NOTTINGHAM, UK – In the third in its Elite League series, Pro Hockey News takes a look at the Nottingham Panthers as they go in search of their long awaited first title since 1956. The Club?
It could be argued that Nottingham Panthers are the biggest club in the Elite League. Although the team hasn’t secured the league championship since 1956, they play out of the excellent 7000 capacity Trent FM Arena and National Ice Centre, which is sold out a number of times throughout the season rivaling the attendences of the professional football teams, Notts County and former European Champions, Nottingham Forest. Funded by Masters Football mogul Neil Black, the Panthers are a profitable club who has funds to spend on the best players. The Coach? Corey Neilson – Yrs 2 P110 W71 L33 D6 W% 64.45% Player-Coach Neilson, 33, has the second best win percentage in the league and has a Challenge Cup victory to his name but is still in search of the trophy that every Panthers fan craves, the Elite League championship. Clearly taking a different recruitment route this year in building a team rather than a collection of outstanding individuals, Neilson is developing as a coach. Expect Nottingham despite the less sparkling names, expect a better season from Nottingham and, with Davey Graham added at bench coach, some more cohesive coaching throughout the game from Neilson. The goaltenders? 33 – Craig Kowalski 09/10 Club: HC Vallpelice 09/10 Stats: P32 GAA 4.14 SVV .897 Career Stats: Elite League First Year. Italy Serie A: P32 GAA 4.14 SVV .897 AHL : P35 GAA 2.87 SVV .910 ECHL : P166 GAA 2.25 SVV .916 NCAA : P132 GAA 2.65 SVV .911 NAHL : P117 Stats Unavailable. US Under 20: P1 GAA 4.00 SVV .897 The “K-Wall” looks to be the most promising netminder in the league for this coming season. Although a disappointing season in Italy does blight his record, the 29 year old goaltender has a good record at AHL level as recently as two years ago. With only three import defencemen, the form of Kowalski could be key to the fortunes of the Panthers and Kowalski is a significant upgrade on Kevin St. Pierre who backstopped the Panthers last season. 34 – Dan Green 09/10 Club: Sheffield Steelers 09/10 Stats: P10 GAA 4.26 SVV .868 Career Stats: Elite League: P46 GAA 4.49 SVV .866 British NL : P4 GAA 4.56 SVV .872 Every year the Panthers will make a token signing from arch-rivals the Sheffield Steelers. This year the Panthers have made two, with back up netminders Geoff Woolhouse and Dan Green swapping jobs along the M1.
Green spent two seasons in Sheffield having joined the Steelers from Basingstoke Bison, and several seasons with one of the league’s minnow clubs has affected his statistical performance. However, at 28, Green is an experienced back up netminder who will give all Nottingham need at this position when called upon and is an able replacement in game. The defence? 2 – Tom Norton 09/10 Club: Nottingham Panthers 09/10 Stats: P46 0+2=2 PIM 4 Career Stats: Elite League: P65 0+2=2 PIM 4 ENL : P57 14+28=42 PIM 102 GB Under 20: P5 1+1=2 PIM 0 20 year old Norton is a prospect who will split time between the ENL Nottingham Lions and the Elite League Panthers. With slowly increasing ice time, Norton is developing into a serviceable 5/6 defenceman in the Elite League.
Scoring his first points in the league last season, Norton will look to progress this season gaining more ice time in dead rubber games and increasing his fitness to compete with fellow Brits Danny Meyers and Steven Lee. 4 – Jonathan Zion 09/10 Club: Sheffield Steelers 09/10 Stats: P23 8+17=25 PIM 6 (+P15 3+2=5 PIM 18 with Oskarshamn, Sweden). Career Stats: Elite League: P23 8+17=25 PIM 6 Sweden All. : P15 3+2=5 PIM 18 Norway : P40 12+20=32 PIM 44 Denmark : P30 15+20=35 PIM 66 Austria : P28 2+10=12 PIM 32 Finland SM : P17 1+2=3 PIM 28 AHL : P44 2+3=5 PIM 40 ECHL : P184 39+110=149 PIM 164 OHL : P290 65+186=251 PIM 144 CJAHL : P47 8+26=34 PIM 14 Fast skating 29 year old Ontario native Zion joins the Panthers from arch rivals, Sheffield Steelers having scored over a point a