SWINDON, UK – With the names trickling in for the coming season the Phantoms and the Raiders are the only two EPL teams who have yet to announce at least one signing for the coming year, but others are racing ahead.
Take Manchester and Milton Keynes, for example, both with six signings until last week when the Phoenix took the lead with the surprise signature of young British forward Robert Farmer. Farmer started the season at the Scimitars but at the end of the year in a controversial move amid accusations of under-the-table dealing he packed his bags and moved in with Elite League neighbours the Steelers. But he didn’t get the ice time he wanted, which is sure to change under Tony Hand’s mentorship.
The Scimitars, meanwhile, added their first name to the new roster with the re-signing of British netminder Ben Bowns who rejected interest from elsewhere in the EPL and returns to Sheffield for a second year.
Over at Bracknell the Bees new coach Gareth Cox said he wanted two new imports, one forward and one defender, so does that mean Lithuanian Andrius Kaminskas is on his way?
This raises an interesting situation.
This last season the Bees had five players in the top twenty penalty takers in the league, the most of any team, namely Kaminskas himself, Michal Pinc, Nicky Watt, Shane Moore and Jaroslav Cesky. The two Brits Nicky Watt and Shane Moore were also leaders in that department the year before with the Wildcats.
We know Cesky and Pinc have re-signed for the Bees but with no mention of the other three, does this mean Coach Cox is unhappy with this volatile line-up? Or is this just pointless speculation as it was also claimed nine Bees had already signed up, although the names weren’t forthcoming just yet.
And there’s more. Cox also stated he wanted to sign up to five players from the local Hornets, but so far all we do know is forward Craig Tribe (GBR) is the first to make that step up. No doubt all will be revealed eventually, like the re-signing of British forward Ashley Calvert which brought the actual known roster at the Bees so far up to five.
The Wildcats welcomed back netminder Chris Douglas who replaced Geoff Woolhouse part way through the season after his controversial sacking. Douglas, who guarded the net a couple of years ago at the Swindon side proved to be an inspiration and leapt immediately into the ninety-plus per cent save rate club, and stayed there. Coach Ryan Aldridge later also announced the return of British forward Lee Richardson to the captaincy of the side as the second leg of a two-year contract, and promised more names next week.
The Bison recaptured forward Nick Chinn, who even at the age of thirty-seven showed he can still command interest from other clubs proving why he is one of the top British players. Chinn, who said he was happy at Basingstoke so was able to discard these other offers will also return to the captain’s roll.
Forward Joe Greener, the Jets top British points scorer, announced he was returning for a second year despite interest from the Elite League and other EPL teams.
And finally, the Flames reported some good news that their British D-man David Savage, who had been plagued by injury and a long recuperation last year, would remain with the club for the coming season.
No doubt there will be more activity this week. Can’t wait!
For more EPL facts, figures and news try my website – www.iceman-epl.com
Contact Bill.Collins@prohockeynews.com
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