SWINDON-UK – Things livened up a bit this week as we draw yet another week closer to the BIG day.
While not starting off the week the big story has to be the recently released Jet’s Coach Pete Russell turning up in Swindon as bench coach under head coach Ryan Aldridge. Russell was actually replaced by Aldridge after a season-and-a-half back in 2009 and the appointment brings yet another interesting dimension to the much-improved Wildcats. Although as an assistant it might seem a bit of a step down for Russell, after Aldridge’s excellent season last time out it will be interesting to see if his ice commitment increases knowing he can leave things in the hands of a more than capable brother-in-law, is it?
Russell’s replacement at the Jet’s, Doug Sheppard, added a bit more information about the recently departed Paul Swindlehurst and James Morgan. As he had explained previously he had spoken to all of the players Russell had signed and all had indicated a preference to remain in Slough apart from Morgan who left by mutual consent. Swindlehurst, on the other hand, elected to stay and then handed in his notice. Sheppard was understandably surprised and said he felt the eighteen-year-old was being advised. When asked if he thought Russell’s leaving was an influence he replied, ‘…there’s no question about that.’
So while Sheppard now has the task of finding two defensive replacements, it will be interesting to see where, if anywhere, the defecting duo turn up at this late stage. One player expected to turn up, though, is eighteen-year-old Aaron Connolly who has been rumoured to be moving over from the ENL Chieftains after a successful seventeen games for the Jets last season.
And one player who will most definitely turn up is netminder Greg Rockman who returns for a third season along with his third place in the EPL Top Ten Netminder Chart and a 91%-plus save rate.
Over at the Tigers’ camp Coach Tom Watkins said he was ‘thrilled’ at being able to retain his better players from last season, and to build on that with a confidence in reaching the play-offs this season.
Part of that rebuild includes GBU18 forward Thomas Soar, who last year played a couple of games for the Phantoms, and this season includes a 2-way deal with Elite League Nottingham.
Even younger at just seventeen fellow GBU18 forward Callum Bowley also leapt aboard the Tigers’ train on a similar 2-way contract having appeared last time out for the Phantoms as well.
The Tigers still have one of the few remaining netminder slots still up for grabs with just Declan Ryan signed and Martin Clarkson unaccounted for. Rumour has it Canadian Greg Blais, who several years ago iced for the Wightlink Raiders when they were in the EPL, is heading for Telford, but don’t hold your breath.
While not holding your breath you might like to consider a few extra seconds for Janis Ozolins who, it is also rumoured, is trying to persuade a fellow Latvian colleague reputed to be of similar ability to join him at the Steeldogs. Now there’s a scary but exciting thought!
Coach Tony Hand at the Phoenix, meanwhile, said he was aiming for a bigger squad this time out. ‘Over the course of a year you can’t go with a skeleton squad,’ he said. ‘We tried that in the first year in the EPL, and it didn’t work.’ In tandem with this statement was Phoenix owner Neil Morris who came out with the excellent declaration that he believed in playing more British players. ‘I’m convinced,’ he said. ‘I’m going to put an awful lot more effort into home-grown players over the next few years.’ Days later a plan was revealed to start working towards an academy style system incorporating the ENL Trafford Metros in line with other clubs. Morris said he and Coach Hand along with ENL Coach Paul Bayliss, ‘are very keen to bring some guys up and get an academy system. A wider breadth of squad will give us a better squad…’
Of course, this isn’t going to happen overnight but what a huge first step in the right direction. Meanwhile, in the shorter term the Phoenix re-signed utility player Ben Wood for a third season and reclaimed Ryan Johnson, who is also happy to butter both sides of his bread, after a season with the Steeldogs and a baker’s dozen for Elite League Steelers.
Going in a different direction is Andrew Sharp who according to the Phoenix is considering an offer from the Flames which, if true, raises an interesting situation. Morris commented a few weeks ago along the lines that a, um, purely strong physical player has no place in a modern EPL without bringing some other talent to the table, er, ice. While that didn’t seem to be a problem when Sharp was signed, in fact it was the reason they signed him but you have to conclude the experiment didn’t work. So does that mean the old-fashioned ‘enforcer’ role is obsolete?
Well, while the NHL thought so some years ago and the EPL hasn’t really gone down that route with great enthusiasm anyway, probably due to the cost. I mean, how many teams can afford a player for no other reason than as a tactical brawler when they know he is going to have a season ticket in the naughty-boys’ box and leave a hole on the bench? But Coach Hand showed Sharp can be worked on a shortish leash if needs be, although you only need recall how close the top two finished last season to wonder if the Phoenix might have had an easier run to the finishing post with a different philosophy.
But what if you feel you have adequate talent, which maybe the Phoenix did at the time, and can afford a scrapper almost as an accessory; a luxury, if you will? Looking at the way the Flames are developing maybe there lies the answer, and all of a sudden Sharp has found a role he can call home.
While nothing as yet come to the surface the Flames did, however, re-sign veteran D-man Neil Liddiard for what will be his ninth season in Guildford and the likelihood he will clock up his 500th game for the club during this term.
At last the pre-season games are trickling through with the Bison to face the Flames over the weekend of 17th and 18th September and a week earlier the Bees, Bison and the ENL’s Wightlink and Bristol Pitbulls take part in a 4-way tournament. This at least is a reminder, as if we needed it, the new season is upon us.
And finally, spare a thought for Tigers’ coach Tom Watkins who is looking for sponsors for his attempt to skate ten miles in ninety minutes in aid of the Birmingham Children’s Hospital. Keeping things in Tigers’ old money, miles, funnily enough brought to mind one of my old Grand-pappy’s complaints. Insist, he would, that it was quicker to travel from Dover to Calais than vice-versa because the French used far more kilometers to the pound than good sense allowed. However, as far as Watson is concerned try as he might I doubt he will achieve the 30mph-plus achieved by some speed skaters, while many of his ilk have been clocked at over twenty, with low double digits more the norm. But, ten miles in ninety minutes? No thank you, I’d sooner do a thousand sponsored walks to the pub.
For more EPL facts and figures, results and news and the graphic-enhanced version of this Roundup, why not try www.iceman-epl.com
Contact the author Bill.Collins@Prohockeynews.com
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