game with the Steelers last season. Zion’s presence in the SM-Liga in Finland is testament to his skating ability and he will be amongst the highest scoring defencemen in the league. What remains a question during his time in Sheffield for Zion is his defensive responsibilities. Undoubtedly Zion will be exciting going forward, but may leave his defensive line open. His partner will need to be on severe defensive duties to compensate for Zion’s quick skating up the ice. 19 – Danny Meyers (Captain) 09/10 Club: Nottingham Panthers 09/10 Stats: P50 1+8=9 PIM 32 Career Stats: Elite League: P213 10+55=65 PIM 154 British NL : P216 20+55=75 PIM 162 English PL : P35 8+23=31 PIM 28 GB National T: P30 4+5=9 PIM 16 GB Under 20 : P17 9+9=18 PIM 51 GB Under 18 : P 9 4+3=7 PIM 14 Ascot native, Meyers, Captained the Panthers to their latest Challenge Cup victory. The 27 year old is an experienced top 4 Elite League defenceman and will likely be the defensive answer to Jonathan Zion’s forward moves. For a long time trying to find the balance between attacking and defensive play, Meyers alongside Zion should establish himself firmly as a defensive defenceman. A strong, tall player, Meyers is a reliable man at the back who is a known quaintly and won’t let the Panthers down. 28 – Guillaume Lepine 09/10 Club: Elmira Jackals 09/10 Stats: P63 2+8=10 PIM 151 Career Stats: Elite League First Year ECHL: P132 3+15=18 PIM 291 QMJHL: P249 14+55=69 PIM 511 At 23, Lepine is a young feisty player who will bring some toughness to the Panthers blueline. An undoubted fighting talent who will also bring some skill the blueline, it is a question over if Lepine potentially being in the box for 5 minutes a game be an issue for the Panthers. Lepine will need to concentrate on hitting hard and being a defenceman first and foremost only as a backup fighter to Alex Penner when required. A big question mark over Lepine, is he the man that Panthers need in this position. 45 – Stevie Lee 09/10 Club: Nottingham Panthers 09/10 Stats: P52 3+5=8 PIM 84 Career Stats: Elite League: P146 4+9=13 PIM 108 English PL : P94 12+13=25 PIM 71 British NL : P1 0+0=0 PIM 0 English NL : P13 3+2=5 PIM 8 GB National : P3 0+0=0 PIM 0 GB Under 20 : P19 3+7=10 PIM 6 GB Under 18: P15 6+7=13 PIM 51 At just 19, Lee is the undoubted hot prospect at the defensive position in the UK. Playing his way onto the National side despite being still eligible for the Under 19s.
Now a key top 4 member of the defence, Lee will likely partner Coach Neilson again this season being the defensive answer to Neilson’s offensive prowess.
77 – Corey Neilson 09/10 Club: Nottingham Panthers 09/10 Stats: P56 13+44=57 PIM 106 Career Stats: Elite League: P218 52+158=210 PIM 484 AHL: P9 0+2=2 PIM 13 ECHL: P406 87+219=306 PIM 733 UHL: P134 13+60=73 PIM 309 Germany2: P47 20+42=62 PIM 242 OHL: P252 22+109=131 PIM 385 Team Canada: P2 0+0=0 PIM 0 34 year old coach Neilson is an undoubted defensive talent, regularly near the top of the standings for points for a defenceman and has twice been selected for the ECHL all-star game. Also excellent in his own end the huge defenceman has said he will take a back seat this year and allow others to take on more minutes. However, with a slightly weaker back line PHN expects Neilson to play more minutes than he has suggested in the press.
PHN Verdict: Of the traditional main contenders, Panthers look like they have the weakest defence with plenty of forward movement but not enough at the back.
The forwards?
5 – David Clarke 09/10 Club: Nottingham Panthers 09/10 Stats: P56 33+29=62 PIM 92 Career Stats: Elite League: P272 141+111=252 PIM 386 Italy SerieA: P12 4+4=8 PIM 10 BNL: P143 58+68=126 PIM 209 Superleague: P51 6+4=10 PIM 6 Great Britain: P53 15+25=40 PIM 50 GB Under20: P12 9+6=15 PIM 26 GB Under18: P5 0+1=1 PIM 8 29 year old Great Britain international Clarke is the sniper amongst the Panthers, look for him to be partnered with a leading set up man such as Jade Galbraith and to worry goaltenders across the Elite League with his quick wrist shot placement.
