Kerbouche signs for Lee Valley

LONDON, UK – Karim Kerbouche has signed for Lee Valley Lions of the English National League 2 (South). Kerbouche has put pen to paper on a deal that will see him pull on the Lions jersey until the end of the season. Things haven’t gone smoothly with regards to registering though “I signed the deal last week, but the paperwork didn’t go through the system in time for me to play at the weekend. I am hoping to play this weekend”. Under EIHA rules a player who has played 2 years at junior level is eligible to be classed as British, which is why the Algerian forward is able to play for the Lions as a British player, along with Yassin Ahrazem who has also signed for them.

Kerbouche has worked extensively in recent years setting up and developing Algerian ice hockey and they are one of the fastest growing African ice hockey nations. Kerbouche may also be familiar to some readers through his relationship with Amelle Berrabah of pop group Sugababes fame. Kerbouche has also worked hard in London setting up programmes for young Algerian’s living in London to get involved in ice hockey. The Lions were not the only team to be in contention for Kerbouche’s signature “I was considering signing with Streatham because the Algerian national team goalie, Khalid Abdulwahid, plays there, and also I know Barry Spours is a very good coach which he has proven with how he’s turned the Redskins around this year. In the end I went to Lee Valley along with a player from the Moroccan national team, Yassin Ahrazem. We played against eachother in the Arab Cup in 2008 (When the Algerian national side took to the ice for the first time thanks to Kerbouche’s hard work) and used to play together in junior hockey at Haringey. Lee Valley was actually the first time I ever watched ice hockey when I was 13 and I’ve always liked the rink. It’s nicer than the other rinks in London”. Kerbouche continued “I am looking forward to making my debut for the Lions as they have a good set up here. I know they struggled early on losing a lot of players in the summer to other teams, but there is a good spirit here and I believe that team spirit is important to how a team plays”. Kerbouche should make his debut on Saturday against bottom of the table Slough Harrier Hawks. Contact the author Pete.Lewis@Prohockeynews.com