EPL Roundup for w/e Sunday 18th April 2010

SWINDON, UK – First to go with the end of the 2009/10 is Czech forward Vinny Zavoral released by the Guildford Flames after only playing six games this season having been dogged by injury and long-term recuperation. Zavoral had played with the Flames for five seasons and clocked up 200 games with club.
Commenting on his team’s performance against the Jets in the EPL semi-finals Tony Hand said his Phoenix side were just not good enough in front of the goal, including himself in the criticism, but, on a more positive note, he felt that joining EPL was right decision and said the Phoenix will return next season with a much stronger team.
Lots of buzzing at the Bee Hive where the vacant coach spot has to be filled now that Claude Dumas has resigned and is off to Canada for his summer wedding. Hot favourite was reputed to be Bracknell Hornets current boss Gareth Cox, although the management refused to confirm anything until after the ENL playoff final at the weekend. Dumas, meanwhile, denied rumours he has been in talks with former EPL Club Telford Tigers for a return to British hockey after the summer. Bees top scorer Jarislav Cesky, who recently said he would like to have a bash at coaching with the Bees, also pleaded with the club to keep the season’s core players. This suggests the money problems have been staved off, which looks like the case according to a positive statement from Ice Management, the company that own the Bees, which said things looked OK at least for now.
With the upcoming GB ice hockey team visit to the World Championships in Slovenia, head coach Paul Thompson named Aaron Nell of the Wildcats as a replacement on standby meaning Nell, the only EPL player to gain the distinction of a possible place in the GB side, will train with the team before their departure, just in case he is needed.
In what is becoming a habit, Doug MacIver, the Canadian D-man with the Peterborough Phantoms, having completed his 22-game, 20-point season found himself stranded in England as a result of the Icelandic volcano eruption and unable to return to his native Ontario. And not for the first time has MacIver been cut off having also been on the receiving end of delays in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina struck. MacIver, with a hard-man reputation had clocked up 62PiM which put him well on course for a top ten place had he completed a full season.
Teams coming and going isn’t that unusual so when it was finally announced the Telford Tigers have been re-admitted to the EPL next season it was no great surprise. But what makes their application different, unique, in fact, is the club will be run as the first ever supporters’ trust to be known as Tiger Tracks. If successful, the arrangement could open up a whole new way of managing teams.
EDITOR’S NOTE – Since the writing of the above article, Bracknell Bees have confirmed Gareth Cox as their new coach for the 2010/11 season. Cox comes with a great pedigree after leading Bracknell’s ENL1 team, Hornets, and U-18s team to play-off glory this season. Also signing for the Bees are Jaroslav Cesky, Michel Pinc and captain Terry Miles who all return from this year’s team.
 
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Contact the author Bill.Collins@Prohockeynews.com