Islanders News 2007-2008 April 2008 : March 2008 : We have been told that tickets for the finals can be purchased by phone on the following number: 02476 630 693 option 0. Feb 2008 : Jan 2008 : ISLANDERS ARE 'Southern League Group A Conference Champions 2007-2008': Dec 2007 : The team ends the 2007 part of the season undefeated and on a high, after beating close rivals, and the team that kept them out of the play-offs last season, the Oxford Stars. ISLANDERS 'CONSECUTIVE GAMES UNDEFEATED' RECORD EXTENDED: With only 2 games left to play this year before the xmas and new year break, the Islanders hope to retain this wining performance against Isle of Wight at home on Saturday 8th, and against Oxford away on Sunday 9th. Nov 2007 : ISLANDERS 'CONSECUTIVE GAMES UNDEFEATED' RECORD MATCHED: ISLANDERS INTRODUCE HOME GAME MATCH SPONSOR OPORTUNITY: For more details and to book your home game, click here now . Oct 2007 : Steve is still only 23 and has lots to offer in the sport. He is a natural leader and has a work ethic second to none and these are qualities that all hockey players would benefit from. Steve commented on his signing by saying: “I have taken a step back and looked at my hockey life and the reasons why I play and have unfortunately stepped down from the Phantoms roster as of tonight. My thanks to Jon Kynaston and Coach David who kindly still want me around and involved with the team. I will continue to train with the team and will be helping the team off the ice when I can. I am looking forward to playing hockey this weekend for the Peterborough Islanders where Gary and Jesse have been great and allowed me to join their team mid season. Thanks for the support over the years and being the reason why Peterborough is such a good place to play hockey !” Steve completed over 200 games for the Phantoms and the Islanders look forward to working with him in their quest for honours this year. Welcome aboard and a big thank you to the Phantoms management for their help in trying to get Steve registered in time for the weekend. Aug 2007 : Darren Cotton. "Another signing I am very excited about. There is no doubt in my mind Darren is one of the most pure talent hockey player this country has produced. As with Craig he brings a wealth of experience and has the ability to turn a game on its head, and that's what we will be looking for this season from him. Darren has come in with a fresh attitude and is ready to go. He is another player the young ones will be looking up to and again should still be playing at the top level. I think this year will be a great year for Darren and he is one of the players that will make us contenders." Regarding the development of the team and the juniors, Jesse also adds: "We are adamant that we will be heavily involved in the development of our Juniors, and we will have many of them training and playing with us this year. Named players are..." Damian King. "Good young goalie with immense potential, What Damo lacks in size he makes up in speed and technique. I believe within 2 years Damo will be in the same position as his brother and challenge for a job in the EPL." Dale Jowett. "Although only 16, Dale plays with balls and determination. Dale is a major prospect for the future and I am looking forward to the prospect of working with him - this year is going to be a building block for his future in the sport." "There are other players looking to push through; Tom Davis, Ross Horsley, Rob Macdonald and Craig Lazenby, all of them have made the trials this year and are pushing for a spot." Regarding a final non-british player, Jesse says: "We are still Looking to sign another non British trained player this season. We are talking to four players that we have identified, but it is early days so we will leave the names to your imagination, but talks have been going well with all. I can tell you that one player has a wealth of experience at EPL level, another has experience at both ENL and EPL levels, one is a fresh face to the UK but is young and is looking to prove himself and use the ENL as a stepping stone (which no doubt in my mind will happen if we sign him), and the last player is unsure what his future plans are. I will not be rushed into filling this position as it requires a lot of finances to sign these players with ITC cards and registrations, so the player we sign will have to be a big game player. Fortunately I have built up many relationships with players and coaches around the world, and these players know what they are coming into. Thank you for your patience in waiting for these releases but we wanted to make sure everything was in place before we released anything Thanks for your continued support and look out for some more exciting announcements" Jamie Holland. "Jamie came to us from the states last year and to his credit played himself into a regular spot. He is a very confident player that can give us some much needed speed and creativity. Jamie is well aware of his abilities and we will be working on his game as a whole - he is another player that has immense potential and ability. I will be looking for him to progress and improve this season and be a big game player." Bernie Bradford. "Bern is back for another season and will be expected to lead - he has an offensive upside and is aware of his defensive responsibilities. I would expect Bernie to be up their with the best D-men in the league but this will be down to him to stay focused and have the desire to do so. I am excited to see how he reacts to having better players around him that I believe will make him better as well." Clint Herring. "Clint is another player that had a great season last year and brings a lot of intensity to the table and when it is harnessed it can be a great weapon. Clint will be expected to be a leader this season and continue his personal development. Clint can play in any situation and gives us great depth in any category. Again, a lot is expected of Clint and I believe this could be his best season yet." Stu Coleman. "Stu has really worked on his fitness since the end of the last season and I think it has paid dividends. He was a key component on our penalty kill unit and is not afraid to get nasty when needed and protect his team mates. His attitude is top notch and I will be looking for him to chip in a bit more on the offence this season. Stu is eager to get going and is looking forward to the challenge for position on this team." Ross Mackintosh. "Ross is back for another season with the Islanders after a slow start when he came back from the Phantoms. Ross started to come into his own and really helped with the progression of the