Byers now latest to join Storm
MANCHESTER Storm continue to bolster their squad ahead of the new Elite League campaign after signing former NHL player Dane Byers.
The 31-year-old played 14 games in the NHL during two separate spells with Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers. He has made 564 appearances in the AHL, and spent last season in the DEL with Kolner Haie.
Byers will also take up one of Storm’s MBA places at the University of Salford while he is with the club, and head coach Ryan Finnerty is glad to have him on board.
“I’m delighted with the signing of Dane as he is a big powerful forward, can play on any line, and will contribute,” he said. “He’s a natural leader having been a captain on four different AHL teams, and has three seasons’ worth of European experience. I’m excited to work with Dane, and we thank the University of Salford for making this partnership happen.”
Byers is the latest name to commit their future to Storm for next season after it was announced Dallas Ehrhardt and Jay Rosehill would both be playing in the next campaign.
Meanwhile, it is less than a week until a charity game between a Manchester Legends team and a UK All-Star team with proceeds going to the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund. CITY midfielder Aaron Mooy is ready to realise his dream after a memorable reintroduction to English football.
David Wagner’s Huddersfield side, tipped for relegation at the start of the season, completed their fairytale last week with a Wembley shootout win to earn them a place in next season’s Premier League.
The club’s motto - No Limits seems particularly apt for their Player of the Year.
As a boy growing up, Mooy was inspired by Australia’s golden generation starring for England’s leading clubs.
“I was quite young, 10 or 11, and I used to watch the Premier League on TV,” he told M.E.N Sport.
“I grew mad with football. It’s always been my dream. [Mark] Viduka, [Harry] Kewell were people I used to look up to - still do because everyone knows them for what they did over here.
“They were very important for their teams and in Australia.”
Mooy came close to becoming a Premier League reality almost a decade ago - he was highly rated in the Bolton Wanderers academy but left in search of game time and when he was further frustrated at St Mirren, the midfielder was forced to turn his back on the UK aged 21 and return to Australia.
After two years at Western Sydney Warriors came a move to Melbourne, and there came a change in luck. “I always had in my head I wanted to come back and next time I’d be ready. I just needed to get games and play regularly. That’s what happened and was exactly what I needed.
“I was really lucky. I’d just signed [for Melbourne] and two days later all this came out [about City’s takeover]. I had no idea but it was perfect timing. It was amazing for the A-League to have such a big club and organisation investing in a club.
“The changes were dramatic, massive - the training ground, the professionalism that they brought. It’s been amazing for Australian football.” The player couldn’t believe it when he heard Pep Guardiola’s City wanted to sign him but knew it was the chance he had been waiting for. Wagner sold Huddersfield on their style of play and Mooy has found the team and the relentless nature of the English football schedule agrees with him, with his body able to cope with the extra games and his mind grateful not to be spending so many days around games in airports. City have been monitoring their player all season, sending scouts to games and the making regular phonecalls to discuss his progress. Guardiola spoke highly of the 26-year-old in February and will be able to see him in action later this month at his first major tournament when Australia participate Aaron Mooy in the Confederations Cup in Russia. I couldn’t believe it but I just knew City would be the best option for me to move forward.
“It’s great to have them believe in me and give me the opportunity to come back over. I’m very grateful.
“I definitely think I’m a better player now than at the start of the season. It’s been a joy, I wouldn’t change it. Playing in high pressure games likes the other day, you can’t buy that experience.
“If there’s not pressure, you’re not really going anywhere. It’s always good to have pressure.
“The coach was great for me, I learned a lot tactically and also the more games you play the better your confidence and understanding of the game. It’s something that will help me in the long run.”
Guardiola is yet to finalise his plans for next season as he works hard in the transfer window to bring in his key targets.
Whether the Australian is part of his squad come August or not, the amount of interest in one of the Championship’s finest this season indicates he will be surely be playing in the English top flight.