Bracknell coach is very happy with his new signing saying �I couldn�t be happier that Dave has signed. He�s a hard worker and a great team player. We didn�t see the best of him last year in London as he was injured for quite a few games, but he is fit and ready to go right now.�

Struch will meet up with his new team mates when they return from the Enordia Cup tournament in Germany this weekend.

Hot Superleague action will be broadcast throughout the season in the form of a magazine highlights programme, which will show extended highlights of a featured game, plus action from all other matches, along with all the latest news and player and coach interviews! The programme will be presented by Nick Rothwell, along with Stan Marple.

Superleague�s Chief Administration Officer, Brian Storey, commented. �This is great news for hockey fans, and the sport as a whole. Sport and TV coverage have had a chequered history recently and it�s become increasingly difficult to do a deal that is to the best advantage of the sport or broadcaster. With the collapse of ITV Digital, and the problems experienced in football, there has been a significant impact on how such deals will be done in the future.

�However, we have been able to contract Sky, with the assistance of Black Diamond Productions, to join with us in producing this fantastic magazine package. With its prime time slot, it will be accessible to a wider public and I would hope to see a spin off of increased attendance�s and additional sponsorship for our clubs.�

"He has size, speed, passion, skill, experience and he just hates to lose, I mean really hates to lose. He doesn't look for trouble but he can handle himself when it comes his way and that usually happens when he's sticking up for his team-mates.� Said Eagles coach Paul Heavey.

Selmser's signing takes Heavey's squad up to 14 and he hopes to announce the final two pieces of his jigsaw over the next few days, as he homes in on two top class snipers who he hopes will shoot the Eagles to success in this, the inaugural season playing out of the Braehead Arena,

Steelers coach Mike Blaisdell added. "I am hoping that Chris will fill the gap we have for a big aggressive forward, we have heard all the story's about him rattling a few body's around so we will also enjoy watching that."

Blaisdell said "Calle will add offence to our blue line as well as bring a lot of ISL experience with him, he also realises the huge rivalry that exists between the Steelers and the Panthers, we just have to get him looking at things from the other side now. Our blue line is complete and Iam happy with it, it gives us balance in size, speed, experience and toughness. Behind these guys are two good solid goalies and up front we have just the one spot to fill".

Most notable is ex-NHL'er 31 year old Dan Ratushny, who may also become Paul Heavey's assistant coach. "I've been trying to sign Dan for a couple of seasons, now I've finally got him and any team in the league, or Europe for that matter, would have him on their roster," he said. "He's played in the NHL but he's also had an outstanding career in the International Hockey League (IHL) and American Hockey League (AHL), where he was putting up over 30 and 40 points a season as a defenceman � those are serious stats! He spent three years with the Canadian national team, Team Canada, while still at university and he's played as an import in the SM Liiga in Finland, one of the best league's in the world and in Japan. Wherever he's been he's worn either a 'C' (captain) or an 'A' (assistant captain) so his leadership credentials are impeccable.

Also signed is Canadian blueliner Bob Quinnell. "He's another offensive-minded defenceman who has a lot of potential," says Heavey. "He's a big, strong lad who works hard game-in-game-out and can look after himself. He played in the UK last season with Fife in the BNL (where he accumulated nine points � three goals and six assists � from just eight games) and he now wants to prove himself at Superleague level. He's been working hard all summer on his conditioning and he's chomping at the bit, he can't wait to get here. I see him as our fifth defenceman, although he thinks he's better than that and is determined to prove me wrong, so he's coming here motivated and focused and you can't fault an attitude like that."

Mark Cavallin will share netminding duties with 25-year-old former Nottingham Panthers' and Sheffield Steelers' stopper, Eoin McInerney. "I was very impressed with him last year, I thought he played very well for Sheffield even though he was behind Ryan Bach in the pecking order, in fact I was shocked at how well he played because I hadn't seen much of him the year before when he was with Nottingham, I mean he was third in the league standings when it came to goals against and save percentage," said Heavey.

Coach Lipsey commented, "As with Colin, I saw Ryan playing in last season's East Coast playoffs. He struck me as a very good defensively minded forward and someone who works very hard at his game. From a coaching standpoint, when you see a guy who has played four seasons with one club, you get the feeling that he does things right. Ryan has been with the Grrrowl since their formation to winning the playoffs last year � I'm delighted to bring him to the Storm."

