Post by Admin on Jul 19, 2014 21:39:46 GMT
EIHL Enforcers & tough guys for the 2014/2015 season
Adam Keefe 5'10" 200lbs , 296 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=10527
This will be Adam Keefe's 4th season in Belfast where he has become a fan favourite among the Giants fans for his tough physical style of play game after game. Keefe has lead the Giants to two EIHL championships in the last three season's, while leading the team in penalty minutes and fighting majors. He will this season over take Paxton Schulte as having had the most fights while in a Giants jersey.
Keefe has fought names like Brad Voth, Ryan Hand, Benn Olson, Derek Campbell, Jozef Sladok, Mike Egener, Guillaume Lepine, Bryan Jurynec, Leigh Salters, Matt Nickerson, Andrew Lord & Brad Plumpton over his three seasons in Belfast.
Keefe had previously played 10 seasons in the OHL,ECHL and AHL in North America averaging 23 fights a season. He has fought some top quality enforcers in NA like Jeremy Yablonski, Francis Lessard & Raitis Ivanans.
Keefe has twice been voted the toughest guy 'Pound for Pound' in the EIHL by our followers in the last two season on twitter, and Looking at the tough guys signed up so far in the EIHL in 14/15 it looks like Keefe will be kept busy again this season. Keefe will be hoping to lead the Giants to more glory in 2014/15 season
Ray Sawada 6'2" 205lbs , 41 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=25956
Belfast Giants brought in hard hitting power forward Ray Sawada to add some physical play to their top lines this coming season. Sawada spent most of his career in the AHL with the Iowa Stars, Manitoba Moose, Texas Stars & the St. John's IceCaps. While in the AHL Sawada scored 47 goals and added 79 assists in 287 games, while being one of the best hitters on every team he's played for. Sawada has also had a handful of call ups for the Dallas Stars in the NHL. Last season Sawada split the season with the Colorado Eagles in the ECHL & Finnish side Tappara.
Sawada is really a agitator who'll fight if needed & so far in his career he has fought Francis Lessard, Peter Vandermeer, Richard Greenop, Nolan Yonkman & Zack Stortini.ect. So when he is needed he's happy to drop them with the heavyweights even if it means taking the odd beating for the team.
Ray Sawada should quickly become a fan favourite in Belfast if he plays with the hard hitting intensity he did during his career in the AHL. He should also put up decent points at Elite league level.
Leigh Salters 6'4" 225lbs , 83 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=14456
Leigh Salters is a big power forward who last season was among the toughest guys in the EIHL. He had some impressive wins over the likes of Brad Plumton,Adam Keefe & Tysen Dowzak, & also showed he could play the game raking up a number of points for the Nottingham Panthers while winning the C.C cup in his 1st season in the UK.
Salters previous to his season in Nottingham was already a well tested enforcer having coming through the ranks of the tough OHL fighting all the other top heavyweights in Juniors like Anthony Peluso, Kyle Neuber, Brandon Mashinter, Richard Greenop, Luke Gazdic, Scott Fletcher, Harry Young.ect
Salters then spent a season in the AHL where he had some impressive showings in his 17 fights, including scoring a big win over last season's Steelers enforcer Tim Spencer.
Salters has spent the last two season in the ECHL putting up some decent numbers for a tough guy with the Florida Everblades.
Salters will be among the toughest guys in the EIHL next season and should again be one of the best power forwards in the league.
Zack Fitzgerald 6'1" 215lbs , 178 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=8240
Clan have signed experienced D.man & tough guy Zack Fitzgerald as their assistant coach for the coming season. This will be Fitzgerald's 1st season outside of North America where he's spent 4 season's in Junior WHL hockey league with the Seattle Thunderbirds, and 9 season's in the minor leagues with a host of teams while also playing one NHL game with the Vancouver Canucks.
Fitzgerad has averaged around 15 fights a season in the Minor leagues fighting heavyweight names such as Steve MacIntyre, Colton Orr, John Scott, Jeremy Yablonski, Kevin Westgarth, Jay Rosehill, Kevin Cormier, Wade Brookbank, Pierre-Luc Leblond, Anthony Peluso, Patrick Bordeleau, Francis Lessard, Brett Gallant, Joel Rechlicz .ect..
He's also fought a lot of past & present EIHL guys, including some new guys that will be joining the EIHL this season. He's fought Jason Goulet, Kelsey Wilson, Adam Keefe, Phil Oreskovic, Pascal Morency, Benn Olson, Bobby Robins & Tim Spencer.
Expect Fitzgerald to bring a physical game to Braehead this season & he will surprise a few at how well defensively he can play as a stay at home D.Man.
Chris Frank 6'1" 230lbs , 94 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=25939
This will be the 4rd season in the EIHL for the hard hitting Chris Frank. Chris joined the Cardiff Devils in 2011-12 season and led the Devils in fighting majors while setting a league high of 357 in penalty minutes, his 2nd season in the EIHL he spent with the Sheffield Steelers. Last season Frank joined the Braehead Clan leading them in PIMS. Frank had a few fights last term but found it tough against the likes of Matt Nickerson & Brent Henley.. Frank in his three season's in the EIHL has fought a number of times including fighting tough guys like Colt King, Gui Lepine, Derek Campbell, Bryan Jurynec, Ryan Hand, Matt Nickerson & Jeff Smith .
