News 2010-2011

TEAMNEWS: McKenzie picks up awards hat trick and wows fans

News - News 2010-2011

Caroline Garbett, TYGER PR

Ice hockey star Scott McKenzie picked up a hat trick of awards at the Telford Tigers end of season presentation night, scooping trophies for Best Forward, Coach's Player of the Year and Supporters' Player of the Year - and delighted fans at the event by announcing he would be back in Tigers colours again next season.

"My heart is in Telford now and I want to help the team climb the table," said the 24-year-old Scot. "This is the first time I have signed up for back-to-back seasons with a team, and Tom Watkins is a big part of why I wanted to stay.

"I have a lot of respect for him and what he's doing in Telford. The boys have done well this year, with what we had, but I know Tom would like to keep three good imports through the year and that would give us a better opportunity to win games and make the play-offs."

McKenzie has been hugely impressive in his first season in Shropshire, topping the team's scoring charts and winning many fans with his enthusiasm and undoubted skills.

Player-coach Tom Watkins added: "Scott brings unbelievable energy to the team and has totally kept our offence going this season. When Marek (Hornak) left us, Scott stepped up a level and the other players responded.

"He is a massive part of our offensive set-up and now we have secured him for a second year I can start to build a team around him."

TEAMNEWS: Watkins signs for second year

News - News 2010-2011

Caroline Garbett, TygerPR

As the team's first season under supporter ownership draws to its conclusion, Telford Tigers player-coach Tom Watkins has confirmed he will continue to lead the team for a second year.

He is expected to sign his new contract in front of the fans at Sunday's final home league game of the season, against Guildford Flames (5.30pm).

Club chairman Alan Gould said: "When we signed Tom a year ago it was because he demonstrated the kind of long-term vision and ambition we needed for the Tiger Tracks supporters trust.

"We are breaking new ground all the time, as the first fan-owned team in British ice hockey, and Tom has been a key figure in building and motivating the squad, forging links within the hockey community and promoting the club to schools.

"Tom has the complete backing of the trust board, the fans and his players, so we are very pleased he has taken up his option to re-sign for year two of our adventure. Doing the contract live at the rink is our way of including all the supporter owners in this important step for the team."

Watkins joined Tigers after ten years with the highly successful Coventry Blaze Elite team. The 33-year-old was recently selected to the GB squad that will face the Netherlands next month and travel to Kiev for the World Championships.

TEAMNEWS: Tigers head in to last weekend

News - News 2010-2011

Caroline Garbett, TygerPR

Telford tTigers take on the Guildford Flames in their last weekend of action

Telford Tigers head into their final weekend knowing they will be without Daniel 'Budzy' MacKriel for the trip to Guildford on Saturday, as the assistant captain gets married, but expecting him to rejoin them for his swansong the following night at home (5.30pm).

Player-coach Tom Watkins said: "I want to wish all the best to Budzy. He has been a great servant to Telford over the years and will be a big miss in the dressing room and on the ice.

"As soon as I knew he was serious about quitting I talked to him about options for helping on the bench at home games next year. We have lots to discuss, but I would like to keep him in the organisation in some way."

In the meantime, Tigers have back-to-back matches against second placed Flames, one of the top teams who have dropped points to lowly Telford this year.

Tigers chairman Alan Gould said: "Our overtime win in Guildford was one of the high points of the season, but every game we have played against them has been close and exciting, so we hope for two more like that."

Reflecting on the season, Gould added: "On behalf of the trust board, I can only thank everyone - team, fans and sponsors - who has helped to make the Tigers' first year back on the ice such a memorable one.

TEAMNEWS: 'Budzy' set to hang up his skates

News - News 2010-2011

Caroline Garbett, TygerPR

As Telford Tigers prepare to face Slough Jets this Sunday (5.30pm) for the penultimate home game of the year, assistant captain Daniel MacKriel has decided to hang up his skates to spend more time with his family.

The 30-year-old is getting married next week to partner Fran and said that the commitment of a 50+ game season, as well as working shifts as a leisure centre manager, had meant he wasn’t seeing as much of his daughter as he wanted.“I have enjoyed every moment of my hockey career and have offered to help the team next year off the ice,” said MacKriel, “but I think the time is right to stop playing at the end of this season.

“I would like to end while people still think ‘he is not a bad player’ rather than going on too long. Whether it was because of taking last year out I don’t know, but I don’t feel I have performed as well as I would want to this year.

I wanted to see the season out, and I’m pleased to have done so, but now I need to spend more time at home.”

TEAMNEWS: Watkins aiming for Jets

News - News 2010-2011

Caroline Garbett, TygerPR

The team may finally have been forced to give up their play-off hopes, but Telford Tigers player-coach Tom Watkins does not see that as an excuse for anyone to lower their standards as they go into their penultimate home game of the season this Sunday (5.30pm) against Slough.

“I expect my team to be staking their claim for next year,” said Watkins.

“They should be reminding me how good they are, what they can do for our team.“We may be out of the play-offs but we can still pick up points, so I don’t want anyone thinking there is nothing left to play for. I’m looking for that positive attitude, guys who want to prove a point.”

Last time Slough visited Shropshire the Tigers pulled off a surprise win, but Watkins doesn’t bank on the Jets taking Telford so lightly this time.“

They are comfortably third in the table, so may want to rest guys ahead of the play-offs, but I expect them to want to give us a good game.”