D URHAM, UK – The 2011/12 season may have only ended a few weeks ago however there have already been a number of top players switching clubs ready for the upcoming campaign. As you would expect all of the major Elite League teams have been busy trying to secure the top British talent in preparation for next term.
Elite League Champions the Belfast Giants have lost the services of their talisman Robert Dowd who has moved to Sweden to try his hand in continental Europe. The departure of Dowd is a huge blow to the side from Northern Ireland however Coach Doug Christiansen had moved quickly to acquire the services of forward Matt Towe who played for the Guildford Flames in the EPL last term. Towe averaged better than a point per game last season and he will be hoping that a move into the Elite League will take his career onto the next level. Giants have also re-signed Craig Peacock who enjoyed a superb campaign in Belfast last term as he finished 2nd on the Giants scoring to the now departed Dowd.
Robert Dowd in action
Nottingham Panthers will be hoping to challenge Belfast at the top of the standings next term. Coach Corey Neilson is clearly looking to change his roster around a little despite Panthers success in the Challenge Cup and Play Offs last campaign as Nottingham aim to finally capture that elusive league title. Club captain and defensive lynch pin Danny Meyers has surprisingly been released by the club from the lace city with Jonathan Weaver coming in to essentially replace the outgoing Meyers. Nottingham will no doubt be hoping that the vastly experienced Weaver will bring more to the Panthers offensive game next season.
Nottingham’s bitter rivals Sheffield Steelers have also made some alterations to their roster as top forward Colin Shields will be plying his trade at the Motorpoint Arena next campaign after spending a year away from the British game in France. Shields looks to be a great pick up for Steelers however Sheffield have lost the services of the up and coming youngster Tom Squires who turned down the opportunity of a 2 way contract with Steelers and Telford Tigers in the EPL to sign for solely for the Sheffield Steeldogs of the EPL.
Play off finalists Cardiff Devils have perhaps been the busiest side of all so far this summer. Player Coach Gerad Adams made an early move to re-sign former netminder Phil Osaer as the Welsh side look to build on last season’s solid showing. Osaer who has been playing in Norway was one of the top goaltenders when he last played in the Elite League and it would appear Devils have pulled off quite a coup by reaching a deal with the goalie to bring him back to the British game.
Osaer’s signing has meant that Cardiff’s regular netminder last term Stevie Lyle was no longer needed by the Devils and Basingstoke Bison currently of the EPL were quick to snap up one of the best British goaltenders of recent times.
Craig Peacock takes on the Fife Flyers
Bison have also certainly been busy of late as they have also signed GB international Greg Owen from the Coventry Blaze and Joe Greener from fellow EPL side the Slough Jets. Basingstoke’s transfer activity has led to speculation that the Bison could be set to move back into the Elite League next season as Bison have already secured the services of 2 players who have proven themselves to be top Elite League performers over recent times. Getting back to the Devils, Cardiff have also signed Scottish forward Bari Mckenzie from the Edinburgh Capitals while GB blue liner Mark Richardson has left Cardiff to sign for a side in the Kazakhstan League.
Paul Thompson’s Coventry Blaze had a disappointing time of it in 2011/12 finishing in 5th spot behind Belfast, Sheffield, Nottingham and Cardiff and the side from the Sky Dome will no doubt be looking to reshape their squad drastically over the summer months. As already mentioned Owen and Weaver have already moved on from the east midlands while the promising British forward Sam Smith has agreed to move up to Coventry from south Wales next term.
This summer looks set to be an exciting one as there will no doubt be much more player movement over the next 4 months or so as sides look bolster their rosters ahead of next season.
Images courtesy of Paul Lynch Photography and Ian Buchan
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
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