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1985 - 1990
In the summer of 1985 coach Alex Andjelic leaves Nijmegen for Swiss side Chur and coaching was done by a group of players (Jorma Mantere, Fred Homburg, Harrie van Heumen, Ben Tijnagel, Jan Bruijsten and Pim Mater). At the start of the 1985-1986 season Nijmegen is also not able to find a new sponsor. Fortunately later that season a company called "Spitman" was prepared to become the main sponsor of hockey in Nijmegen.
Next to coach Andjelic also players like Bill Wensink and Rob van Steen decided to leave Nijmegen. Both players joined Geleen that year. From the youth program Robert Herckenrath, Johan Stoer and John Koren joined the first team. One of the imports in 1985 was Danny Craig, joining from the University of Lowell (NCAA) and brother of Jim Craig, the goalie of team USA in the 1980 Olympics. During the year two additional import players were acquired: Patrick Murray and Mike Marta. Marta left in January due to a difference of opinion with the technical team in Nijmegen. Due to all the problems Nijmegen missed the play-offs that year.
In 1986-1987 Nijmegen was not that sucessful as well. Although Nijmegen was able to sign some skilled college players such as Keith Martin and Nick Palumbo (both from Lake Superior State University, NCAA) and Kevin Burden (Ohio State University, NCAA) )they only finished the season as 5th and sadly missed the play-offs. Topcorer that year was Keith Martin who tallied 68 points in total, playing 38 games
In the second part of the eighties hockey in Holland was at its financial prime. In the previous 
years a lot of good Dutch Canadian players came to Holland and a lot of strong Dutch born players like Tony Collard, Ron Berteling and Ben Tijnagel turned into mature top class players. In this period the organization of the Gunco Panda's lured a lot of talent to Roterdam including a lot of Nijmegen born players. Starting from the 1986 season players like Robbert Prick van Wely, Ben Tijnagel and Jan Bruijsten were amongst the ones to leave the Nijmegen organization.
In this period Danny Cuomo settled in Nijmegen as a playing coach and players like Fred Homburg, Henri Stoer and Frank Janssen stayed with Nijmegen. They formed the foundation for a new championship. In the 1987-88 season Nijmegen was able to obtain Dutch Canadian player Andy Tenbult in addition to Bill Wensink. Wensink returned to Nijmegen after a short spell with the Smoke Eaters from Geleen. From Tilburg a new goalie was acquired: Guido Walenciak. Next to these additions Nijmegen also ensured the services of import players Robert Forbes, Dan Cormier and Jim Aldred. Unfortunately Cormier only stayed a couple of games. Next to these additions Nijmegen parted with some players before the 1987 season. Herckenrath went to Rotterdam, Jorma Mantere to Heerenveen and Pim mater retired from hockey alltogether. Also all the import players of the previous season all went back to Canada. The new players however were proven to be the key to success. Nijmegen succeeded in winning the title for the second time in their history. In that final game in Heerenveen Robert Forbes scored two short handed goals which would lead Nijmegen to a 4 - 6 win. More than 1.000 Nijmegen supporters travelled to Heerenveen that day in support of their team.
In the European Cup Nijmegen won games against the likes of Valenrengen (Norway) and Steaua 
Bucharest (Romania) but lost against Czech side VSZ Kosice. Cuomo continued to be the player coach and in 1988 Nijmegen acquired the services of Dutch Canadian player Ralph Vos and Mike Dollevoet. Mike Dollevoet came over from The University of Lethbridge Pronghorns(CWUAA) and Ralph joined from IHL outfit Milwaukee Admirals. Also joining Nijmegen that year were import players Bob Nicholson, Marty Williamson and Chris Callaghan. Bill Wensink decided to go to Rotterdam after a his year back in Nijmegen. In 1988 Nijmegen also played in the European Cup in Nijmegen against the likes of AIK Stockholm.
In 1989 Nijmegen acquired Dutch Canadian Adrian Vandersloot and Canadian players Al Raymond (From Assen), Collin Power and Dave Russell (coming over from the BP Oilers Heerenveen) came to Nijmegen. Dave was a highly talented player who had earlier spells with Tilburg and Heerenveen. Unfortunately Dave only stayed one year with Nijmegen. He tragically died during a hockey game in 1990 as a result of cardiac arrest.
Before the 1989 season Nijmegen lost Ralph Vos and long-time goalie Jan Bruijsten to Rotterdam. During the season Sheldon Gorski (U. of Illinois-Chicago, NCAA) conquered the import spot of Al Raymond who lost his spot as an import player during the season. Being a player coach in the previous seasons Danny Cuomo decided this year to focus on coaching only. However due to the fact that both Fred Homburg and Ron Plamont faced long term suspensions during the regular season he decided that he would become a player coach again. Topscorer of the regular season in Holland was Collin Power. He notched 77 points in 28 games. As a result of that Nijmegen clinched the 2nd spot in the league that year. Unfortunately Nijmegen lost in the finals from title favorites Rotterdam Panda's after eliminating Geleen in the semi finals. Following years.
