Bristol Pitbulls

The Bristol Pitbulls are a professional ice hockey team based in Bristol, England, playing in the English National Ice Hockey League, division 2.

History
The Bristol Pitbulls were founded in June 2009. Bristol was without a Senior Ice Hockey team for 16 years until Bristol born Richie 'Gravy' Hargreaves established the Pitbulls.

Hargreaves entered the team into the English National Ice Hockey League South Division Two for the 2009/10 season, despite being offered the chance to jump straight into Division One. According to an interview explaining his decision, Hargreaves decided his team 'wasn't ready' and that 'building a strong franchise & fan-base' were the most important thing in the first year.

The Pitbulls are based at the John Nike Ice Rink in Frogmore Street, Bristol. In their first friendly of the 2009/10 season they played the Oxford City Stars from ENIHL South Division One. Both Richie Hargreaves and his Brother Mike 'Killer' Hargreaves, who is also the Captain for the Pitbulls in their first year, used to play for the Stars. The Pitbulls lost 7-4 on home ice, but won 6-4 in a return leg against the Stars in Oxford the following day.

2009/2010 season
After a successful pre-season and a heavy recruitment period, the Pitbulls took to the ice for their opening match of the season facing off in the ENHL Cup with a double-header against the Vectis Tigers on the weekend of 5 September 2009. The Pitbulls finished that weekend with a 100% record after beating the Tigers 9-3 on home ice, and emerging victorious by 8-6 on the road.

On 19 September 2009 the Pitbulls competed in their first league match of their inaugural season against the Slough Harrier Hawks in which they achieved a 13-2 victory over the Hawks.

On 20 September 2009 the Pitbulls played the Cardiff Satans and achieved a 2-2 draw.

Most recently, the Pitbulls qualified for the semi-final of the ENHL Cup with three games to spare.