TOP NEWS....Import line up complete MIKE REES

[Jasper]

What's with Bracknell, the BNL and the CHL?

Surely looking at the rest of the squad and taking into account that we're now only paying 10 imports rather than 11 (and yes I do realise that we've added Danny Meyers) there should have been some cash left for someone with a bit better pedigree than this? A few years ago he was playing in the same league as Darryl Lavoie and he is surely one of the worst imports ever to sully a Panthers shirt.

I hope Ellis can get this team ethic thing to work but there looks like a lack of quality in depth to me. If I'm wrong ( and God, I hope I am) I will be the first to come back here and hold my hands up as well as seeking out Mike Ellis to personally apologise for doubting him.

I'm afraid after many years of underachievement only a league win is good enough for me and I don't think this bunch look quite good enough.

[spuzz]

Well when he played with Shmyr he beat him in points and played less games. now for a stay at home D man that isn't to bad

Again i think its a wait and see signing but the team as a whole for me fills me with confidence. Even if we don't win anything, i am suer we will see some spectacular games of hockey full of passion and thats good enough for me ;D

[NickThePanther44]

still hoping this isnt true, Rees did well for Bracknell yes, in the BNL i believe. if hes our final d-man then it does leave me thinking that with only 3 import d and Rees being our stay at home all out one then it quite frankly isnt a championship winning d, just my opinion. maybe a play off wining team but as far as the leagfue is concerned, i just dont think its solid enough.

like i said, still hope its not true.

Nick

[Shaggy]

jasper said:

What's with Bracknell, the BNL and the CHL?

Surely looking at the rest of the squad and taking into account that we're now only paying 10 imports rather than 11 (and yes I do realise that we've added Danny Meyers) there should have been some cash left for someone with a bit better pedigree than this? A few years ago he was playing in the same league as Darryl Lavoie and he is surely one of the worst imports ever to sully a Panthers shirt.

I hope Ellis can get this team ethic thing to work but there looks like a lack of quality in depth to me. If I'm wrong ( and God, I hope I am) I will be the first to come back here and hold my hands up as well as seeking out Mike Ellis to personally apologise for doubting him.

I'm afraid after many years of underachievement only a league win is good enough for me and I don't think this bunch look quite good enough.

Question - which is more important... the league or the player?
It is a fallacy to assume that better players will automatically gravitate towards the better leagues - many of them will, but a large proportion will not... for all sorts of reasons.

Sure - a player with good numbers in N.American leagues (like Dan Tessier, for example) is always nice.... assuming they stick around, of course.
Hang on a minute... didn't Corey Neilson put up better numbers in the ECHL than Tessier - despite being a D-man instead of a forward? Doesn't Rod Stevens have a damned sight more experience (and better stats)? Etc etc...

And then you have to ask - which is more important, the team or the player? Looks to me like Ellis wants to build a team, not a bunch of individuals. Dunno about anyone else, but I bet a team of 'middle-ranking' team players could do a better job over a season than a club with a couple of 'superstars' and a load of also-rans.

Pedigree is for breeding show animals and for dogfood.

[P.G.F.I.]

Very good post Shaggy.

Welcome to Nottingham Rees. ;D

[Heanor Lair]

shaggy said:

jasper said:

What's with Bracknell, the BNL and the CHL?

Surely looking at the rest of the squad and taking into account that we're now only paying 10 imports rather than 11 (and yes I do realise that we've added Danny Meyers) there should have been some cash left for someone with a bit better pedigree than this? A few years ago he was playing in the same league as Darryl Lavoie and he is surely one of the worst imports ever to sully a Panthers shirt.

I hope Ellis can get this team ethic thing to work but there looks like a lack of quality in depth to me. If I'm wrong ( and God, I hope I am) I will be the first to come back here and hold my hands up as well as seeking out Mike Ellis to personally apologise for doubting him.

I'm afraid after many years of underachievement only a league win is good enough for me and I don't think this bunch look quite good enough.

Question - which is more important... the league or the player?
It is a fallacy to assume that better players will automatically gravitate towards the better leagues - many of them will, but a large proportion will not... for all sorts of reasons.

Sure - a player with good numbers in N.American leagues (like Dan Tessier, for example) is always nice.... assuming they stick around, of course.
Hang on a minute... didn't Corey Neilson put up better numbers in the ECHL than Tessier - despite being a D-man instead of a forward? Doesn't Rod Stevens have a damned sight more experience (and better stats)? Etc etc...

And then you have to ask - which is more important, the team or the player? Looks to me like Ellis wants to build a team, not a bunch of individuals. Dunno about anyone else, but I bet a team of 'middle-ranking' team players could do a better job over a season than a club with a couple of 'superstars' and a load of also-rans.

Pedigree is for breeding show animals and for dogfood.

Agree with you shaggy.

Us UK Hockey fans can hung up with only wanting players from AHL/ECHL. The UHL and CHL to me seem very good leagues, and as you say a player may not want to play in the AHL/ECHL for all sorts of reasons.

