Tony Hand. Photo by Colin Edwards CJE Photos.
“It has been a difficult couple of weekends after the team had got off to such a great start to the season. Of course that start was good to see, and all credit should go to the players for those performances. But since then we have faced much tougher opposition over the past couple of games.
“I never like to lose a game, but the reality is we will get our noses blooded at times this season, it’s how we react to those results that’s important. We knew this would be a tough year when we arrived and it would be a rebuilding year for us, no two ways about it. But I never get too carried away whether we win or lose. What I do want the players to do though is continue to improve and develop out on the ice, and of course enjoy playing.
“We have been short-benched a lot this season with a large number of injuries plus having lost some good players from last season too. I think we have been missing something like 5 or 6 players each game, what with injuries and people away with work etc so it has been difficult not always having the same line up available.
“We would like more goals and we realise the need to take our chances in games. But when you lose players from last year’s team that produced close to 200 points, it was always going to be tough replacing that level of offence. Obviously we need to improve the team and that takes time. We looked at bringing new players in but everyone in the league is looking for players. That makes it even more important that we continue to develop the players we already have here.
“Some of the younger players from last year are now finding themselves getting more ice time this year, which of course is great for their own development but we will all need time for the adjustment. The new players need time bedding in too. At present we are throwing guys in at the deep end and it’s difficult for them coming in, but we certainly can’t fault their efforts, it will just take time.
“It’s abundantly clear we need to develop talent from within the club. There has to be that pathway from the juniors to the senior team, for the long term future.
“If you look at our current situation there is certainly no need to panic. The way results have been going in the league everyone has been beating everyone else, so the recent defeats, whilst not ideal are by no means the end of the world. We need to add more offense to the squad, but the guys we already have here are trying hard, while others are still finding their form. There have also been certain individual errors that you can’t account for, things you can’t legislate.
“I am coming in new for this year and learning too. It’s a new team and league for me, with new teams to get to know who we face each week. I think the teams we have played so far have been good at focusing on certain things within our game and they have been able to capitalise on them. It’s a learning curve for us all. The important thing is that the team continue to work and develop together.”