LONDON, UK – In a season of many surprises for Streatham Redskins, not many have been bigger than the emergence of young winger Louis Lockwood.
Few ENL fans will have even registered the announcement of Lockwood when the Redskins released their roster in the summer. The eighteen year old made only one appearance last year for Streatham as he made a slow and painful recovery from an operation on his shoulder. Five dislocations prompted the surgery and Lockwood had no choice but to go under the knife to save his fledgling hockey career.
Impressive Lockwood
Streatham coach Barry Spours may have started the year with a sparse squad to choose from, but he had no hesitation in putting Lockwood on the Redskins first line alongside Slovakian centre Peter Molnar and tough winger Russ Stevens. It was a chemistry that worked well for the South London outfit and when Stevens was unavailable, Spours could call on grit from the likes of Richard Hardy to step in and protect his two star forwards. Lockwood appreciates the support and also the faith placed in him:
“It has been a steep learning curve this season, but you cannot help but learn from a player like Peter. His positional sense and passing is brilliant and he always manages to pick you out. He has given me bits of advice which I appreciate and try to follow,
“Hardy and Russ (Stevens) are also enjoyable to play alongside, as both know how to play the game and add a physical presence that balances our line”
Lockwood is no stranger to physical punishment himself, and whilst his high energy fearless style has seen him take a number of crunching hits this season, he has dealt with much worse despite his young age. Just two years ago, the East Dulwich boy was stabbed on London’s South Bank by a gang of youths in a horrific attack that saw him cut by a knife, a broken bottle and also a screwdriver. A severed artery in his arm saw him lose two litres of blood and come close to losing his life.
Britton has seen plenty of ice (Photo Dave West)
Despite this adversity, Lockwood has put his troubles behind him by finishing as the Redskins top scorer, ahead of line partner Molnar. Twenty seven goals in thirty four games is a fantastic achievement in a mid table team and Lockwood admits that he has thoroughly enjoyed the season:
“There has been a really good spirit within the team this year that I doubt could be found anywhere else. The whole team has really pulled together and we back each other when things aren’t quite going to plan. It has been my favourite season in my admittedly short career, and it has been a pleasure from start to finish”
Redskins coach Spours has shown faith in number of young players this season and indeed Lockwood is not the only teenager enjoying life on the Redskins first line. Casimir Madren-Britton’s name may not roll easily off the tongue, but the eighteen year old defence man has been an ever present on the Redskins blue line. Like Lockwood, Britton took off his face cage this year for the first time and has impressed with some assured performances.
Sanderson strong before injury
Not quite a teenager, Liam Rasmussen’s all action displays up front gave the Redskins fans plenty to shout about at the end of the season and with youngsters like Remy Boprey and Jay Richards getting plenty of ice time, Streatham have a future to build on. Star goalie Will Sanderson is in his early twenties and will only get better as Spours looks for foundations. With the fabled new rink looking ever closer, Streatham seem to have plenty to shout about as the 2009/10 season finishes. As for Lockwood, he has ambitions of his own:
“I would like to think I could play in the EPL and then maybe trial for an Elite league team. I am quite ambitious and I have been looking at playing in Canada in order to give myself the best possible chance of succeeding”
Spours will be hoping that he can hold on to Lockwood for another season at least as he looks to build on a respectable league placing. If nothing else, Lockwood’s success has shown that young talent will get opportunities at Streatham and that the Redskins fans have much to be optimistic about.
Carrsy
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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