MILTON KEYNES, UK – MK Thunder Coach Simon Howard was delighted last week to announce the signing of top defenseman Dwayne Newman from Chelmsford Chieftains; however he urged calm to the rest of the NIHL and proposes a wage cap.
With the rest of the NIHL South clambering to announce their new signings despite the season being four months away, Milton Keynes Thunder made the headlines as they unveiled Canadian Dwayne Newman as their marquee signing for 2012/13.
Howard fighting back (Tim Bowers)
After a season of struggle last year, the Thunder needed a boost and the 41 year old veteran blue liner is seen as the perfect ingredient to an inexperienced side that started last season well, but faded badly finishing eighth.
“It already feels like a long summer and after a lot of reflection and thoughts upon last season it was apparent to Dave Fairhurst and me that the team needed a stronger spine” admitted Thunder Player Coach Simon Howard.
“The net minding was a positive last year which showed at the end of season awards with Dave Cassidy winning three awards however we needed more”
“It was no secret that the Thunder conceded too many goals last season and we needed an experienced import defenseman. Last season we tried to address this with two European defensemen who both fell short of the mark whereas with Dwayne we know what we are getting and that’s experience, toughness and a leader”
The experienced Newman is a familiar face to hockey fans in the city as he played for and captained the EPL Milton Keynes Lightning in successful period for the club between 2002 and 2007.
Dog days arent over (Tim Bowers)
“I have known Dog (Newman) for over 10 years since we first played together in Telford, then the MK Kings days and of course with the Lightning for four successful years” explained Howard, who will continue to ice as a player in 2012/13 as well as coach.
“As a person there is no one who I hold in higher esteem and as a player he shares my ethics of hard work and discipline and will expect 100% from himself and those all around him”
“The key to developing a winning team is to surround your young talent with people who want to win; have tasted success and can breed that same culture into teammates who have yet to experience it”
As well as his silverware won with MK, Newman led Chelmsford Chieftains to a Play-Off victory last season. His departure from the Riverside was not totally expected and with the Chieftains other import from last season Jakub Klima already announced as joining Streatham Redskins, it means the Essex side will be icing two new faces in their import slots this coming season.
“We have a young base of exciting players therefore a guy like Dog will be vital to both addressing the balance of the team whilst also bringing fresh ideas and his winning ethos from both a playing point of view and to share the coaching responsibilities with the Thunder” continued Howard.
“With the signing of Dog alongside a core of young British players plus experienced guys like Jamie Randall and hopefully one or two further players with EPL experience the Thunder will now be able to confidently compete with the best in the league this year”
This confidence will be tested in a league where teams are constantly raising the bar with signings from the league above and improving their rosters year on year.
Last season the league was split between the top 4 or 5 teams and the rest, with an unbalance that is not without its problems.
“I see the league improving year on year and now it reminds me of when we dropped down to the EPL with the Lightning and the Peterborough Phantoms (from the old BNL). It’s a natural progression as more EPL players look to continue their careers in hockey without the demands of the EPL”
Thunder time (icehockeyphotography.co.uk)
“I think this year teams are trying to hold on to their best players and secure their services early. We are not in the position to barter for players and I have seen wage demands for British defensemen in particular go through the roof”
“This is where the teams need to be smart and place a cap on wages or it will only falsely inflate the league which has always been British ice hockey’s biggest downfall”
Howard himself is a veteran of the UK game having started his senior career with Streatham in 1988. The 38 year old has enjoyed a varied career with spells in Swindon, Guildford, Peterborough, Telford and Chelmsford. Despite his firm veteran status, Howard has no plans to hang up the skates just yet.
“I will be icing again this year however having Dog will help no end as he will add depth and experience to the line. We are looking at a smaller squad but more experience and only taking on players who want to play” added the London born defenseman, who iced with Newman in 2001/02 for the MK Kings in the BNL.
“This summer I have started running mainly because my wife did such as great job last year in the marathon and she put my name in the ballot for 2013”
“So in three weeks I am up to 10k which feels like a long way to anyone who has skated most their life. We start training in July too so I expect us to be a lot fitter than last year”
Further signings will be announced soon alongside details of trials for young players who want a place with the Thunder this season, so anyone interested should keep an eye on the Thunder’s official website:
http://www.mkthunder.com/
Contact the author david.carr@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.