After the latest Covid updates the 17th of May is now the speculative return date for indoor sports, which of course includes Ice Hockey.
With that date fast approaching teams must get their roster ready. The Lee Valley Lions coach, James Joseph, is not struggling in recruiting and creating interest for young players that want to join and play for the Lions team.
Positive Signs
Joseph explained that recruiting that for the Lions is ‘always a challenge’ but they have found this year easier than expected considering the unprecedented times coronavirus has caused.
He spoke positively about the season ahead. “This year we have managed to attract some promising young players who will make an impact for us in the coming games.”
Uncertain Times
But there has been a lack of clarity as to how many players will return to play for the Lions in the upcoming season. Joseph admitted “Weirdly, we don’t know at this time. As all the teams in our league have been in the exact same position, we don’t know if there will be any movement of players when hockey resumes.”
Although there is no reason to panic just yet, as the Lions coach continued: “Before the second lockdown started, the vast majority of last season’s players had committed to play for us again.”
Non-Returners
A player that the Lions fans will not see in the green Lions uniform again is Robert Cole. He was a forward for the team but has decided to step away from Ice Hockey and informed the team of his retirement at 42 years of age.
Amongst some of the young talent lost is Lewis Blore who has progressed and joined a Division one side The Milton Keynes Thunder. Also the O’Brien brothers Harry, forward and James, defenceman, have chosen to look at other options and have expressed interest for playing on another team.
With the new influx of ‘promising young’ talent we hope that the Lee Valley Lions will be able to replace those skaters leaving and add more depth to the team’s roster by the start of the 2020/21 season.
