Storming start to a new season full of promise..
WELCOME to the first Clan chat column to appear in print! I’m delighted and honoured to be kicking things off.
First of all, I’d like to look back at the weekend. After working with him the last two years as Braehead head coach, it was nice to see Ryan Finnerty at the weekend. Although it was weird to see him on the opposing bench.
He came back to Glasgow with his Manchester Storm team and after beating them 7-5 at home on Saturday, but losing 4-1 there on Sunday, there was a lot of positives to take.
In hindsight, I think before the weekend, we’d be happy with splitting the results because of the five imports we’re down at the moment.
We came up against some old team-mates as well and it was just good to beat them at Braehead on Saturday, plus the fans enjoyed it too, which is the main thing.
One player I’m enjoying playing with is Jordan Buesa, who came to Braehead as an apprentice last season and has developed well in the last year.
It’s good playing with him and you have to remember he’s still just a kid in many ways –he’s only 17 – so you can’t get too harsh on him if he makes a mistake.
It’s important to help with his confidence and be on hand to give him some pointers. I remember when I was 17 and I tended to look to older players and what they did. I’ve seen quite a difference in him since we got together for this season.
“He’s fitter, a lot more confident and I know head coach John Tripp is working with him after practice as well.
He’s got a good head on his shoulders and hopefully he’ll continue to progress and help us out this season. If he keeps progressing the way he is, he’ll be one hell of a player.
Looking ahead, we’re off to Edinburgh and Murrayfield for the Scottish Elite Cup where we’ll be up against our Scottish rivals.
For me, I’ll play in front of three sets of fans that have supported me in the Capitals and Dundee Stars, as well as the Clan, but Fife Flyers are the only team I didn’t play for.
I actually nearly signed for them in 2014. I had a discussion with Todd Dutiaume, their coach, but that was as far as it got.
Todd had asked me about my plans so it was an option. But when Braehead came calling, my decision was made. I didn’t look at anything else.
I still speak to people at Edinburgh and Dundee, but I still get boos from the Stars fans. It’s part of the game and I just laugh it all off, but I like to think they appreciate what I did there.
It’s a case of feeling each other out and the winner will get confidence and bragging rights going into the season proper.
We’re looking at winning and it will be good for momentum. We want to get better and better as we go and it’ll be good to see what kind of players the others have this year.