25 year old Jonathan Delisle has played most of his career in the American Hockey League, having played one game for the NHL's Montreal Canadiens. "We are going to see some great things from Jonathan" says coach Enio Sacilotto. "He is described as a player who always gets in the face of the opposition, he is feisty and not afraid to get involved. He's going to be an exciting player to watch."

The Bees have also confirmed the return of 19 year old British player James Morgan. James made his debut in the Superleague for the Bees last season and although he received limited ice time, Sacilotto was impressed by his improvement. "James is an investment for the future. He got better and better over last season and learned a lot from playing with experienced players. He'll get even better this year".

"I saw Colin play last season in the playoffs and I immediately liked what I saw" said coach Dayrl Lypsey. "He plays with an edge to his game, sees the ice well, scores goals, finishes his checks and clearly wants to win. I wasn't sure we could get him to Manchester so, I'm doubly delighted that he's coming. As a champion as recently as this summer, he's got the smell of success in his nostrils and will want more. He's originally a left winger, but switched to centre for the Grrrowl last season and that's where he'll play, at centre, for the Storm."

"His enthusiasm is infectious and it makes the guys around him want to play that little bit harder," said Coach Heavey: "He gives everything he's got every night and plays to his strengths, which are his skating and his stick handling, flying forward with the puck, making and scoring goals. He's now the club's longest serving player and the Eagles without Dino is unthinkable. He's spectacular, he's capable of turning a game with a single move, he's a superb skater and he'll take on anyone, so yes, he's an important addition to my roster."

"After the playoff final last April against Sheffield, I thought I'd played my last game for the Manchester Storm," commented a delighted Frenchie. "For me, it was clear in my mind that I wasn't coming back, so yes I'm pleased and surprised to be back for a fifth season. For my family and myself, staying in Manchester is the best situation, I am very pleased to be back."

Head coach Daryl Lipsey said, "Pierre is one of those guys a coach always likes to have on his roster. You know exactly what he brings to the table. He works hard every shift, be it in practise or in the game, never giving less than 110%. It's always been my intention to bring him back and to get it done on his birthday [yesterday] was a very pleasant coincidence for everyone. Frenchie is a great competitor and I enjoy working with him. He's a strong skater who works hard in the corners and irritates the opposition. He works well on special team situations and that is one area where I expect to use him this season."

The 6'5", 235lb Canadian, who will be 26 on Wednesday, was a 5th round draft pick for the New Jersey Devils and has played most of his career in the American Hockey League. He brings not just more size to the team, joining new players Corey Spring and Scott Kirton who both stand at 6'4", but toughness too. last season he tallied 213 minutes in penalties and in 01/02 and 00/01, 145 minutes and 266 minutes respectively.

Twenty-nine-year-old Marble, from Eston, Saskatchewan, had a glittering junior career in the Western Hockey League (WHL). Not only was he a league All Star, he won the ultimate prize at that level, the Memorial Cup, with the Swift Current Broncos, while also icing for the WHL's Medicine Hat Tigers, Moose Jaw Warriors and Tri-City Americans, where he played alongside Eagles other new D-man Jason Bowen.

Defenceman Jeff Burgoyne, who Heavey signed last week, has decided to hang up his skates and concentrate on his off-ice career. A graduate of the prestigious 'Ivy League' University at Cornell, Burgoyne has packed in hockey after being made a career offer he simply could not refuse.

Winnipeg-born Romaniuk, 32, was with Storm in Superleague last season, scoring 31 points (17 goals plus 14 assists) in 46 Superleague matches. He is the first signing following the Devils' announcement, revealed exclusively in yesterday's South Wales Echo, of their threeyear shirt sponsorship deal with Coca-Cola.

Defenceman Lee Sorochan and forward Doug MacDonald make up the Giants' 17-strong squad that will be going all out to defend it's Superleague title and hopefully add one or two more along the way.

MacDonald, although a 33-year-old veteran, was courted by teams right across Europe all summer long. Drafted by the Buffalo Sabres in 1989 (4th round, 77th overall), He then spent three seasons (1992-95) with Buffalo, icing 15 times in the NHL for the Sabres, while bagging points (58, 44 and 46) with the Sabre's AHL affiliate, the Rochester Americans. That was followed by five straight seasons in the IHL with the Cincinnati Cyclones before moving to the DEL and the Cologne Sharks for two years. Doug joins the Giants from another DEL club, Essen Mosquitoes.

