Telford Tigers Ice Hockey Club

TEAMNEWS: Top D-Man Flies In For Tigers

Caroline Garbett, TygerPR

Jul 27 |23:30

Telford Tigers player-coach Tom Watkins has confirmed his final non-Brit for the season ahead - top Canadian defenceman Chris Allen, who joins on a two-year contract.

Allen, 32, originates from Ontario and was a third round draft pick, 60th overall, by the Florida Panthers in 1996. He played two games in the NHL before an injury prevented him continuing his career at that level.

Despite this, Allen has played in the highest leagues in North American, Europe and Asia. He started last season with Elite League Edinburgh Capitals, before moving to Coventry as injury cover. He ended the year at Bakersfield Condors in the East Coast Hockey League.

Watkins said: "Chris brings massive experience to our team and will be an integral part of what we achieve this year. His resume speaks for itself. It's every little boy's dream to make it to the NHL, and he's had that experience, as well as playing in the top leagues in this country and Europe.

"I expect him to be huge for us and play a lot of minutes. He will be one of the top D-men in the EPL. He will also take on assistant coach responsibilities, which will add an extra element to our team."

The 6ft 3ins blueliner is reported to have had his shot clocked at 103 miles per hour, was OHL defenceman of the year in 1997-8 and is joint econd placed all-time OHL defenceman goalscorer along with NHL superstars Bobby Orr and Al McInnis. Allen flew into the UK this week to settle into married life with his Solihull-based wife Anna.

TEAMNEWS: Two more line up for Tigers

Caroline Garbett, Tyger PR

Jul 20 |20:38

Telford Tigers team building nears completion, with only a few slots remaining to be filled, as player-coach Tom Watkins announces two more members of the squad - returning defenceman Ashley Stanton and new forward Josh Bruce.

Telford-based Stanton played for the ENL Titans last season, but describes his return to the Tigers as "like Christmas".

The 26-year-old has played almost his entire career at Telford - with the exception of a year at Romford - and is buzzing about the coming season.

"I just can't wait to get playing again," he said. "It's like when Christmas is coming. Hockey is in your blood and it's always exciting when the season is getting nearer.

"I appreciate the Titans having me on their team last year. I just wanted to play hockey, at whatever level was available to me. Now the Tigers are back I want to put myself against the best, test myself. That's the challenge of our league - the standard gets better every year. I enjoy that style of hockey, and the quality of opposition.

"We have lots of fit young players this season, so I think we will be a fast-skating team. I've played against a lot of the Coventry guys when they were with the ENL team last year, and I think Tom's made some very smart signings.

"I get the sense that although we will be quite a young side, Tom wants a good mature performance every week. He wants to win and so do I."

Page 1 of 56