News 2010-2011

TEAMNEWS: All-new Tigers ready to roar

New season, new coach, new players, new owners - it's all change for the Telford Tigers as, ironically, the club embarks on its 25th anniversary year.

The Tigers will make history this weekend when they take to the ice as the UK's first team run by its own supporters - and player-coach Tom Watkins is as eager as the fans to see how his all-new squad comes together.

Tigers take a trip to Swindon on Saturday before welcoming the Wildcats to Telford on Sunday (5.30pm) for the return challenge fixture.

"I have been really pleased with the signings I've been able to make and how practice has gone this week," said Watkins. "But it's these back-to-back games that will give us a better idea of where we are in terms of competing in the English Premier League.

"Swindon have experienced imports and retained some key Brits, although I think Aaron Nell going to Coventry will be a big loss for them."

GB international Watkins signed up for Tigers in April to create a new team from scratch, after the previous owners stepped down 18 months ago. The club relaunched as a supporters' trust, following the model used at AFC Telford Utd, and is the only ice hockey team in the UK owned by its fans in this way. Currently more than 160 people have signed up as trust members.

And there is even more reason to celebrate the return of the team, as hockey was first played at Telford Ice Rink in 1985. The new team strip includes an anniversary logo and there are plans to hold events throughout the season to commemorate a quarter of a century of the sport in Shropshire.

Watkins continues: "I've been very happy with the way our early practice sessions have gone. We have been skating well, the young players are helping to keep the tempo up and our intensity has been good.

"I think we've got a good balance of youth and freshness mixed with experience to mould those younger guys. We've got a good atmosphere in the dressing room.

"This weekend will see our 20-odd players come together for the first time and, although these are only friendly games, they are our opening yardstick. The following weekend, when we go into league games, will be the real test."

Training camp opened last weekend with the arrival of the new players, including Canadian ex-NHLer Chris Allen and Latvian Andrejs Maslovskis.

Watkins said: "Andrejs is mixing well, sharing a house with three other players and adapting to life over here already. His English is very good and he is already showing real heart on the ice.

"Chris just makes us a better team. He brings experience in all situations and will run our powerplay. I expect Dan Scott and our other younger D-men to learn so much from him this year."

NEWSFLASH: Travel With The Tigers

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.

TEAMNEWS: Pre-season action for blazin' Tigers

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."

CLUBNEWS: Wrekin date for Tigers BBQ

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.

TEAMNEWS: Flintshire duo step up to Tigers

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.