Before coming to the EIHL Chris Frank played Junior in the BCHL with Cowichan Valley Capitals leading his team in penalty minutes every season he was there. Chris then went on to play for and Captain 'Western Michigan University' before turning pro and playing in the ECHL and AHL leagues. While in N.A Frank fought names like Curtis Tidball, Robert Snowball, Matt Kassian, Erick Lizon, Justin Johnson, Peter Vandermeer, James Delorey.ect.
Frank will again add some much needed physical play to the Clan roster this season, and should thrive having team mates who will take on most of the fighting responsibilities for the Clan.
Stefan Meyer 6'2" 200lbs , 54 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=7852
Star player in the Junior WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers as a kid. Meyer went on to play in both the NHL and AHL leagues in North America. Meyer helped the Sheffield Steelers win a Play-off championship last season in the EIHL and finished the season with 28 goals in 57 games. Meyer is a skilled player who plays with an edge, he has in the past played the agitator role and should be one of the more entertaining players in the EIHL again this season. Meyer has fought the likes of Jeff Szwez, Rick Rypien, Tom Maxwell, Zac Rinaldo.
Meyer should be one of the stand out players in a talented Braehead side next season.
Trevor Hendrikx 6'2" 220lbs , 122 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=10419
This will be experienced tough guy & Defence man Trevor Hendrikx 1st season in the EIHL in 2014/15. Hendrikx started his hockey career in the OHL junior league playing 5 season's with the Peterborough Petes and winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup in his final season in 2005-2006.
After coming out of the Jnrs, Hendrikx played most of his career in the ECHL & CHL winning two back to back championships with the Allen Americans in his previous two season in North America.
Hendrikx has fought familiar names like Adam Keefe, Kelsey Wilson, Kevin Harvey, Anthony Stewart, Brock McPherson, Malcolm MacMillan, Tim Spencer, Joe Grimaldi, Andrew Lord, Matt Siddall, Mark Nebus, Benn Olson & new Steelers signing Pascal Morency while in North America.
Hendrikx will bring a nasty edge to the Devils defence next season & will give British net minder the protection needed in front of his net.
Jesse Mychan 6'2" 205lbs , 59 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=58412
Young Jesse Mychan has played just one season as a pro in the ECHL for the Colorado Eagles last season, also getting a few games in the AHL for Portland. Previous to that Jesse spent his time in the SJHL & then the WHL playing a full season with Tri-City Americans in 2012/13. Jesse may only be early in his career as a hockey player but he showed last season in the ECHL he's not afraid to mix it up in the physicality side of the game, as he posted 262 Pims while fighting over 20 times in his 1st year as a pro.
Jesse will bring a entertaining brand of physical hockey to Cardiff & I'm sure will quickly become a fan favourite in the BBT next season, while probable being the guy other teams fans love to hate.
Tyson Marsh 6'2" 215lbs , 70 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=7732
Tough physical D.man returns to Cardiff for another season and adds more size to the Devils Blue line. Marsh has played in the WHL, ECHL and AHL in North America and he's fought guys like Craig Wellar, Colt King, Brandon Sugden, Jay Rosehill in them leagues, while in his last few season in the EIHL he's took on Benn Olson, Gui Lepine, Jeff Smith, Drew Fata, Kelsey Wilson and put on a fight of the season bout last year against the Blaze's Kevin Harvey.
Marsh is a quality D.man who brings a constantly good game night after night, he will be a big player & one of the leaders out on the ice for the Devils this season.
Andrew Lord 6'3" 210lbs , 72 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=26031
Andrew Lord will be coaching the Cardiff Devils in the coming season and showed last year that he was also a very talented Power forward in the EIHL. Lord has fought quite a few guys who's either playing this season or who have played here in the past including Adam Keefe, Alex Penner, Gui Lepine, Scott Langdon, Dominic D'Amour, Benn Olson, Bryan Jurynec, Malcolm MacMillan, Tim Spencer, Devin DiDiomete, Kevin Harvey, Pascal Morency and Chris Frank.
Lord previous to his spell in the EIHL has played in the BCHL Junior league, College hockey for RPI (Rensselaer Poly Inst), as well as being a fan favourite in the ECHL for the Wheeling Nailers. Lord has also played and fought in the AHL and had a stint in the German 2nd tier league. As well as the names mentioned above Lord has fought top AHL enforcers like Justin Johnson, Wade Brookbank, Luke Gazdic and Anthony Peluso.
Lord proved himself as a player last season in the EIHL & should do well again for the Devils this season as part of a very physical roster which he will be coaching.
Doug Clarkson 6'6" 230lbs , 21 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=28215
This will be Doug Clarkson 1st season in the UK and he brings physical presence on the ice with size and power. Clarkson has played in the OHL, CIS, ECHL and AHL while in North America, fighting a number of times including against a couple of familiar names in Jozef Sladok & former Devil Andrew Conboy.
It will be interesting to see how Clarkson gets on in our league in 2014/15
Craig Cescon 6'2" 215lbs , 139 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=10646
Craig Cescon spent some time in the EIHL in 2012/13 with the Braehead Clan playing 16 games that season. Clan fans have had only good things to say about Cescon short spell with them as he added some much needed toughness to the Clan roster that season.
