(Image permission: Steve Brodie)
CAMBRIDGE, UK – It was another comparatively slow start to the week for signing news in the new NIHL National Division.
Milton Keynes Lightning were first off the mark with the signing of Ross Green. The 27-year-old has played his entire senior career in Milton Keynes colours, making his EPL debut with the Lightning in the 2007/08 season aged just 16.
Green has completed eight seasons with the Lightning, as well as icing for MK Thunder over five seasons.
MK Lightning head coach, Lewis Clifford, said: “Ross is a player who has played his entire club career in Milton Keynes. He is a very loyal guy and that trait is shown in the way he plays which is full blooded and never giving less than 100% to the club.
“I have coached him since he was a very young man and I am expecting him to lead by example and set the tone for some of the younger guys on the team.
On Wednesday the Lightning further strengthened their defence with the addition of Sam Russell. The 18-year-old has played through the MK junior system before leaving to play in the North American junior system four years ago, playing last season with the New England Wolves in the Eastern Hockey League.
Russell said: “I feel as if my hockey career has gone full circle, and I am returning home to where it all started. As a Milton Keynes boy I first stepped onto the ice with MK Storm and spent Saturday evenings watching MKL.
“I’m now really excited to play for my home team, and to be pulling on the Lightning jersey. I am looking forward to the first team practice, the first game and getting underway. You can already feel the atmosphere building!”
News from Berkshire this week saw many a National League defenseman breath a sigh of relief as Shaun Thompson announced his decision to retire.
The Bees’ #13, who had become the undisputed king of the face-off circle in the last few years, announced his decision via Twitter in a short but heartfelt tweet that can be read here.
Thompson, who made his Elite League debut at just 16-years-old, has amassed over 300 goals in his senior career for just over 700 points.
While the first half of the week was quiet, the second half was anything but.
First off were Leeds Chiefs in announcing a huge signing – former Nottingham Panthers back-up netminder Sam Gospel.
Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Chiefs player/coach, Sam Zajac, said: “He was the first guy I called when I got the job here. I played with him for a couple of years or at Telford and so I know exactly what he brings to the rink every night.
“He’s been in the Elite League for the past couple of years and he’s also going to keep training with Nottingham and be available for them.
“So it was a win-win really because, for my opinion, I think we’re getting the best goalie in the league and he can still play and train at the higher level, so it is great for him.
“He is going to be a backbone for this team and somebody that we are going to lean heavily on. He was speaking to quite a few teams, but I think he wanted to come in here and get in early and be a part of what we’re building here from the start.
“Technically he is great, he’s calm, he’s a great guy in the room and kind of brings everything that you need from a goalie.”
In Essex, Raiders IHC announced the return of Blaho Novak and Ross Connolly. The British-trained Novak returns for his second season with the Romford based team having scored 16 goals for 38 points last season. He previously played at this level with the Telford Tigers in the 2014/15 season.
He said: “I’m grateful to be back in Raiders shirt for next season. It was an honour to be part of this club, run by amazing group of people.
“Our fans are incredibly loyal and loud, travelling with us to even the furthest away games and it’s going to be much more travelling next year, to see the best teams in English hockey compete in one league.
“For me personally, last season obviously didn’t finish the way i wanted, but that gives me even more motivation for next season. I have a lot to give back and I’m really looking forward to give my best this upcoming season.”
Also returning for a second stint with the Raiders, although this one with a break since the last time comes Ross Connolly, younger brother of former Raiders ‘D’ Man, John Connolly. He spent last season in NIHL1 North with the Whitley Warriors picking up two goals for 14 points.
“I’m excited to back playing for a great bunch of fans,” said Connolly. “I decided to come back to play in Romford because Sean had nothing but great things to say about the organisation now and I enjoyed my time when I was there last.
“I want to compete for silverware in the new league which I think we can do. This season’s new challenge will be a good one getting to play against quality opposition week in week out. See you all in September!”
Bracknell Bees completed their netminding line-up with the signing of Danny Milton. The 25-year-old began his senior career with the Slough Jets in the 2011/12 season, sticking with them during the nightmare 2013/14 campaign, before joining the Bracknell organisation in the 2015/16 season.
Last season, while backing up Dean Skinns, Milton recorded a season GAA of 1.86 and a Svs of 0.912 over 22 league games.
Head coach, Doug Sheppard, said “Getting Danny back was huge for us – he’s the best back-up goalie in the league. We saw last season he’s more than capable of winning games at this level. Danny is also an important part of our junior program helping the development of our young goalies.”
(Image permission: Peter Best Photography)
What was originally the final signing of the week comes from South Yorkshire as veteran forward James Spurr returned to the Steeldogs.
Former Sheffield junior Spurr initially made his name in the 2008/09 EPL Grand Slam winning Peterborough Phantoms, before spending five years with Sutton Sting from the 12/13 season onwards.
After rejoining the Steeldogs in the 17/18 season, Spurr has added 37 goals for 87 points.
Player/coach, Ben Morgan, said: “Spurrsy is as deserving of compliments as anyone we have had in the squad during my time as coach. With each passing year he’s becoming more an experienced guy, a veteran if you like but his attitude.
“His application especially last season coming back from that injury was exemplary. He’s an all-round professional, a great guy to have in the changing room and someone I hope the younger guys look up to and aim to emulate the success he’s had with us.
“He doesn’t put too much pressure on himself to go out and score week in, week out, and I certainly don’t put pressure on him, but he really contributes to line goals and he’s had great chemistry with the guys he’s played with. I could stick him out on the ice with pretty much anyone – if I asked him to play D he could probably do it!
“He gives you different options up front, different variations on the powerplay and he absolutely works himself to the bone on the penalty kill – he’s fantastic short-handed.
“He’s a true gentleman on and off the ice and he’s very honest in what he does and how he applies himself. He knows where his capabilities lie and what his strengths are and he just tries to go out and do everything to the very best level. It’s great to have him back for another season.”
The actual final signing of the week is for fellow Northern Conference competitors, Milton Keynes Lightning, with the announcement that Tomas Kana is to join the club for the 19/20 season.
The 2nd Round NHL Draft Pick has a decent AHL pedigree having stepped up to the NHL on six occasions for the Blue Jackets in the 09/10 season.
Lightning head coach, Lewis Clifford, said: “Tomas has as good of a pedigree as you will get at this level. Bad players don’t play close to 100 times in the AHL and make appearances in the NHL. Whilst that was a while back, I have watched videos of him playing in the Polish league this year and had positive references back about him from players in that league.”
This is not his first time playing in the UK having joined the Swindon Wildcats for the second half of the 14/15 season, his fourth club that season.
As reported in the Daily Star at the end of January 2015, then Wildcats head coach, Ryan Aldridge had an opportunity to sign Kana for the 13/14 season, however objections over an escape clause in the player’s contract allowing him to leave without penalty if a better offer was made proved to be a stumbling block too many on that occasion.
However, the following season, signing on the IIHF transfer deadline gave Aldridge the opportunity to bring the Czech player over and he was rewarded with nine goals for 16 points in 14 games in a high quality EPL season.
You must be logged in to post a comment.