Durham Wasps, during the 80s and early 90s, were one of the most successful sporting outfits in the region.

While the North East's football and rugby sides struggled, and Durham's cricket side remained fixed to the Minor Counties ranks in the 1980s, the Wasps were a force to be proud of.

BBC Sport looks at the legacy of one of British ice hockey's most successful outfits.

Four Heineken Championships in the space of six years and six Premier Division titles were testimony to a club who were among British ice hockey's elite clubs.

Three Norwich Union Cups also added to the roll of honour that, given the era, was on a scale to that of Liverpool Football Club.

Their finest season came in 1991, when they achieved a Grand Slam of trophies with an astonishing hat-trick - league title, British championship and the Autumn Cup.

However, as Echo and the Bunnymen once sang, nothing lasts forever.

Take a look at the current day Elite League table and you will see established clubs Nottingham Panthers and Cardiff Devils still maintain a strong presence.

However, much like 80s contemporaries Streatham Redskins, Murrayfield Racers and Dundee Rockets, who were swallowed up or folded, the Wasps are no more.

Durham's squad contained a strong mix of top imports and homegrown talents, some of whom continued to represent the North East hockey scene with Sir John Hall's takeover and the move to Newcastle.

Among the stars was former NHL star Mike Blaisdell, who hit a club record 74 goals as the Wasps powered to the league championship in the 1991-92 season.

The most recent of the alumni to hang up their skates was former Wasps and Vipers star Shaun 'Shuggy' Johnson, who retired from Elite League hockey in Newcastle last season.

Brebant was a Wasps hero and record-breaker

Canadian centreman Rick Brebant was a Wasps 'legend', as an integral part of the side that won four league titles in seven seasons.

He also accumulated 995 points, making him the club's all-time record points scorer and finished the 1988-89, 1990-91 and 1991-92 as the league's top scorer.

Brebant was inducted into the British ice hockey hall of fame in 2004, having retired in 2003 following a season with Manchester Phoenix.

Like the 'Roker roar' and the throbbing masses at St James', Durham's ice arena was a special place to be on match day.

Supporters made the arena intimidating for opponents, and the rink became a key factor in their success.

"As one person said to me, it was like an illegal gathering. Teams hated coming to Durham. Everything was about the Wasps winning," former coach Paul Smith told BBC Inside Out.

There are plans for a new rink at Durham, and support has been growing, but some old faces remain unsure of whether it is the right decision.

BBC Inside Out have been looking at the history of the Durham Wasps, and whether ice hockey will ever return to the city.

BBC Inside Out - Durham Wasps

BBC Inside Out North East and Cumbria are screening a special episode on the past, present and future of ice hockey in the city of Durham on Wednesday, 25 February on BBC One at 1930 GMT.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version