Bernier signs for Clan

BRAEHEAD, UK – CHL tough guy Cedric Bernier has put pen to paper on a deal with EIHL new boys Braehead Clan. Bernier comes to the UK after a season in the CHL with the Arizona Sundogs where he picked up 34PIMS in 7 games. Bernier will have had a good idea of the British game as his brother Jonathan had a brief spell with Hull Stingrays a few seasons back and the netminder at the Sundogs, J-F Perras, spent 2 seasons in the UK with the Coventry Blaze and the Edinburgh Capitals. Clan head coach Bruce Richardson said ” Signing this type of player was a must for me as we need this kind of guy on the team. When you sign a tough guy it’s not about signing the toughest guy in the world, it’s about finding a player who wants to take on this role and loves the role. Cedric is that kind of guy. The thing that I really like about Cedric is that he wants to be in Braehead and he wants to prove to everybody that he will be the toughest in the league.” The 25yr old Quebec native has a lot of experience at CHL and ECHL level. Not only that, but he is regularly featured on Youtube, but much more so in terms of glove dropping fights than highlight reel goals as Bernier has only managed 7 goals in 6 seasons with a total of 17 points in the same period. Richardson though knows what he is getting ” With him in the line up his team mates will know that Bernier’s got their backs covered. I can promise Clan fans that Cedric will entertain them at every game. Bernier will take no prisoners. Averaging at least 190 penalty minutes per season since he started his professional campaign in 2004, he’ll be one of the toughest guys on the ice this season. Bernier has a wealth of playing experience and will be one to watch.” Elsewhere in the EIHL, Dundee CCS Stars have signed up netminder Mark McGill who has been playing hockey in Scotland either for the Capitals or for the Stars in their SNL stint. McGill will turn 19 this year and perhaps isn’t ready to be the Stars starting goalie, but will have a chance to play though, according to coach Dan Cemen “While we are presently searching for a number 1 import goalie, I have confidence that Mark will be able to play some games this year and will improve as he gets used to the level of the shooters in the Elite League.” The Stars have also signed Kris Phillips who has recently had spells with the Capitals and also in Canada where he played for Toronto Canada Moose. Contact the author Pete.lewis@prohockeynews.com