TRS Telford Tigers bid to start season with victory

Coach Tom Watkins is hoping for an improvement on last season's 10th-placed finish having recruited three new import players.

Defenceman Michal Pavlu and forward Marek Mikusovic from the Czech Republic and Finnish forward Miika Kiviranta have joined the returning Czech star Jaroslav Kruzik.

Watkins, who is also the Great Britain Under-20s assistant coach, has put his faith in young British talent as the Tigers look to establish themselves in the ELP this season.

The netminding duo of Declan Ryan and Sam Gospel will be coached by the returning Barry Hollyhead, who first played for the Tigers in 1991.

Watkins said: "Bringing Baz in as a dedicated goalkeeper coach will really benefit the team. He's a local guy with a wealth of experience in the game, he'll be out with Dec and Sam working with them on all aspects of their game.

"He's a player I've known for a long time and I think he'll be a real asset to our off ice set-up."

Experienced forward Scott McKenzie has been handed the captaincy and is joined in the side by James Preece, Adam Taylor, Nathan Salem, Danny Rose, James Smith.

Tigers look significantly improved from last season and will hope to be in the shake-up for an end of season play-off spot.

The EPL is the second tier of ice hockey in the UK, comprising 10 teams, all of which have a roster made up of British and foreign players.

The Tigers are the team owned and run by fans on a voluntary basis.