The Newcastle Jesters were an

ice hockey Ice hockey (or simply hockey) is a team sport played on ice skates, usually on an ice skating rink with lines and markings specific to the sport. It belongs to a family of sports called hockey. In ice hockey, two opposing teams use ice hock ...

franchise Franchise may refer to: Business and law * Franchising, a business method that involves licensing of trademarks and methods of doing business to franchisees * Franchise, a privilege to operate a type of business such as a cable television p ...

based in

Newcastle Upon Tyne Newcastle upon Tyne ( RP: , ), or simply Newcastle, is a city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England. The city is located on the River Tyne's northern bank and forms the largest part of the Tyneside built-up area. Newcastle is ...

, England. The team were members of the

Ice Hockey Superleague The British Ice Hockey Superleague (BISL, also known as the Sekonda Ice Hockey Superleague from 1998 to 1999 for sponsorship reasons) was a professional ice hockey league in the United Kingdom between 1996 and 2003. Devised in 1995, it replaced ...

and played their home games at the

Telewest Arena The Utilita Arena Newcastle (formerly the Newcastle Arena, Telewest Arena and Metro Radio Arena) is a large indoor arena in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Owned and operated by ASM Global and sponsored by Utilita Energy, it hosts m ...

(now the Metro Radio Arena).

History

Single Season of Jesters (2000–2001)

The name 'Jesters' was the last of three used by the club during its five-year existence. The franchise was initially known as the Newcastle Cobras between 1996 and 1998. The team was then known as the Newcastle Riverkings for two seasons between 1998 and 2000 before it assumed its final name for the 2000–01 season. The team featured lots of Finnish players during the teams season as the Jesters. The team had former Jokerit players Tommi Sova and Santeri Immonen, former JYP and Ilves goaltender Tommi Satosaari and Tero Arkiomaa, who was the second best pointscorer during the season. The team was coached by future multiple time world championship winning coach

Jukka Jalonen Jukka Pertti Juhani Jalonen (born November 2, 1962 in Riihimäki, Finland) is a Finland, Finnish professional ice hockey coach (sport), coach and former player. In 2011 IIHF World Championship, 2011, 2019 IIHF World Champion ...

. During the summer of 2001 it was revealed that the Jesters owed unpaid wages to their playing squad and an embargo was placed on the club until a financial settlement was made. When no agreement had been reached two months into the season the Superleague opted to shut down the franchise. Hockey returned to the area with the

Newcastle Vipers From 2002–2011 the Newcastle Vipers were an ice hockey club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The club was a member of the Elite Ice Hockey League, and the British National League. History Predecessors Previously, the city was repre ...

who joined the British National League in 2002 and then became members of the

Elite Ice Hockey League The Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), sometimes referred to as the British Elite League or, for sponsorship reasons, the Viaplay Elite League, is an ice hockey league in the United Kingdom. Formed in 2003 following the demise of the Ice Hockey ...

. The Vipers though folded in 2011.

2000–01 Ice Hockey Superleague Roster

Ice hockey teams in England Sport in Newcastle upon Tyne Defunct ice hockey teams in the United Kingdom Ice hockey clubs established in 1996 Sports clubs disestablished in 2001 2001 disestablishments in England {{Europe-icehockey-team-stub