Capped by GB over 50 times, Clarke enters his 7th season with the Panthers and will likely score over 30 goals again on an attackting team again this season. 7 – Robert Lachowicz 09/10 Club: Manchester Phoenix 09/10 Stats: P51 28+27=55 PIM 6 Career Stats: Elite League: P68 3+5=8 PIM 4 EPL: P51 28+27=55 PIM 6 ENL: P59 48+44=92 PIM 76 GB Under 20: P10 12+10=22 PIM 16 GB Under 18: P10 1+0=1 PIM 4 Nottingham junior programme product Lachowicz spent the 09-10 season in the EPL with Manchester Pheonix and developed his strong but silky game greatly during his time, as shown on a 7 game stint with the Panthers, scoring 3 points. The winger at just 20 is progressing well and is a future GB international having already completed two U20 world championships with GB Under 20s. The question mark for Lachowicz this season is will he get enough ice time and secure a solid third line slot for him to show what he can do in the Elite League. If Coach Neilson does award him the required ice time expect Lachowicz to be in double figures for points at least. 8 – Matthew Myers 09/10 Club: Johnstown Cheifs/Bakersfield Condors 09/10 Stats: P22 2+3=5 PIM 31 and P6 1+2=3 PIM8 Career Stats: Elite League: P290 37+88=125 PIM 397 ECHL: P28 3+5=8 PIM 39 BNL: P62 10+7=17 PIM 32 EPL: P5 5+0=5 PIM 14 Great Britain: P35 10+7=17 PIM 56 GB Under 20: P10 11+15=26 PIM 10 GB Under 18: P5 2+3=5 PIM 8 Cardiff native Myers, returns to the Panthers after a season away trying his hand at the ECHL with moderate success. At just 25, the defensive centreman is also a key member of the Great Britain national team. A valuable asset to any Elite League team, Myers will be key at his own end of the rink supporting his attacking minded forwards. 9 – David-Alexandre Beauregard 09/10 Club: HC Valpellice and Tulsa Oilers 09/10 Stats: P24 6+15=21 PIM 20 and P16 3+3=6 PIM 8 Career Stats: Elite League: P54 44+35=79 PIM 30 AHL : P5 0+3=3 PIM 0 ECHL : P70 29+27=56 PIM 48 (Old)IHL: P15 2+2=4 PIM 6 UHL : P462 292+222=514 PIM 341 CHL : P200 119+100=219 PIM 184 LNAH : P19 19+15=34 PIM 10 QMJHL : P190 112+112=224 PIM 133 There are few stories in hockey more remarkable than DA Beauregard, who plays with just one eye having lost the other one in an accident at an early age. However, at 34 Beauregard is coming towards the end of a very successful career where despite his physical difficulties, he has consistently hit the back of the net for each club he has played with. A poor season last term after leading the EIHL in scoring shows that Beauregard may be on the downhill slope and his signing is a gamble for the Panthers. If Beauregard who played in Manchester turns up then it is one that has paid off big time. If not, Beauregard may become the latest in a long line of expensive mis-signings the club has seen over the years. World class sniper, or expensive has-been, that is the question for Beauregard to answer. 13 – Jade Galbraith 09/10 Club: Nottingham Panthers 09/10 Stats: P56 22+57=77 PIM 92 Career Stats: Elite League: P108 41+103=144 PIM 141 DEL: P6 0+3=3 PIM 16 Germany2: P44 17+22=39 PIM 79 Germany3: P46 45+43=98 PIM 102 ECHL: P267 83+152=235 PIM 338 WHL: P24 5+5=10 PIM 10 NCAA: P3 0+0=0 PIM 0 28 year old Galbraith is the go to man for the Panthers. After a poor first season, Galbraith was one of the stand out forwards in the Elite League last season showing the skil that took him to the DEL and leading the league in assists for the regular season. Galbraith re-igniting that form and skill is the key to the Panthers being successful going forwards with two excellent snipers in the line up with Beauregard and Clarke, Galbraith is the man who will be setting these gents up to get the puck home. Expect another excellent season from Galbraith, a key man for the club and the league. 14 – Billy Ryan 09/10 Club: Wheeling Nailers 09/10 Stats: P12 3+3=6 PIM 18 Career Stats: Elite League: First Year. ECHL: P34 15+19=34 PIM 32 AHL: P15 0+0=0 PIM 2 NCAA: P135 35+57=92 PIM 112 Ryan, 26, is coming to the Panthers following a near career ending injury. Like Beauregard there is serious question marks over Ryan’s ability to perform given his injury. A point a game in the ECHL points to a player who knows where the net is and who can be an impact player in the Elite League if he has recovered from injury. Ryan’s reports suggest his is a defenceman who is very clean but will work at both ends of the ice. The only question is his fitness. 