Sights set on next season for Birrell

CHELMSFORD,U.K-With another undefeated weekend going by with the Chieftains and Slough Harrier Hawks accumulating an aggregate score of 29-2 to the Chelmsford Chieftains, head coach Dean Birrell has his sights set on the tougher matches coming up and the 2009-2010 season. “At the moment we have some players in the squad who have been informed of what the key elements we need for next season and we have given them the tools to get to that level and work on their existing skills. We are looking for things like good foot speed and acceleration.” Birrell said Birrell also suggested that not every player is assured a place in the squad for next year. “We don’t want to bring in too many ’outsiders’ and would love to keep the nucleus of the squad together. There are one or two boys around who if they wanted to come and play for us we would welcome them, but at the same time there are some who we would need to have a long talk and think about and decide on whether we took them on or not,” Birrell said. “No-one is assured of their place on the roster, although we will take into consideration how they have performed this year,” Birrell continued. “What I am mainly looking for is clear direction and commitment for next season and I want to see how committed they are and willing to push harder in a much much tougher league, We have already spoken to one or two about where they want to play their hockey next season and things look promising already,” Birrell said. “It looks like we will have a second team back in the second division, so if we have too many players or some don’t want to step up there will be options for them in Chelmsford and we want to keep everyone together and close by as much as we can, we know as a club that we may be losing one or two anyway and those positions need to be filled.” Birrell said. The Chieftains have seen some great development this season and players like Ross Brears, Darren Brown, James Ayling, Alex Staples and Tom Foskett have all really come on strong after being given a chance with the senior side. Alongside them the more experienced players like Jerry Pavlus, Richard Whiting, BT Williams, Karl Hopper, and Sean Easton have all looked assured and comfortable and have been passing on lots of pointers to the youngsters and it has been beneficial to the side. The Feb 21 game against a depleted Slough side that started off with 12 players and ended with seven was a very one-sided affair ending 14-1 to the Chieftains. Of the Harrier Hawks players who left one was injured, one was fired for not roughing it up allegedly and the other three just walked off because they chose not to follow their coaches instructions to take out star players on the Chieftains side. The Slough coach, Brian Biddulph, was so upset with the alleged nasty hitting from Chieftains captain Karl Hopper he even tried to goad Hopper into a fight off the ice on the Slough bench. Hopper being Hopper though just laughed and skated off. Sadly only seven players made the return match on the Sunday as well as star net minder Will Sanderson. Sanderson is widely regarded as an excellent prospect and although he allowed 15 goals against, he could only be blamed for about three of them at most. Some of the saves he made he had no right too. However the Chieftains in their generosity gave the whole Slough side man of the match and only one was old enough to collect the beers! Birrell refused to be drawn on whether Sanderson was one of his targets for next season. “We have spoken to some players, but I am not prepared to name names at this stage, netminding is an area I am pretty sure we need to fill gaps on so never say never,” Birrell said. “There are a lot of players out and about whom we are looking at, as well as in house so who knows who I will sign for next season. I will say this though ‘If you want to play for the Chieftains and want it enough and fit the skill sets and attitudes we are looking for, you will be considered.” Contact the author at  Pete.lewis@prohockeynews.com