Head Coach Adam Keefe was left with the momentous task of rebuilding a roster for 2019-20 after losing many key players from his previous squad including the leading five scorers.
Tireless work by him and management has led to the recent acquisition of five highly experienced North American players which means expectations will be high for the 20th anniversary season.
Liam Reddox (LW – can play centre)
Speaking of experience, 33 year old Liam Reddox boasts a highly impressive resume of leagues and clubs.
A veteran of one hundred NHL games for Edmonton Oilers and 186 AHL outings before heading to Europe.
Reddox has called Sweden home for the past eight years, suiting up for Växjö Lakers.
In 386 games the left winger has produced 150 points (72-78-150) in the SHL and captained the Swedish team the past four campaigns before deciding on a new venture.
A high energy guy, Reddox is bound to be a fan favourite with his style of play, though just how much offense he is able to produce is up for debate and Keefe may opt to use him in a bottom six role.
http://www.vaxjolakers.se/play/video/Tack_Liam_Reddox-50941172?autoplay=1
Curtis Hamilton (LW/RW)
Curtis Hamilton failed to hit the heights, let alone realise the expectations of the Edmonton Oilers who drafted him 48th overall in 2010.
The Tacoma, Washington native was ultimately an AHL’er during his time in the Edmonton organisation, putting up 68 points (30-38-68) in 208 games for Oklahoma City Barons.
Since leaving North America, the 27 year old had spent time in the Czech and Finnish leagues, won a Spengler Cup with Canada (dual nationality) and suited up for Graz 99ers (EBEL) for whom he produced forty points (17-23-40) in 54 games.
Hamilton won’t dazzle in any one area of his game but is a hard-working and responsible winger who isn’t afraid to engage physically, but uses his body cleverly rather than looking to win battles with brute force.
Jean Dupuy (Centre – can play wing)
Jean Dupuy returns to a hockey after taking a year out to rest his weary body and focus on what direction he wanted to go in life.
Having played for Sheldon Keefe in Toronto and alongside Kyle Baun, it was those connections that led the 24 year old to Belfast for 2019-20.
His AHL experience consists of 137 games split between Rochester Americans and latterly the Marlies, and recorded a not inconsiderable 36 points (14-22-36).
The Ontario native also suited up for Orlando Solar Bears where he was able to produce far more offense in the shape of 24 points in 33 games.
Essentially Dupuy is a hard-working and responsible player down the middle of the ice who will provide secondary scoring and be diligent on defensive details including penalty killing should Keefe utilise him there.
Bobby Farnham (RW/LW)
Bobby Farnham is likely going to be a player who splits opinion in the Elite League this upcoming season.
The American forward has built a career out of being an overly physical player, often an enforcer with the intent to intimidate, who chips in with some offense.
Farnham has notably overstepped the line on more than one occasion during his North American career and whether Keefe can reign in those instincts will have a huge bearing on the wingers prospective success in the UK.
The numbers don’t lie 1044 penalty minutes in 404 AHL games and another 138 PIM in 67 NHL (Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens) outings tells it’s own story
What might surprise EIHL watchers is that Farnham isn’t a big guy – he just plays a big game listed at 5’10” and 190lbs.
With 105 and 10 points in the AHL and NHL respectively, Farnham has shown he’s not all brawn over brains offensively and has the capacity to contribute offensively in a bottom six role.
A video google search will show you a plethora of fights involving Farnham and even with new rules in the AHL designed to negate fighting, the Massachusetts native still dropped the gloves on eight occasions last season and I’ve no doubt that trend will continue in the Elite League if finding enough willing participants.
Patrick Mullen (RHD)
Patrick Mullen is the only defenseman of this group but goes along the same theme of experience.
If you were hoping for a big bruising blue-liner then Mullen isn’t your guy – a smaller player with a game built on moving the puck quickly and excellent offensive instincts.
That’s not to say the 33 year old cannot defend however, as he has a well rounded game, can read situations but often loses out in the physicality stakes in puck battles.
He’s a veteran of 394 AHL games for six different teams, recording 176 points (40-136-176) along the way.
Having bounced around Europe the last three seasons, the American has some experience in the KHL and SHL to call upon, most recently playing in Austria with Vienna.
The Boston native is highly likely to be tasked with quarter-backing the power play and more than capable of producing at above 0.50 points per game at the Elite League level.
UK Hockey Blog 