SWINON, UK – Not a busy week but it started with a flurry of activity again at the Bison with netminder Dean Skinns being recalled to the colours giving credence to the rumour Tom Annetts was off to ENL Wightlink. Coming from that direction, however, was Matt Colclough, who having just completed two seasons on the island was signed as backup to Skinns. It was also pleasing to hear Basingstoke junior goalie Connor Standing who at just sixteen years of age has been given the opportunity to train with the senior boys with a view to, ‘getting used to shots at the higher level’, according to Coach Steve Moria, and moving up a level after an appropriate learning period.
Moria added that his squad was almost complete, having re-slotted Tony Redman on the blue line, with just two forwards to sign, one ‘strong British forward and an import who can do the business and score goals.’
No such problem for the Phoenix where owner Neil Morris says they have signed an import, adding somewhat courageously: ‘I predict he’ll score more goals than Curtis Huppe.’
Hmmm. Now call me old fashioned or even a party pooper but that is one very big act to follow. Huppe scored 59 times last season with Marcus Kristoffersson one place above him topping the league on 62. In the last five years or so only Andrej Lauko at the Bison with 63 goals in 2009/10, and Joel Petkoff with 67 goals in 2006/07 with the Wildcats has surpassed Huppe. So while it would tempt fate to write off Coach Hand’s ability to come up with such a player – after all he came up with Huppe and Kristoffersson didn’t he? – it is still a very brave prediction.
Which all reminds me of something my gambling inclined uncle ‘Galloping’ Gordon is oft heard to remark about his turfing ventures: ‘Six-to-four forty per cent of the time will give you a profit, so stay away from outsiders unless you are married to the horse’s owner or know a little secret about the jockey he would prefer kept quiet!’
Another brave move from the Phoenix was acknowledging the experiment with so-called ‘enforcer’ Andrew Sharp had run its course. No other club in the EPL uses the anachronistic appellation these days, and, in fact, has never really been able to afford the luxury of having such a player in the true sense of the word residing in the penalty box for his troubles? Last season a couple of coaches, such as Bees’ Gareth Cox for example, actually stated the role was obsolete with other team members standing up to be counted when necessary which brings to mind the likes of Chris Wiggins, Tom Watson, Andre Payette and Grant McPhearson to name a few. But the Phoenix in its wisdom went with Sharp, who comes about as close to a true enforcer as the EPL has seen, but have now decided to fall back in line as Morris acknowledged they are looking for someone who can contribute more, saying, ‘…it is difficult to have funding available to have one guy in the penalty box.’
But here’s a scary thought. With Hand, Kristoffersson and Huppe ruling the EPL points chart last season, it makes you wonder what a third import forward of similar ability might have achieved.
However, not achieving anything for the Phoenix next season will be backup netminder Adam Summerfield who has transferred his allegiance to the RAF, which I think is in an elite league.
Elsewhere, the Flames continued their rebuild with the return of British forward Rick Plant for an impressive thirteenth campaign, twelve consecutively, which in itself must be a record somewhere. Plant will pass the 700 points mark in the coming season, with just three short under his belt in Guildford, and a record-setting 457 games. Meanwhile, Czech forward Martin Masa, released by the Flames in their night of the long knives back in April, signed on with the Bees where he started his British career back in 2004.
The Wildcats also had a busy week which started with the announcement that forward Sam Bullas, who lost a part of last season through a broken ankle, was back on board shortly followed by D-man Joe Baird for a third term and who last year won the Player of the Year award for his best ever season. Back also is captain and fans’ favourite Lee Richardson for a fifth term. But, someone who won’t be returning is young GB international netminder James Hadfield who will be signing for another so far unnamed EPL team.
Over in Telford the Tigers re-signed their Slovakian captain Tomas Janak who, according to Coach Tom Watkins, should be freed of his blue-line commitment last time out when he strengthens that area which should enable him to return to his more natural front running. There is also talk British forward Tim Burrows, who made a few appearances for the Tigers last season, has departed for Cardiff ENL team.
Also en-route to the ENL, if indeed that is where Burrows is headed, is British forward Shaun Ashton who iced on nearly forty occasions for the Steeldogs but has signed for Sutton Sting.
So, a fairly quiet week with just under a hundred names signed up, so around half the number which will start on formal rosters when the season kicks off, and still a couple of weeks to go until we are half way through the closed season.
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Contact the author Bill.Collins@Prohockeynews.com
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