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The off-ice report

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Former Manchester Phoenix captain George Awada has agreed terms for a third season with Belfast Giants, much to the delight of Giants Coach Ed Courtenay.  "He is an outstanding player who creates and seizes goal scoring opportunities," says Coach Courtenay.  "Aside from his points scoring, Awada would be a great asset to any team, he has a tremendous work ethic which was shown last season when he played many 'must-win' games while nursing a badly injured hand.  He is a born leader who has much respect both on the ice and in the locker room."

Also announced by the Giants this week is the return of British-born Marc Levers, also returning for a third season. "The 25 year old Great Britain forward is one of the rising home grown stars of the game who has become a favourite with the Odyssey fans," says Coach Courtenay.  "Marc has been in demand from other teams this year and I am delighted that he has chosen to return to Belfast for a third season."

Basingstoke Bison have confirmed the re-signing of Mark Galazzi for the forthcoming season.  "I was heading for retirement at the end of last season, however Doug Sheppard persuaded me to lace up the skates for another season," says Galazzi.  "I'm now really excited about the coming Elite League season, Basingstoke are building a good team and I hope I can be a vital part of that and also help in the development of the youngsters at the club."  The British player recorded four goals and four assists with 59 penalty minutes in 54 games last season with the Bison.

The Bison will, however, be without the services of J.J. McGrath, with the forward putting pen to paper with Wightlink Raiders.

Newcastle Vipers have taken 18 year old British defenceman Jeremy Lundin from Solihull Barons for the forthcoming season.  "Jez is one for the future," says Vipers Coach Rob Wilson. "The season at Solihull will have helped greatly with his development and we hope to continue that next season at the Vipers."

Also confirmed this week by the Vipers is Michael Tasker, coming back to Newcastle for a third season.  "It's great being able to play at the top level for your local club, with players you've known pretty much all your career," says Tasker.  "I'm excited to be back and even after losing some of the players from last year, the Vipers look like we mean business on the ice."

Nottingham Panthers have had a busy week of signings, bringing in three Canadian forwards.  First up is Ryan Shmyr, signed from Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees, who at six feet six and 230 pounds is described as "an enforcer who skates well and can play too" by Panthers Coach Mike Ellis.  "He fits the bill," adds Coach Ellis.  "There's more to him than the penalty count, he's big, strong, a good skater.  I have made extensive checks and had good feedback on Ryan.  He's itching to get over, his brother played in Dundee and he has told him all about Britain and all about Nottingham."

Steve Simoes is another of the Canadians putting pen to paper for the Panthers this week, signing from Laredo Bucks in the CHL to the delight of Coach Ellis.  "He's another one who fits the bill," says Coach Ellis.  "Good in the room and good on the ice.  Steve is the kind of player I wanted as part of the team make-up.  He is always ready to do the dirty work and does what's needed in any given situation.  He is an intense player who is good at both ends of the ice.  He never gives up.  He's the kind of player opponents wish they didn't have to play against.  A true winner."

Rod Stevens completes the trio of new faces at Nottingham, signing from EC Bad Tolz in the German Bundesliga.  The forward led the scoring in his first year of a three year stint with Belfast in 2000-01, and Coach Ellis says "He is a great team player and has shown his loyalty to clubs time and again with a three year stint at Syracuse in the AHL, three successful years with Belfast in the Superleague in Britain and lately three consecutive years with the same club in Germany.  He is everything I want in a player, serious quality and serious experience, perfect for our team."

Coventry Blaze have added forward Danny Stewart to the roster, signing him from Danbury Thrashers in the UHL as a potential first liner to ice alongside Adam Calder and Dan Carlson.  The former Miami University an Fort Wayne Komets forward recorded 9 goals, 13 assists and 120 penalty minutes last season with the Thrashers, and Blaze Coach Paul Thompson is looking forward to seeing him in Coventry colours.  "At five feet ten he might not seem the biggest," says Coach Thompson, "but he isn't intimidated by anyone and plays a role far bigger than his size.  He can shoot well, skate well and will bring a bubbly character to the side."

New Sheffield Coach Dave Matsos has been quick to continue the team-building started by his predecessor Dave Whistle, with the signing this past week of Canadian forward Dan Tessier.  The former Nottingham Panthers player iced last season for HC Lausanne in Switzerland, but is keen to get back to the UK.  "My wife and I enjoyed England very much, and are looking forward to our time here again" says Tessier.  "I had to take the opportunity in Switzerland last year and I also had the chance to return to mainland Europe again this summer.  The offer from the Steelers was a welcome one and one that really excited me."  Coach Matsos is quick to promote the signing, saying "this is huge for us, a real key signing which I trust shows not only my intent but the Steelers intent for the year ahead.  Quite simply Tessier could well be the best player in the league next year."

Returning to Sheffield for another season is defenceman Rod Sarich, who joined the team partway through last season.  "He is a player who impressed me a lot when I watched him last season," says Coach Matsos.  "He is big, strong and skates so well.  I understood he had interest elsewhere in the league and was surprised he wasn't signed when I took over.  However when I spoke with him I felt right away that he liked his time in Sheffield and wanted to return, therefore the deal was negotiated quickly and Rod has been exemplary in all the talks we have had, I can't wait to coach him in a few weeks."

Coming out of what has to be one of the contenders for the shortest retirement ever, netminder Jody Lehman has announced his return to the game and to Sheffield, where he will once again fill the number one goalie spot, and he's raring to get back in the game.  "Well I haven't given up the opportunity to work back home to come here and make the numbers up, I am back to win," says Lehman.  Also back in the pads at Sheffield is back-up goalie Davey Lawrence, who had reportedly turned down a move to Romford in order to stay at Sheffield.

Sheffield have signed former Panthers defenceman Scott Ricci as a combined player and assistant coach on a two year deal.  "This is a big signing for us," says Coach Matsos.  "Scott was one of the first people I spoke with after my appointment and instantly I wanted him on board with me, both as a player and as a coach.  We are similar ages and in our conversations we seem to think about the game in the same way.  Having his experience on the ice and in the dressing room will be vitally important to me and the club."

by Richard Allan