The 2025-26 Elite League season is only three weeks old — and protagonists have already started to emerge.
In Nottingham, Chase Pearson has quickly burnished his reputation as the Panthers’ leading man.
The American, whose haircare routine shot to social media infamy over the summer, has let his play do the talking of late — and the numbers tell a compelling story.
Pearson already has 12 points on the season, but he isn’t the only player to have made an early mark.
Fife Flyers forward Josh Winquist is seemingly always involved — in goals and shenanigans.
He notched five assists in gameweek three, a haul made even more impressive by his frequent trips to the penalty box.
In any case, Elite League fans are in for a fascinating season.
Here’s our Team of the Week and the results from gameweek three.
Elite League Team of the Week: Nottingham Panthers’ Chase Pearson burnishes offensive credentials
Goaltender — Mat Robson, Coventry Blaze
Mat Robson is off to a blistering start to the season.
He made the headlines by shutting out the Sheffield Steelers with a 40-save shutout on Saturday [27 September], but he was similarly impressive in defeat against the Nottingham Panthers a day later.
Despite coming out on the wrong side of the scoreline, he made 36 saves on 38 shots against Nottingham to protect his .950 save percentage.
Defenceman — Colton Saucerman, Coventry Blaze
Colton Saucerman, Coventry Blaze (Image: Scott Wiggins)
Colton Saucerman’s Team of the Week inclusion is based solely on his performance against the Sheffield Steelers.
The Canadian put on a defensive masterclass to stymie his old team, playing a team-leading 31 minutes alongside top pair partner David Clements.
Part of the action both times Coventry found twine, with three shots on goal and five blocks, it was an all-action display from Saucerman.
Defenceman — Jimmy Oligny, Cardiff Devils
Jimmy Oligny continued his strong start with the Cardiff Devils in gameweek three, recording four assists across back-to-back wins against the Manchester Storm.
The Canadian now has seven assists in six games and has made a habit of making an early impact — providing primary helpers on both of the weekend’s opening goals.
Oligny plays in all situations for the Devils, a fact exemplified by his powerplay and shorthanded assists, and is yet to put a foot wrong.
Forward — Josh Winquist, Fife Flyers
There’s never a dull moment when Josh Winquist is on the ice.
The 32-year-old tallied five assists and six penalty minutes in round three, helping the Fife Flyers take three points from back-to-back games against the Dundee Stars.
Winquist has truly bought into Fife’s new style of play.
He’s an agitator, constantly poking and prodding his rivals in the hope of eliciting a reaction. But he can play too.
The Canadian’s rap-sheet includes roughing, slashing, and high-sticking — and a string of high-end offensive plays.
Centring Fife’s first-line, with Johan Prosberger to his left and Ethan Somoza on his right, Winquist will be one to watch all season long.
Forward — David Goodwin, Belfast Giants
David Goodwin scored two empty-net goals — which isn’t sexy, but neatly underscores his importance to the Belfast Giants.
Whenever Adam Keefe needs his team to lock in and bring the points home, Goodwin is one of the first players he throws on the ice.
It doesn’t matter if the Giants are contesting an offensive or a defensive zone face-off, Keefe is calling on the 33-year-old to do the business.
Playing alongside Scott Conway and JJ Piccinich, Goodwin remains a leading man in Belfast.
Forward — Chase Pearson, Nottingham Panthers
Chase Pearson, Nottingham Panthers (Image: Panthers Images)
Chase Pearson couldn’t have made a better start to his Elite League career.
The 28-year-old has 12 points (six goals, six assists) in seven games for the Nottingham Panthers, including an eight-point haul in gameweek three.
In midweek, the American scored a brace and provided an assists in Nottingham’s 6-1 win over the Guildford Flames.
He went one step further against the same opposition on Saturday, scoring a hattrick and registering an assist in a 6-5 victory.
Pearson settled for just a goal on Sunday [28 September], helping the Panthers silence the Skydome Arena with a 3-0 win over the Coventry Blaze.
