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Can Beauregard lead the line?

Can Beauregard lead the line? by Elliott Stanley

 

Lining up to carry the Panthers’ offensive charge we’ve seen what I believe is a genuine and significant shift toward hungry players who appear to have a greater level of maturity and mental balance off the ice than perhaps some who have gone before them. Coach Neilson commented when completing his roster with the signing of Brock Wilson “We've got a team of guys who all know they have to go out and earn their money every game we play” and this, to me, indicates that he’s seen what I believe was our biggest weakness last season, attitude.

 

Continuing their stay in Nottingham are former Boston Bruin Jay Henderson, local lad Marc Levers, sniper David Clarke and, last but by absolutely no means least, Jade Galbraith.

 

31 year old, Edmonton born Henderson is a guy whose return has been greeted with mixed feelings from the fans however I can’t hide the fact I'm delighted he’s back. I thought he grew as the season wore on and given he was a late arrival I expect him to turn up in September with a knowledge of what the EIHL is about and continue where he left off. As a guy with significant experience, spanning 33 NHL games, a huge 384 AHL games and 149 games in the top league in Germany (DEL) I expect Henderson to be a leading figure throughout the next campaign. I can see him taking more of a leading role in the agitator stakes as well, albeit hopefully winding up opposition players and not Moray Hanson!

 

Levers and Clarke are becoming part of the furniture at Panthers. Both play vital roles and the capture of both represents excellent business from Coach Neilson. Levers is the cornerstone of all penalty killing efforts whilst Clarke’s ability to rifle the puck into the net is well documented. I thought Clarke’s work rate last season was excellent and more of the same this term will be much appreciated. Quality British players like Marc and David are vital to underpin a successful championship challenge and their roles this year will be as vital as ever in the push for honours.

 

Not much can be said about Jade Galbraith that hasn’t already been in the past. I have huge respect for him for the way he faced up to not only his critics but his own demons in getting fit and focused for the last campaign and it was an absolute joy to behold his, at times, breathtaking skill. When this guy is on the ice things happen, and the prospect of him feeding Beauregard with ammunition is one that must be as frightening to the opposition as it is exciting to us. The most vital capture of the off-season and the key to much of our title challenge.  

 

Returning to Panthers on a full time basis, following a hugely successful year in Manchester under the guidance of Tony Hand is Nottingham born youngster Robert Lachowicz. There were a few cameo appearances from Lachowicz in the black and gold as part of his two-way deal and he more than impressed on those occasions. Much like Tom Norton this is 20 year old Lachowicz’s chance to shine and show he can go to the next level. After having the pleasure of seeing not only Robert’s contributions to Panthers 09/10 season but also some of his outstanding performances in Altrincham I have no doubt he can make the step up and contribute significantly to the season’s efforts. 

 

Another welcome returnee, following a mixed season in North America spent split between the rosters of the Bakersfield Condors and the Johnstown Chiefs, both of the ECHL, Matthew Myers. I understand that it was whilst recruitment plans were at a fairly advanced stage that the opportunity to re-sign Cardiff born Myers landed on Coach Neilson’s desk and it speaks volumes of the high regard in which Matthew is held that a roster spot was immediately found. Myers was a joy to watch in the latter part of the 08/09 campaign showing noticeable improvement after reverting to full time hockey around Christmas of 2008. His signing makes the prospect of four line hockey for Panthers very real, something which may well be an asset in tighter games against opposition with shorter benches. Myers fits perfectly with the rest of the roster Neilson has assembled, a grafter to the end with a high work rate to boot Myers

 

Of the ‘newcomers’ to the roster one name in particular is no stranger to the EIHL and I'm lucky enough to have seen a good proportion of this guy’s exploits for Manchester Phoenix during his previous stint in the UK. 34 year old, Montreal native, David Alexandre-Beauregard will need little introduction to UK hockey fans and the capture of his signature is one that genuinely excites me. He has a natural ability to score goals that is akin to Jade Galbraith’s natural ability to make the perfect intricate pass. His story is one of remarkable courage and determination. Seemingly destined for an NHL career (drafted in the 11th round, 271st overall by the San Jose Sharks) his dreams were shattered when, in 1994, a stick from an opposing player found a gap in his visor. The resulting injury rendered him blind in one eye, a disability which would prevent him playing on the highest stage as a result of NHL rules. Amazingly this has not hampered his minor league career and he’s scored goals wherever he’s been. Even more amazingly, and perhaps a superb embodiment of why we love this game, is the fact that he actually scored on the breakaway immediately following the incident which caused his eye injury! Sticking this guy alongside Jade Galbraith is likely to have devastating effects and I cannot wait to see him hit the ice in the black and gold.

