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| Ron Shudra, back at the rink where his UK hockey career began. |
Sunday evening's game saw a familiar surname on the roster sheets in the form of Sheffield Spartans Cole Shudra. Exciting pro-prospect Cole is of course the son of ex-Baron, Ron Shudra who was an enthusiastic spectator at Sunday's game.
"He's now on a pro contract with the Steeldogs, but is still able to play for the Spartans, the Sheffield Under 20s and Under 18s so it's a case of seeing what's on, who needs him and if there's a conflict, it will be up to him. I follow his games and afterwards might give him the odd comment but he is his own man." explained Ron.
Ron Shudra himself had a long and diverse career in hockey. Drafted to the NHL by Edmonton, he found himself lining up with Wayne Gretzky's Oilers, before a call to his agent brought him to the UK and a place on the Solihull Baron's lines for the 1990-91 BHL season alongside Steve Chartrand, Brent Sapergia, Ronnie Wood and a bruising youngster called Perry Doyle.
"My first thought was, 'They play hockey in England ?' but soon I was over to the UK and within an hour of arrival I was into training. My first game was away in Humberside and I think we lost pretty heavily. The season started with a long run of maybe 10-11 losses but then after Christmas we started winning and the rink got busier and busier and by season end was jam-packed".
The Barons made it to the play-offs, with defenceman Shudra rounding off his season with 93 points from 42 league and play-off games.
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By next season a call from Ronnie Wood, who had moved from the Barons to the newly formed Sheffield Steelers saw Shudra move North East to a city which would be his hockey home for most of the remainder of his playing career. "I briefly went to Basingstoke and had offers from Austria but when Ronnie Wood called me with the promise of playing in front of 8000 at a brand new arena I made the move to the Steelers".
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| Cole Shudra facing off against Joe Henry |
A long and fruitful career with the Steelers would see him garner a host of domestic trophies and awards and see his number 26 be retired by the team. His playing days were rounded off with a spell with the EPL Sheffield Scimitars, which then evolved into his current role coaching juniors at the Sheffield academy.
With a good handle on all levels of hockey in the UK, from the juniors, through NIHL and EPL Shudra was confident the Barons support would see some good games this season. "We have just seen the Spartans and Barons play out a good warm-up game but with this league, there are some really professional sides, Blackburn, Whitley, Billingham, the Spartans were missing five of their regulars tonight, so come the season proper the intensity of the games will be a couple of gears up from what we have just seen."
"But Solihull is always a difficult place to come to - it was always mean, nasty and tough on the opposition and I'd like to say that nothing has changed !"
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NEXT HOME GAME
THIS SUNDAY !!!
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The Barons welcome the Widnes Wild to Hobs Moat for the only time this season. The Wild start the season as many peoples tips for the Laidler division and will give the Barons a strong game.
This game will also act as a launch event for Rob Eley's 19 for 19 charity with funds from the game going to the cause.
Get to the rink early to see special guest, professional boxer Frankie Gavin the current British, Commonwealth and WBA intercontinental welterweight champion. Frankie will be joined by the Heart of England trust charity team who along with their mascot Huggy will be giving away 19 for 19 merchandise.
They will also have further information about Rob's Testimonial season as well as an opportunity for you to buy tickets for forthcoming events.
For more details see here.
Make it loud and ensure the Barons have that extra man on the ice ! |
Sunday 30th August
Face-off : 6:30pm
Adults £8 : Concessions £4
Family ticket £24
(2 adults and up to 3 children)
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