Cescon started his career in the OHL & was a team mates of Trevor Hendrikx in the Peterborough Petes championship winning side of 05/06. While in the OHL Cescon made a name for himself as one tough cookie and through out his career he's constanliy been one of the toughest players in the leagues he's played in like the ECHL & CHL. He's fought guys we know from playing in the EIHL like Tom Sestito, Colt King, Ryan Hand, Jason Goulet, Gui Lepine, Devin DiDiomete, Kelsey Wilson, Jeff Smith, Jason Kostadine, Nick Duff, Mike Olynyk & Steve Makway while in N.A.
Blaze fans will know Cescon will add some good enforcing to their roster this season and he's one of the tougher guys signed up in the league so far.
Mike Egener 6'4" 215lbs , 117 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=7920
Mike has been one of the best stay at home D.men in the league since signing for the Blaze in 2012. He is a strong physical presence and has real leadership qualities out on the ice. Egener's aggressive style of play has saw him involved in a number of altercations with rival teams tough guys like the Giants Adam Keefe & Greg Stewart, Panthers Gui Lepine & Kelsey Wilson and the Devils British player Josh Batch while in the EIHL. Egener was also involved in the much talked about end of game brawl in Cardiff on Oct 28 2012, were he exchanged punches with Devils bench coach Neil Francis and Max Birbraer.
Before Mike came to the UK he had played in the WHL as a Junior, the ECHL, the AHL, and in both Sweden and Denmark.
Mike will be coming into this season fully fit and expect him to be bringing his aggressive style of hockey in 14/15 as he lines out for the Blaze this term.
Kyle Bochek 6'00" 200lbs , 52 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=19489
This will be hard hitting middleweight Kyle Bochek 1st season in the EIHL but he's coming to the league with a reputation as an annoying physical presence on the ice. He was voted as one of the hardiest hitting players in the CHL which considering some of the big hitters in that league it's quite an accolade. Bochek has been putting up decent numbers in the CHL so the Blaze will be hoping he's able to do the same over here while playing his physical style of game.
Bochek has a few names EIHL fans will of heard of on his fight card, including Craig Cescon, Colt King, Jason Kostadine, Shawn Limpright & Kevin Harvey.
Steven Goertzen 6'2" 215lbs , 85 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=6112
Power forward who has played in 68 NHL games for Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes & Carolina Hurricanes. Steve spent most of his career in the AHL, and had spells in ECHL and also in the CZECH league. In the Last few seasons he's had a couple of fights in the EIHL and over his career he's dropped the gloves against the likes of Robin Big Snake, Shawn Thornton, Brandon Prust, Jordin Tootoo, Joel Rechlicz, Tom Sestito.ect
Goertzen gives the Blaze great leadership out on the ice and adds some solid checking to the forwards while he also adds to teams depth in toughness.
Igor Gongalsky 6'0" 225lbs , 85 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=11302
Igor Gongalsky played junior hockey in the OHL, before turning Pro with ECHL side Fresno Falcons. Gongalsky has spent six seasons in North American playing between the ECHL & AHL leagues. He's a power forward who in recent season's has been dropping the gloves on a regular basis against some tough opponents. Gongalsky has also fought many past & present EIHL'ers including the likes of Tom Sestito, Drew Fata, Devin DiDiomete & Rob Davison.
Igor will add some skill, size and physical presence on the forward lines, also giving the Stars some added toughness which will be needed in their conference this season.
Brad Plumton 6'2" 200lbs , 62 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Season=2009&League=32&Player=27702
Plumton is a Hard hitting decently skilled D.man who will again keep opposition players on their toes in the EIHL. Plumton before coming to the Devils last season was a regular fighter while in the BCHL as a Junior for Westside Warriors. In his 3 season with the Warriors he fought 46 times. Plumton then spent 3 season's playing college hockey with SAIT (Southern AB Inst. of Tech), and had a season in Europe before he signed with the Devils in 13/14.
Last year Brad was up near the top of the EIHL in fighting majors and was know as being one of the better agitators in the league as well. Plumton fought Adam Keefe, Leigh Salters, Kevin Harvey, Drew Fata, Brent Henley, Joe Grimaldi and Stefan Meyer last season, and I'm sure the Stars fans will see him dropping the gloves on a number of occasions in 14/15.
Jeff Hutchins 5'10" 200lbs , 83 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=6572
Jeff Hutchins is Coach of the Stars and chief agitator for the opposition. This will be Hutchins 10th season in the EIHL where he's played for a host of teams including Coventry Blaze, Belfast Giants, Newcastle Vipers, Edinburgh Capitals, Sheffield Steelers and the Dundee Stars. Hutchins has fought over 30 fights in the EIHL and is a gritty agitating player. During his time in the UK middleweight Hutchy has dropped the gloves with names like Andre Payette, Jeremy Cornish, Brad Voth, Shawn Skiehar, Gerad Adams, Derek Campbell, Jozef Sladok, Adam Keefe & Andrew Lord.
He may not fight or put up the numbers he used to in the EIHL but he's still one of the better agitators in the league, and has proved to be a very good coach with the Dundee Stars, winning the Gardiner Conference last season.
Riley Emmerson 6'8" 250lbs , 173 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=13996
This is the Capitals first signing of an enforcer since 2011 & it's a statement signing saying the Caps will not get bullied in 2014/2015 season. Riley is a massive signing in every sense of the word. He's 6'8" & 250lbs and will jointly hold the record as the biggest player to play in the EIHL along with former Panthers enforcer Steve McKenna who was also 6'8" & 250lbs. Emmerson will not let the skilled guys on the Caps team get bullied this season, which has been an issue in past season's for Edinburgh.
