SWINDON, UK – The first skirmish of the new season is over with the Steeldogs clashing home and away with the Fife Flyers of the Northern Premier League. And although the Steeldogs won 9-1 on aggregate, as you might expect, and Fife were given two match penalties thereby killing the second game, no doubt these pre-season encounters aren’t considered any more of a cakewalk than most regular league games.
By this time next week many more teams will have crossed swords as we enter the final few days of the closed season undoubtedly charged with fine tuning, hence the importance of the ‘friendly’ game. As Bison coach Steve Moria said as he stood on the platform waiting for his imports to arrive this weekend, ‘We can work on a number of different line combinations ahead of the season, and it gives me a chance to give everyone ice time.’
Now onto the
Also raising an eyebrow was Hand declaring the roster complete at sixteen because although the Phoenix managed to run a strong campaign with the same number regularly playing last season, it might be remembered in the final part of the season the Phoenix wheels started to wobble a bit with the likes of the Jets, Bison, Lightning, Flames all inflicting Game 6 defeats and even the Wildcats imposing a 10-2 battering after losing their five previous times. So although international demands might have been the cause of some of the anguish, with a total of 23 players finally icing for the
Of course, there are a few differences, one of which is forward Tom Duggan who said he had been ‘restricted’ when playing for the Flames and hoped to get more ice time in
Elsewhere, of the few places left to fill in the EPL the signings announced this week didn’t appear to be aimed plugging that gap. The Phantoms, for example, with seventeen already on board took on three ‘prospect’ players. It goes without saying the future of the sport lies in the hands of the young player. ‘Mister Basingstoke’ himself, Tony Redmond, for instance, said this week the EPL should have fewer imports and a better structure for juniors to come through the system.
To some extent it can be argued the two points are inter-dependent rather than in opposition, but nevertheless it is always refreshing to hear such comments as Coach Cruickshank’s.
“I believe development from within plays a huge part in your team’s success, said Cruickshank.
To prove the point the Phantoms are giving a tremendous opportunity to three youngsters who have attended their Academy. Possibly unique in this trio is Under-18 twin brothers Nathan(D) and Conner(F) Pollard, along with Connor Stokes(F).
Apparently they will train with the senior squad and presumably be given ice time when circumstances permit.
Cruickshank, in buoyant mood, added of his completed team, “They all know exactly what jobs they are expected to do, and if they do that we can be a winning team.”
Then, on Sunday at the Wildcats’ Sponsors and Media Meet the Team function hours before the close of the week, Coach Ryan Aldridge in a surprise announcement added Slovakian forward Juraj Rusic, lately of the ENL Oxford Stars, to the Wildcats’ line-up as a fifth import. Rusic has iced previously for the Wildcats back in 2005-2007 and 2009. But that wasn’t the only surprise because Aldridge also added another youngster to this week’s tally, Danny Williams, a young forward from the
Aldridge said he expected Williams to play in at least one of the pre-season games and hinted at more.
“I am sure he will keep players in our line up on their toes,” Aldridge enthused.
So with six juniors or former juniors entering the EPL in just one week you can’t help but feel a tad optimistic about the future of the EPL in particular if not British hockey in general, and maybe my old grand-pappy had a point when he said, “If you put your pig on a trolley it will either fall straight off or learn to surf.”
For more EPL facts, articles, figures and news try my website – www.iceman-epl.com
Contact the author Bill.Collins@Prohockeynews.com
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