It’s officially silly season in the Elite League, with teams across the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland building their rosters brick by brick as our attention shifts to 2025-26.
There is renewed optimism in Nottingham — the Panthers became postseason champions at the first time of asking under battle-tested bench boss Danny Stewart, with their best surely yet to come.
The Belfast Giants are back in the Champions Hockey League and are preparing accordingly.
Compared to their arena-club rivals, the Steelers are on the back foot. Aaron Fox is feeling the heat in Sheffield after a trophyless season, with key roster decisions still to come in Yorkshire.
Paul Thompson’s rein in Cardiff is in full swing, with the Devils set to add even more physicality to their roster in the weeks to come.
And there is plenty of intrigue further down last season’s standings, with the Glasgow Clan and Guildford Flames making noteworthy additions in recent days.
Hugo Roy, Cole Ully, and Austin Mitchell-King are the focus of this edition of Elite League Signing Grades.
Signing Grades: Hugo Roy completes Glasgow Clan switch
The Glasgow Clan’s pact with Hugo Roy earns a B-Grade — a line this writer will live to regret if the Canadian recaptures his form from 2023-24.
In his first Elite League season, the Canadian hit 48 points (24 goals, 24 assists) in 54 games for the Nottingham Panthers.
But his production fell off last term, tallying 21 points (12 goals, nine assists) in 53 outings.
Stylistically, Roy is a fit for Corey Nielson’s Clan — he plays fast, physical hockey and is useful in all situations.
Hugo Roy, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
“He has speed to burn, plays a direct game and can be relied upon for both special teams,” said Neilson.
“I thought he was one of the best players in the league two seasons ago, had a fantastic end to last season, and I expect big things from him next year.”
Neilson’s assessment of Roy is understandably selective.
The 27-year-old played solid, two-way hockey to close the season and help the Panthers clinch their postseason crown— but three points in his final ten appearances down the stretch is a lukewarm return for a player with point-per-game pedigree.
Regardless, Roy has the right skill set to make his mark in Glasgow and it never hurts to roster a penalty-killing middle-six centreman.
Smart, but possibly unspectacular work from the Clan.
Signing Grades: Forward Cole Ully inks Guildford Flames deal
Cole Ully is no stranger to the Elite League, having already laced up his skates for the Cardiff Devils (2023-24) and Glasgow Clan (2024-25).
The Calgary-born forward’s 97 points (42 goals, 55 assists) in 95 regular-season appearances neatly explains why the Guildford Flames made securing his signature a priority.
Ully is a proven weapon in the Elite League, producing offence from the left flank for fun, while also playing a solid enough brand of hockey in his own zone.
“There is every reason to believe he will be able to help us improve our game on the production side,” said Flames head coach Paul Dixon.
With star offensive defenceman Jamal Watson returning to Guildford, Ully has the top-end support he needs for another blistering campaign.
It’s an easy A-Grade, here.
Signing Grades: Forward Austin Mitchell-King joins Glasgow Clan
Nobody can doubt Corey Neilson’s knowledge of Team GB’s junior development programme from his unique perspective as parent-coach.
“I’ve had my eye on him for a while now, and watched him come up through the minor hockey system,” Neilson said of 23-year-old forward Austin Mitchell-King.
“He’s a real big body with some good touch with the puck, and working with him before I found him to be very professional in the way he carries himself.
“He’s a player who is keen to work and learn, which is something that is getting tougher to find in young players. I’m happy he has joined us and I look forward to finding out what his ceiling is as a player.”
Corey Neilson, Glasgow Clan (Image: James Assinder)
Mitchell-King joins the Glasgow Clan from the NIHL’s Peterborough Phantoms, for whom he tallied 140 points (64 goals, 76 assists) in 175 career games.
The Warwick-born left winger has a sturdy edge at 6-foot-2 and is well-suited to Neilson’s brand of north-south hockey.
Unlikely to see tonnes of ice time from Glasgow’s bottom-six, Mitchell-King is an unknown quantity at the Elite League level.
However, in a relatively thin homegrown market, the Clan’s delight at getting their man is understandable.
Mitchell-King to Glasgow is worth a B+.
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