Emmerson through out his career has been one of the better fighters in most of leagues he's played in and he's fought many former and present EIHL tough guys and enforcers like Trevor Hendrikx, Jason Beckett, Brent Henley, Jason Kostadine, Tim Spencer, Alex Penner, Sean McMorrow, Kevin Harvey, Brett Clouthier, Jesse Gimblett, Pascal Morency, Justin Sawyer and Craig Cescon. While he's also fought some of the best enforcers in the leagues like the AHL,ECHL & CHL like Jon "Nasty" Mirasty, Jeremy Yablonski, Francis Lessard, Matt Carkner, Jay Rosehill, Justin Johnson, Kip Brennan..ect.
The Caps have signed a very good enforcer and he will quickly become a fan favourite in Edinburgh when he protects the likes of Rene Jarolin & Greg Collins.ect, from the oppositions tough guys. I expect Emmerson to be one of the better fighters in the EIHL league in 2014/2015 and a guy away fans will dislike which is always a good sign of a good enforcer.
Joe Grimaldi 6'0" 205lbs , 52 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=14807
Joe Grimaldi lined out for the Nottingham Panthers last season in a handful of games & in his short spell in the EIHL he proved a lively character. Grimaldi plays a solid defensive game while being a good agitator and he caused a few scuffles in the EIHL last season with his antics. Previous to this Grimaldi spent most of his career playing between the ECHL & CHL leagues in North America while also getting aa few AHL games under his belt as well.
Grimaldi will fight on occasions when needed or when other players lose their cool and go after him. He's fought names that EIHL fight fans will know like Benn Olson, Colt King, Theo Peckham, Trevor Hendrikx, Jason Kostadine.ect
Grimaldi will definitely make the Caps a fun team to watch next season with his style of play. Watch out for some hard hitting in your face defensive hockey with plenty of agitating as well from Grimaldi, and with big Riley Emmerson to back him up he will be in his element.
Matt Nickerson 6'4" 230lbs , 68 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=15542
Matt as a player had a good first season in the UK helping the Fife Flyers reach the play-off weekend for the 1st time in their history. Matt was a big presence out on the ice for the Flyers and made sure his team mates had plenty of protection, even if it meant Matt picked up a suspension or two in the process. Matt finished the season with over 10 fights and added 301 pims to his record. He fought Andrew Lord, Jeff Smith, Chris Frank, Kevin Bergin, Leigh Salters, Tim Spencer, Tuukka Makela, Brock McPherson, Tysen Dowzak and Adam Keefe last term, and he showed he was one of the toughest guys in the EIHL.
Nickerson could be just as busy in 14/15 looking at some of the signings so far in the EIHL and especially looking at Braehead who have stacked up on tough guys. Flyers v Clan games where heated affairs last season and the rivalry could get hotter this coming term.
In the past Nickerson has fought names like Pierre-Luc Leblond, Kevin Cormier, D.J. King, Eric Godard, Anthony Peluso & Kip Brennan, all of who are top quality enforcers and fighters.
I think Nickerson re-signing was a good move for the Flyers, he's a fan favourite and offers his team the physical play & toughness required in the EIHL.
Eric Galbraith 6'4" 220lbs , 12 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=32129
Big power forward for the Stingrays who dropped the gloves in Juniors in the BCHL on a few occasions. He then went Mount Royal Univ. where he continued to play hockey, but there's little info on him from there. Galbraith stats suggest he should put up decent points in the EIHL and he's got good size on him which will make him hard to shift from in front of the net. Stingrays also do not have much toughness in the roster & it could possible be Galbraith who the team looks to when they need someone to drop the gloves next season.
Mike Berube 6'1" 215lbs , 65 career fights
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=14040
Berube spent 5 seasons as a Jnr in the WHL before turning out in his rookie pro season in the ECHL. Berube then played for the CHL's Allen American's & has recently won two back to back CHL championships with the Allen while also captained the team. He's proved himself as one of the leaders out on the ice & Berube will drop the gloves when necessary to protect himself and his team mates. He could have a busy season if the Panthers do not bring in a heavyweight before the season starts
Pascal Morency 5'10" 200lbs , 177 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=13686
Pascal Morency will be a fan favourite in Sheffield just like he's been around every other team he's played for. Morency has played in the QMJHL, IHL,CHL, ECHL, AHL and the Austrian Elite league. He's numerous times in his career and averages around 15 fights a season. Morency is only a middleweight in size but he has fought big heavyweights like Robert Snowball, Marc-Andre Roy, Evgeni Artyukhin, Jonathan Tremblay, Mike Hoffman, Leigh Salters & 6'8" 250lbs Riley Emmerson, showing he'll stand up and be counted for his team.
Pascal will entertain in the EIHL next season & He'll play a hard hitting physical style of game while also being among the toughest guys pound for pound in the league. He's shown in the past he will fight anyone win,lose or draw while also put up decent numbers in much better leagues than the EIHL.
Cullen Eddy 6'0" 195lbs , 36 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=65205
Steelers have brought in scrappy D.Man Cullen Eddy straight from the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms. Cullen is a middleweight fighter who will drop the gloves when needed & in 2012/2013 he fought 17 times for the Phantoms. Cullens fought a few big name enforcers in his career like Justin Johnson, Pierre-Luc Leblond & Brett Gallant.
Steelers will be getting a quality D.Man in Cullen Eddy.
