📰 Thursday News: Clements pleased at Moore transition
Blaze man reflects on year of change at Skydome
Coventry Blaze defenceman David Clements says his coach Kevin Moore made an impact straight away after replacing Danny Stewart.
Clements is a guest on this week’s Elite podcast and spoke of the transition from long-serving Stewart, who moved on to Nottingham Panthers and was replaced by Moore last year.
And while the GB international admits it was an adjustment, it ultimately paid off with a top half finish in the final standings.
“It was about this time last year, I got the call to stay ‘Stewy’ was moving on and that Kevin Moore was coming in,” he said.
“When you work with someone for eight, nine seasons, it’s a long time to know and work with someone, get used to them. You can almost get a bit lazy.
“I spoke with Kevin quite a bit over the summer and learned more about who he was and his intentions.
“From day one, he said he wanted to build a team, a family and people off the ice who cared for each other as well as a hardworking team. He definitely installed that in all of us, even the guys he brought in.
“We were pegged as a potential ninth/tenth place team and we proved ourselves and everyone else wrong.
“We stepped up to the plate and were a bit of a nightmare for other teams as well. It was a great year overall and Kevin was very detailed in everything he did.
“As a team, we took to him well. It took an adjustment for some of us who were already there, but we’re excited for next season.”
Episode two of the Elite podcast, featuring David Clements is available for download now.
😳 OLISCHEFSKY ADMITS PLAY-OFF FINAL TRAUMA
Cardiff Devils forward Kohen Olischefsky says he never wants to experience anything like this year’s play-off final again.
The 27-year-old is returning for a second season in Wales after his signing announcement was made on Tuesday.
But the dramatic 4-3 loss to Nottingham Panthers after a second overtime period in last month’s final is not something the winger is keen to be part of again.
“It was ridiculous, that play-off final,” he told Devils TV (video below). “I’ve never been involved in anything like that and I hope to never be part of something like that again.
“It was crazy and lots of memories from it. Unfortunately, it didn’t go our way but it certainly memorable nonetheless.
“We overcame a lot and there were definitely struggles last year, but we can be happy at how we finished the campaign. It was rewarding, although it ended disappointingly.
“This league provides an interesting way of looking at things. We finished fourth in the standings, which is disappointing, but you can only look at it another way and say we were in three finals, winning a trophy.
“That’s the unique part of this league. It forces you to be in different mindsets for certain games depending on what trophy you’re playing for and it’s a different privilege to be playing for all those separate things.”
🤝 ON THE MOVE
Time to catch up with the moves you may have missed by the clubs in the last few days as the teams continue their recruitment drives for 2025/26
🔐 If you remember, Manchester Storm had forecast a huge week for them late last week. Monday’s Elite was barely nestled in your inboxes when they announced the capture of D-man Kyle Locke, arriving from Guildford Flames - Manchester Storm website
😲 Storm didn’t stop there either when it was announced Loren Ulett would be returning to the Storm Shelter for a third season - Manchester Storm website
👋 Heading for the exit door of the Elite League was Coventry Blaze’s Mike Regush, who had decided to move to Rouen Dragons in France, but left a farewell message to the Blaze faithful - Coventry Blaze on X
⛈️ Storm were certainly making the most of their absence from this page when they confirmed their third signing of the week - British-born Rais Francis arriving from Salem State University - Manchester Storm website
🟠 We can only imagine family dinners at the Neilson house will be interesting as Sheffield Steelers announced forward Logan Neilson, who joins from rivals Nottingham Panthers - Sheffield Steelers website
ⓒ Coventry Blaze welcomed back their captain Kim Tallberg, who confirmed what will be a fourth season at the Skydome, a move that will delight the Blaze fans - Coventry Blaze website
🔥 Another returnee was welcomed into the bosom of the Guildford Flames family as Jack Jacome confirmed he would be back for season number two - Guildford Flames website
🐆 And staying put continued to be all the rage as Matt Alfaro put pen to paper on a second year with Nottingham Panthers after helping them win the play-offs last month - Nottingham Panthers website
🏟️ AROUND THE RINKS
We scoured the rinks to find out about some of the other things going on up and down the country and here’s the pick of them for the last few days.
📲 Before announcing their signing on Wednesday, Guildford Flames took their mobile device to the World Championships and asked some fans cheering on their countries what they thought of the man who had yet to be announced. Great content from the Flames team - Guildford Flames on X
🌍 Speaking of the Worlds, Nottingham Panthers showed some love to their Hungarian hero Zsombor Garat as he struts his stuff on the World stage against the sport’s big boys - Nottingham Panthers on X
👔 Another big name was announced for Adam Keefe’s Testimonial next month and it was an off-ice announcement as his brother, Sheldon, currently head coach of New Jersey Devils, will come over to Belfast for his sibling’s big night - Belfast Giants on X
🎓 Dundee Stars announced the continuation of their partnership with the University of Dundee, School of Business, who have helped players undertake courses and pick up qualifications, setting them up for life after hockey - Dundee Stars website
😊 This one passed us by for Monday’s newsletter so our apologies to Fife Flyers and massive well done to the club and everyone involved who helped raise a six-figure sum for CHAS (Children's Hospices Across Scotland). Great job by everyone - Fife Flyers on X
🇪🇺 The Champions Hockey League draw takes place on Wednesday by it was confirmed which pot Elite League champions Belfast Giants would be going into - Champions Hockey League on X
🎟️ Glasgow Clan have made a change to one of their dates in the sale of their season tickets, due to high demand - Glasgow Clan website
😂 We’re sharing this one because it is extremely funny in reaction to the news of Kohen Olischefsky’s return to Cardiff Devils, courtesy of Oliver Hampson (don’t open if easily offended) - Oliver Hampson on X
🎙️ INTERVIEWS YOU MAY HAVE MISSED
A chance to catch up with any interviews you may have missed in the last few days, from new signing chats to catch ups with the faces you know and love.
🧤 He was announced a few weeks ago but Dundee Stars netminder Jarrett Fiske sat down with the Stars TV lads to look ahead to another season in Scotland
🫡 And the Stars made it a double whammy as they released the interview with their returning captain Drydn Dow
🗣️ Sheffield Steelers added to their ranks with the signing of Logan Neilson from Nottingham Panthers and he spoke with BBC Sheffield’s Peter Spencer about his move - BBC Sheffield on BBC Sounds
🔈 Matt Alfaro also took the opportunity to discuss his return to the Panthers for a second season, chatting with Chris Ellis on Panthers TV about it
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