SLOUGH Jets head coach Craig Moran has tipped Andrej Vasiljevi to be a leading netminder in the English Premier Ice Hockey League.

Vasiljevi, 20, arrived at The Hangar from Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) club Medvescak Zagreb last Friday, where he skated with some of the best players of the world.

Moran warned it may take time for the Croatian to settle into his new surroundings, but he was quick to show what he can do when earning the man of the match award in the defeat against Bracknell Bees on Saturday.

“He has never played in the United Kingdom before, but comes highly recommended as an outstanding prospect and is definitely a massive find for us,” Moran beamed.

“He is only young but is fit and agile, highly skilled and is a great guy in the room. I’m proud that we’ve managed to attract a goalie from the KHL to the Jets.

“He hasn’t had any playing time, but I understand he’s trained with some of the very best prospects. That will have helped to make him an excellent young netminder so he knows how to stop a shot.

“He’s been playing for his country at under-20 level, aged 16, so is definitely a top prospect.” Moran continued: “Unfortunately we lost to Bracknell but none of that was his fault, he was man of the match up their.

“He could be a top goalie in this league and is happy to be in England getting much-needed ice time. He’s on a deal until the end of the season, but whether he goes back to the KHL, who knows?” “I’m sure he will go a long way to helping us re-establish and get winning games again in partnership with Danny Milton.

Vasiljevi has appeared for Medvescak Zagreb and Medvescak Zagreb II consistently since 2009, and has benefited from the exposure to high level hockey from a young age.

Along with winning a bronze medal at the World Under-18 Championships in 2010 and 2011, Vasiljevi was recognised as the best netminder at the 2010/11 championships.

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