Adam Keefe 5'10" 200lbs , 296 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=10527
This will be Adam Keefe's 4th season in Belfast where he has become a fan favourite among the Giants fans for his tough physical style of play game after game. Keefe has lead the Giants to two EIHL championships in the last three season's, while leading the team in penalty minutes and fighting majors. He will this season over take Paxton Schulte as having had the most fights while in a Giants jersey.
Keefe has fought names like Brad Voth, Ryan Hand, Benn Olson, Derek Campbell, Jozef Sladok, Mike Egener, Guillaume Lepine, Bryan Jurynec, Leigh Salters, Matt Nickerson, Andrew Lord & Brad Plumpton over his three seasons in Belfast.
Keefe had previously played 10 seasons in the OHL,ECHL and AHL in North America averaging 23 fights a season. He has fought some top quality enforcers in NA like Jeremy Yablonski, Francis Lessard & Raitis Ivanans.
Keefe has twice been voted the toughest guy 'Pound for Pound' in the EIHL by our followers in the last two season on twitter, and Looking at the tough guys signed up so far in the EIHL in 14/15 it looks like Keefe will be kept busy again this season. Keefe will be hoping to lead the Giants to more glory in 2014/15 season
Ray Sawada 6'2" 205lbs , 41 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=25956
Belfast Giants brought in hard hitting power forward Ray Sawada to add some physical play to their top lines this coming season. Sawada spent most of his career in the AHL with the Iowa Stars, Manitoba Moose, Texas Stars & the St. John's IceCaps. While in the AHL Sawada scored 47 goals and added 79 assists in 287 games, while being one of the best hitters on every team he's played for. Sawada has also had a handful of call ups for the Dallas Stars in the NHL. Last season Sawada split the season with the Colorado Eagles in the ECHL & Finnish side Tappara.
Sawada is really a agitator who'll fight if needed & so far in his career he has fought Francis Lessard, Peter Vandermeer, Richard Greenop, Nolan Yonkman & Zack Stortini.ect. So when he is needed he's happy to drop them with the heavyweights even if it means taking the odd beating for the team.
Ray Sawada should quickly become a fan favourite in Belfast if he plays with the hard hitting intensity he did during his career in the AHL. He should also put up decent points at Elite league level.
Leigh Salters 6'4" 225lbs , 83 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=14456
Leigh Salters is a big power forward who last season was among the toughest guys in the EIHL. He had some impressive wins over the likes of Brad Plumton,Adam Keefe & Tysen Dowzak, & also showed he could play the game raking up a number of points for the Nottingham Panthers while winning the C.C cup in his 1st season in the UK.
Salters previous to his season in Nottingham was already a well tested enforcer having coming through the ranks of the tough OHL fighting all the other top heavyweights in Juniors like Anthony Peluso, Kyle Neuber, Brandon Mashinter, Richard Greenop, Luke Gazdic, Scott Fletcher, Harry Young.ect
Salters then spent a season in the AHL where he had some impressive showings in his 17 fights, including scoring a big win over last season's Steelers enforcer Tim Spencer.
Salters has spent the last two season in the ECHL putting up some decent numbers for a tough guy with the Florida Everblades.
Salters will be among the toughest guys in the EIHL next season and should again be one of the best power forwards in the league.
Zack Fitzgerald 6'1" 215lbs , 178 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=8240
Clan have signed experienced D.man & tough guy Zack Fitzgerald as their assistant coach for the coming season. This will be Fitzgerald's 1st season outside of North America where he's spent 4 season's in Junior WHL hockey league with the Seattle Thunderbirds, and 9 season's in the minor leagues with a host of teams while also playing one NHL game with the Vancouver Canucks.
Fitzgerad has averaged around 15 fights a season in the Minor leagues fighting heavyweight names such as Steve MacIntyre, Colton Orr, John Scott, Jeremy Yablonski, Kevin Westgarth, Jay Rosehill, Kevin Cormier, Wade Brookbank, Pierre-Luc Leblond, Anthony Peluso, Patrick Bordeleau, Francis Lessard, Brett Gallant, Joel Rechlicz .ect..
He's also fought a lot of past & present EIHL guys, including some new guys that will be joining the EIHL this season. He's fought Jason Goulet, Kelsey Wilson, Adam Keefe, Phil Oreskovic, Pascal Morency, Benn Olson, Bobby Robins & Tim Spencer.
Expect Fitzgerald to bring a physical game to Braehead this season & he will surprise a few at how well defensively he can play as a stay at home D.Man.
Chris Frank 6'1" 230lbs , 94 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=25939
This will be the 4rd season in the EIHL for the hard hitting Chris Frank. Chris joined the Cardiff Devils in 2011-12 season and led the Devils in fighting majors while setting a league high of 357 in penalty minutes, his 2nd season in the EIHL he spent with the Sheffield Steelers. Last season Frank joined the Braehead Clan leading them in PIMS. Frank had a few fights last term but found it tough against the likes of Matt Nickerson & Brent Henley.. Frank in his three season's in the EIHL has fought a number of times including fighting tough guys like Colt King, Gui Lepine, Derek Campbell, Bryan Jurynec, Ryan Hand, Matt Nickerson & Jeff Smith .
Before coming to the EIHL Chris Frank played Junior in the BCHL with Cowichan Valley Capitals leading his team in penalty minutes every season he was there. Chris then went on to play for and Captain 'Western Michigan University' before turning pro and playing in the ECHL and AHL leagues. While in N.A Frank fought names like Curtis Tidball, Robert Snowball, Matt Kassian, Erick Lizon, Justin Johnson, Peter Vandermeer, James Delorey.ect.
