Pens going to paper around the Elite League

UNITED KINGDOM – Pens are going to paper around the Elite League this week as Belfast Giants sign a defenceman straight out of the AHL, Coventry Blaze add a former Washington Capital, Newcastle sign up a goalscorer whilst Braehead, Dundee and Sheffield continue on the Brit trial.
New Belfast Giants head coach Doug Christiansen has added his first signing new to these shores of the summer with 26 year old Jon Gleed arriving from Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the AHL.
Gleed, drafted round 7 by Montreal Canadiens, had a career year with Bridgeport last season dropping in 15 points across 69 games with 87 penalty minutes also appearing next to his name in a season he spent entirely in the AHL.
Also spending time with Montreal’s Hamilton Bulldogs AHL affilliate, Gleed still has around ten professional playing years ahead of him and with 122 AHL games already under his belt the hard hitting defenceman is sure to be rivalling Elite League pros Steve Munn, Jon Weaver and Brian Lee as the league’s premier defenceman this coming year.
Looking closer to home, Coventry Blaze head coach has beaten a number of clubs to sign former Washington Capitals forward Owen Fussey who spent last season with Edinburgh Capitals. The goalscorer, who was named Best Newcomer at the Elite League’s annual award ceremony, scored 35 goals on his way to 66 points in just 49 games with the Murrayfield based club.
With 208 AHL games to add to his experience with the Washington Capitals, the 2001 third round draftee is seen as a high impact player in the Elite League and is widely touted as the successor to 6 season Blaze sniper Adam Calder, who despite leaving his post with Braehead Clan looks sure to be leaving the Skydome Arena this summer.
As Great Britain head coach, Thompson will also have one eye on Fussey’s passport. Although born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Fussey was born to British parents and holds both a British and Canadian passport. Two years in the Elite League or English Premier League would allow Fussey to be eligible to play for Great Britain.
And Fussey too, could share a line with Greg Chambers who like Fussey was born to British parents and came to the UK with a desire to play for the national team.
Newly signed up Player-Coach Danny Stewart continued his search for talent with a second IHL based signing for the club as Jamie Carroll arrives from Bloomington Prairie Thunder of the IHL where he pitched in with 55 points from 74 games.
IHL players generally score around about the same in the UK, but Carroll has a 70 and 80 point season perviously in the IHL which has led to stints with Rockford Ice Hogs of the AHL.
Moving further north, Coachless Dundee Stars have announced their first signing as they move into their first Elite League season.
Hoping to announce their Player-Coach early next week, Stars have moved to ensure local hero John Dolan remains at the club. The 29 year old Dundee born and bred forward scored 33 points in 12 Northern League games for the club last season whilst also scoring highly in the Scottish National League for the club. Dolan also spent four games with the Elite League Edinburgh Capitals in 2008.
Dolan is also a veteren of the Dundee Stars last BNL campaign where the team took home the Playoff Championship, scoring 9 points in 32 games that season.
Braehead Clan coach Bruce Richardson is also looking to local Scottish talent as he signs up Scotland Under 19 captain and Great Britain Under 18 and Under 20 international John Connolly.
An emerging talent, Connolly split last year between Edinburgh Capitals of the Elite League, left pointless after 22 games and New Mexico Renegades of the WSHL, where he had 11 points in 32 games with the Renegades.
Joining Connolly is another young promising British forward with substantial experience, 22 year old Shaun Thompson. Finishing last year with Basingstoke Bison of the EPL, scoring 11 points in 19 games, the winger also scored 9 points in 36 games with Hull Stingrays of the Elite League.
The Slough native has appeared at both Under 18 and Under 20 level for Great Britain and has a season best of 40 points in 62 games at EPL level for Basingstoke Bison, whilst he has spent Elite League time with Hull, Nottingham and Basingstoke.
Sheffield Steelers are looking much closer to home for their British talent, re-signing defenceman Mark Thomas. Kept out of last season’s World Championships by injury Thomas marks his 6th season as a Steeler after scoring 4 points in 55 outings last season.
Contact the writer; phil.andrews@prohockeynews.com