Brett Clouthier returns to Phoenix: Damn. Way under-rated ability, size and the heartbeat of Manchester ever since he joined them as a surplus Steeler in his first season in the UK. If Tony Hand can find the forwards with the same amount of skill as Clouts has pure energy, Manchester would walk the league. It also puts the "Ryan Shmyr to Manchester" rumours to rest. I doubt you'll find a single Phoenix fan unhappy with this one.
Mark Garside back in Edinburgh: The Caps start rebuilding their roster well, with one of the best young Brits and an Auld Reekie native. Great things could be ahead for Garside if his development continues at the pace it has been.
JF Perras confirmed in Coventry: Mentioned as a rumour on this blog two weeks ago and now confirmed, the Capitals goalie, blighted in many Blaze fans' eyes (obviously those who never saw him play because they couldn't be bothered to go to a Caps' game) by a relatively poor save percentage, heads south. This guy is proof statistics can lie...he's a hell of a goalie who can lead a team to a title as long as he has a half-decent d in front of him. Trevor Koenig was just the same, and people in Coventry seemed to think the sun shone from his behind (a belief possibly held by the man himself by all accounts). On that basis, expect JF to become a fan favourite fairly quickly. Unless Blaze lose a game or two, then he'll be the sacrificial lamb for many. Unfairly so.
Nick Toneys to Panthers: Silly name, strange signing considering he appears to be very similar to Rumun Ndur working on stats...although cheaper thanks to playing at a lower level...
Mike Prpich and Jason Silverthorn back in Cardiff: Excellent-maybe I'll actually get to see Prpich play now after his injury-shortened (well, destroyed) time last season....As for Silverthorn...well, he can score, I'll say that for him.
Lee Cowmeadow to Devils (fact):...and unlike 2001, he doesn't have to worry about being utterly destroyed by Steve Carpenter. "Wily veteran" are the two words that come to mind here-he'll do a job on the third line and nurture the exciting talent of Ben Davies...
Now for the rumours.
Steve Pelletier to Coventry: Don't laugh...apparently this one is at an advanced stage. Hopefully it doesn't go much further, or you can pity his d-partner for all the two-on-ones they'll be left with...
Greg Wood to Coventry: A little birdie (or should that be calf) from Basingstoke and at least two people from Coventry (both who have been right on many occasions before, including Perras and the as-yet-unannounced-but-open-secret that is Carlyle Lewis) emailed me this one...as Russ Cowley has been pricing himself right out of the market and Wood is younger, hungrier and possibly better...
Colt King to Hull: It's the Hull Vipers! Just search for the guy on youtube to realise he isn't going to be the goalscoring forward (or top d-man or stonewall goalie or player who can tell Rick Strachan his system stifles the hell out of their team and doesn't work that well) that Hull have been praying for. Well, he might fit the last one if he throws a punch or two on the bench, which is eminently possible judging by the fact he looks like an utter fruit-loop...
There you go-a swift round-up updated in the breaks at work. On Friday we'll be looking at the best moments of hockey on the big screen, as well as any other news that may come along...
Keep keeping your eye on the puck...