Frank will again add some much needed physical play to the Clan roster this season, and should thrive having team mates who will take on most of the fighting responsibilities for the Clan.
Stefan Meyer 6'2" 200lbs , 54 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=7852
Star player in the Junior WHL with the Medicine Hat Tigers as a kid. Meyer went on to play in both the NHL and AHL leagues in North America. Meyer helped the Sheffield Steelers win a Play-off championship last season in the EIHL and finished the season with 28 goals in 57 games. Meyer is a skilled player who plays with an edge, he has in the past played the agitator role and should be one of the more entertaining players in the EIHL again this season. Meyer has fought the likes of Jeff Szwez, Rick Rypien, Tom Maxwell, Zac Rinaldo.
Meyer should be one of the stand out players in a talented Braehead side next season.
Trevor Hendrikx 6'2" 220lbs , 122 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=10419
This will be experienced tough guy & Defence man Trevor Hendrikx 1st season in the EIHL in 2014/15. Hendrikx started his hockey career in the OHL junior league playing 5 season's with the Peterborough Petes and winning the J. Ross Robertson Cup in his final season in 2005-2006.
After coming out of the Jnrs, Hendrikx played most of his career in the ECHL & CHL winning two back to back championships with the Allen Americans in his previous two season in North America.
Hendrikx has fought familiar names like Adam Keefe, Kelsey Wilson, Kevin Harvey, Anthony Stewart, Brock McPherson, Malcolm MacMillan, Tim Spencer, Joe Grimaldi, Andrew Lord, Matt Siddall, Mark Nebus, Benn Olson & new Steelers signing Pascal Morency while in North America.
Hendrikx will bring a nasty edge to the Devils defence next season & will give British net minder the protection needed in front of his net.
Jesse Mychan 6'2" 205lbs , 59 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=58412
Young Jesse Mychan has played just one season as a pro in the ECHL for the Colorado Eagles last season, also getting a few games in the AHL for Portland. Previous to that Jesse spent his time in the SJHL & then the WHL playing a full season with Tri-City Americans in 2012/13. Jesse may only be early in his career as a hockey player but he showed last season in the ECHL he's not afraid to mix it up in the physicality side of the game, as he posted 262 Pims while fighting over 20 times in his 1st year as a pro.
Jesse will bring a entertaining brand of physical hockey to Cardiff & I'm sure will quickly become a fan favourite in the BBT next season, while probable being the guy other teams fans love to hate.
Tyson Marsh 6'2" 215lbs , 70 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=7732
Tough physical D.man returns to Cardiff for another season and adds more size to the Devils Blue line. Marsh has played in the WHL, ECHL and AHL in North America and he's fought guys like Craig Wellar, Colt King, Brandon Sugden, Jay Rosehill in them leagues, while in his last few season in the EIHL he's took on Benn Olson, Gui Lepine, Jeff Smith, Drew Fata, Kelsey Wilson and put on a fight of the season bout last year against the Blaze's Kevin Harvey.
Marsh is a quality D.man who brings a constantly good game night after night, he will be a big player & one of the leaders out on the ice for the Devils this season.
Andrew Lord 6'3" 210lbs , 72 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=26031
Andrew Lord will be coaching the Cardiff Devils in the coming season and showed last year that he was also a very talented Power forward in the EIHL. Lord has fought quite a few guys who's either playing this season or who have played here in the past including Adam Keefe, Alex Penner, Gui Lepine, Scott Langdon, Dominic D'Amour, Benn Olson, Bryan Jurynec, Malcolm MacMillan, Tim Spencer, Devin DiDiomete, Kevin Harvey, Pascal Morency and Chris Frank.
Lord previous to his spell in the EIHL has played in the BCHL Junior league, College hockey for RPI (Rensselaer Poly Inst), as well as being a fan favourite in the ECHL for the Wheeling Nailers. Lord has also played and fought in the AHL and had a stint in the German 2nd tier league. As well as the names mentioned above Lord has fought top AHL enforcers like Justin Johnson, Wade Brookbank, Luke Gazdic and Anthony Peluso.
Lord proved himself as a player last season in the EIHL & should do well again for the Devils this season as part of a very physical roster which he will be coaching.
Doug Clarkson 6'6" 230lbs , 21 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=28215
This will be Doug Clarkson 1st season in the UK and he brings physical presence on the ice with size and power. Clarkson has played in the OHL, CIS, ECHL and AHL while in North America, fighting a number of times including against a couple of familiar names in Jozef Sladok & former Devil Andrew Conboy.
It will be interesting to see how Clarkson gets on in our league in 2014/15
Craig Cescon 6'2" 215lbs , 139 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=10646
Craig Cescon spent some time in the EIHL in 2012/13 with the Braehead Clan playing 16 games that season. Clan fans have had only good things to say about Cescon short spell with them as he added some much needed toughness to the Clan roster that season.
Cescon started his career in the OHL & was a team mates of Trevor Hendrikx in the Peterborough Petes championship winning side of 05/06. While in the OHL Cescon made a name for himself as one tough cookie and through out his career he's constanliy been one of the toughest players in the leagues he's played in like the ECHL & CHL. He's fought guys we know from playing in the EIHL like Tom Sestito, Colt King, Ryan Hand, Jason Goulet, Gui Lepine, Devin DiDiomete, Kelsey Wilson, Jeff Smith, Jason Kostadine, Nick Duff, Mike Olynyk & Steve Makway while in N.A.
