Player Update for Bartercard Gold Coast Blue Tongues

3 MONTHS TO GO AND COUNTING!!

Yes only 3 months to go, and boy are we keen. The talent of players for this year's team just continues to grow.

Last update we announced import signings Andre Selander and Henrik Ivarsson from Sweden, and in this update we are pleased to announce the latest import recruit Brad Smulders. Brad is Canadian born who also holds Dutch citzenship and has represented The Netherlands in 2007 and 2008 Division 1 World Championships. Brad is currently playing in the professional league in Holland for the Nijmegen Devils and has put together 12 goals, 31 assists, 43 points in only 28 games. Brad comes highly recommended to us by Mike Gough, past Blue Tongue and player on last year's World Championship winning Australian team. Mike having played a full season with Brad in Holland has no doubt Brad will fit into the team and the Gold Coast culture.

Bringing the team even closer together this year is very important to us. We started in November with the off ice training and all the guys getting together 3 times a week and still going. Even our imports have an element of gel to it with Henrik and Andre having played most of the junior hockey together in Sweden, and Henrik has even played a season with Brad in Holland. Add to this the return of last year's imports Billy Crumm, Chris Martin, and Chris Kerr wanting to cement their places on the team and we are looking very strong. Since the start of the New Year my email inbox of imports wanting to play for the Blue Tongues has increased to an average of 3 per day! We now have an unofficial confirmed 15 import hopefuls making their way to the Gold Coast for tryouts in April with the understanding that they are competing for a couple of walk-on imports spots, and if unsuccessful have the opportunity to play in our local Gold Coast Hockey League during their off season and enjoy all that the Gold Coast has to offer!!

With our Australian resident players we are also very excited!! Past Blue Tongue favorite, Matt Stubbert has made his way back to the Gold Coast this year, and will be playing for the Blue Tongues joining our strong contingent of local players including and not limited to Ross Howell, Marco Bertossa, Paul Rayner, Davey Upton, Jack Connor, Jon Bale, Cameron Trew, Ben Spillane, Matt Lehoczky, Eric Sewell, Ben Maher, Robert Orosz, Brad Cassidy, goalies Mark Paulsen and Luke Fiveash, and of course other Brisbane and Gold Coast based players who will come out to the tryout camp in April.

Stay tuned we may have even more announcements in the next player update!!!!

Speaking of tryouts, we will start the first Tuesday in April. For tryouts we will have trainings on the first two Tuesdays, and three inter squad games on the first two weekends in April. Most all of the Blue Tongue players will also start playing in the Gold Coast Hockey League on the first Thursday in March.

The league schedule has been finalised and our first games are in Sydney against the Bears and Ice Dogs on the weekend of 25-26 April. Get ready for our first HOME games on the weekend of 16-17 May against last year's Champions, Newcastle North Stars.

Our motto this year for all...players, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters remains...

"TO BE A WINNER ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS GIVE ALL YOU HAVE"