Record Number of Imports Trying Out!

Never before in Blue Tongue history has there been such an interest by imports wanting to play for the Bartercard Gold Coast Blue Tongues. Three guesses why? And the first two don't count!!! Yes, Living on the Gold Coast is a huge attraction for our overseas hopefuls, after all who wouldn't want to be off ice training on one of the best beaches in the world!!

With a full off season of fielding email enquiries from all over the world at an average of 10-20 a week, Blue Tongue administration has ended up with a record number of imports trying out for the 2009 season.

This year the Australian Ice Hockey League quota of imports was reduced to signing six imports per team with only four imports able to play in a game per team. Keen to have most of the imports confirmed before the season, Blue Tongue management signed their first two imports back in December last year.

Fortunately for these two Swedes, Andre Selander and Henrik Ivarsson they will have the advantage of knowing their place amongst the six designated imports is secure. However, the restriction of being only able to dress four imports in a game will keep them highly motivated to perform in their first few games and throughout the season. Both Andre and Hnerik have come from playing in the Central Hockey League in America.

The third import guaranteed to start the season is key Canadian/Dutch player, Brad Smulders. Brad has just finished playing in the professional Dutch League in Holland, as well as representing Holland in international competitions this past year.

Keeping Andre, Henrik, and Brad motivated are returning imports Chris Martin and Bill Crumm. Chris is back for his second year with the Blue Tongues and attending Bond University. Management cannot wait to see how the hard off ice training work Chris has put in pays off in his play early on in the season. Unfortunately last year, Billy had an early season ending knee injury, and is very keen to have good start to the season.

That leaves one remaining import spot to start the season off. The list of players is comprehensive, and numbers between 15-20 players, all of whom will have to impress in a couple of trainings and a few inter squad games. Fortunately, most of the players will remain after the tryouts and play in the local Gold Coast Hockey League which will give management every opportunity to see which imports really stand out, and are ready to step in to the sixth import spot, as well as selecting imports for any emergencies required during the year.

The confirmed dates of inter squad games in the first couple of weekends in April will be finalised in the coming week.