So Perry a good 2015-16 ?
Last season was a really great season and I knew it was going to go well but the expectations went beyond that getting third in the league and made the play –off final. So it was good but we need to maintain that and push on from there.
Start of the Summer but lots already in place for the new season already. You’ve got the squad you want going forward into 16-17. What is the most important thing you look for in a player ?
From last season we know we know last year we were defensively struggling – we were not nearly mobile enough – and I count myself in that. We will have a much tighter D going into 2016-17 and I am bringing in a mobile defence-man, fast on the puck and offensively minded to work the blue line, cover their forwards but then quickly get us transitioning back up to the other end of the ice.
Our forward lines were strong last season but again we really want some fast skating at all ends of the ice to really put pressure on the opposition D. Were going to be a fast physical team next season.
It is absolutely key to have a really positive attitude, get on in changing room and have a good relationship on and off the ice. Any players I bring in need to be part of this – and when we are on the ice I need guys who play hard for each other, with no quitters, and who will play every second of the 60 minutes.
Fitness will be a big thing next season. We know this and so this is why I have brought Haider in. He knows the game, the dynamics and how we skate and understands the conditioning we need. He is already helping us with off ice drills as I’ve made it clear if any of the lads aren’t fit, they won’t be playing.
100% this is the last season I play – I will be dressing and playing but I want to start focussing more on the coaching and it can be mentally hard when you are playing as well. I want to encourage kids, I don’t want to be clogging up the lines. There are some great kids coming through and it is important they get ice time – I don’t want to be taking anyone’s spot.
You got married over the Summer so will that mean a softer Perry and a softer Barons ?
Oh no no….I’ve still got the same attitude and we’re going to be a physical side everyone will play a part. I’m not getting soft in my old age, nowhere near….I will do what I have to for the team – if that means playing the body or dropping the gloves, so be it.
It looks to be a quality league coming up – Whitley and Billingham will always be strong, Blackburn have lost some good players but will still be dangerous, and Solway can always come back. How do you see things playing out ?
I think this season coming is going to be better than last. This season every team knows the others, what they bring to the table. Look at Whitley Bay, they’re going to be good, they’ve got Lobby (David Longstaff) he’s a leader and will make sure everyone is up for games. Solway will be strong and Billingham had a late start last season, missed the play-offs and won’t want that to happen again. Telford are looking to be a good team too, they’ve got Budzie (Daniel McKriel) and I’m sure Brittle will play for them too.
But we are going to have a really strong team too and I really believe we will be up there challenging for the silverware.