Scouting Brits abroad to improve the team for next year

[blair3]

I have heard that Dutiaume has been complaining that he has been restricted on making team changes when import players are under performing as he does not have any alternatives and can’t bench them. I think this is something of an unfair criticism on the British players. Muir, Scoon, Gunn and Smith have shown that they can do a job at Elite Level, yes they won’t make a huge impact in terms of offence (with the possible exception of Smith in seasons ahead) but to imply they can’t be relied on to do a job is unfair.



That said I do believe that Fife have gone as far as they can with a roster of imports and what are effectively Brits playing for expenses only. If the team really wants to have a chance of competing with the big five teams (including Braehead) they have to start investing more of their budget in British players. While I think the likes of Smith, Robertson, Cochrane, Simpson and others can be developed into good Elite League players, if their development is managed properly, it is likely to take a season or two at least.



Thought I would draw your attention to a few British players who, if the team is going to move forward, Fife need to look at signing. These Brits may well not be on the radar of other clubs but in my opinion would be ready to play in the Elite League next year.



1, Kieran Forbes, has played in North America since to 2011. Currently playing for the Ogden Mustangs in the WSHL Junior A hockey, the team that helped produce Craig Moore and David Clements. This year has 61 points in 49 games and is in the team’s top 4 in scoring. For Ogden has scored 113 points in 132 games. Comes from Elgin and is in his last season of junior hockey.



2, Simon Hobbis, also playing in the WSHL for the last two years. This season scored 46 points in 48 goals and plays as a defenceman. In total 78 points in 95 games in the league over the last two seasons. Same age as Forbes



3, Liam Morris, son of Frank Morris. Plays both forward and Defence and has been in North America since 2011. Plays in the GMHL a league of varying quality but the league that helped produce Craig Peacock and a few NHL draft picks. Has scored 152 points in 143 league games.



4, Mike Korol, son of Bob Korol and born in Kirkaldy. Has been playing in North America since 2008 (I think he would qualify as a Brit). Playing in the SJHL Junior A. Least likely of the three to be available as he seems focused on playing College Hockey.



Don’t get me wrong, I would love to see the kids mentioned above come through and I hope those mentioned above are either on the full roster or apprenticeship deals next year. I just feel if the coach doesn’t think he can trust his current Brits some of which are coming up to 30 and have considered leaving the game then the four players mentioned are realistic options to replace them and in my opinion improve the team and maybe give the four line depth that would challenge the big teams.



But what I do know, none of the Brits will improve as players, or strengthen the team if they are left on the bench all season.

[domi28]

Would you come from North America just to sit on a bench for a year. That will never improve your development.
Also Fife would never pay them what could be an import wage including accomodation etc.

[johndabomb]

What happened to Jordan Crowe?

Also I assume you mean Alex Forbes at Ogden but yeah I agree would be a good signing.

[swarfiga]

Can't believe you've put the word "scouting" on the flyers forum

[teamshaky]

Strong rumours that for next season any player who holds a British passport will be classed as a brit

[coloradoflyer]

If that is true get brooksey signed back up

[teamshaky]

Also reduced to 12 imports and a max of 19 players on the team sheet for each game.

[coloradoflyer]

Yeah heard that a few times

[johndabomb]

I think that would be an interesting move.

On the one hand you could see the bigger teams flexing their financial muscles and stocking up on enough dual-nationals to roll a full team of what would effectively be imports. Though I'm unsure how many of these players are around so they might be fighting over them.

On the other hand the likes of Brooks and Isaacs would count as Brits but for a club our size would having import quality dual-nationals now counting as Brits just mean we sign less imports overall.

[teamshaky]

Currently it is double standards, your picked for GB because you qualify as a Brit, but in the league your in a category of European passport holder.
If it implemented a player like Brooks will be high demand so will probably be outwith Flyers budget.

[domi28]

It's going back to the days when Sheffield signed a lot of dual national players,class A & B imports etc.
Just a excuse to fill teams full of imports(superleague days)

[waterboy]

Steelers back then had 3 imports and 6 British Imports, hardly a balanced league when teams load up like that. The teams with the big budgets will still find ways around these rules or at least make the most of them.