NEWCASTLE, UK – Newcastle Vipers squad has seen a number of changes this week. Kevin Reiter, Mark Rooneem and Tyler Kindle have all moved on while Michel Robinson is set to return to the side for this weekends games. The most surprising departure is that of Rooneem as the former LA Kings draft pick has only iced 15 times for the Tyneside based club. Rooneem picked up 9 points in his time in England which is a reasonable return however he failed to really gel with the other Vipers forwards. No replacement for Rooneem will be signed in the immediate future as Coach Rob Wilson is keen to see if local youngster Ben Campbell can make the step up to play on the 2nd line on a regular basis. Campbell has great pace and if he can start to put a few more points on the board he could well earn a call up to the GB senior squad. Tyler Kindle was signed in the summer to be the Vipers number 1 defender however Kindle’s tally of 9 points in 32 games shows just how much of a disappointment he has been in Newcastle. Both Jerramie Domish and Mark Gouett have shown themselves to be more useful defensive squad members than Kindle and given that Tyler is likely to have been on a high wage his departure seems to be a sensible move by the organisation.
Coach Wilson is actively seeking a replacement for Kindle as at this moment in time as Vipers only have 3 recognised d men on their roster. There is the possibility that Richie Thornton could be recalled from a loan spell with Whitley Warriors in the English National League if Newcastle cannot secure the services of another blue liner in the next week or so.
Kevin Reiter was always expected to depart Newcastle once Michel Robinson regained fitness as Robinson was having a superb season for Vipers until he suffered a hand injury. However it is slightly surprising that Reiter has been released when it is not certain that Robinson will be fit for action this weekend against the Hull Stingrays and the Coventry Blaze. Newcastle have stated that back up Richie Lawson will start both games if Robinson is not fully fit though playing an inexperienced youngster when the club is on such a bad run seems to be a risky strategy.
Lawson has seen just 70 minutes of action this season in the Elite League however he has conceded 9 goals in his brief time on the ice and has a save percentage of around 80% which does not make for great reading. If Robinson is not fit and Lawson starts in goal Vipers will have to be at the top of their game to take anything out of their 2 match’s this weekend.
It is hoped that Newcastle can secure the services of a d man in the near future as at this moment in time the clubs squad looks a little stretched. If Jerramie Domish, Matic Kralj or Jason Tejchma were to pick up an injury the clubs roster would look very light indeed.
Contact the author Chris.Mackenzie@Prohockeynews.com
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