Twenty-six-year-old Sorochan from Edmonton Alberta, stands 6ft 1in and weighs in at 15st. He was drafted by the NHL's New York Rangers (2nd round, 34th overall). He began the 2000-2001 season in Superleague with the London Knights, although he only iced eight times for the capital's team before moving onward and upward, signing for Jokerit Helsinki in the Finnish SM Liiga for the remainder of the campaign.

Twenty-six year old Mike Perna, from Toronto Ontario stands 6'1", weighs 205lb and is a left shot defenceman. Since turning professional in 1996, Mike has played exclusively in the ECHL, spending the best part of fours seasons with the Huntingdon Blizzard and more lately a season each with the Greensboro Generals and Cincinnati Cyclones. It was in his last season with the Blizzard that Mike was honoured as an ECHL All-Star.

Bergvist was a first round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins last season he played in Austria. "He's a stay-at-home defenceman who likes to play hard and he'll stand up to anyone, but he won't take silly penalties. He's good at clearing forwards from in front of the net and on the penalty kill. He also has a good shot on him so we'll be using him on the powerplay. For a big guy he's a superb skater and he's in great shape."

Ex-Belfast Giant, Jason Bowen also has NHL experience with the Philadelphia, playing 77 games in total. Said Heavey : "I don't care how big they are, no player in this league likes to play against Jason. He's big, strong and very, very physical, when he hits, he hits," said Paul: "But he's also very versatile. He began his career as a winger, was switched to defenceman and was used as both by Dave Whistle last year in Belfast and was very effective in both roles."

"This will be our sixth season together and I always know what I'm getting with 'Wardy,' he works hard every night and gives it everything he's got, he doesn't know any other way. I hope he continues to put up the kind of numbers he did last year, he deserves every goal he gets because he works hard for them," said Belfast coach Dave Whistle.

Netminder Colin Ryder also played for the Belfast Giants last season when he stepped into the breech for the Ahearne Trophy games against the DEL's Oberhausen and Hannover. After Belfast number 1 Mike Bales had to go back home to Canada to visit his sick father and back-up Mark Cavallin was injured. Whistle added "This will be his third year in Superleague and he brings an excellent work ethic with him. He know's he's going to be the back-up but he's prepared to mount a serious challenge to Ryan for is his starting place".

Geoff Peters was a second round draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 1996 when still playing junior hockey in the Ontario Hockey League. He attended multiple training camps with the NHL team and played for them in exhibition games. Geoff has played in the International and American hockey leagues as well as the ECHL and spent one season with the Canadian national team programme including playing in Britain as part of the touring team.

Scottish Eagles' coach Paul Heavey is delighted. "Any guy who's played in the Finnish Elite League (SM Liiga) for the length of time Jonni has must have skill and ability," said Paul: "Last season with HIFK Helsinki (The Big Red Cats) he was used as a fourth line checking winger, consequently he didn't get much ice time or opportunity to put up decent numbers, but I'll be expecting him to play a much more offensive role".

Belfast coach Dave Whistle said "He comes highly recommended by coaches and players I respect and I think he could be the surprise package in the league this season just like Sean Berens was last season. He has size (6ft, 14st 8lbs) and experience at the highest levels. He was drafted by the Montreal Canadiens (2nd round, 39th overall) and his last season as a junior he hit 100 points (43 goals and 57 assists with the Ottawa 67s in the OHL). He then spent two seasons with Montreal's AHL affiliate, the Fredericton Canadiens, but after two seasons got a very lucrative offer to go to Japan and he's been there ever since".

Bertrand, who starred with the Albany River Rats from 1995-99, returns to North America after having spent the 2001-2002 season in Europe. Bertrand played 8 games for the Bracknell Bees returning 7 ponits before moving on to Germany and the Cologne Sharks.

