Jim Sneddon aka Stovieman previews the 2009/10 season for the Caps
Edinburgh Capitals prepare for another season in “another” Elite League. Now 8 teams after Manchester and Basingstoke go south!
Caps have set up a barnstormer of a season opener with the Gardiner Homecoming Cup weekend involving Hamilton Bulldogs, Toronto Marlies and Belfast Giants. Scott Neil has already done a promotional tour to Canada and interest is high on both sides of the Atlantic. Full details are available on Caps website.
Caps have made some very promising and exciting signings this summer with most Elite fans being impressed. There is one controversial signing but more of that later. At the time of writing the Netminder spots remain unfilled or un-announced, and clearly that represents an important part of the Murrayfield jigsaw.
The Defence looks solid with Coach Doug Christiansen being quoted as saying that he reckons it could be the best unit in the league. Kyle Horne is rejoined by Ben O’Connor who played for Caps for a time in 2007 with new imports Mark Smith (brother of Kenton), Chris Alllen and Michael Beynon.
On offence the latest signing is ex-Washington Capitals man Owen Fussey joining possibly as first line centre, Simon Lambert- described as the quickest player in his league (from the same source as Mark Hurtubise- now playing in Europe), Lithuanian Darius Pliskauskas (with Caps in 06/07) and for the 8th season Captain Martin Cingel. The Brits resigned so far are the talented Mark Garside and Jordan Steel who will be looking for more ice time this season.
Oh yes and in case you had been living on St Kilda for the past month Caps have signed a certain Andrew Sharp. Coach Christiansen described every signing as being a risk- well here he has put all his chips on this one. Adam Stefishen is no longer around to play the enforcer role and time will tell whether Andrew can be kept on a tight enough rein to play that role effectively. Most Caps fans can’t wait to see!
The rest of the League over the summer have been busily engaged in the usual summer battle of the PR’s and with a 5 month off season some of them have been just a little bit silly. I believe that Steelers, Blaze and Panthers will probably still be the top 3 with Giants slipping back a little this time around. I feel that Devils will probably get the 4th slot with Caps seeing off Giants for 5th and 6th. Vipers will finish above Hull giving a final 8 placings of:
1. Steelers
2. Panthers
3. Blaze
4. Devils
5. Capitals
6. Giants
7. Vipers
8. Stingrays
Good luck to all Hockey fans for the season ahead. Only a few weeks of waiting left.
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