Blaze fans will know Cescon will add some good enforcing to their roster this season and he's one of the tougher guys signed up in the league so far.
Mike Egener 6'4" 215lbs , 117 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=7920
Mike has been one of the best stay at home D.men in the league since signing for the Blaze in 2012. He is a strong physical presence and has real leadership qualities out on the ice. Egener's aggressive style of play has saw him involved in a number of altercations with rival teams tough guys like the Giants Adam Keefe & Greg Stewart, Panthers Gui Lepine & Kelsey Wilson and the Devils British player Josh Batch while in the EIHL. Egener was also involved in the much talked about end of game brawl in Cardiff on Oct 28 2012, were he exchanged punches with Devils bench coach Neil Francis and Max Birbraer.
Before Mike came to the UK he had played in the WHL as a Junior, the ECHL, the AHL, and in both Sweden and Denmark.
Mike will be coming into this season fully fit and expect him to be bringing his aggressive style of hockey in 14/15 as he lines out for the Blaze this term.
Kyle Bochek 6'00" 200lbs , 52 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=19489
This will be hard hitting middleweight Kyle Bochek 1st season in the EIHL but he's coming to the league with a reputation as an annoying physical presence on the ice. He was voted as one of the hardiest hitting players in the CHL which considering some of the big hitters in that league it's quite an accolade. Bochek has been putting up decent numbers in the CHL so the Blaze will be hoping he's able to do the same over here while playing his physical style of game.
Bochek has a few names EIHL fans will of heard of on his fight card, including Craig Cescon, Colt King, Jason Kostadine, Shawn Limpright & Kevin Harvey.
Steven Goertzen 6'2" 215lbs , 85 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=6112
Power forward who has played in 68 NHL games for Columbus Blue Jackets, Phoenix Coyotes & Carolina Hurricanes. Steve spent most of his career in the AHL, and had spells in ECHL and also in the CZECH league. In the Last few seasons he's had a couple of fights in the EIHL and over his career he's dropped the gloves against the likes of Robin Big Snake, Shawn Thornton, Brandon Prust, Jordin Tootoo, Joel Rechlicz, Tom Sestito.ect
Goertzen gives the Blaze great leadership out on the ice and adds some solid checking to the forwards while he also adds to teams depth in toughness.
Igor Gongalsky 6'0" 225lbs , 85 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=11302
Igor Gongalsky played junior hockey in the OHL, before turning Pro with ECHL side Fresno Falcons. Gongalsky has spent six seasons in North American playing between the ECHL & AHL leagues. He's a power forward who in recent season's has been dropping the gloves on a regular basis against some tough opponents. Gongalsky has also fought many past & present EIHL'ers including the likes of Tom Sestito, Drew Fata, Devin DiDiomete & Rob Davison.
Igor will add some skill, size and physical presence on the forward lines, also giving the Stars some added toughness which will be needed in their conference this season.
Brad Plumton 6'2" 200lbs , 62 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Season=2009&League=32&Player=27702
Plumton is a Hard hitting decently skilled D.man who will again keep opposition players on their toes in the EIHL. Plumton before coming to the Devils last season was a regular fighter while in the BCHL as a Junior for Westside Warriors. In his 3 season with the Warriors he fought 46 times. Plumton then spent 3 season's playing college hockey with SAIT (Southern AB Inst. of Tech), and had a season in Europe before he signed with the Devils in 13/14.
Last year Brad was up near the top of the EIHL in fighting majors and was know as being one of the better agitators in the league as well. Plumton fought Adam Keefe, Leigh Salters, Kevin Harvey, Drew Fata, Brent Henley, Joe Grimaldi and Stefan Meyer last season, and I'm sure the Stars fans will see him dropping the gloves on a number of occasions in 14/15.
Jeff Hutchins 5'10" 200lbs , 83 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=6572
Jeff Hutchins is Coach of the Stars and chief agitator for the opposition. This will be Hutchins 10th season in the EIHL where he's played for a host of teams including Coventry Blaze, Belfast Giants, Newcastle Vipers, Edinburgh Capitals, Sheffield Steelers and the Dundee Stars. Hutchins has fought over 30 fights in the EIHL and is a gritty agitating player. During his time in the UK middleweight Hutchy has dropped the gloves with names like Andre Payette, Jeremy Cornish, Brad Voth, Shawn Skiehar, Gerad Adams, Derek Campbell, Jozef Sladok, Adam Keefe & Andrew Lord.
He may not fight or put up the numbers he used to in the EIHL but he's still one of the better agitators in the league, and has proved to be a very good coach with the Dundee Stars, winning the Gardiner Conference last season.
Riley Emmerson 6'8" 250lbs , 173 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=13996
This is the Capitals first signing of an enforcer since 2011 & it's a statement signing saying the Caps will not get bullied in 2014/2015 season. Riley is a massive signing in every sense of the word. He's 6'8" & 250lbs and will jointly hold the record as the biggest player to play in the EIHL along with former Panthers enforcer Steve McKenna who was also 6'8" & 250lbs. Emmerson will not let the skilled guys on the Caps team get bullied this season, which has been an issue in past season's for Edinburgh.
