Simon Alexander
Posted By Luke Garner Friday, 3rd September 2010 11:02pm
With an influx of new faces on the Blaze roster this season the first task for new Captain Jonathan Weaver will be to acquaint those unfamiliar with it to the unique rivalry between the Coventry Blaze and Nottingham Panthers, ahead of their season-opening clash.
"It'll be up to us to let them know what it means. The new guys have to understand that these guys are vying for a Championship as well as we are. We have great respect for each other as hockey clubs but when we're out there on the ice we play hard and we play hard to win," declared head coach Paul Thompson, "All in all I'm happy with the way pre-season has gone and we're just raring to go now."
Sunderland-born Weaver takes over from the departing Captain, Adam Calder, and will be bringing a different style of leadership to the American.
"Weaves is a little more vocal, but when you're a captain and the chips are down you find a way to make an impression. Calder got back-to-back hat-tricks to win us a title last year and Weaver will look to be a difference maker on the ice every night," said Thommo.
When building a squad to defend their Elite League title, Coventry's fourth in six years, the Singapore-born coach has looked to add some steely determination to his cohorts.
"I felt we lacked a bit of grittiness last year. Down low we got knocked off pucks a little bit offensively last year and we've addressed that with Sean Selmser and Owen Fussey. Jeff Smith hits everything that moves and that's what we want him to bring. We'll be matching him up against the Brad Voth's of this league," he stated.
Of his new arrivals through the Skydome doors 'Thommo' is particularly looking forward to seeing how the former NHL and Edinburgh Capitals winger Fussey settles in.
"I like the way he competes on every puck, on every second puck and every loose puck. He never stops skating and battling. He has a high skill level but he brings a high work level too," he enthused of the Winnipeg native who notched 35 goals last season and has seen playing time with the NHL's Washington Capitals. He continued; "So do the Dan Carlsons and the Luke Fulghums. Our team is full of grafters and they'll give you everything they have every night. Some of our lines haven't really clicked yet and there's a few injuries, but it will happen once match fitness sets in. We have a great team here, one that can compete and win trophies."
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