130 NHL appearances under his belt the French Canadian defenceman brings a wealth of experience to Britain.

Scottish Eagles

There have been big changes at the Eagles' Nest over the summer, with the team leaving its home in Ayr and moving to the larger Braehead Arena on the outskirts of Glasgow.

Coach Paul Heavey has also rung the changes on the roster, with just three of last season's squad remaining.

The line-up has a very European flavour, with signings from Finland and Sweden.

Player to watch: The tough 27-year old Sean Selmser comes to the UK with an excellent pedigree in the IHL and AHL.

The left-winger is looking to establish himself in Europe, so his stay in the Superleague could be a short one.

Sheffield Steelers

Mike Blaisdell has proved himself to be an excellent recruiter of talented players with a knack of winning trophies.

With the grand slam and the play-off trophy to show for the last two seasons, Blaisdell's new boys have a lot to live up to - but at least they will start the season on time this year.

Player to watch: Scott Levins comes to Sheffield with an impressive CV that includes 124 NHL appearances and three seasons in the German DEL.

He is just the sort of player who can be expected to lead the hunt for more silverware.