Emmerson through out his career has been one of the better fighters in most of leagues he's played in and he's fought many former and present EIHL tough guys and enforcers like Trevor Hendrikx, Jason Beckett, Brent Henley, Jason Kostadine, Tim Spencer, Alex Penner, Sean McMorrow, Kevin Harvey, Brett Clouthier, Jesse Gimblett, Pascal Morency, Justin Sawyer and Craig Cescon. While he's also fought some of the best enforcers in the leagues like the AHL,ECHL & CHL like Jon "Nasty" Mirasty, Jeremy Yablonski, Francis Lessard, Matt Carkner, Jay Rosehill, Justin Johnson, Kip Brennan..ect.
The Caps have signed a very good enforcer and he will quickly become a fan favourite in Edinburgh when he protects the likes of Rene Jarolin & Greg Collins.ect, from the oppositions tough guys. I expect Emmerson to be one of the better fighters in the EIHL league in 2014/2015 and a guy away fans will dislike which is always a good sign of a good enforcer.
Joe Grimaldi 6'0" 205lbs , 52 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=14807
Joe Grimaldi lined out for the Nottingham Panthers last season in a handful of games & in his short spell in the EIHL he proved a lively character. Grimaldi plays a solid defensive game while being a good agitator and he caused a few scuffles in the EIHL last season with his antics. Previous to this Grimaldi spent most of his career playing between the ECHL & CHL leagues in North America while also getting aa few AHL games under his belt as well.
Grimaldi will fight on occasions when needed or when other players lose their cool and go after him. He's fought names that EIHL fight fans will know like Benn Olson, Colt King, Theo Peckham, Trevor Hendrikx, Jason Kostadine.ect
Grimaldi will definitely make the Caps a fun team to watch next season with his style of play. Watch out for some hard hitting in your face defensive hockey with plenty of agitating as well from Grimaldi, and with big Riley Emmerson to back him up he will be in his element.
Matt Nickerson 6'4" 230lbs , 68 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=15542
Matt as a player had a good first season in the UK helping the Fife Flyers reach the play-off weekend for the 1st time in their history. Matt was a big presence out on the ice for the Flyers and made sure his team mates had plenty of protection, even if it meant Matt picked up a suspension or two in the process. Matt finished the season with over 10 fights and added 301 pims to his record. He fought Andrew Lord, Jeff Smith, Chris Frank, Kevin Bergin, Leigh Salters, Tim Spencer, Tuukka Makela, Brock McPherson, Tysen Dowzak and Adam Keefe last term, and he showed he was one of the toughest guys in the EIHL.
Nickerson could be just as busy in 14/15 looking at some of the signings so far in the EIHL and especially looking at Braehead who have stacked up on tough guys. Flyers v Clan games where heated affairs last season and the rivalry could get hotter this coming term.
In the past Nickerson has fought names like Pierre-Luc Leblond, Kevin Cormier, D.J. King, Eric Godard, Anthony Peluso & Kip Brennan, all of who are top quality enforcers and fighters.
I think Nickerson re-signing was a good move for the Flyers, he's a fan favourite and offers his team the physical play & toughness required in the EIHL.
Eric Galbraith 6'4" 220lbs , 12 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=32129
Big power forward for the Stingrays who dropped the gloves in Juniors in the BCHL on a few occasions. He then went Mount Royal Univ. where he continued to play hockey, but there's little info on him from there. Galbraith stats suggest he should put up decent points in the EIHL and he's got good size on him which will make him hard to shift from in front of the net. Stingrays also do not have much toughness in the roster & it could possible be Galbraith who the team looks to when they need someone to drop the gloves next season.
Mike Berube 6'1" 215lbs , 65 career fights
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?Player=14040
Berube spent 5 seasons as a Jnr in the WHL before turning out in his rookie pro season in the ECHL. Berube then played for the CHL's Allen American's & has recently won two back to back CHL championships with the Allen while also captained the team. He's proved himself as one of the leaders out on the ice & Berube will drop the gloves when necessary to protect himself and his team mates. He could have a busy season if the Panthers do not bring in a heavyweight before the season starts
Pascal Morency 5'10" 200lbs , 177 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=13686
Pascal Morency will be a fan favourite in Sheffield just like he's been around every other team he's played for. Morency has played in the QMJHL, IHL,CHL, ECHL, AHL and the Austrian Elite league. He's numerous times in his career and averages around 15 fights a season. Morency is only a middleweight in size but he has fought big heavyweights like Robert Snowball, Marc-Andre Roy, Evgeni Artyukhin, Jonathan Tremblay, Mike Hoffman, Leigh Salters & 6'8" 250lbs Riley Emmerson, showing he'll stand up and be counted for his team.
Pascal will entertain in the EIHL next season & He'll play a hard hitting physical style of game while also being among the toughest guys pound for pound in the league. He's shown in the past he will fight anyone win,lose or draw while also put up decent numbers in much better leagues than the EIHL.
Cullen Eddy 6'0" 195lbs , 36 career fights..
FIGHT CARD -- dropyourgloves.com/Fights/FightCard.aspx?P=65205
Steelers have brought in scrappy D.Man Cullen Eddy straight from the AHL's Adirondack Phantoms. Cullen is a middleweight fighter who will drop the gloves when needed & in 2012/2013 he fought 17 times for the Phantoms. Cullens fought a few big name enforcers in his career like Justin Johnson, Pierre-Luc Leblond & Brett Gallant.
Steelers will be getting a quality D.Man in Cullen Eddy.