Midweek Musings...

"I'm going in for the kill
I'm doing it for the thrill...I'm hoping you'll understand..."
La Roux: "In for the Kill"

And so, even though we're only a matter of weeks into the off-season, it appears that this summer, putting any speculation to rest by going in for the kill and getting the squads sorted and settled early is the order of the day in the EIHL, at least in Nottingham and Cardiff. The Devils already have Brad Voth, Jay Latulippe, Mike Prpich, Wes Jarvis, and Mike Hartwick returning, while the Panthers, too, appear to be going for evolution rather than revolution in their squad, with Bruce Richardson, Kevin Bergin, Nick Toneys and coach Corey Neilson already returning...both teams also have pulled in players from elsewhere in
the UK. Let's look at the new signings and a rumour or two now...

Stephen Lee to Nottingham, from Guildford: This is an excellent signing for Nottingham-the product of the Hull junior system was playing Elite League hockey for the Stingrays at the age of 17, before being enticed away to the EPL for a season. At the EPL finals he looked the best d-man present despite still only being nineteen, and is already being talked about in the same breath as Jon Weaver, Ben O'Connor and Danny Meyers in the crop of current British d-men. Expect him to have a similar impact in Nottingham to O'Connor's in Coventry this season, as he finally gets the chance to prove how good he really is...

Mark Richardson to Cardiff, from Nottingham: This is a big loss for the Panthers. Richardson joined them mid-season to step in on D after problems in Basingstoke, and has quickly become popular among the Panthers fans with his forward-looking outlook-the Devils defence instantly looks a little stronger...

Peter Hirsch to Coventry, from Aalborg: The rumour that wouldn't go away has finally been confirmed, as Danish international goalie Peter Hirsch becomes the first new import announced of the 2009/10 EIHL season-to much joy in Coventry. Outgoing goalie JF Perras has been linked with a return to Edinburgh...

Craig Peacock to Belfast, from Peterborough: Another standout EPL player makes the step up to the Elite League-the 20-year-old was also linked with Coventry and Sheffield, and comes off a 106-point season in the all-conquering Phantoms team from last season-the Giants hope he can enjoy similar success to Sheffield's Rob Dowd. However, despite the hype, I wasn't hugely impressed with him during the EPL finals-he reminded me of Sylvain Deschatelets in that he always seemed to be involved in anything good the Phantoms did, but never made you think "wow, this guy is good" in the way Sheffield's "golden child" has this season...

Jeff Glowa and Lee Esders return to Hull: Two excellent signings for the Stingrays, as Sylvain Cloutier ensures the return of two fan-favourites to start building his first Stingrays team...

That's the signings-now for the rumours...

Chris McAllister to Sheffield: Interesting...he'd certainly continue the recent Steelers tradition of building a strong, physical defence..

Danny Stewart to Hull: One hopes not-Stewie has been one of the core players of the Blaze in recent years, but with some fans now feeling that new blood is required and the fiery little winger has had his day (me, however-I'd have him back as one of the first names on the teamsheet) and Sylvain Cloutier being an admirer, this one is a "possible"...

And, in other news...

Erm...this isn't exactly fitting with the whole "we're punching far above our weight" schtick, Coventry...: The Blaze have taken a new step in British hockey, and moved away from purely hockey operations as they've taken over the bar attached to the Skydome, which up until now has been called Mbargo-it will be renamed "Crosby's" and is described as a "sports/hockey bar in the centre of Coventry"...launch night is tomorrow...

The Breakaway will of course be nipping along to let you know what it's like and whether it's worth adopting as the new hockey fans' watering hole in the centre of Coventry...however, given that the Blaze directors were on the fans' mailing list barely a week ago pleading poverty in their bid to travel to the Conti Cup, am I the only one that thinks taking over a city-centre bar in a recession having done so is kind of like turning up to a bankruptcy hearing in one of these?

Aye well...that's your lot for now...keep keeping your eye on the puck...