DURHAM, UK – Coventry ENL Blaze currently occupy 8th position in the ENL North Division 1 standings as the side from the West Midlands have only been able to pick up 15 points from their opening 21 games of the campaign. Few followers of ENL hockey could have envisaged Blaze would be struggling at the foot of the table after Coventry enjoyed a successful 2010/11 season in which they almost tasted glory in the end of season Play Offs.
Pro hockey news recently got the opportunity to speak to Coventry forward Phillip Pollock who is currently in his 2nd season with the ENL Blaze. Phillip told us how he though the first half of the campaign had gone from a players point of view.
“We’ve had a pretty slow start this season. We gave up a lot of points early by tieing instead of winning and it seems like we are playing catch up with the league which is so close on points that every win counts and no lost point comes unpunished.
“We were standing head to head in the finals with Whitley Bay last year so to now think that we are fighting for a spot in the playoffs (is hard). But I will play my heart out and give everything I can no matter where we stand.”
Phillip went onto to chat about Coventry’s objectives of the remainder of the term and which of the other ENL North teams have impressed him so far this season.
Pollock in action
“As the ENL North 1 is so close at this point, we are trying to build momentum and come back from behind with a winning streak to claw onto a good play offs spot.
“Definitely Telford, they seem to be playing with pretty much the same team as last year but they have created a spirit within that brings them valuable goals and the therefore the resulting wins.
“Billingham have impressed me as well. A new rink, team, and support and they have executed it very well so far. The team is clicking and the mixture of experience and youth is working.”
Pro hockey news asked Phillip how he saw his role on the Blaze’s roster and if he was content with his personal form during the 2011/12 campaign.
“I am not too sure to be honest, as I am still developing myself. Last year was my first year playing in England as well as my first proper season in an adult league so I am still getting adjusted to the circumstances. However being an import, I try to bring in the extra spice to the flavour a lot of times as I can see how my hockey is still different from the one played here and I like to take advantage of that.
“Even though I haven’t been able to make as many points as last year, I have been developing on other sides of hockey, which I have been executing well so far. There’s still always room for improvement, so I think I am never completely happy with myself.”
Phillip takes on the Billingham Stars
Phillip went onto to speak about whether he thought the standard of ENL hockey was improving and which players in the set up he thought could have a big future in the game.
“Its hard to say as this is only my second season in this league. But I can see improvements being made. Teams try to get their hands on every suitable player they can find, within the league as well as from other leagues. It shows on the table, as no team is willing to give up points.
“I actually believe Rikki Bryniarski is set out to have a good run ahead of himself. He has been working hard and scoring a lot of goals. Telford Tigers have let him play for them for a few matches, so he has gotten to smell some EPL air.”
The 21 year old German went onto speak of whether it was beneficial to have a parent club in the Elite League’s Coventry Blaze and whether or not he had any opportunities to play at a higher level at this stage of his career.
“It certainly is young players that have the potential to play Elite League but still don’t get the ice time, can train along with the Elite team and play matches for the ENL team. This way players can catch up on their ice time with us and we get to have a young player with loads of potential.”
“So far I haven’t been offered anything, but I am still young and big contracts aren’t everything in life.”
Picking a pass
As the interview was approaching his conclusion Phillip spoke about some of the best players he had played with and against during the formative years of his career in Germany and what he thought of the standard of rinks in the ENL North division.
“The best player I have played alongside with would I probably have to say Dominik Bielke. He has been drafted for San Jose in 2009 and played in a quite a few World Junior Championships for Germany. We basically started hockey together and went to the same school. Growing up next to someone like that makes the dream of every hockey player real and touchable. His dad was a goalie and used to play for the Pro team in Berlin, I can’t even count the amount of nights we stayed up and listened to his old stories.
“The best player I played against would probably be Michal Rohacik. I played a few games in a Semi Pro League in Germany about 2 years ago. The league had quite a few veterans such as Michal, he was Slovakian and a big, mean guy. I remember trying to hit him but he wasn’t having any of it and I got shoved into the boards face first.
“The one I most liked would be Sheffield, it is a great facility. I really enjoy playing there.
“My least favourite would probably have to be Whitley Bay. The ice seems very uneven most of the time and even though it is completely dark in one corner the other corner has a blinding light. I may never get adjusted to that rink.”
Many thanks to Phillip for taking the time out to speak to Pro hockey news and we wish him and his side all the best for the final 3 months of the season.
Images courtesy of Colin Lawson @ http://www.icehockeymedia.co.uk/
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.