EDINBURGH, UK – Forward Jeff Hutchins has layed aside the fact that the Edinburgh Capitals are currently without a coach, to sign for his second season in a Capitals jersey, his sixth in the UK.
The 32 year old power forward scored 63 points in 50 games for the Murrayfield based side, having started the season with the Sheffield Steelers, with just 2 points in 9 games for the Sheffield Arena side.
A tough customer, Hutchins is known for his ability to drop the gloves whilst still being an effective player. With the out and out enforcer Andrew Sharp in the side, and the pressure off Hutchins still acquired 188 penalty minutes throughout the season.
Placing 3rd on the team for scoring behind Coventry bound Owen Fussey and free agent Simon Lambert, Hutchins joins GB Defenceman Kyle Horne on the roster for the coming season that has already been gutted as teams pick over the bones of the team that led the Capitals to their best finish in the Elite League.
Hutchins, who was un-drafted before spending his early pro years split between the ECHL and AHL, has played for an array of teams in the UK including Coventry Blaze, Belfast Giants, Bracknell Bees, Newcastle Vipers and Sheffield Steelers before joining the Capitals.
Coach Doug Christiansen has joined Hutchins’ former club Belfast Giants, taking British hot property Mark Garside with him whilst former Washington Capitals forward Owen Fussey has flown south to join Coventry Blaze. Elsewhere, Mike Beynon has left for France, joining Ben O’Connor in the Ligue Magnus and Scottish youngster John Connolly has joined expansion team Braehead Clan.
Elsewhere, attacking defenceman Jonathan Zion has moved from Sheffield Steelers to arch rivals Nottingham Panthers where he will form a formidable attacking defensive partnership with fellow point a game defenceman and coach Corey Neilson. The 29 year old 4th round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, joined the Steelers half way through the season after Rod Sarich suffered an injury and scored 25 points in 23 games. Zion has played across Europe in Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway as well as spending time in the ECHL and AHL.
Whilst in the EPL, James Galazzi and Nicky Watt have both re-signed with the Bracknell Bees.
Contact the writer: phil.andrews@prohockeynews.com
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