NEWCASTLE, UK – Newcastle Vipers have had a tough start to the 2010/11 campaign and head coach Danny Stewart has had to make a number of alterations to his roster as the club look to build a squad who can compete at Elite League level. One of the few success stories of Vipers season so far has been the form of young Canadian blue liner Scott Langdon so the youngsters decision to move back to North America to ice in the CHL must have been a huge blow to the Tyneside organisation.
Just a week before Langdon choose to leave the North East of England, Pro Hockey News interviewed the defenceman and found out his views on his time in Newcastle and how he rated the British game in general.
Langdon spoke quite positively about his time with the Vipers buoyed by the recent victory over the Edinburgh Capitals.
“I feel like we are starting to get rid of that losing mentality where as we always felt like we were going to lose and now we feel like we always have an opportunity to win. Against the likes of Edinburgh, we understand we can beat these guys.”
The d man went on to speak about how the Elite League seems to have split into 2 distinct divisions this season.
“I want to play everyone hard and I want to feel like you can win every game because you can its only 60 minutes and anything can happen. However realistically anytime we play against Braehead, Hull, Edinburgh and Dundee we have to win those games.”
“As opposed to playing against say Sheffield or Nottingham who are very good teams from top to bottom as they have much more depth. We just have to try to play them as hard as we can and see.”
“Sheffield score about 8 goals a game on us so they are pretty stellar players. Belfast too have some good players, they are sure to be up there (at the end of the season).”
Langdon went onto speak about his aspirations (at the time) for the remainder of the 2010/11 campaign.
“We should be able to squeeze into one of the last play off spots. Personally I want to contribute everywhere on the ice, offensively, defensively and back in the dressing room. I want to be that deciding factor. Ill try and give the team confidence and protect the guys that’s all I can do.”
With import defenceman Schwarz out injured and the departure of Blair Stayzer, Vipers have had few defensive options which has meant a lot of ice time for Langdon in the last few weeks.
“I’ve definitely been playing a little bit more now than I’m used to but its not that much different as in North America I was getting a regular shift. I can take it however by the 3rd period on the 2nd night I’m usually pretty tired. I like the challenge of being out there a lot logging a lot of minutes.”
“When we get Schwarz back and we can roll with 5 we’ll be fine.”
“You’ve got to have the right circumstance to win games you cant have 3 d or just 2 (forward) lines you’ve got to have the right numbers out there and the goalie has to play well too.”
Langdon’s d partner in his last few games in Vipers colours was the former Whitley defenceman Sam Zajac. Zajac struggled to establish himself in the EPL last term for the Basingstoke Bison however the youngster has just been named Newcastle’s player of the month and Langdon is certainly a fan of the diminutive d man.
“He’s my d partner right now and the kid gets better and better every game and confidence helps with that too. I try and help him out as much as I can but I’ve got no complaints about his play that’s for sure.”
Langdon spoke of how he hoped new signing Mike Pprich would be able to improve Vipers offensive output.
“We need some grittiness up front and I think he’s meant to bring in a little of everything. Anytime you can pick up a new player who has somewhat of a solid past in this league and in North America that has to be a good thing for sure.”
Langdon impressed many north east hockey fans with the physical side of his game as the Ontario native was not afraid to lock horns with some of the toughest players in the Elite League during his brief stay on Tyneside.
“It’s a good league it’s a rough league, its kind of more like a North American style of league. I enjoy it, I cant complain too much about it right now. I like playing physical, getting hits and giving hits, when we play against Cardiff its going to happen and that’s fine with me.”
Scott went on to tell us that the timing of dropping the gloves against the likes of Voth was his own decision.
“Its all at my discretion when its time to go its time to go. He’s a big lad and he hits hard. Braehead’s Bruce also hits hard for sure and Nottingham have a couple of big guys in Lepine and Penner those guys can hit for sure so you’ve got to keep your head up at all times.”
Pro Hockey News would like to thank Scott for taking the time to speak to us at Vipers recent media day and to wish him all the best for the remainder of the season back in North America. Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
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