Rob has to Guild for future

ROB LACHOWICZ is preparing for a new life after swapping the black and gold of Nottingham for a journey into the unknown in Guildford.

The Great Britain winger has spent the last 20-odd years playing for hometown clubs and 15 seasons as a professional for the top-flight Panthers.

But he has joined rivals Guildford after being squeezed out under new rules governing the make-up of teams going into next season.

He said: “It will be a bit strange because it will be my whole lifestyle that will be changing, having to find a new golf partner, looking for new restaurants, that sort of thing.

“I just live across the road, I remember timing the walk from my door to the rink and it was five minutes!

“It’s going to be different but I don’t think that’s a bad thing and it’s something I am looking forward to. I’m being put up in a team house there, my girlfriend will be with me.

“I don’t think we will be moving until September and it’s tough to say how different it will feel as we are in the off-season and if I was with Nottingham I would be doing exactly the same thing as I am now.”

SHEFFIELD are planning a fast start to the new season after snapping up Czech speedster Martin Latal. Steelers’ boss Aaron Fox said: “Martin is considered one of the fastest players in the Czech Extraliga. His speed will fit perfectly into our up-tempo, pace-driven style of play.”

DUNDEE are hoping Canadian defender Kyle Haas will stop them being an Elite League soft touch. Coach Omar Pacha said: “I thought in the last few years we have really been missing a bit of toughness at the back.”