NEWCASTLE, UK – It has been confirmed that Vipers skipper David Longstaff will not be playing for the Newcastle Vipers next season. There had been much speculation since the end of season Play Offs that the experienced former Whitley Warrior would be leaving Tyneside this summer and this has now been confirmed by both the player and club.
Longstaff has decided to drop down a level and play EPL hockey for the Guildford Flames next campaign as he approaches the end of his career. David has never played in the EPL before as he has spent the majority of his career in the Elite League, British National League and the old Super League.
Longstaff’s departure does leave the Vipers looking a little short on British talent in their squad as the only the home grown player on the roster who could be expected to log regular ice time is Ben Campbell and there have been rumours that he too could be leaving the north east. New Newcastle coach Danny Stewart will have to move quickly to make sure he assembles a strong British contingent ahead of the 2010/11 campaign.
Local youngster Dean Holland who has regularly played on the Vipers third line in the past few seasons has also moved onto the EPL so at this moment in time Newcastle do look a little light on British talent. Vipers had no home grown blue liners on their roster for the majority of last season so the club had to rely on 4 imported defenceman at the back.
If Newcastle failed to capture a number of talented Brits, Vipers would be solely reliant on the contribution of the club’s imports which is an extremely risky strategy given the current import restrictions in the UK’s top division.
Such a policy would lead to the club playing 2 line hockey once again as the roster would not have enough depth to ice a 3rd line which would heap unneeded pressure on the clubs top performers. contact the writer – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
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