Hughes and Jorde link up with Vipers

NEWCASTLE, UK – Newcastle Vipers are likely to ice two new players this weekend after Coach Rob Wilson signed defenceman Ryan Jorde and right winger Brent Hughes. Both players have Elite League experience which should help them find their feet quickly on Tyneside. Jorde had a brief spell with the Hull Stingrays at the beginning of the current campaign while Hughes spent the entire 2008/9 term with the Basingstoke Bison.
 
Newcastle badly needed to bolster their offensive ranks as the Vipers have lost the services of Matus Petricko, David Longstaff and Mark Rooneem for a variety of reasons during the last few weeks. Hughes’ arrival will let Rob Wilson field 2 competitive forward lines for this weekends games against the Coventry Blaze and the Cardiff Devils.
 

Hughes impressed last season in his time with the Herd as he posted 66 points in the 59 games he took part in. Hughes was the Bison’s top goal scorer and second top point scorer behind the talented Greg Chambers who now plays for the Coventry Blaze. The Vipers new forward also picked up over 100 penalty minutes during his time down south in Basingstoke so he could well also add some grit and steel to Newcastle’s offensive units.
 
In defence Coach Wilson’s side only took 2 recognised d men (Ryan Mahrle and Mark Gouett) across to Belfast   last Sunday night as Jerramie Domish was not fit to play while British blue liner Ritchie Thornton is currently on loan at the Whitley Warriors. Therefore Jorde’s arrival could not have come at a better time.
 
Jorde began the 2009/10 campaign on the east coast with the Hull Stingrays however he only played 4 competitive games for Sylvain Clouthier’s side before he left the club. During his time with Hull Jorde did not pick up any points and only served a few minor penalties so it is unclear just what type of player Vipers new d man will be now he has another chance in the British game.
 
The Buffalo Sabres drafted Jorde back in 2001 however the right handed defenceman never made an appearance in the NHL and he has since spent time in the ECHL, AHL and IHL. Ryan’s best season points wise was the 2008/9 term when he picked up a combined total of 23 points from stints with the Flint Generals and the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Such points production seem to indicate that Jorde is predominately a stay at home d man back in North American though he could be asked to take on a different role in the Elite League.
 
It appears that Jorde can also stick up for his team mates when required and given the lack of toughness in Newcastle’s side this year he may well be called into action on a few occasions between now and the end of the season. However given Vipers scarce resources in defence it is unlikely that Coach Wilson will allow Jorde to spend much time in the sin bin in his first few outings for the club.
Contact the author Chris.Mackenzie@Prohockeynews.com