NEWCASTLE, UK – Vipers first weekend back in Elite League action did not go quite to plan as Newcastle went down to a heavy away defeat at Sheffield on Saturday night before just losing out to the Steelers (5-3) in a pulsating game at Hillheads the following day. Vipers Player/Coach Danny Stewart gave all of his squad plenty of ice time over the course of the weekend. Summer signings Rob Wilson and Sam Zajac both made their Elite League debuts against the Steelers. At Newcastle’s recent media day PHN got the opportunity to speak to both defenceman on how they saw the 2010/11 campaign progressing.
On first meeting the 2 British defencemen PHN asked them how they saw Danny Stewart’s Vipers doing this term
Zajac – “ I think we are going to surprise a lot of people, we haven’t really got any expectations on where we’ll finish but were going to give 100% every night and go hard every shift.”
Wilson – “Who knows where we’ll finish, towards the top of the table hopefully. We’ve got a brand new squad compared to last season so you never know what’ll happen.”
Wilson went on tell PHN how he was finding life with the Vipers “In the Elite League it is a hell of a lot quicker than what I’m used to. The passing, the skating its all a lot quicker. Its so much easier playing with better players though as you bring the level of your own game up. Its where I’ve always wanted to play and I’m really enjoying it so far”
Sam Zajac started his career with Whitley Bay however he then moved away for the north east so that he could play in the English Premier League for the last 2 campaigns.
Local boy Sam Zajac back on Tyneside (Photo Newcastle Vipers)
“Off the ice at Basingstoke was fine just on the ice I saw a lot less ice time and I didn’t feel I played as well. I was a bit disappointed in myself really. I was open to either moving up to the Elite League or staying in the EPL. I wasn’t particularly looking to stay at Basingstoke however joining the Vipers was always my preferred option.”
Zajac’s big move up to the EPL looked like it wasn’t going to happen back in 2008 as Telford ran into some financial difficulties.
Zajac – “I got a call a month before I was due to go down there saying there was going to be no team. I quickly signed back at Whitley then a week later Telford rang again to say they did have a team after all. I didn’t want to mess Simon (Leach, Whitley Player/Coach) around but he was great, he spoke to Telford for me to make sure they would last the season.”
Rob Wilson previously played for Vipers in their British National League days, he has also played in the EPL as well as having a wealth of experience from playing with the Warriors in the ENL and Northern Leagues.
Wilson – “I was always looking to move up this season. I played for Whitley Bay for pretty much 9 years, bar a season in the BNL in 2004/5 and half a season with the Sheffield Scimitars but apart from that I’ve been in Whitley all the time. I just wanted a bit of a change. I wanted to move up and I’m happy to get the opportunity.”
“I only played half a season last year due to a knee injury. I didn’t feel really good till the Edinburgh pre-season games so they came at the right time. I’m getting a knee strap sorted and that should help”.
“When I did play for Newcastle last time I was only 18 I think and I was going out there trying to knock bodies about. I’ve got no problems with the physical side of the game. I’ve always played that style, I cant play any other, I like getting amongst it.”
PHN asked Wilson if he thought he would run into penalty trouble with the physical nature of his game
“They let a lot more things go in the Elite League. In Whitley’s league its quite strict they could let a lot more things go there. I’ve tended to pick up quite a lot of penalties in the last few years but I don’t think it’ll be a problem in the Elite as they are more lenient.”
Pro Hockey News asked the young d men if they modelled their game on any current Elite League players ?
Wilson – “ I’ve never tried to model my game on anyone, I’ve always tried to play my own way. I’m just going to try and find my feet again, bang some bodies about and get back into my stride.”
Zajac – “ Jonathan Weaver is one player I admire. He’s been playing at the highest level for a long time, he’s a good role model and can also play up front when required.”
Vipers new blue liner Kyle Sibley is a similar kind of stature to myself so I’m looking to learn from him, Schwarz is a good player as well, they are all strong guys.”
Zajac has also been impressed with the overall quality of Newcastle‘s roster “the Europeans here are a high standard a lot better than I thought they would be. Hartmanis looks to be a very good player”
This season Vipers will play the entire campaign at the Hillheads rink in Whitley Bay rather than splitting their fixtures between the Arena in Newcastle and Hillheads like the club did last term. Playing all of the Vipers home games in the unusual surroundings of Whitley could well benefit Newcastle.
Wilson – “Myself, Liam (McAlllister) Paul (Sample), Jamie (Tinsley) and Nathan (Salem) have all played here for years so we are used to the ice. It is a small rink compared to the likes of Sheffield and Edinburgh so the tight boards here should be an advantage as were really used to it.”
During the pre season games against the Capitals, Zajac and Wilson formed the Vipers 3rd defensive unit though it is unclear whether Newcastle will continue to use the British defenceman as a pairing in the League campaign.
Rob Wilson to patrol the blueline (Photo Newcastle Vipers)
Wilson is looking to make quite an impact in the Elite League this season now that he finally has a chance to impress at the highest level in British hockey “ I would like to get a few goals, hold the blue up for as long as I can get the puck on the net get some assists. Keep the penalties down and keep the points scoring up.”
Zajac is also keen to make the most of his move to the Vipers“ I’m looking to stay with Newcastle as long as possible I’m not looking to move away at all. I’m happy here as long as they want to have me.”
Even though both Wilson and Zajac are now playing in the Elite League both blue liners have not been able to give up work to pursue their dream of a top flight hockey career.
Zajac – “I’m working with Samps (Paul Sample) for a couple of days a week so I can get a bit more money.”
Wilson – “I’m still working full time. I work for my dad so its quite flexible, I train in the mornings and then go back to work. The games are generally at the weekends so its not too bad”
Rob Wilson has played against Elite League new boys Dundee Stars many times over the last few campaigns and he sees the Stars being a competitive side this season even though they have are now playing at a much higher standard of hockey.
Wilson – “Dundee have pretty decent squad. (British forward John) Dolan the forward has really come on these last couple of years he’s got a good shot on him and he should do well.”
“They’ve got a few big tougher players now so they’ve got more muscle in their side they should fit into this league pretty easily. Match ups with the Stars could be one of our better games this season, many of their players have played at this rink before so it should make the games between us good battles.”
PHN would like to thank Rob Wilson and Sam Zajac for taking the time to speak to us at the Vipers recent media day.
Contact the author – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