16 – Marc Levers 09/10 Club: Nottingham Panthers 09/10 Stats: P56 5+15=28 PIM 40 Career Stats:Elite League: P348 56+74=130 PIM 399 Superleague: P15 0+0=0 PIM 0 BNL : P36 6+6=12 PIM 20 ENL : P28 23+18=41 PIM 115 EPL : P25 16+16=32 PIM 42 Great Britain: P10 1+5=6 PIM 6 GB Under 20: P4 1+2=3 PIM 4 GB Under 18: P5 0+0=0 PIM 0 Derby born Levers, is a staple for the Panthers and well established as a third line checking player. A fiesty player, Levers is just the sort of man that you want on your third line, doesn’t take any monkey business, won’t give up the puck easily but won’t likely bother the scorers either. Levers will again be good for around 20 points this season but will have to be on his toes to ensure he doesn’t loose his place to Lachowicz. 17 – Ian McDonald 09/10 Team: University of Alberta Golden Bears 09/10 Stats: P28 14+16=30 PIM 10 Career Stats: Elite League First Year Canadian University: P120 47+73=120 PIM 56 WHL: P329 72+145=217 PIM 73 25 year old Albertan winger McDonald becomes the first Panther to sign directly from the tough CIS league. McDonald was on a top team with the Alberta Golden Bears and won the CIS championship with the team. Somewhat of an unknown quantity to the Panthers a 92 point season in the WHL shows the sort of promise you would expect from a Panthers player. From his stats and reports, you’d expect McDonald to be a solid player who will have at least a point a game come the end of the season. 26 – Dustin Sproat 09/10 Team: Cincinnati Cyclones & Milwaukee Admirals 09/10 Stats: P66 24+35=59 PIM 71 and P4 0+0=0 PIM 0 Career Stats: Elite League First Year ECHL: P137 40+61=101 PIM 152 AHL: P4 0+0=0 PIM 0 NCAA: P92 28+29=57 PIM 62 AJHL: P54 12+16=28 PIM 49 Despite the age of 29, Sproat has only 4 professional seasons behind him as a slightly defensive player having spent many seasons in the NCAA and AJHL before turning pro. However, a call up to the AHL last season shows excellent promise and Sproat was also a leading light as the Cincinnati Cyclones took the Kelly Cup ECHL Championship. Sproat’s two-way abilities will be key, and expect him to sit just above a point a game in the EIHL. 29 – Alex Penner 09/10 Team: Colorado Eagles 09/10 Stats: P51 5+7=12 PIM 222 Career Stats: Elite League First Year CHL: P104 9+9=18 PIM 408 AHL: P8 0+0=0 PIM 22 ECHL: P38 2+2=4 PIM 139 MJAHL: P2 1+0=1 PIM 53 OHL: P62 1+3=4 PIM 134 With 75 career fights to date, Penner is not afraid of dropping the gloves and has been brought to the Panthers to do just that. Having already dropped them with Clan toughman Cedric Bernier, former Giant and Blaze forward Carlyle Lewis and new Steelers power forward Neil Clark, Penner is no stranger to Elite League fights. There is no question that Penner will be happy to answer the call of the likes of McMorrow, Bernier, Suderman and Voth. Will he be able to put any points on the board. A total of 12 points last season in the CHL suggest he may be able to reach around 20 in the Elite League. 61 – Jay Henderson 09/10 Club: Nottingham Panthers 09/10 Stats: P14 3+7=10 PIM 20 Career Stats: Elite League: P14 3+7=10 PIM 20 NHL: P33 1+3=4 PIM 37 AHL: P384 77+91=168 PIM 1105 ECHL: P2 0+0=0 PIM 19 DEL: P149 54+48=102 PIM 200 Austria: P50 14+18=32 PIM 104 CHL: P16 1+3=4 PIM 57 WHL: P263 95+99=194 PIM 478 AJHL : P32 21+21=33 PIM 36 33 game NHL vetern Henderson joined the Panthers half way through last season and added leadership on the ice and experience to boot.
Probably the best defensive forward in the league, Henderson has played in the top leagues in the world with over 300 games in the AHL and nearly 150 in the DEL plus his time in the NHL with Boston Bruins. Henderson at 31 should be a leader this season and expect him to wear an A. He will likely not be above a point a game but his contribution will be measured by the performance he gives not the points he makes. ## – Josh Ward 09/10 Club: Nottingham Panthers/Nottingham Lions 09/10 Stats: P20 1+0=1 PIM 2 and P20 10+7=17 PIM 55 Career Stats: Elite League: P20 1+0=1 PIM 2 ENL: P32 16+9=25 PIM 65 GB Under 18s: P5 2+0=2 PIM 4 As yet un-numbered Ward, made his debut with the Panthers last season racking up a single goal in 20 appearences with the Elite League side, whilst scoring 10 in the same number of games for their English National League cousins Nottingham Lions. After a summer away at Coach Neilson’s Ontario Hockey Camp, expect Ward to feature a little more for the Panthers this season and to progress to recieve more Elite League appearences this coming season. At 18, Ward has plenty of time to progress. PHN Verdict: Nottingham’s weak back line is compensated by a very strong front line with some excellent defensive forwards present. Expect Nottingham to try the we’ll score one more than you route this season. I would predict them to finish behind Belfast and Coventry but build on this squad for next season.
Contact Phil.Andrews@prohockeynews.com
You must be logged in to post a comment.