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All Star selections 2011
Just like the real thing I’ve put on my thinking and chosen my own personal All Star EIHL teams for the season just finished. Some of the selections you may agree with, some you may not but each to their own I’m led to believe. I’ve divided it up into the relevant categories of Netminder, Defencemen, Forwards and Coach to make it look easy on the eye, so have a look and see if you can find a selection which you think may be better than mine. You will notice I’ve not been obsessive though and let my Steelers rose tinted spectacles be left firmly in their case.
Netminder:
Ervins Mustukovs - The Latvian was a complete unknown in the summer when it was announced he would be the Steelers number one goalie. Now one Elite League title and a shutout record later, he’s seen as the man who backstopped them to glory. Capable of the sublime and the stupid in equal measures, as is any goalie, he’s that good that the EIHL also voted him as their best and that’s good enough for me. The Moose as he is known, gets my vote as First All Star netminder.
Defencemen:
Jon Landry - Not the name you would have expected me to name for the First All Star team but the Montreal born defenceman has been a great acquisition for one of the League’s new boys. Capable of being a threat in both attack and defence, he has put some solid numbers in his first season over here. It’ll leave a massive hole in the Braehead rearguard if he isn’t playing in Glasgow next season.
Craig Weller - How can I leave this guy out of my First All Star team, answer I can’t do. When Justin Sawyer left the Devils, the big question was whom would they replace him with. Yet Gerad Adams picked up the former NHLer and he was one of the main reasons why the Devils almost landed the title for the first time since 1996. Like his partner on D Landry, Weller can contribute at both ends of the ice and has really impressed everyone nationwide.
Forwards:
Joey Talbot - Former Steelers coach David Matsos once said that players like Talbot “don’t grow on trees” as each and every season the Wahnapitae native just gets better and better with stats. From 59 points (29+30) in his first campaign, to a new breakout season of 90 (39+51) in the recent title winning one (his fourth season in Steelers colours). Capable of destroying any given side on his day, his partnership with Jeff Legue and Ashley Tait makes for frightening reading when you’re in opposition.
Jon Pelle - It would be absolutely criminal if this guy was not included in the team of the year after such an exceptional first season in Cardiff colours. Scoring as many goals as assists (55 of each), the New York sniper almost single handily fired the Devils to their first title since 1996. One of those players you can’t afford to leave alone in front of goal as he’s more than likely going to put the biscuit in the barrel. Devils fans will be hoping he comes back for more although his exploits won’t have gone unnoticed in the European Leagues.
David Clarke - For me, the player who illustrates commitment to the cause and to his club, Nottingham Panthers. The GB internationalist has a major breakout season, smashing through the 40 goal barrier and helping his side to a double haul of trophies even though they fell short in their pursuit of the “big one” again. Already signed up for the 2011-12 season, the Peterborough born forward is a key component of the Panthers plans and a firm fan favourite too.
Coach:
Ben Simon - Some of you may say that I’ve got blinkers on by awarding the former Atlanta Thrashers and Columbus Blue Jackets winger Coach of the Year, but I digress as it’s well deserved. Considering he came to Sheffield when the club was in turmoil, he turned everything on its head and apart from Rob Globke and Tom Squires, he had a squad to mould that wasn’t even his and boy did he succeed. The downside that he won’t be in charge next season has left Steelers fans thinking why, but he’s a been a credit to the game over here if just for his ultimate professionalism on and off the ice.
So there you have it, that’s my team of the season, what’s yours? I did do a second All Star selection in my head too so briefly here it is. Netminder - Stephen Murphy (Belfast), Defencemen - Jon Gleed (Belfast) and Corey Neilson (Nottingham), Forwards - Scott Matzka (Cardiff), Jeremie Tendler (Hull) and Jeff Legue (Sheffield). All coached by Bruce Richardson (Braehead). All constructive comments now awaited, so get picking your selections…it’s not as easy as it looks on paper!
Follow me also on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/hockeybhoy
Mark
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| Club | GP | W | L | OL | GF | GA | Pts |
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- Adam Walker
- Alex Birch
- Andy Pierce
- Chris Gent
- Christopher Beal
- Craig Simpson
- Dave Simms
- Elliott Stanley
- Gareth Chalmers
- James Broughton
- James Gordon
- Katy Madgwick
- Luke Catterson
- Mark Briggs
- Mark Duell
- Mat Young
- Patrick Smyth
- Promotion
- Russ Morrell
- Seanna Murdock
- Stephen Dowson
- Stewart Roberts
- Tom Forster
- Vicki Smart
- William Lyon
