News 2010-2011

Tiger Tracks, the Telford Tigers Supporters Trust, are pleased to inform supporters that we will be running a team coach to the Telford Tigers very first away game under trust ownership, and that fans are invited to join the players on their official team bus.

Saturday (11th September) sees the Tigers at the Link Centre to take on the Swindon Wildcats in a pre-season challenge fixture, and the trust has made available 20 seats (the first 5 coach rows) to fans wishing travel with the players and support them on their travels.

Seats are strictly available on a first come first served basis, and can be purchased directly from the 'Away Travel' section in the team shop. Away team travel is priced at just £10.00 per person, this cost does not however include any admission price in to the Swindon game.

With the majority of the Tigers away fixtures taking place this season on a Saturday, it is hoped that if enough interest is received from fans to support the Tigers on the road, the trust will look to operate a coach to all away games this season.

To register your interest for any future away travel, please send to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or speak to the supporters desk on game nights.

Several of Telford Tigers' players will be in Elite League action tonight (Wednesday) as Coventry Blaze take on Belfast in the Charity Shield.

Tigers player-coach Tom Watkins has been in pre-season training at his former club, along with youngsters Joe Henry, Jack Watkins, Josh Bruce and Dan Scott, who will feature in the match as part of their two-way contract arrangements between the clubs.

Watkins said: "I have been really impressed with the lads, particularly Dan Scott. They all look very keen to get started and working with the Elite team will help them prepare for the EPL season ahead.

"Getting the chance to play at that level - with the speed and intensity of the Elite League - has got to help them improve. Exposure to higher level hockey can only push them on to bigger things."

Watkins himself has spent most of the summer on the ice, working at his brother Joe's goaltending clinic and several hockey camps. He will also be one of the coaches at next week's 'Hockey Skills for Life' academy, being organised by Daniel Brittle at Telford Ice Rink.

"So much time on the ice keeps you sharp during the off-season," he said. "I've been running power skating sessions and the goalie clinic meant I was shooting lots of pucks.

"I am pretty pleased with where I am personally. Doing this much hockey through the summer means I'm not worried about my own fitness and can concentrate on what I need from the team when we get together for the first time next week."

Read more: TEAMNEWS: Pre-season action for blazin' Tigers

Visitors to the Wrekin on the evening of Friday August 27 are invited to "Roary's BBQ Party", held at the Halfway House in aid of Telford Tigers ice hockey club.

The event, from 7pm, costs £2.50 for adults, with children under 16 admitted free. Food is included in the price, but guests are invited to bring their own drinks.

The party has been organised by Paul Kalinauckas of the Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin Co-operative Party, with support from Tom Bolger of Halfway House, and will be attended by Roary, the Telford Tigers popular mascot.

There will be transport from the foot of the Wrekin for those unable to make the walk to the Halfway House.

Telford Tigers are poised to start their first season owned and managed by a co-operative of supporters, with their opening home fixture on Sunday September 12 at Telford Ice Rink.

Tigers player-coach Tom Watkins has added two successful trialists to his squad - Flintshire duo Andy McKinney and Mike Jones.

McKinney had a brief spell with the Tigers at the end of the team's last season, playing up from the Telford under-18s squad, and last year iced with EPL Manchester Phoenix and ENL Trafford Metros. The 19-year-old forward was born in Hamilton, Ontario, but grew up in Chester.

Jones, 22, also played in Deeside earlier in his career, but spent last season with Invicta Dynamos in the ENL South, where the 6ft 2in defenceman picked up 2+12 points.

Watkins said: "Both of these lads came to our open trials and I was glad to offer them the opportunity to play at this level.

"Andy I know quite well because I coached him as an under-18. I was surprised he hadn't already secured an EPL team as he has good size, skates well and is a smart player. But, although he played some games with Phoenix, it shows how much competition there is for Premier League roster slots.

"Andy was a bit unlucky that the Tigers had a year out, because I think he would have been back last year and established himself in this league.

"Mike is someone who really wants the opportunity to step up to this level. He was with Invicta last year, and they are generally a very strong team.

Read more: TEAMNEWS: Flintshire duo step up to Tigers

Telford Tigers have unveiled their latest playing strip - which celebrates 25 years of ice hockey in the town's rink.

This year the team will play in a new white home design, with their black away strip having a retro style reminiscent of past Tigers' shirts. Both styles include a specially-designed commemorative 25th anniversary logo to reflect the beginning of ice hockey in Telford in 1985.

Replica shirts are offered to fans for £39.99 for adults, or £45 if personalised with the supporters' choice of name and number, and £34.99 for children (£40 if personalised).

The club is again offering 'Own and Loan- shirts - where the supporter pre-purchases a chosen player's actual match shirt for £95 and lends it back to the club until end-of-season presentation night, when it is handed over by the player in person. These shirts will carry a special authentication patch.

The team has also confirmed its opening fixtures - back-to-back challenge games against Swindon, with a trip to Wiltshire on September 11 before the Wildcats make the return journey the following night.

Read more: CLUBNEWS: Tigers reveal shirts

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.

Read more: TEAMNEWS: Top D-Man Flies In For Tigers