NEWCASTLE, UK – New Vipers coach Danny Stewart has secured the signature of defenceman Blair Stayzer for the 2010/11 campaign. Stayzer is the first import other than Stewart to move to the north east this close season and on paper Newcastle’s latest acquisition appears to be a great addition to the roster.
Stayzer began his career with the Windsor Spitfires back in 1996 in the OHL, he impressed enough during his time with Windsor to be drafted by the Calgary Flames in 1999. However Blair never appeared in the NHL and he spent the next few years playing in the ECHL mainly for the Johnstown Chiefs though he did step up to play a handful of games in the AHL for the Saint John Flames in 2000/1.
Blair has since played for a number of teams in the CHL/IHL and ECHL without ever really putting down roots in any of the cities he has travelled to. It appears that Stayzer will bring some toughness to the Vipers line up as he has picked up over 100 minutes of penalty time 10 times in his career which indicates that he could well be mixing it with the meanest competitions the Elite League this campaign.
Danny Stewart has revealed that he plans to use Stayzer as his 4th defenceman next term though the 29 year old could well be used as a power forward on power play opportunities and when a physical presence is needed in the offensive end of the rink. The capture of Stayzer as well as the presence of Stewart in Newcastle’s locker room gives the impressions that the Vipers will not be a team that can be bullied around the ice this season.
Stayzer’s capture is an encouraging move as it would appear that Newcastle are looking to build a solid competitive team that can take care of themselves which be welcome news to many north east hockey fans after the lack of toughness in last terms Vipers line up.
Contact the author at – chris.mackenzie@prohockeynews.com
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