An unassuming figure doing the graft on the Barons blue line, James Moeller has spent the last few seasons gradually building his skill set and working hard to face down some of the fastest and most skilled forwards to visit Hobs Moat road. Now in his third season with the NIHL Barons, for the former U18 and U20 captain, his time in the senior squad has been all about doing his best for the team and working on his development as a player.
“Yes, I am really enjoying it. It’s been a great opportunity to get the chance to play with a lot of experienced players. With the ex-EPL teams joining the league it’s brought in a lot of really good players to play with and against. It can be a little daunting at times when you see some of the quality we see coming down the ice, so I just try to give them as little room as possible and do my best to anticipate what they do but it is good to know that whoever I am paired with on D he’ll be there to give me back up and he knows I will be there for him.”
Having had a week off, Moeller and the rest of the Barons have a busy weekend coming up. On Sunday they welcome the Solway Sharks to Hobs Moat for the first time this season, while on Saturday they have the unusual prospect of a high noon (give or take half an hour) tie against old rivals the Lions at the big arena in Nottingham.
“I don’t think I have played so early since I was 10 or something ! Our usual eating and drinking routines ahead of the game might be a little mixed up but we will just be preparing the same way. Despite the league position I think we need to expect a tough game, it’s going to be unfamiliar ice but we just need to treat it like any other game and get the two points.”
“Solway here on Sunday will be another tough game – but we are playing well and hope we can use the home advantage, the familiar ice and the support to get us the result.”
Asked hs personal ambitions for the season it was fairly straightforward for Moeller.
“Yes, Just want to improve really. It would be nice to help a little more up front but my focus is just to do my best for the team, I want to stick to my assignment and just keep the D-zone safe.”
To see James and the rest of the Barons make sure you get down to Hobs Moat on Sunday when they take on the Solway Sharks for a mouth watering 4th v 5th clash. Face-off 6:00pm.
