CHELMSFORD, UK – The Chelmsford Chieftains hit the headlines last weekend after a bench clearance with the Cardiff ENL Devils earned the Essex club some extra publicity. Pro Hockey News caught up with 28 year old Canadian forward Kyle Jones to find out how he has settled in to life in England.
There are few other incidents in hockey that spark as much interest as a bench clearance, and the Battle of the Riverside proved no different thanks to excellent video footage posted on ‘You Tube’ along with various features in local press and of course Pro Hockey News. Rightly or wrongly, the mass brawl took the focus of the media and fans; however the key element of the game was the 7-2 victory that extended the Chieftains unbeaten streak to nine games.
Making friends (Ian Snoding)
After a blaze of publicity tinged with controversy in early December, Kyle Jones made his debut at the historic Streatham Ice Arena, where he scored a power play goal against the Redskins in a 5-0 win for his new side. Since that game, Jones has scored thirteen goals in as many games, along with eight assists.
It hasn’t all been easy sailing for the Canadian though, and due to the limits on imports in the ENL, Head Coach Dean Birrell opted to ice Jones ahead of popular Slovak Jaroslav Pavlus. This decision brought a mixed reaction from the Chelmsford faithful however Jones has stuck at it and believes he is getting into the tempo of the league.
“I have enjoyed my time here so far” said the former Streetsville Derbys and Bramalea Blues forward. “The fans and people of Chelmsford have been great to me. Welcoming me into their home and the Chieftain organisation”
“Yes it has been hard settling in, with my wife still being at home. But I am doing something I love to do and we are both happy for this experience”
“Getting to know where everyone is on the ice and building a little bit of chemistry takes time but I think we have found that and hopefully we can achieve some great results by the end of the season”
Following the win over Cardiff, Jones and his team mates sealed a four point weekend the following day with a 7-2 win in Oxford. This was made all the more pleasurable for Jones, as his wife Nessa was over to watch, on vacation from Canada.
Jones’ late father was born in England and originally brought him over for a visit over thirteen years ago. Then a teenager, Jones could hardly imagine then that he would come back over to play hockey in his ancestral homeland in his late twenties, however a former Chieftain was to play a pivotal part in that life decision.
Jones in action (Ian Snoding)
Step forward former Oxford, Haringey, Wightlink and Chelmsford forward Brian ‘Glocks’ McLaughlin, who advised Jones to head over the pond to try his luck. The affable and enthusiastic McLaughlin clearly spoke warmly of hockey in the UK to his buddy, and with his Chelmsford connections helped arrange a deal.
Whilst Jones is clearly enjoying his time in Essex, the McDonalds restaurant across the road from the ice rink is not enough to satisfy his North American cravings.
“The lack of Tim Horton’s here is a big void right now” admitted Jones. “A large double double (coffee with cream and sugar) and a bagel toasted with cream cheese is a great meal on the way to the gym”
To combat any homesickness, the Chieftains players have helped their new import settle in to British life in typical style. On a road trip to the Isle of Wight they persuaded Jones that the offshore island in the Solent was outside of the UK border and convinced him to take his passport along to show the non-existent border guards.
“Yeah I will admit to falling for that” laughed Jones. “I figured it out as soon as the bus got onto the boat and they thought it was hilarious. I was not too happy about it”
Chelmsford have a tough double header after their upcoming weekend break as they head to Cardiff on 5th March and then host Invicta Dynamos on the 6th March.
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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