Slough Jets coach revels in Gregg Rockman re-signing
Sportsdesk • Published 15 Jun 2012 06:00
0 Comments
Share this
click to enlarge
Netminder Gregg Rockman was a key member of Slough Jets English Ice Hockey Premier League play-off winning squad last season
See also:
SLOUGH Jets head coach Slava Koulikov has hailed the significance of re-signing 'unstoppable' netminder Gregg Rockman.
Rockman, 30, signed for Jets in 2009/10 and has helped lead them to two play-off wins and a cup success, posting excellent statistics in every season.
He started every match last year and Koulikov underlined the importance of having such an influential figure between the pipes.
"This is his fourth year with the Jets and in his three years he has won three trophies. I believe goaltending is half the team and with his record that's a great 50 per cent we have," he said.
"For me there wasn't any decision to be made and I offered him a contract as soon as I started in the job, and I hope it was an easy decision for him to stay with us. With his record he is unstoppable on his day. I am putting together a team that I hope will give him good protection and I'm confident he will be a stand-out goalie again this season."
Rockman started his professional career with Cardiff in 1999 before spells with Hull Thunder, Swindon Lynx, Chelmsford, Peterborough Phantoms, Hull Stingrays and Bracknell Bees.
From the Bees he moved across Berkshire to Slough and was named in the English Premier Ice Hockey League First All-Star team in his debut season.
Speaking about the decision to remain at The Hangar, Rockman said: "I am proud to be returning to the Jets for a fourth year, especially with all the new and exciting changes that have happened. Once again I believe we have a strong and competitive team as always in the EPL, which in past seasons has brought three trophies in three years.
"We have a lot of new faces in the dressing room this year and I am excited to work with all of them, especially our new head coach and my good friend Slava."
Koulikov added: "I played alongside him for two years, we were house-mates in that time and we get on really well. I know what a great guy he is, and what a great player he is and I was never looking for anyone else between the nets. I'm looking forward to working with him again."
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.
