Before fans start thinking the team has hit the lottery jackpot, it’s not NHL Phoenix Coyote star Martin Hanzal that is coming to Shropshire, but his older brother Jiri, fresh from a winning season with French League 3 champions Dunkerque.
And Tigers player-coach Tom Watkins thinks Jiri will be an exciting and skilful addition to the English Premier League.
“I spoke to a few people I know who have played with Jiri and found out all about him,” said Watkins. “Obviously he has a good pedigree, he’s played at a very good level in the Czech Republic, and will come to us buzzing from winning the league in France.
“At 6 foot 4, Jiri will add some size to our team, more strength and power through the middle of the ice and improve our face-off percentage. I have just the right line mate for him to pair up with and hope he makes a big impact for us.”
Watkins said he had been keen to tap into the Czech player market after competing in the country himself as a junior.
“They have a really good history of hockey over there and produce very skilled, technical players.”
A former junior international, 26-year-old Hanzal played for his home city’s Extraliga side – HC Ceske Budejovice – and a number of Czech league teams before his season in France.
He said: “Playing three games for the under-20 Czech national team is the thing I am most proud of in my career, and making the Extraliga play-offs in season 2005-6 was an amazing atmosphere.
“All my life I have wanted to go to Great Britain and I am very happy to be going. I want to try the Canadian style of hockey, and I wanted to go to England to play more games than they do in France.
“I know some players already in England, such as my friend Josef Lukac who played at Coventry with Tom Watkins. I think the team signed looks good and hope we make the play-offs and surprise people.”
The club has released ticket prices for the coming season. Adult tickets will be £10, concessions £5. An early bird season ticket is offered for just £200 (£90 concession, £490 family), until July 1, valid for all home league games, expected to be 27 fixtures.
Application forms can be downloaded from the team’s website – www.telfordtigers.co.uk
Tigers are also holding a fundraising family fun day and cricket tournament on Sunday, June 26, at Wellington Cricket Club. The event runs from noon to 6pm, with teams of six invited to play six overs per game, £30 per team. A barbecue, face-painting and a bouncy castle are also planned. Teams can register by emailing promotions@telfordtigers.co.uk
