GILLINGHAM, UK – There are few roster positions that carry such pressure in the English National League as the import slots at Invicta Dynamos. Canadian forward Daniel Borges is the latest overseas player to play at the Ice Bowl and he is enjoying every minute.
Fresh from a hard fought draw at home to Chelmsford Chieftains, the reigning champions are regrouping, ready for a tough trip to Cardiff this coming Saturday followed by a home game against Bristol Pitbulls.
Dynamo Daniel Borges (Tim Bowers)
The fixtures are coming thick and fast at this stage in the season and dropping any more points is unthinkable for the Dynamos, with the Wightlink Raiders above them in the standings in first place. Technically the Mo’s will be expecting a four point weekend, however nothing is certain in an English National League that has thrown up surprise after surprise this season.
When 25 year old forward Daniel Borges made his debut earlier in the season against Bracknell Hornets, his two goals and two assists in that game marked a positive start for the Brampton born boy, who had never previously set foot in the UK.
“I had always wanted to come to Europe and test my skills to see if I could contribute to a team’s success” admitted Borges, whose previous teams include Saginaw Spirit and Oakville Blades.
“The Dynamos needed an import and I was available, so it seemed like a perfect fit. I had not played competitive hockey in the two years prior because I was completing my diploma in Construction Engineering at George Brown College in Toronto”
Swapping life in Canada’s eleventh largest city for a town in Medway, England with a population below 100,000 would be a culture shock for anyone, however Borges is thankful that his team mates have helped him adapt to life within the historic county of Kent.
“When I first met the guys on the team, they all stepped up and made me feel part of the team right away” explained Borges, who can play either on the wing or as a center.
“My first impression was that I was going to have a great time in the UK and that our team had a very good chance of having another winning season in Gillingham”
“I am living in the town and British life has been a great experience for me so far. I have been into London and seen most of the tourist sites. I have my captain, Karl Lennon, to thank for that as he took a day off work to show me around”
Thanks to his supportive team mates and also the reception he has received from the Dynamos faithful, Borges is firmly entrenched in the league’s top scorer charts with an impressive 18 goals and 40 assists in his 24 games so far this campaign.
He has centred the first and second lines and shown adaptability in a season that has seen Coach Kevin Parrish shuffle his pack now and again to try and compete against the varying styles exhibited by opposition teams in the ENL.
“The ENL has been great competition for me to test myself for the first time on this side of the pond” explained Borges.
“I have been surprised with the speed and skill level of some of the younger players in the league. England has some great up and coming hockey players and it is obviously a good experience being amongst that kind of talent”
“We are so lucky to have the greatest fans in the league. Their support over the season has been phenomenal and I have never played in front of such dedicated fans. They have been very supportive of me and for that I am grateful”
“When you add that to the backing from some great sponsors like Ramada Encore and the Hospital Lane Dental Practice, the Dynamos are an exciting outfit to be part of”
Borges goes for goal (Tim Bowers)
One twist in the Dynamos season that was unexpected was the release of fellow Canadian Dan Calitri in December. Borges and Calitri had posted similar numbers points wise for the club up until that point and both were riding high in the scoring charts, however Coach Parrish decided to ditch one half of his import pairing after a difference of opinion with Calitri.
In addition to this, there was also an opinion amongst some Dynamos fans that the Canadian pair were falling short of the high standards set by the team imports of 2009/10, namely Nolan Boike and Peter Vaisanen. The pressure to perform as a standout import following in the footsteps of those two would have been a tough ask of whoever followed as Borges is only too aware.
“Vas and Boike were both amazing players while here in Gillingham and I have respect for the both of them for what they achieved” explained Borges.
“I do not think the pressure comes from trying to replace them, but it comes from putting pressure on myself. The pressure I put on myself is to perform to the best of my ability every game and, I know if I do that, hopefully the team will have a victory at the end of the night”
“When Calitri left the Dynamos I was a bit upset because Dan has been one of my best mates for a long time. I knew if I wanted to stay with Invicta, I would have to try and accept it. I understand it is just part of being a hockey player – sometimes things just do not work out the way you planned”
Parrish took his time looking for a replacement and a few weeks after Calitri’s departure he eventually plumped for a defenseman well known to Borges from his days in Canada. In fact it is fair to say that Borges knew far more about the new signing than his coach did, owing to the fact that it turned out to be his younger brother Chris.
Naturally having a sibling so close by in a new country will be advantageous to both players and therefore the team, and Borges Senior is delighted to have his brother in Gillingham with him. The question is of course; who has the best skills out of the Borges boys.
“Having my younger brother playing here has been great so far” laughed Borges.
“Strangely enough we have never played on the same team before. Even though we are on the same team now, we will still never get the chance to be on the ice together in a game (due to EIHA restrictions)”
“If there was a skills competition between the two of us, I am sure I would win. But let’s not tell him that because he might beat me up for telling people”
Brother in arms – Chris Borges (David Trevallion)
Ironically enough, Chris Borges wasted no time making an impression on the Ice Bowl faithful as he dropped the gloves on his debut and went toe to toe with Chelmsford’s BT Williams. The 21 year old defenseman spent last season with the Georgetown Raiders in Ontario and slotted in well amongst the Mo’s injury ravaged blue line
Both brothers are able to get clearance to play here as they have Portuguese heritage courtesy of their grandparents. Their father moved to Canada when he was five and married a Canadian citizen. This makes both players eligible to play hockey for Portugal should the team ever compete alongside their Iberian rivals Spain in the IIHF championships.
With Invicta currently pushing strongly for the ENL title and his brother now over here with him enjoying the UK lifestyle, surely there is nothing to miss about the depths of the Canadian winter. Or is there?
“I know people in the UK are going to think I am crazy, but I miss the snow” said Borges smiling. “I miss the bitter cold in the mornings, driving around on icy roads, and looking out my window and seeing the white snow completely covering the ground”
With little chance of snow returning to the UK until next winter, Borges will have to make do with the view of England’s rolling green fields from the team bus on the M4 this weekend.
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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