Pasi Nielikainen (pronounced Nee-el-ik-eye-nen) stands 6�2" tall, weighs in at over 200lb and will lend a physical presence to the Storm roster this season. Lipsey commented, "we always look to Europe to find good players and this summers search has seen us sign Pasi. We heard that he was available and as well as checking the video archive of those games against IFK, we used our own sources and contacts in Finland for more detailed information. I�m very confident that Pasi will do an excellent job for the Storm, he�s big, strong and is not afraid to protect his team-mates."

Levins played a total of 124 NHL games with Winnipeg Jets, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators and the Phoenix Coyotes. For the past three seasons Levins plied his trade in the German DEL with Revier Lions, Kassel Huskies and Berlin Polar Bears. Levins (32) stands 6�4 and weighs in at 210lbs, he was a 4th round pick of the Winnipeg Jets in the 1990 NHL entry draft.

Blaisdell added. "You can see from the resume of Scott that this man knows how to play the game, he has only played in the highest of company, in fact never below the IHL which is some achievement. He plays tough, he plays hard and he scores goals, you have to like that in a man. We now have just two players to sign, one forward and one defenseman, we have several irons in the fire as we stand and hope to have at least one of those positions agreed by the end of the week. We can smell the Manchester Storm on the 7th September and every player on our roster is itching to get on the ice once again."

"I am really looking forward to using Vezio with Mark and Jeff. These three will give us a powerful 'spine' and make us as strong through the middle as any team in the Superleague. Vezio is a thorn in the side of any opponent and what he lacks in size he makes up for in heart. He is a great leader and motivator on the ice and I�m delighted to have him back for a further season." - Bob Leslie.

Nate Leslie joined the Knights mid way through the last season when the Knights we struggling with injuries, he joined from FBNL side Dundee Stars.

Prior has previously played in Europe during 1998-99 season, when he played for Italian side Bolzano HC. Last season he played 20 games for the Riverbaldes with a 3.46 Goals Against Average and a Save Percentage of 90.3%. Steelers coach Mike Blaisdell said "I�m happy with the netminding duo".

Coach Glenn Mulvenna was bitterly disappointed when he signed Rushton this week - only to discover the former New Mexico Scorpions forward had signed a contract for English Premier League team Romford Raiders three weeks ago. Mulvenna spoke to Rushton, 27, last night and cancelled their agreement. "Both clubs have been misled by Rushton," said Devils general manager Paul Sullivan.

"He played in Britain last season and knows how the game works here. Cardiff Devils are extremely upset at being used as a bargaining tool in this way. Rushton is a major signing for Romford and they may have lost sponsors if he had not honoured his agreement with them."

Mulvenna is already working on a replacement for Rushton - and he is in advanced talks with two former Superleague players. He is keeping their names to himself for the moment, but hopes to add both to his roster.
Source: icWales

Mark Cavallin joins the Eagles from the Belfast Giants, in a deal that was agreed before the signing embargo between the 2 teams was in place. Mark wants to be a starting netminder, but with Ryan Bach arriving in Belfast he knew he wouldn't get the start.

The 4 signings now bring the eagles roster to 6 after they had Jonathan Weaver & Mike Harding on 2 year contracts.

Highly rated puckstopper Bach and veteran NHL hardman Kruse will now be pulling on Giants' jerseys for the 2002-2003 season and Whistle can't wait for the pre-season BT Broadband Belfast Ice Cup to start.

It's no secret that Whistle wanted both these players last season but for one reason or another he never got them and had to sit back and watch while they helped Sheffield lift the Play Off title.

Heavey has been busy recruiting and is expected to unveil four or five new signings this week and it is likely they will include netminders, a defenceman with NHL experience and a centre ice.

The Eagles, meanwhile, have announced their season ticket prices for the new season. The team, which is re-locatating from Ayr�s Centrum to Braehead, is making a determined effort to entice its existing fan base to the new home by offering current Eagles season ticket holders a 10 per-cent discount on tickets.
Source: Paisley Daily Express

The former El Paso Buzzards and Arkansas Glaciercats forward returns for a second season in Britain, having played for Romford Raiders last season when he scored 17 goals and 24 assists in 11 matches.

The 5ft 11ins Rushton, 27, is a player who stands up for himself and teammates, having spent almost 24 hours in the penalty box during the 10 years of his career.

