BRACKNELL, UK – Bees Head Coach Gareth Cox believes the vast changes to the Bracknell roster will see playoff hockey return to The Hive for the first time in three years. “The preparations are going well. It’s our goal to make the playoffs, and with the changes we’ve made to our team it should be a realistic target,” Cox said. This summer has seen Cox bring in a string of new players as some familiar faces left The Hive. The most notable of players to exit the Berkshire side were Jaroslav Cesky, Michal Pinc and Nicky Watt, who all left for rivals the Swindon Wildcats. With influential skipper Terry Miles returning to the Slough Jets, you would think the Bees would be lacking leadership. However, Cox has brought in new recruits oozing with experience.
Cox starts his second season in charge of the Bees (Photo Chris Callaghan)
“He’s primarily here as a player. Obviously, he will play a tremendous role in the dressing room and I will be spending a lot of time alongside him, but I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of minutes from him on the ice,” Cox added. Smital is joined at his new club by former Guildford teammates Rob Lamey and Martin Masa, giving the Bees a lot of scoring experience. However, Smital is likely to be a busy man this season. Not only will the Czech scorer be a player and a coach for the Bees, but will also take on roles as head of Bracknell’s junior development programme and head coach of the Bracknell Hornets of the English National League. Cox has also toughened up his defence for the forthcoming season. Last season, the Bees conceded a whopping 198 goals in 54 league games. Unknown Latvian defenceman Sergejs Louskins is sure to give Cox’s team a big presence on the ice. The 27-year-old stands at 6 ft 5, and it is unlikely he will go unnoticed this season.
“We’re not entirely sure what to expect from him. He’s come highly recommended from people who have played with him and worked with him. We’re all looking forward to seeing him in action,” Cox said of his big defender. Despite the Bees’ financial strains on and off the ice, the departure of Cesky and Pinc were by no means financially motivated.
Cox explained, “We have to stop making excuses. We’re in this league and we have to compete in this league. “We need to get results, and the players we’ve brought in will give us a great chance of competing in every game.” Bracknell start their English Premier League campaign away at the Basingstoke Bison on September 24. Contact the author david.bol@prohockeynews.com
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