Forshee returns to the Wildcats

3:56pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

The ENL Wildcats development team are to play in the forthcoming English National League's Division II-South competition, alongside teams from Basingstoke, Chelmsford, Invicta, Isle of Wight, Lee Valley, Romford, Slough and Gosport.

In a 27-game season, with the goal of promotion into Division I-South a realistic target, the ENL Wildcats will once again have an important role to play in the region's ice hockey programme.

Headed up by coach Justin Bonnello, the ENL Wildcats feature a mix of young emerging local talent with the accomplished expertise of more senior local legends.

With Scott Gough, Drew Chapman, Ian Clark and Jamie Thompson being familiar names on Wildcats rosters throughout the years each returning, a further key addition will bring significant attacking expertise to the team as the club welcomes Ken Forshee back onto the ice.

Forshee, 33, is no stranger to the Link Centre, having played for each of the Chill, Phoenix, Lynx and Wildcats senior sides since moving to the town ten years ago.

The Canadian forward has served as both captain and head coach of the Premier League team, before stepping down due to external commitments midway through the 06/07 season to be succeeded by the club's present head coach, Peter Russell.

"We're delighted that 'Forsh' has signed up," said club spokesman Mark Thompson.

"When we launched the ENL team two seasons ago, the intent was that we would have a mix of local senior talent and the best of the local youth and juniors not otherwise part of the full-time Premier Wildcats team.

"That programme is now much stronger for having a leader and mentor such as Ken involved.

"It's great to have him back in a 'Cats jersey; he will certainly have strong vocal support from the crowd."

Also returning to his home-town club this season is 24-year old defenceman Joe Dickens.

Dickens, a product of the Swindon junior programme, made his senior debut for the 2002 Swindon Lynx before spending time at Telford, Solihull and overseas before returning to the UK to complete his graduate training, leading to his new role as coach with the newly launched Wildcats in the Community community interest company.

The starting roster for the ENL Development team features 12 forwards, seven defencemen and two netminders, although as the season progresses further names from the local junior programme are anticipated to train-up and may feature in competition.

Forwards (in alphabetical order): Alisdair Barrow, Ryan Burgess, James Burnett, Drew Chapman, Andrew Coakley, Will Crowder, Sam Feeney, Ken Forshee, Scot Gough, Matt Lawday, Jamie Newton, Grant Richardson;

Defencemen: Tom Asprey, Brian Clark, Ian Clark, Dave Collins, Joe Dickens, Dave Lovejoy, Stephen Whitfield

Netminders: Ollie Lansdowne, Jamie Thompson.

The ENL Wildcats will precede their League campaign with a challenge match against the Bracknell Hornets on Saturday at the John Nike Leisure sports Centre in Bracknell, before opening their campaign-proper at the Link Centre on Sunday September 21 at 6.30pm when they welcome the Slough Harrier Hawks.

The teams in ENL Division II-South will play each other twice home and twice away with exception of the team from Medway, whose ice availability means that their home games are played for double points courtesy of a gentleman's agreement between the teams.