[Dips]

On the face of it this seems a sound signing. From the D-men we have signed it was clear that we needed a stay at home defenceman. If we had, like some posters on here seemed to want, another player who liked to get forward Lindsey would need to be as good at one on ones as some have said he is, cos he would have been getting alot of practice at them this season. A good team has balance and that it is what Rees seems to give us. My only concern is that a previous poster on here says that Meyes played with Rees at Bracknall. If this is going to be the case this year who will be the stay at home defenceman out of Neilson and Krajicek.

[Adam]

This is what a couple of fans from the CHL said about him..

Can't speak for Rayz fan but Bat fans sure missed him. Great team leader and very capable of scoring from the blue line. Also great on PK & PP. Still pi$$ed the Bats didn't resign him when they had the chance. Good Luck. You got a keeper.

He was AWESOME...great on the ice and off the ice...played the game for what it is...not gooning it up...and could take on his own if he had too

[Deleted]

I can't understand the few people who arn't impressed with the signing of this guy.
Yes, he probably isn't the most important signing of the summer, but what you have to remember is that he was the last player signed which means we have used the "what's left" of the wage cap and with the quality of the players we already have that probably wasn't a lot.
He's a stay at home D-man and as we have a few D-men who seem to like to go forward and score points I for one am pleased we have got him.
Whats the alternative?

Jeff Sebastian? Part of Blaisers "Jobs for mates program 05-06" NO THANKS>

Welcome to Nottingham Mike Rees.

[Rob #12]

Another masterstroke by Mike. This guy looks really good.

[Shorty]

Official Now

[BIG-BAD-TONE]

Well, Roster now full and it looks like we have a TEAM that could be the strongest we have had for some time. I just hope we can get it right on the ice. Must admit that last seasons team dropped off towards the end of the season and never seemed bothered at times

[blackandgold]

Very good signing,welcome to Nottingham Mike.

[88Panfuz4]

blackandgold said:

Very good signing,welcome to Nottingham Mike.

Here here! I am looking forward to this season more than any other (Except, for all his faults, I like Craighead)

My hopes now are that if things don't go exactly as planned that people don't get on ME's back.

People who know me from this forum know that I am (allegedly) a "happy-clapper" I am a "supporter" look it up in the dictionary, then look up "moaner" Good luck Panthers, see you in Morzine.

[blackandgold]

Not sure if this has been mentioned before, but Mike played with a guy called Ryan Shmyr ;D while playing for Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees 2003-04 season.

Once again Mr Ellis as picked a player who is familiar with other players on our team, I use the word TEAM, as this is key to any success we get this season.

[Rich]

blackandgold said:

Not sure if this has been mentioned before, but Mike played with a guy called Ryan Shmyr ;D while playing for Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees 2003-04 season.

Once again Mr Ellis as picked a player who is familiar with other players on our team, I use the word TEAM, as this is key to any success we get this season.

Who in turn played with Blaz and Evan...!

[bobbykins]

Do remember that stats don't always tell the truth about a player. Alot of players who perform an essential role within a team won't always post impressive numbers, but without them the team cannot perform! If he works hard and does all of the defensive D man role, then he'll be another vital piece of the team!

[andyd]

Very pleased with this signing, a stay at home D'man is exactly what we needed.

Just because the guy has played in the BNL people seem to think he's not going to cut it. Why? I look at the excellent Jan Krajicek as the best example...I think Rees is going to be superb.

I also think it's worth noting that Mike performed a good job of mentoring and developing Danny Meyers.

[blackandgold]

At the same time Rich!

[wilx]

And wasn't that the season where the bees beat us ( and most of the elite teams) in the cross league matches?

[Adam]

Another quote about the guys we've signed from the CHL...

Simoes is a heart and soul player gives 110% every shift.Shmyr is the guy that always stands up his team and is not above a cheap shot or two.Lindsey is a good goalie but not the type to carry a team.Rees is a hard working ,gritty and a respected player.Rees and Simoes are great pickups for your team.Class guys on and off the ice.

[matt44]

He was also in the same division as the Laredo Bucks and Rio Grande Killer Bees, so will be very familiar with Simoes and Evan Lindsay, aswell as Shmyr........and ofcourse he played with him aswell............

[Adam]

Another quote from a fan in the CHL..

Shmyr will fight anyone, anytime and is a role player. He will usually pick on Simoes type players and at 6'6'' his size is a BIG plus for his role. Rees works hard every shift and will prove to be and excellent pick for the Panthers. Lindsay is a good goalie, not spectacular but also a good pick. Simoes is an example of what every hockey player wants to play like. The guy plays ALL OUT every second of his shift and will take anyone's head off with clean shots and checks at any given moment. Here is how I rank their play and how the fans will take to them. Scale from 1 to 10
Rank #4 Lindsay-Scale-7
Rank #3 Rees-Scale-8
Rank #2 Shmyr-Scale-9
Rank #1 Simoes-Scale-10

[belak]

Sounds a positive addition to our team

[Lisa]

Until we have seen them play as A TEAM, lets reserve judgement.

After all, previous seasons we have looked excellent on paper but consistently failed to deliver!