Mason eager to keep bright Stars

Ambitious new Dundee Stars head coach Jeff Mason has told the club’s silverware-hungry fans: “We’re looking to bring success to Tayside.”

The 40-year-old American takes over the Dundee hot-seat after the club rewrote the form book to reach the final four in last season’s Elite Ice Hockey League play-off.

Ironically, Mason was a key man on the bench as his old club Belfast Giants thrashed Stars 6-0 in the play-off semi-final at Nottingham less than two weeks ago.

He replaces Omar Pacha, head coach and general manager, who had been with the Stars for five years before leaving last week to join Nottingham Panthers as chief executive.

And the former defenceman is well aware Stars’ fans tasted high-level action at Nottingham and want more.

The club, who finished seventh in the league last season – two points out of fourth position – have punched above their weight in recent seasons, bruising big-spending clubs like Belfast, Sheffield Steelers and Cardiff Devils in the regular season.

Mason has been a serial winner with Giants. Last season he helped mastermind Belfast’s success in the Challenge Cup and in winning the Elite League by seven points from Sheffield before falling at the final hurdle in their Grand Slam bid, being beaten 6-3 by Cardiff Devils in the playoff final.

He arrives as European crowd figures reveal the Elite League has the fourth-highest average attendance and Mason is desperate to take the club forward and add to its honours board.

Stars were founded in 2001 but have only one major title to their credit – the Gardner Conference Championship in season 2013-14.

The man from Massachusetts, who starred in college hockey before becoming a professional in the East Coast Hockey League in North America, knows it is a tough gig.

However, “Mase” has also played in Germany and had a 10-game stint in Norway, but his main focus has been with British hockey since 2010, when he joined a Giants side then coached by Doug Christiansen – and he knows our game inside out.

He said: “My first priority is to talk to the players in last year’s team to find out what their plans are.

“Hopefully, I will be able to retain some. Continuity is important and being able to retain a core group is key.

“Teams that keep a core group moving forward often have success in this league.”

After that, he will widen his scouting net from his home in Belfast and the players he left behind at Giants could be an option, if they are available.

He said: “I am not aware of their roster construction, but we had a lot of success there last year.”

Mason was known for his fast feet, proficiency on special teams, his defensive IQ, particularly when facing a breakaway, and he had a fierce slapshot.

And his vision for Stars? “I want to put together an aggressive, up-tempo brand of hockey as this is the way the game is trending at the higher levels over the last few years.”

Size could be a factor in his team-building, but that depends on players who are available.

The men who eventually put on the navy blue, red and white uniform will still have to be highly mobile, skilful and possess a real turn of speed.

The former defenceman also wants to entertain and to bring excitement to the Dundee Ice Arena.

Mason said: “Fans are pivotal to any successful hockey team.

“If they are entertained and if we bring excitement to the Dundee Ice Arena then people will want to come and see us.

“Having faced-off against Stars both as a player and coach, I know the passion the fans bring each and every game.

“We aim to match that passion and intensity on the ice by playing a fast, aggressive brand of hockey that will hopefully keep you continually out of your seat.”

Dundee is the most northerly venue in Britain’s top ice hockey league and Mason knows what a long bus ride can do to players.

“He has experienced it many times with Belfast and he wants to make the rink just off the Kingsway dual carriageway a place other teams don’t enjoy visiting.

“These are exciting times for the club and it has recently enjoyed increased attention.”

The new boss, who doubles as general manager, will move to Scotland with his wife Holly once seven-year-old son Max has finished school.

AMBITIOUS: Jeff Mason wants to retain as many players as possible as he believes continuity will help Dundee Stars as they chase success.

Omar Pacha left Dundee for Nottingham Panthers.