LONDON, UK – Streatham Redskins have secured the return of two more forwards this week, as they signed both Gennadi Yufit and Russell Stevens on one year deals.
Stevens snaps (Photo by Tim Bowers)
Former Slough winger Stevens overcame a series of niggling injuries last season, to become a real hit with the Redskins fans. The twenty eight year old displayed a swashbuckling brand of hockey that impressed the High Road faithful, as he skated tirelessly for the cause alongside the more finesse based Peter Molnar and Louis Lockwood on the first line.
Not afraid to drop the gloves when necessary, Stevens earned an impressive total of 130 penalty minutes in his 26 games for the Redskins last season. Stevens is currently building up his fitness ahead of the opening game against Invicta Dynamos, and says he can’t wait to get started:
“I am really pleased to be back at the High Road” said Stevens. “It was a tough season last year, but Spoursy (Barry Spours) has made some good signings this year with the likes of Joe Johnston returning. I believe we will definitely be fighting for a top spot this time out”
Gennadi Yufit is a product of Lee Valley Junior Development system and made his senior debut for the Lee Valley Lions in the 2005/06 season. After a brief spell in Sweden, where he interestingly played with Oxford City Stars new goalie Robin Lindva, Yufit returned to the UK and hooked up with the Lions again, before being snapped up by Redskins Coach Barry Spours last autumn to boost the squad.
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Yufit made twenty five appearances for the Redskins last season, featuring mainly on a checking line. His hard skating, no fear style of hockey typified the brand of hockey displayed by the Redskins last year, and he is glad that he can play a part in the coming season:
“I really can’t wait for the season to start” said Yufit. “I have been working hard to get myself ready for the first game. The fans we have here at Streatham are fantastic and it gives the players a real incentive to make sure we don’t let them down”
Redskins Head Coach Barry Spours is also pleased to have both Stevens and Yufit on board again: “I brought Russ in last year to add a bit of grit to the line up” said Spours. “He stuck up for his team mates when required and chipped in with some important goals at times as well”
“G (Yufit) showed last season that he isn’t afraid to get stuck in and that’s what we need within the team. I will be looking for him to step up again this season and show more of the same”
The Redskins now have the majority of their squad signed with only a few roster spots available. The South London side are looking to add at least one more import to the current sole overseas trained player in the squad Peter Molnar.
Good news (literally) for the Redskins is their recent link up with local paper ‘The Streatham Post’ which means that the team are now receiving extra media coverage in South London. The link up with the recently re-launched Post means that Redskins fans and prospective supporters can read all the latest Redskins news and reports in three local newspapers, with the other two being the Streatham Guardian and the widely circulated South London Press.
Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com
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