Signings galore!

WITHOUT looking it up I’m honestly not sure, but it seems like the first news of player signings is coming early this year. Several teams have made announcements already, and some have made a really solid start in building their teams for the next campaign.

I usually really look forward to this time of year. I like listening to the rumours swirling around about certain players and where they might end up. However, with Romford’s future still up in the air it’s hard to get as excited as I normally would. When I know one way or another what’s happening with the Raiders, I should be able to enjoy the wild speculation and various announcements much more!

The biggest news so far has to be the return of Jaroslav Cesky and Michal Pinc to Bracknell for next season, along with captain Terry Miles and new coach Gareth Cox. Securing the return of Cesky and Pinc is huge for Bracknell – those two are the only reason the Bees even got near a playoff spot last season, combining for a huge 228 points. They also scored about 48% of Bracknell’s goals between them. Securing them for another season gives the Bees an excellent base

Michal Pinc scores v Romford - Photo: Chris Callaghan

from which to build, and if they can sign a few better supporting players then they should be set for a much better season. I don’t know much about Cox but he’s off to a really good start here.

“It’s great to see a player stay loyal to his club.”

I interviewed Jaro Cesky not that long ago, and he has nothing but great things to say about the whole Bees organisation. He wouldn’t tell me where he was signing for the new season but from what he said a return to Bracknell was a fair guess. At a time when we often see foreigners come to the UK, have a good season and then leave to follow the money, it’s great to see a player stay loyal to his club.

Aside from Bracknell, Milton Keynes have made a solid start by re-signing no fewer than eight of last season’s championship winning team. The announcement was made at their end-of-season party that Lukas Zatopek, Leigh Jamieson, Lewis Christie, Michael Farn, Adam Carr, Matt Towalski, Adam Brittle and player/coach Nick Poole will all be returning.

“Lukas Zatopek is the best defenceman in the EPL.”

I’ve mentioned many a time that I think Lukas Zatopek is the best defenceman in the EPL, and Leigh Jamieson showed last season that he was one of, if not the best British defenceman. Christie and Farn are both very solid, and by signing those four they have kept most of the best defence in the league intact. Captain Adam Carr provides strong two-way play and puts up a decent number of points, as does Brittle, while Towalski is a valuable checker, and excellent on the PK. If they can add to this solid core the Lightning look in good shape to defend their title.

Martin Masa circles the net

A couple of other early re-signings to be announced are the return of Martin Masa to Guildford and Sam Oakford signing a new two-year deal with Basingstoke. Import forward Masa topped the Guildford charts in goals and points last season, meaning it was vital for the Flames to secure him for another season. At 36 he is past his peak, but still a very effective player at EPL level. Oakford on the other hand is a very promising defenceman who looks to have a great future. He was one of Basingstoke’s unsung heroes last season, and his two-year deal takes him up to the end of his degree at Southampton uni, after which it seems likely that he will make the jump to play in the Elite League.