Post by Steph Cowley on Jul 2, 2009 11:14:59 GMT 1
...Jason Robinson.
From www.coventryblaze.co.uk
"Tough Canadian blue liner Robinson completes Blaze import line up for next season
Coventry Blaze Head Coach, Paul Thompson has today confirmed that he has completed the signing of experienced Canadian defenceman, Jason Robinson from the Flint Generals of the International Hockey League.
Thirty year old Robinson is no stranger to British hockey, having spent four seasons in the UK Elite League with Newcastle, Sheffield and the now defunct London Racers between 2003 and 2007 before joining Italian side, Vipiteno for the 07/08 season. Last season he divided his time in the International Hockey League back in North America between Kalamazoo Wings and Flint Generals.
At 6’2” and 210lbs, the Goderich, Ontario native will bring further size and presence to the Blaze blue line for the 09/10 Elite League season. He is known as a tough, no nonsense, stay at home defencemen, qualities that led Tampa Bay Lightning to select him in the 5th round of the 1996 NHL entry draft. The veteran defenceman, with nearly 700 professional games under his belt, also spent five years in the East Coast Hockey League before coming to the UK.
Robinson is the final member of Thompson’s ten import quota for the 09/10 season, joining fellow newcomers Brian Lee, Peter Hirsch, Greg Chambers, Derek Campbell and Luke Fulghum along with returnees Adam Calder, Dan Carlson, Danny Stewart and Matt Soderstrom.
“I’ve liked Robinson as a player since he first came to play in the Elite League,” said Thompson of his new acquisition. “We’ve talked before about him coming to the Blaze so I’m delighted that we’ve finally managed to make it happen.
“I believe that he’s exactly what this hockey club needs. Flint traded for him in February because they were looking for exactly what he brings. Great experience, a great character, really good leadership skills and a physical, tough stay at home defenceman who is not afraid to mix it up. That’s completely what I’m looking for and why Jason fits the bill perfectly.
“With Jason and Brian Lee, I’ve brought in two guys who are big and strong and who are going to make life very unpleasant for opposition forwards when they come into our zone. They are going to give them a really hard time. They’ll play the body, they’ll be tough and physical and Robinson in particular will not be afraid to drop the gloves when required. Opposition forwards won’t have the fairly easy ride that maybe they’ve had in our end of the rink during the last couple of years.”
Robinson, who will be combining his playing duties with a course of study at Coventry University, is looking forward to returning to the UK with the Blaze.
“I am so looking forward to getting back into the Elite League. It’s a great standard of hockey and it really suits the style of game I play. The opportunity to join the Blaze for next season is great and I’m so looking forward to coming over to join a team with such a winning tradition.
“I know from my time playing against the Blaze over four seasons, the type of team that Thommo likes to build and he seems to have put together a great roster for the new season. I can’t wait to be part of that.
“It’s also a fantastic opportunity for me to be able to further my education at Coventry University while I’m playing. They have been so helpful in helping to organise everything with me and I know the fantastic education they provide will make a significant difference to me in the future when I eventually finish playing.
“I’m now looking forward to playing in front of a really passionate group of fans and I will be doing all I can to live up to their expectations.”
Thompson has also confirmed that Robinson’s signing means that he will not be offering a new contract to Canadian, Blake Forsyth."
Worse signing than Campbell IMO. Not looking forward to the new season as much as I was.
From www.coventryblaze.co.uk
"Tough Canadian blue liner Robinson completes Blaze import line up for next season
Coventry Blaze Head Coach, Paul Thompson has today confirmed that he has completed the signing of experienced Canadian defenceman, Jason Robinson from the Flint Generals of the International Hockey League.
Thirty year old Robinson is no stranger to British hockey, having spent four seasons in the UK Elite League with Newcastle, Sheffield and the now defunct London Racers between 2003 and 2007 before joining Italian side, Vipiteno for the 07/08 season. Last season he divided his time in the International Hockey League back in North America between Kalamazoo Wings and Flint Generals.
At 6’2” and 210lbs, the Goderich, Ontario native will bring further size and presence to the Blaze blue line for the 09/10 Elite League season. He is known as a tough, no nonsense, stay at home defencemen, qualities that led Tampa Bay Lightning to select him in the 5th round of the 1996 NHL entry draft. The veteran defenceman, with nearly 700 professional games under his belt, also spent five years in the East Coast Hockey League before coming to the UK.
Robinson is the final member of Thompson’s ten import quota for the 09/10 season, joining fellow newcomers Brian Lee, Peter Hirsch, Greg Chambers, Derek Campbell and Luke Fulghum along with returnees Adam Calder, Dan Carlson, Danny Stewart and Matt Soderstrom.
“I’ve liked Robinson as a player since he first came to play in the Elite League,” said Thompson of his new acquisition. “We’ve talked before about him coming to the Blaze so I’m delighted that we’ve finally managed to make it happen.
“I believe that he’s exactly what this hockey club needs. Flint traded for him in February because they were looking for exactly what he brings. Great experience, a great character, really good leadership skills and a physical, tough stay at home defenceman who is not afraid to mix it up. That’s completely what I’m looking for and why Jason fits the bill perfectly.
“With Jason and Brian Lee, I’ve brought in two guys who are big and strong and who are going to make life very unpleasant for opposition forwards when they come into our zone. They are going to give them a really hard time. They’ll play the body, they’ll be tough and physical and Robinson in particular will not be afraid to drop the gloves when required. Opposition forwards won’t have the fairly easy ride that maybe they’ve had in our end of the rink during the last couple of years.”
Robinson, who will be combining his playing duties with a course of study at Coventry University, is looking forward to returning to the UK with the Blaze.
“I am so looking forward to getting back into the Elite League. It’s a great standard of hockey and it really suits the style of game I play. The opportunity to join the Blaze for next season is great and I’m so looking forward to coming over to join a team with such a winning tradition.
“I know from my time playing against the Blaze over four seasons, the type of team that Thommo likes to build and he seems to have put together a great roster for the new season. I can’t wait to be part of that.
“It’s also a fantastic opportunity for me to be able to further my education at Coventry University while I’m playing. They have been so helpful in helping to organise everything with me and I know the fantastic education they provide will make a significant difference to me in the future when I eventually finish playing.
“I’m now looking forward to playing in front of a really passionate group of fans and I will be doing all I can to live up to their expectations.”
Thompson has also confirmed that Robinson’s signing means that he will not be offering a new contract to Canadian, Blake Forsyth."
Worse signing than Campbell IMO. Not looking forward to the new season as much as I was.
