We've had a bit of a clear out this season in terms of imports but added a few extra to what we actually need for the league season because of the champions league which we're in where you can have unlimited imports.
newbies to watch out for in the early weeks are;
#25 Martin Raitums - relatively unknown goalkeeper but has done well in a couple of better leagues abroad and had a brief spell with Hull a couple of years back (CHL contract only)
#12 Mike Berube - has come in with a good reference from Bruce Graham, tough stay at home D-man by all accounts who will probably be our main fighter to start the season with, even though no a particular heavyweight.
#52 Colby Cohen - a resume far better than we could hope to hold onto past the CHL. played at numerous NHL training camps and spent majority of his career in AHL. would imagine he will be number 1 Dman whilst hes here, and probably put up some good points, and not a small lad at 6ft 3.
#23 Charles Landry - young 5ft 11 Dman. who has come straight from a 2way AHL/NHL contract with Tampa Bay Lightning. 2 way defenceman by all accounts, and probably a replacement for Eric Werner if you saw him play. looks more than capable and wouldnt surprise me if hes snapped up mid-season but a bigger budget euro team
#8 Evan Mosey - looks like the stereotypical "cheap" signing. from reports is a hard hitting, relatively small, attacking Dman who put up good numbers in the inferior Dutch league last year. a possible diamond in the rough.
#27 - Sam Oakford - another promising british Dman who has made the step up this year. will be interesting to see how he does this year, but if he can make as big an impression as Danny Meyers or Steve Lee did when they stepped up, he will be a definate keeper.
#4 - Bryan Schmidt - one of the older heads to have been signed this year. very good CV and has good size about him. will be another attacking threat going forwards i would imagine but very capable defensively.
#61 - Cody Wild - my personal pick of the defensive signings this summer, has attended numerous NHL training camps, and put up decent numbers the last couple of years, likely to have lots of powerplay time and could be our new Corey Neilson, attacking wise, if all goes to plan.
#21 Bruce Graham - a returnee from the Grand Slam winning side of 2 years ago. will be relie don heavil for his goals and will need to be hitting the mid 30s again if we are to be successful. a huge player at 6ft 6 but uses it well and scores vital goals. will be welcomed back with a heroes welcome against Lukko i would imagine.
#68 Chris Higgins - on of the standout players last year playing for belfast. mainly a playmaker, but a very good skater and stick handler, and was a delight to watch on the puck last year. can occasionally over-play and lose his temper but a good aquisition nevertheless
#16 Max Parent - bit of an unknown quantity, but has the potential to be a surprise package. from what hes said is a very fast skater and likes to hit, which goes down well in my books. relatively inexperienced when it comes to minor league hockey, but 1 year in AHL will have done him no harm at all.
#18 Chris Lawrence - a big forward at 6ft 4 and, although apparently skates well is likely to be found at the front of the net looking for rebounds. known as a bit of an agitator and will drop the gloves if needs be to stand up for team mates, will most probably be one of our top scoring forwards this year
#44 Mark Lee - CHL signing with a very good CV behind him. unlikely to be a physical player but will be used most often in CHL i would imagine along with Robinson on the 1st line. more of a playmaking forward by the looks of it, and is unlikely to be here after CHL.
#47 Martin Podlesak - another big forward, who shold intimidate, agitate and hit opponants all over the place. probably wont put up huge points, and will be more of a grinding forward for CHL. although in an interview it had been said he was on more of a trial, so could be here after CHL.
#91 Nathan Robinson - should be our star of the show for CHL. vastly experienced and put up very good numbers in top Euro & American leagues including a spell in NHL. if there is any slim chance of us progressing, Robinson will need to contribute signifcantly
hope that helps a bit - although only my opinion!
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