 

The increased number of imports allowed on any one game night (up to eleven from ten for Panthers, Steelers, Giants and Blaze with the remaining teams permitted to ice twelve) means the addition of recognised tough men to many of the EIHL rosters. Panthers played their card early and added 23 year old, Ontario born, Alex Penner to their forward set and it seems certain he will put bums on seats at the NIC. An aggressive player and a determined, relentless fighter Penner has that nasty streak which will see him not only drop the gloves frequently but stand up for his teammates. Next time Brad Voth thinks it may be a good idea to run our netminder after the whistle he may get more than he did in the season just gone in return. All eyes are on who Belfast sign in the enforcer role, with increasingly likelihood that Sean McMorrow will not be returning to Northern Ireland. Come the first few seconds of the opening clash of 2010/11 at the NIC we may well get to see him, whoever he may be, in action.

 

American forward Billy Ryan was one of Coach Neilson’s early signings during the off season. The 26 year old centre, a former 3rd round (80th overall) draft pick of the New York Rangers, suffered a fairly serious hip injury during his time with the University of Maine which all but ended his hopes of making the show. Despite that setback Ryan pushed himself back to fitness and has put up some impressive numbers with Wheeling Nailers of the ECHL and even making 15 appearances for Philadelphia Phantoms in the prestigious AHL during 08/09. There are clear questions over Ryan’s ongoing fitness, and it’s the risk that’s inherent in taking him on board that has probably resulted in such a bright prospect being made available on these shores. If he can stay injury free he has the clear potential to be a major force. What stuck out for me whilst reading up on the guy were the words of Tim Whitehead, his coach at Maine, talking of his return to the ice after a spell on the sidelines. “He’s one of our captains. He’s such a strong presence on the ice. The puck goes to him. And that’s what we need right now is some poise with the puck. To have Bill back has really lifted up the team. He’s made an immediate impact”.  I think that says more than any stats ever could.

 

The next new addition to the roster comes in the form of Alberta born Dustin Sproat. 29 year old Sproat was a Kelly Cup winner with the Cincinnati Cyclones last season whilst also icing 4 times for the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals. Widely acclaimed as a genuine ‘two way’ player Sproat is a player who typifies Coach Neilson’s move toward workmanlike, hungry players who will leave nothing in the locker room. Sproat has his own hockey foundation and is taking a course at University as part of his stay in the UK. It’s the type of attitude this points toward which has been sadly lacking from our roster in recent years and I am both hopeful and confident that Sproat will become a firm favourite of the Nottingham crowd by the season’s end.

 

Edmonton native Ian McDonald completed the Panthers’ forward line up way back in early June. The 25 year old comes straight to Panthers off the back of four years with the highly rated University of Alberta. McDonald is a big guy who has averaged near on a point a game throughout much of his career which, prior to joining the ‘Golden Bears’, was spent with the WHL’s Tri-City Americans. He’s another guy who, on what evidence exists, appears hungry and willing to graft, something of a theme that runs through this years roster.

 

So there you have it, these are the guys who will carry the hopes and dreams of the Panthers faithful. As I mentioned at the outset the change in direction for Panthers, and particularly for Corey Neilson, is clear to see. The flair is still there, no doubt, but the grit level has risen. It seems that the Coach has seen the shortcomings of years gone by and realised that as nice as it is to hammer ten past a short-benched Newcastle it’s useless if you don’t grind out a one goal win against Hull the next evening. A period of real interest at the start of the season awaits and I can’t wait to see these guys in action. With a ten team league (at least at the time of writing it still is a league of ten) and the return of some genuine tough guys across the league it’s shaping up to be a cracker. Not long to go now!

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