Nottingham Panthers Director of Hockey Guillaume Doucet says the signing of defenceman Brendan Ellis is a ‘big piece’ as they completed their blue liners.
The 32-year-old is another pick up from Norway where Ellis joins from Lillehammer following the shutdown of the league there due to the pandemic.
But Doucet revealed he’s a player who got coach Tim Wallace excited as they examined their options ahead of the Elite Series.
“I’m very happy to have Brendan on board and he’s a big piece for the last signing on defence,” he said.
“He’s a big solid player who can play a game defensively and has played pro for a while. He’s going to fit in very well and complete our D core.
“Brendan plays solid in all aspects and when we watched him, Tim was very excited about his game.
Bobby Chamberlain has replaced Kieran Brown in the Panthers line-up (PHOTO: Hull Pirates)
“The way he plays in the defensive zone, the way he joins the rush and the support he gives, he’ll fit very well into our system.
“It was a no brainer when he said he was interested and we’re pleased to have him on board.”
Ellis joins Lillehammer team-mate Nick Dineen, who was announced earlier in the week and further to those two, Panthers revealed that Brit forward Bobby Chamberlain would also be joining them for the competition.
Kieran Brown, who was picked up in the draft, has withdrawn so it creates an opportunity for Hull Pirate Chamberlain.
Doucet added: “He’s a young man with lots of potential and it’s time he proved himself in a top flight professional environment.
“GB coach Pete Russell and a clutch of leading players have all vouched for him and sometimes in sport, as one door closes another opens and hopefully this is a chance that Bobby will grab with both hands. We’re all looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
