It’s good to be back

The Telford Tigers return to the ice this weekend with two challenge games against fellow EPL side Swindon Wildcats. Game one faces-off in Swindon tonight at 5:45pm with the Tigers hosting the Wildcats early Sunday evening at 5:30pm.

Both sides struggled in the league last term, with the Shropshire based Tigers finishing just one point off the bottom. However, the Tigers and their Player Coach are not a side to get ahead of themselves and staying off the bottom was an okay season after sitting out 2009/10. But as ever, a lot has been happening off the ice this summer, and the Telford faithful will be optimistic of a good showing from their men, starting tonight. Player Coach Tom Watkins clearly believes he has a squad that can make the playoffs this time around

Tigers’ newest addition is 27 year-old defenceman Adam Radmall who Watkins’ believes brings much needed depth to the squad. Radmall is apparently a no nonsense, keep things simple defenceman, and with the potential to settle any under pressure pairing and the experience he brings to the locker room, this late signing could prove to be an excellent addition to the squad.

Radmall was a surprise as the Tigers had billed the signings of Mike Jones, Ryan Selwood and Josh Nicholls as the end of the off-season acquisitons earlier this month. Selwood and Nicholls have joined from the ENL and Goaltender Nicholls is a former Tigers’ Junior where he was under the tutilage of Tom Watkins. Nicholls is extra competition for #1 Declan Ryan and new import Netminder Greg Blais for a starting role.

Jones returns for his second EPL season behind the Tigers’ blueline, and Selwood who will look to develop further under Watkins will also be pushing for ice time in defence.

Canadian Blais became the Tigers’ fifth import this summer, and it will be difficult for him to command a regular spot with only three import players allowed on the ice at any one time. But Blais also joins with a view to supporting Watkins as his assistant, and to share his experience with the youngsters at the club. Watkins is well respected in UK Ice Hockey circles as a very good coach, so Blais will also benefit from shadowing the Telford boss. As well as Blais, Tigers have recaptured the services of import player Marek Hornak to strengthen their attacking options.

It’s obviously key for Tigers to maintain a consitent offensive threat at the line change, and Hornak will aid them in achieveing that. But perhaps the most exciting signing of recent months has been that of Dean Holland. The former Great Britan under-20 player finished last season with the gone but not forgotten Newcastle Vipers and brings a lot of Elite League experience to Telford. In 50 games for the Vipers last term he amassed 20 points from five goals and 15 assists. The Right-Wing is still only 22 and played for EIHL side Dundee Stars during their recent pre-season campaign.

It will also be a new look Wildcats side that takes to the ice this evening, and the Swindon outfit have been in action already this week with a 4-2 loss to Slough on Wednesday night.