Streatham Redskins returned to training on Thursday night, as preparations for the new season began at Brixton Ice Rink.
Only three of the squad were missing from the first workout of 2012/13, that saw the Redskins Head Coach Barry Spours and his assistant Terry England run their eye over the new faces in the team.
Jamie McIlroy, Dom Hopkins, Tyrone Miller, Eddie Temple and Joe Allen all met their new team mates for the first time in a reasonably fast paced session that lasted just over ninety minutes.
A number of skating and flow drills dominated the proceedings as the guys dusted off the cobwebs on the ice, whilst the busy Redskins management team and equipment staff prepared the kit room and dealt with administration issues.
“Its good to be back” explained Spours, who sported a beard and new haircut for the evening.
“I say its good to be back but in truth, we haven’t really had time to put our feet up at all this summer. Other teams started signing up players straight away so we have had to be alert ever since the final buzzer of the Slough game to ensure we got the guys we wanted in”
That dramatic evening in Slough sealed the NIHL 1 South status for the team and gave the Redskins management a push to ensure the team iced a more competitive outfit in 2012/13.
“Of course I am pleased with the guys we have brought in” explained Spours. “We should have some good news on the second import slot shortly, however I was happy with the session tonight. The passing was a bit rusty but I think overall a lot of guys have kept themselves in shape and we now have guys with certain attributes and skills we perhaps needed last season”
Spours was accompanied by Terry England, who has been a regular fixture on the Redskins bench in recent years after his promotion from the junior set up.
“It’s always good to see everyone back in the room after a few months away” explained England.
“We haven’t had much of a holiday but we all love hockey and once we get back in to the flow of things it should be easier”
“We started slowly last season so this year we are learning a few lessons by adding an additional training session pre season so that the guys can be ready for the tough two opening fixtures we have against Romford and Wightlink”
Streatham will be in action earlier than those league games of course, thanks to two friendly games against a much improved Bracknell Hornets side at the end of August.
