Cannot wait for the 4th September

Hello again everyone, well as we grow ever closer to the start of the league season the anticipation is certainly building. We have seen Belfast beat Coventry in the Charity Shield.
 
Personally I cannot wait for September 4th when we start here in Sheffield against Cardiff. Despite the off ice problems our club has had to endure we are still here and we have a point to prove. Last year with the exception of the Continental Cup was a disaster and we are already a better team with the additions we have made. The big question mark is the coach and he could make or break the season. I was interested to read the views of Elliott Stanley earlier this week. Now Elliott is a Panther but despite that I agreed with most of what he said. However I thought he used the comments of Paul Thompson regarding our club in a cheap effort to slight the Steelers. We are well aware of our clubs misgivings. However it is when our backs are against the wall we do our best work. After all our most problematic off ice season saw us win a Grand slam on it. If there is one thing we do well in Sheffield it’s winning Championships and don't worry Elliott this year is no exception. We will be playing to win.
 
OK rant out of the way and to business. The Belfast v Boston game at the beginning of October is pretty huge for British Hockey. It’s a great chance to showcase some of our best talent. Belfast as reigning playoff champions are worthy hosts and have rightfully named their Captain Colin Shields and new defenceman Jon Gleed to the team. Along with Luke Fulghum and Jonathan Weaver are smart choices. Now the focus moves to who else should be joining the team.
 
For goaltending it has to be Stephen Murphy. One he is a brit, two he played the best season a British goalie has possibly ever played last season all things considered. As for the other goalie take your pick. Several good goalies have joined the league so it could be any of them. Personally I’d go with Jaeger from Coventry or Kowalski from Nottingham. On defence there is in my mind one stand out. His name is Rod Sarich. Now I know he is a Steeler and yes he was injured most of last year but by god if this guy is fit and at his best as good as anyone I have ever seen and I have being watching hockey in this country for nearly 20 years so you do the maths and figure how may players that covers. Ok now a defenceman that is not a Steeler. Perhaps controversially I would go for Corey Neilson. Why? Well I think as a player he makes his team a better team. As a coach I’m not so sure of his calibre but he has helped change the culture at Nottingham and they are better for it. I still don't think they can win the league. the last 2 years were their bi chance and they blew it but as a player Neilson gets my vote. Now about up front? I would love nothing more than to say Jeff Legue for my Steelers pick but i am not. No instead i will go for Robert Dowd. Dowd had an awful struggle last year after an almost awesome first season. He was ill then he couldn't score and the team was woeful at times but he got through it all and did pretty well for team GB at the end of it. I really think Dowd can break into the elite group of Brits. That group of maybe 5 or 6 guys who are really as  good as the top imports. The likes of Clarke, Shields, Tait and Weaver. So Dowdy is in for me. Elsewhere I look to Cardiff and Brad Voth. Now I don't expect that against NHL players Voth will look special but this game is in my mind a chance to showcase our league. Now nobody can deny that Brad Voth has being a huge part of Elite league history during his time here. Plus we will need some size against the Bruins. Finally I will go for Dan Carlson of Coventry. He has being a tremendous servant to Coventry and the league and in the process has become a proven winner. In my mind Adam Calder owes a fair amount of his success to Carlson his center man for many years.
 
Well that’s all for now. If you are going to a game this weekend enjoy it im very jealous as i have to wait till next week. Thanks for reading.

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