CHELMSFORD,U.K- English National league side Chelmsford Chieftains Head-coach Dean Birrell stated he wanted a mix of youth and experience and the older players he signed would be role models for the younger players at the Chieftains. Birrell wants a culture of ‘Playing for the name on the front, not the back’. The second name that signed up for the re-born Chieftains is Karl Hopper. As stated in previous articles, Hopper comes to Chelmsford for a fourth spell. Wherever Hopper has played he has always worked hard and given his all. Without being the best player on the side, Hopper has battled hard and made few mistakes. His speciality is laying on big open-ice hits, a dying skill in British hockey. When Hopper heard that Birrell was taking over at Chelmsford and was looking for players with more experience he had no hesitation in pulling his skates on again and turning out for his now local side. Since his last appearance for the Chieftains in 2007, Hopper has spent much of his time watching the game on TV or watching games from the stands, In many peoples eyes a waste of talent. Many have asked where he went when Simon Howard released him in October 2007. “I`ve been living down here with my new girlfriend and have no intentions of travelling or moving again to play, I haven?t played at all but I am keen to work hard to get back into shape and get rid of the rink-rust,” Hopper said shortly after his release. It seems Hopper has settled here and could be in for the long-haul at the Riverside, which would be great for the team to keep hold of a work-horse like Hopper. The 28 year old has spent most of his career either in Chelmsford or Hull playing for the ice hockey team up there in East Yorkshire. Hopper has now settled in Chelmsford Essex and there is time left for to really cement his place in Chieftains history. When the club was short on players in the 2003-04 playoffs Hopper jumped at the chance to come down and help the side out, even bringing another former Chieftain in the shape of Slava Koulikov with him. That to many fans showed dedication and commitment to the club.
It?s a far cry for Hopper, who has played alongside former NHL players like Ron Shudra, Eric Lavigne and Dan Currie in Hull. Even so, Hopper knows what Birrell is expecting of him and accepts that role and sees himself as a guide for the young players being given their chance at senior level. “This year I want to enjoy my hockey and help the youngsters who will be playing alongside me so Chelmsford can look forward to good hockey in the future,” Hopper said. “Dean wants us to be as professional as possible and so we should be, If he doesn’t get that things will change,” “Dean is a great coach and has a lot of time for his players, staff and also fans, We have the right blend for a successful season and should be up there in the mix for promotion.”
Another player who Birrell knew he wanted to sign was Chieftains stalwart and former team-mate Richard Whiting. Apart from three seasons at bitter rivals the Romford Raiders, the 31 year old has spent his whole career in Chelmsford. Whiting’s senior career started way back in 1994 at the tender age of 17, when he played alongside Chieftains legends such as Dave Flanagan, Mark Norfolk, Karl Goebel and his now coach Dean Birrell. For the player who has turned out for the Chieftains over 250 times it was a fairly easy decision to come back. Once he knew the club was interested, he signed up, turning down offers from elsewhere to do so. “The only real decision I had to make was, do I still want to play hockey?, I still enjoy playing and it will be good playing with local players.” Whiting said.
Like all the players around him at the Riverside, having Birrell as coach was a big plus point and a good reason to play on. “Dean being coach had a lot to do with it, I played well for Dean both at Chelmsford and Romford and I like the way he coaches with a no nonsense attitude,” Whiting said.
It seems strange for a player who has been around so long to be playing in a league for the first time where there is something other than a trophy to play for at the end of the season. “Although we are in a low league it is more important than ever for fans to support us, we are actually playing to move up a league,” Whitting said. “The first time I have done this in 13 years of senior hockey.” A point like this show’s how divided British ice hockey has become in the last 15 years or so. With the side shaping up to be a dominant force in the National League Two (South), many are predicting that it will be easy for the Chieftains. For Whiting though he is not so confident. “You never know until you meet these teams how they will perform, I definitely think if we go into every game with the right attitude we will win,” Whiting said. “From a point of view about dominating its all down to players attitude in being hungry to win every shift on the ice, If we do that then we can bring success to the club.”
Both players believe that the support of the fans is vital and that they should all get behind the team and cheer them on at every game. “I know there is good support for the team by many of the fans, so with their patience and support, week after week I don’t see any problems in mounting a push for a trophy at the end of the season,” Hopper said. Whiting was of a similar mind. “Although we are in a low league it is more important than ever for the fans to support us, personally I want to play well and not let myself or the team down, neither do I want to let the supporters down,” Whiting said. “I also want to motivate the team to become successful so we win the league and get promoted.” With the chance to play the higher National League One (South) team’s in the Cup, the club is relishing the chance to pit their wits against tougher opposition. “I believe we have a side capable of creating upsets and pushing hard in the Cup this year, It will be tougher opposition but we are looking forward to that,” Hopper said. “It will be a good experience for some of the youngsters too, as with hard work and skill we should be playing in division one next season. Contact the author at Pete.lewis@prohockeynews.com
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