Peacock isn’t planning on swift migration
GLASGOW CLAN forward Craig Peacock has ruled out the option of playing abroad in the event that the new Elite League season doesn’t happen.
A handful of Great Britain internationals have left the UK to take up opportunities abroad already, the latest being Guildford Flames defenceman Stevie Lee, who has joined Italian side HC Pustertal for the new campaign.
As uncertainty continues over the league, Clan have told their players to seek opportunities elsewhere to ensure they can find work, but ‘Peaks’ is staying put and will look at his options once he knows for sure the league isn’t going ahead.
“I think my days of going abroad are over as far as my career is concerned due to other commitments, but I hope other players get opportunities to play away from the UK if the EIHL doesn’t happen this year,” Peacock said.
“Every country, I’m sure, has the same worries and concerns over the numbers going up again like we have here and if you’re locked down in a different country, it wouldn’t be too good, being stranded in a place you don’t know.
“For me, it all rests on this meeting on 15th September and the decision that will come from that then it’ll be a case of looking around the UK and seeing what’s available for me if I’m lucky enough to get an opportunity to play.”
Peterborough-born Peacock began his career in North America before coming home to play for his local team, Peterborough Phantoms before stepping up to play at Belfast Giants for seven years before joining the Clan in 2016.
He had a brief spell in Denmark with Fredrikshavn White Hawks in 2013, which broke up his time with the Giants, but did recall the positive experience he had in New Zealand two years ago when he played in West Auckland for the summer, including breaking his ankle.
He said: “I was at West Auckland Admirals and going to New Zealand, as I did, or Australia was something I always wanted to do and I got the chance to do it. Sometimes you can forget why you started to play hockey and the enjoyment in doing it so going there certainly helped rekindle my love of the game.
“I had a great time and it allowed me to travel around and see as much of New Zealand as I could. I was actually selected for an All Star game which was to take place outdoors in Wellington’s main cricket ground, like a Winter Classic in the NHL where a game is played outdoors in a makeshift rink.
“There was heavy rain the night before which delayed it by a night then strong winds blew over boards which meant the organisers had to cancel it and my chance of playing in a game like a Winter Classic was gone.
“I broke my ankle, which was far from ideal. We were winning a game by three goals and I was on the ice with a minute to go to help kill a penalty and the defenceman hit a slapshot, even though I’d moved my body to try and get out of the way, but it hit me on the foot and the ankle, so I came back early and that particular adventure was over prematurely.
“Going away to play is a great experience and, as I say, I hope more guys, especially those who play for the national team get the chance, because it could help their game in the long run. I’ve had my adventure, but at the very least, I hope we can see something of a season.”