team and the younger guys. He seems to have really worked on his fitness and is looking sharpe. We will be looking for leadership out of Ross this year and to have a major influence on our push for the playoffs." Adam Holloway. "Adam comes back after a lot of speculation of 'will he or won't he'... I for one can say I am so pleased he has come back. He is bigger, stronger, and fitter and is looking great in pre season. Last year Adam was a key component in our success and I believe this year will be an even bigger year for him. I am expecting to lose Adam at some point in the future to at minimum an EPL team and I will help him get there, but for now we have the big man patrolling our blue line. Adam has improved no end since I first saw him a few years ago and the potential he has is immense. Welcome back Adam." Kieren Death. "The little man had a little baptism of fire last term and is another player that has come on so much, we will be looking for him to push for a top four spot this year. His never say die attitude and willingness to learn makes him, I believe, a star for the future. Although quiet, he has leadership qualities and will be a major player in the not to distant future." John Cranston. "Cranston is back for another year - although he wasn't sure if he was going to play or not this season. He has come into pre-season and worked his back side off and will be trying to push his way up the line up. Cranny brings a lot of experience and a willingness to learn coupled with 100% commitment." James Pentacost. "James comes to the side this year full time. I have a lot of hope for James this year, to progress into a regular player. Although it will be tough for him, he has the drive and determination to do so. Pents has had a good off season and has looked sharp in the training and trials so big things are expected." Sonny Thompson. "Sonny comes back to the team as one of the longest serving members. With Sonny you know what you get - he will give everything and doesn't question what he is being asked to do. I have hopes of Sonny being a key member of the killing unit and being a big motivator." Rob Jinks. "Rob comes into the team after a hockey sabbatical. Although an unknown to me at the end of last year he has proven to be a very determined figure in joining this team. I have been impressed with his attitude and work ethic. He possesses a good shot and with his 100% work ethic this could be a big year for him. He will be a fan favourite I am sure." David Micheli. "Dave suffered a bad injury at the end of last year, and in that year he adapted his game to the style that I need him to play and I believe he relished in it. Although he had a slow start, he had a blinding second half and was a major reason why this club progressed in the way it did. When he will be ready for action is yet to be confirmed and he will have to fight for his place." 2007/2008 FIXTURES RELEASED: July 2007 : Tony Dawson. "Tony brings a lot of experience with him and I will be looking for him to be a big leader for the team. As many of the guys have said Tony is getting in great shape and chomping at the bit for the season to start, I will be looking for Tony to play a physical style and start this season as he started the last, as on his day he can dominate and this will be expected each and every night." Fraser Hendry. "Fraser is expected to have a big season this year. He has all the tools and will have the players around him this season to bring out the best in him. He will be expected to play in all situations and excel. One thing we need to work on with him is that he won't shoot the puck - I believe it will be a different story this season. Another player that, when on form, can dominate. " Ian Nel will be back on board as an assistant Coach. Added to his remit this year will be the fact that he has to get both Tim Coomes and Karl Owen ready for their level two coaching exam next year, whilst assisting Coach Hammill in all aspects of coaching. EQUIPMENT MANAGER FOR THE ISLANDERS : LATEST SIGNINGS ANNOUNCEMENT FROM COACH JESSE HAMMILL: Kristian Simo. "This gentleman was one of the reasons this team was competitive last year and I am expecting even more out of him this year. He has the ability to turn a game on its head and be a match winner. Although quiet, Kristian is a leader and will be expected to get the best out of his fellow d-men." Stu Dane "Stu came on leaps and bounds last season and was one of our most consistent players who turned into a great penalty killer, and a go to guy in defensive positions in tight games. The expectations for him this season will be similar, but I would like him to break into the top two lines and be a bigger threat this season. I am pleased he is back and feel he is part of the future of this team with, I feel, a leadership role on the horizon." Jason Buckman "Jason brings a wealth of experience from every level in this country and will be a key part in our success this season. He is another player that should be a leader on and off the ice. My expectations are very high and I feel he should be scoring on a regular basis, but also contribute immensely on the defensive side of the game. This is a role that he has played for many years and this role with his offence will be key to our success." July 2007 : This season also see's the launch of our new 'Share & Wear' promotion, to coincide with the all new Islanders strip. Fans and supporters now have the opportunity to own an actual player worn game shirt, signed if required, and presented to them at the end of the season by the team. June 2007 : APPOINTMENT of ASSISTANT COACH and MACTH NIGHT ORGANISER. Jane Russell also joins the off ice team as Match Night Organiser. Jane has already worked wonders with local schools and her mandate is to get people to the rink and make sure they have a good time. She will be assisted by Elizabeth Raynor. The Islanders commitment to getting the product on ice right is matched in getting the off ice team pulling the same way. May 2007 : Many of the quotes or statements associated with Gary Coomes in this article are factually incorrect, and we would ask any members of the press or any publication wishing to carry a feature on The GIGER Peterborough Islanders in future to ensure that all statements regarding events or the development of The GIGER Peterborough Islanders is first cleared by our promotions team. They can be contacted on 08700 636 886. We apologise to any third parties that may have been unduly concerned by this incorrect article. Previous season news features have now been removed. |
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