(Image permission: Steve Brodie)
CAMBRIDGE, UK – The signing season in advance of the National Division launch in autumn is heating up.
Starting in the north this week, Telford Tigers announced the return of head coach and general manager Tom Watkins.
Speaking about his return, Watkins said: “I’m really keen to be continuing with the Tigers – this is my tenth season coaching here and 14th all in, including playing here all those years ago.
“I’m very proud of what we have achieved over those ten years – it is never easy being a coach and we have had a few very challenging seasons in the past.
“The last few years have brought about a level of stability off the ice. The GM role that I accepted two years ago also brought with it different challenges.
“I’m extremely thankful for all the volunteers, fans and sponsors who have supported us over the years, and I look forward to pushing to add to the trophies over the next season.”
Further signing news from the Tigers arrived on Thursday with the announcement that Adam Taylor had also returned to the Shropshire side.
Taylor, a 24-year-old Telford born and trained player, said: “I’m really happy to be back at Tigers for 2019/20. I am excited for next season and the challenges that the new NIHL national league will bring.”
(Image permission: Steve Brodie)
Watkins added: “Adam certainly has had a breakout season in 2018/19 and really upped his offensive game. He was a key player for us last season, he carries the puck well, moves his feet and created space for others.
“He’s a smart guy, a good teammate and very coachable and I am excited to have him back as our first signing of the summer.”
In the southern side, the news has been dominated by those not returning. News from Swindon Wildcats confirmed that Jonas Höög, the popular 32-year-old Swedish player, has decided to retire from the sport having spent seven of the last eight seasons with the Wiltshire team.
In Berkshire there have been further departures as the Bracknell Bees announced that Ben Paynter, Ryan Watt and Dean Skinns would not return to the club for the 19/20 season.
“The team thanked the players for their service and wished them well, however this has not gone down well at least with everyone, with Watt, who had signed a one-year deal with the team last season, complaining that he learned that he would not be returning to the side via a Facebook post on the team page.
Watt will sit the remaining seven games of his 21-game suspension with the next team he signs for.
Bees fans had their spirits buoyed a little as head coach Doug Sheppard announced that import forward, Roman Malinik.
Speaking to the Bracknell Bees’ website, Malinik said: “I am happy to be back with Bees again. I enjoyed my first season in Bracknell and I’m looking forward to help bring success next season.”
Sheppard added: “Roman is the type of player and person we had to return as we look to start building a winning team. With the Bees moving to the National League, there won’t be any nights off next season. Roman turns up every night with a high compete level.”
To continue the good news, the Bees have announced the signing of 24-year-old netminder Adam Goss.
The former ACHA Mercyhurst University goalie spent the last season playing back-up for Milton Keynes Lightning in the EIHL, icing 15 times, and will join the side after a summer playing for the Canterbury Red Devils in the NZIHL.
Goss will stand out from the majority of netminders as he catches on the opposite side to most netminders, catching on the right, rather than left.
Midweek, and the Bees announced another returnee in the shape of Josh Smith. Smith scored 12 goals for 26 points and just 22 PIMs.
Sheppard said: “Josh is a key piece for us. He’s a versatile player that will be relied on in all situations. Josh takes pride in the defensive part of his game and I wouldn’t be surprised if he has a breakthrough season offensively.”
(Image permission: Lucy McGill)
Milton Keynes announced three further signings this week, with the first seeing the return of popular ‘D’ man Leigh Jamieson.
He’d been a long-term fixture of the Lightning in the EPL before the team moved to the Elite League, since then Jamieson has played a season each at Peterborough Phantoms and Streatham IHC, and now returns to his hometown club.
Joining Jamieson will be Dr Russell Cowley, formerly of the EIHL Coventry Blaze before being tempted from retirement last season to play for Basingstoke Bison by long-term EIHL and GB teammate Ashley Tait. Boasting over 65 GB and nearly 750 Elite League caps, Cowley will provide a huge pool of experience to the Lightning.
The Lightning have also announced the retention of British trained ‘D’ man James Griffin.
The 26-year-old Swindon native will be returning for his fifth consecutive season with the Buckinghamshire side, having been with them in the EPL, Elite League and now the NIHL National Division.
Speaking to MKFM.com, Lightning head coach Lewis Clifford said: “Obviously I am delighted to have Griff on board for next season and I’m looking forward to working with him again after enjoying a successful period together in the old EPL.
“Griff is a guy who any team in the league would be ecstatic to sign – he is an outstanding defenceman, plays extremely hard every night and his skating ability and natural sense of positioning and timing makes him very hard to beat.”
To finish a very successful week for coach Clifford, the team have announced the re-signing of Rio Grinnell-Parke for his third season at MK.
Last season saw Grinnell-Parke guesting occasionally for the Elite League MK Lightning while playing a strong role with MK Thunder.
Grinnell-Parke said: “I’m really glad to be back with at Milton Keynes with the Lightning. I think it will be a great opportunity to improve my game and I think we’ll have a good strong squad and I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Finally, while not directly National League related, Glasgow Clan and Team GB head coach Pete Russell is rumoured to heading abroad for a new challenge and a great opportunity.
Reliable sources have told PHN that Russell, a solid coach with a very strong player development background, may be heading to an unnamed team in the German second tier, DEL2.
There is speculation that any move from the Scottish Elite League side will not be announced until after the IIHF World championships in Slovakia later this month.
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