NEWCASTLE, UK – Vipers have strengthened their squad with the double signing of Toms Hartmanis and Patrik Forsbacka. Vipers coach Danny Stewart has significantly increased his offensive options with the recruitment of these 2 European’s who will both no doubt be playing on the clubs principal forward units.
Little is known about Hartmanis as the 22-year-old does not seem to have played much senior hockey in his short career. Hartmanis has been part of the Dynamo Riga squad in the last couple of seasons and during this time the wide man has only iced 7 times in the prestigious KHL.
The move to the Elite League is obviously a significant drop in class for Hartmanis, however it has to be remembered that many Eastern Europeans find it hard to settle into the rough and tough of the British game. North east hockey fans will be hoping that Hartmanis can settle into the Elite League seamlessly like Matic Kralj did last season rather than having an unhappy spell with Vipers like Ukrainian Alex Shevchenko did back in the 2007/8 term.
Patrik Forsbacka arrives in England from Finnish side Porin Assat for whom he has regularly iced for during the last decade. The Finnish league is one of the strongest in world hockey so Forsbacka’s lack of points during his time in the SM Liiga should not concern Vipers fans too much.
Forsbacka’s best season, in terms of point production, was the 2005/6 campaign when he totalled 11 points scoring 6 times for Porin. It appears that the Finn plays an aggressive game and that he will throw a few punches when the need arises. However Forsbacka does not seem to be an out and out enforcer by any stretch of the imagination as it is thought that Coach Danny Stewart expects big things of his latest offensive capture.
Newcastle’s roster is now almost complete as the new season approachs. Many Elite League sides start their 2010/11 campaigns this weekend however Vipers are not in competitive action until mid September so Coach Stewart still has plenty of time to blend his new recruits into his roster.
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.