PLAYERS
Nebus, Mark – Joined the club for their first Elite League campaign in 2010-2011 and the American winger played in 59 games, scoring 15 goals and assisting 18 times. The Michigan native also racked up 172 penalty minutes that season with his tough and physical play. After departing Dundee, Mark played for one more season and he split it between two Central Hockey League sides, Laredo Bucks and Allen Americans.
Nelson, Craig – Defended the Stars blueline in the club’s debut season in 2001-2002 and the British-Canadian played 53 times for the club that season, totalling 40 points. The Ontario-native had previously iced for Paisley Pirates and Fife Flyers in the British National League and even made team GB for the 2002 World Championships. Nelson now works as a scout for Kingston Frontenacs in the Ontario Hockey League.
Nicol, John – Was the Stars backup goaltender in 2005-2006 and made one single appearance in the Scottish National League. However, the following year he was the starting goalie and played a total of 35 games across the SNL and Northern League. His career later took him on to play for Fife Flyers, Dundee Tigers and Kirkcaldy Kestrels.
Nicolson, Willie – Joined the Stars for two seasons after departing rivals, Fife Flyers – who are also his hometown team. The defender iced for the Stars between 2006 and 2008, making a total of 68 appearances across the Scottish National League and Norther League. Nicolson also earned two GB Under 18’s call-ups during his time with the Stars and collected a total of 58 points. The Scot has since gone on to ice with Flyers again, Edinburgh Capitals, Kirkcaldy Kestrels and most recently, Dundee Comets.
THE OTHER STUFF
The Dundee Stars have come across three clubs beginning with the letter ‘N in their history and they are NEWCASTLE VIPERS (BNL/EIHL), NORTH AYRSHIRE BRUINS and NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS.
The NEWCASTLE VIPERS first met the Stars in the 2002-2003 BNL campaign, where they finished eighth in the standings and just clinched the final playoff spot. Meanwhile the Stars challenged Coventry Blaze for the title but fell short as runners up.
However, the following season, the VIPERS would finish just above Dundee who sat in sixth place and there was only a two point difference between the East Coast clubs. Although, before the BNL folded in 2005, the Stars would have the last laugh.
After finish in fifth, Dundee had a tremendous playoff run that saw them lift the trophy, while second-place NEWCASTLE struggled in the post-season and were eliminated by the Stars in the first round.
The two teams renewed their rivalries six years later and in Dundee’s Elite League debut in 2010-2011, they snuck into the playoffs via eighth place and were 15 points ahead of the VIPERS in ninth.
The NORTH AYRSHIRE BRUINS came next and they contested for the SNL title with the Stars in 2005-2006 and 2006-2007. The BRUINS would only climb as high as eighth by the end of the season with eight points, while the Stars challenged Fife for the league title and their 26 points were only three shy of the Flyers – who also defeated Dundee in the playoff final.
The following season, the now shortened NORTH AYR BRUINS made their way up to sixth in the league table and were only 18 behind Dundee, who again challenged the Kirkcaldy club for the league title.
Finally, the Stars have been facing-off with the NOTTINGHAM PANTHERS for 10 years in the Elite League and only once have Dundee finished above the English side. After the resounding success of the 2013-2014 Gardiner Conference winning campaign, the Stars clinched third placed and were three clear of the PANTHERS in fourth.
However, despite NOTTINGHAM’s dominance, this has never stopped the Stars from challenging them in what often are tightly contested affairs. Some of the standout moments for Dundee include; a 4-3 home ice victory on 80’s night in the 2018-2019 campaign or the Mark Kolanos six-point show as the Stars prevailed 8-3 at the DIA in the 2011-2012 season.