Cardiff Devils open their season with challenge matches against Great Britain at home on Thursday, August 29 and Superleague club London Knights, also at the Wales National Ice Rink, on Sunday, September 1.
Source: icWales

Jeff Hoad, who skippered the Giants to Superleague glory last season will not be returning for a third term. Instead he has decided to go back to the capital and re-join the London Knights where he last iced with the Knights in the 1999-2000 season. In 46 games last year he picked up 39 points.

Sean arrived just after the start of the 2001 season, and soon set out his camp as a good reliable d-man. Sean fills the fourth d-man spot with a fifth hopefully arriving before the start of the AEG tournament next week.

The Devils have now signed three imports Mike Ware, former Manchester Storm defenceman Blair Scott and Elders, while they are in talks with a number of others including netminder Brian Leitza.

Other players he is currently after are former Nottingham Panthers centre Ashley Tait, Mulvenna's former Newcastle Jesters' teammate Matt Oates and NHL veteran Sergio Momesso.
Source: icWales

A final squad of 22 will go foward into the competition.

Forwards
David Longstaff - Manchester (ISL)
Jonathan Weaver - Scottish Eagles (ISL)
David Clarke - Guildford (FBNL)
Mike Ellis - Basingstoke (FBNL)
Ashley Tait - Nottingham 01/02 (ISL)
Nick Cross - Basingstoke (FBNL)
Ricky Plant - Guildford (FBNL)
Tom Watkins - Coventry (FBNL)
Gary Wishart - Dundee (FBNL)
Jeff Hoad - Belfast 01/02 (ISL)
Rob Lamey - Swindon (EPNL)
Darren Cotton - Peterborough (EPNL)
Jonathan Philips - Cardiff (FBNL)
Marc Levers - Basingstoke (FBNL)
Mark Florence - Hull (FBNL)


Defence
Rob Wilson - Manchester (ISL)
Rick Strachan - Solihull (FBNL)
Kyle Horne - Fife (FBNL)
James Manson - Cardiff (FBNL)
Brent Pope - Solihull (FBNL)
Chris Bailey - Cardiff (FBNL)
James Pease - Coventry (FBNL)
Ian Defty - Newcastle (FBNL)
Richard Thornton - Newcastle (FBNL)


Goal
Joe Watkins - Bracknell (ISL)
Stephen Murphy - Dundee (FBNL)
Andy Moffat - Isle of Wight (EPNL)

Tickets for the tournament are still available and more details are available from the Nottingham Ice Centre on 0115 853 3000

The 30-year-old Canadian forward from Melita, Manitoba, has put pen to paper to ink a return to the Giants after a season back in North America. "I'm very excited about getting him back," said Giants' head coach, Dave Whistle: "He plays hard every game, he's a great skater, he's very offensive minded, he can play any position on the ice and he's very familiar with the league.
Source:- Belfast Giants

Willman, 29, a left shot who hails from Forssa, has taken 1,117 penalties in his hockey career over the last dozen years. Last season, at Assat Pori, was his worst in terms of personal plus/minus statistics � he was on the ice when his team conceded 16 more goals than they scored.

One player who doesn't appear to be playing for Sheffield next season is Steelers' skipper Paul Kruse who has signed for Belfast according to the Sheffield Star, although the club has yet to announce it.
Source:- This is Sheffield

Amid published and broadcast reports fueled by former Coyotes center Jeremy Roenick, the 41-year-old Gretzky issued a four-paragraph statement that concluded, "I am not planning on making a comeback to play in the National Hockey League with the Phoenix Coyotes."
Source:- ESPN

Darling who has vast American minor league experience has also played for Avangard Omsk in the tough Russian league. Dion who is considered to be a stay at home defenceman joins Laniel and Brown on the blueline. Coach Blaisdell added "I wanted a tough no-nonsense, solid D man who wasn't afraid to stick up for his team mates and I think we have that in Dion". The Steelers will announce a further signing next Tuesday.
Source:- Sheffield Steelers

�Goaltending was one area where I thought we were very strong last season,� noted Storm coach Daryl Lipsey before continuing, �and with Stevie Lyle already contracted, I was very keen in re-signing Mike Torchia to keep the tandem together.�
Source:- IceWeb

Top of Page

Home | News | Roster | Schedule | Statistics | Club Info | W.A.T.N? | Site Map
History | Player Stats | League Tables | Player of the Month | Links | Forum

Copyright � 2002 Panthersroar