DURHAM, UK – No doubt many major signings will take place between now and the start of the 2011/12 campaign however both the Coventry Blaze and the Nottingham Panthers have already got the majority of their rosters for next season in place. Both Paul Thompson and Corey Neilson will no doubt be hoping that they have secured a pool of players who will enable their respective sides to challenge for the Elite League title in the coming season.
Blaze forward Fulghum
Coventry have made major personnel changes after a disappointing time of it last term. Blaze have only re-signed 2 of last years imports however the return of Luke Fulghun and Owen Fussey will ensure Coventry have plenty of goals in their side. Thompson has also re-signed the majority of the Brits who were in his Blaze squad last term and the Coventry coach will be hoping that the likes of Ross Venus and Robert Farmer can continue to build on the impressive performances they put in last time round.
Not all of the Blaze’s incoming imports are new to the British game though as Paul Thompson has brought in former Newcastle Viper forward Matic Kralj and the former Sheffield Steeler blue liner Jerraime Domish. Both of these captures have previously enjoyed great success in the Elite League and Coventry will be hoping that both of these signings can have an instant impact once the season gets underway.
New signing Domish
Blaze’s most interesting signing of the summer is that of British defenceman David Phillips. Phillips has spent the last 2 seasons in North America and the talented blue liner was a target for many top Elite League clubs once it became known that the player was keen to move back to the UK. Phillips impressed everyone who saw him play in the World Championships in the Ukraine in April and it is clear that the players spell in the ECHL with Toldeo Walleye has improved the players all round game significantly.
Blazes midland rivals the Nottingham Panthers have also been busy over the close season as Corey Neilson has recruited what looks to be an extremely strong roster as the Panthers look to win their first Elite League title in the modern era. Nottingham have brought back the likes of David-Alexandre Beauregard, Jeff Heerema and Guy Lepine from last season’s Challenge Cup and Play off winners squad. However Panthers have looked to alter the make up of their roster a little after their disappointing finish in the 2010/11 League standings.
Panthers player/coach Corey Neilson
Panthers stand out summer signing is that of Brandon Benedict from the Belfast Giants. Benedict has spent the last 2 years in Northern Ireland and despite a number of injury problems the former ECHL and CHL marksmen has notched almost 100 points in the 76 appearances he has made for the Giants. Benedict is likely to operate on Nottingham’s top offensive line and he could well line up alongside sniper David Clarke as Neilson looks to build an outstanding top forward unit.
Another interesting arrival at the National Ice Centre is Ontario born left winger Scott Champagne. Champagne has spent time in both the AHA and ECHL in his native North America before plying his trade in Japan, Denmark, Sweden and Germany so it is clear that the 28 year old will bring a wealth of experience to the Panthers line up.
Both Coventry and Nottingham look to have built superb rosters ahead of the 2011/12 campaign and on paper both organisations could well be challenging for the top honours in the British game given how impressive their recruitment has been over the summer months.
Photos courtesy of Paul Lynch Photography Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
