Post by JP on Jul 12, 2008 14:21:42 GMT 1
SYLVAIN CLOUTIER is backing Cassidy Coventry Blaze's defence to reach new heights next season.
And the 34-year-old captain has revealed that he is in talks with head coach Paul Thompson about adding an extra year to his contract.
Speaking as he awaited the birth of his third child home in North America, the centreman admitted that losing the likes of Neal Martin and Trevor Koenig was a challenge that the side must overcome. But he welcomed the faces that Thompson had signed as replacements.
"Losing Martin and Koenig is definitely a loss but getting new faces will be a good thing for our team to succeed," he said.
"JF Perras will be a great goalie and will be well liked in the dressing room. Our defence will be a lot better this coming season with more depth."
In particular, Cloutier picked out the potential of the three younger British players that have been signed.
"I think Leigh Jamieson will add some size to our defence and also can move the puck very well in the transition game, he is not afraid to mix things up out there.
"I was hoping that we would get O'Connor on our team - he shows up to play every night, and he has a lot of potential to become one of the best British defencemen in this league.
"Greg Wood is a young player who will bring a lot of energy to our team and will get a chance to produce by playing with two imports."
Cloutier added that the new players would fit in easily to the Blaze locker room, where the desire to win remains strong despite claiming back to back league titles.
"Adjusting to our dressing room in particular will be no problem for these guys, we have such a great group of guys here already, they will fit right in. Because of the guys that are here we will definitely be hungry for more trophies, there is nothing better than winning.
"As for me, I am in talks with Thommo for adding another year to my contract, so we will see what happens. "I honestly feel that we will be a better hockey club this year compared to last year, time will tell."
And the 34-year-old captain has revealed that he is in talks with head coach Paul Thompson about adding an extra year to his contract.
Speaking as he awaited the birth of his third child home in North America, the centreman admitted that losing the likes of Neal Martin and Trevor Koenig was a challenge that the side must overcome. But he welcomed the faces that Thompson had signed as replacements.
"Losing Martin and Koenig is definitely a loss but getting new faces will be a good thing for our team to succeed," he said.
"JF Perras will be a great goalie and will be well liked in the dressing room. Our defence will be a lot better this coming season with more depth."
In particular, Cloutier picked out the potential of the three younger British players that have been signed.
"I think Leigh Jamieson will add some size to our defence and also can move the puck very well in the transition game, he is not afraid to mix things up out there.
"I was hoping that we would get O'Connor on our team - he shows up to play every night, and he has a lot of potential to become one of the best British defencemen in this league.
"Greg Wood is a young player who will bring a lot of energy to our team and will get a chance to produce by playing with two imports."
Cloutier added that the new players would fit in easily to the Blaze locker room, where the desire to win remains strong despite claiming back to back league titles.
"Adjusting to our dressing room in particular will be no problem for these guys, we have such a great group of guys here already, they will fit right in. Because of the guys that are here we will definitely be hungry for more trophies, there is nothing better than winning.
"As for me, I am in talks with Thommo for adding another year to my contract, so we will see what happens. "I honestly feel that we will be a better hockey club this year compared to last year, time will tell."
Well said captain
