Guildford Flames head coach Paul Dixon continued his mid-season reshuffle on Saturday [28 October], adding former Glasgow Clan forward Steven McParland to his roster for the rest of the Elite League season.
The Canadian, who started the season in Germany’s DEL3 with Saale Bulls Halle, has burnished his credentials as an impactful scorer at the professional level, with stints in the NCAA, ECHL, and Alps Hockey League.
With that in mind, British Ice Hockey reviews McParland’s career path, analyses his skillset, and lifts the lid on his mid-season move to the Flames.
Who is Guildford Flames forward Steven McParland?
McParland boasts a wealth of experience from stints in the United States, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
The 32-year-old is a product of Providence College’s highly-regarded NCAA programme, for which he made 129 appearances, recorded 44 points (14 goals, 30 assists), and helped advance to the Frozen Four in 2014-15.
After the completion of his senior year, McParland put pen to paper in the ECHL and kickstarted his professional career with three points in four games for the Elmira Jackals.
The Schreiber native spent three full seasons in North America’s third tier, totalling 165 points (77 goals, 88 assists) in 197 appearances before departing for Italy in 2019.
McParland was a dominant performer through three seasons with Asiago, for whom he amassed 172 points (73 goals, 99 assists) in 110 Alps Hockey League appearances.
Steven McParland, now of the Guildford Flames (Image: Al Goold)
Despite the team’s collective struggles, he played a starring role in Glasgow last season, potting 46 points (19 goals, 27 assists) in 54 Elite League outings.
What is Guildford Flames forward Steven McParland’s standout attribute?
McParland’s versatility is a major coup for the Flames – who can position the Ontario-born forward through centre ice or on the left wing.
Despite his unsuccessful eight-game stint in Germany’s third tier, McParland is proven as a middle-six point producer who isn’t afraid to throw his weight around and play in the dirty areas of the ice.
Why have the Guildford Flames signed experienced forward Steven McParland?
The Flames have been out of sorts in the offensive zone all season, falling to the bottom of the Elite League’s scoring charts and regularly seeing the ice tilted against them at even strength.
Guildford released two forwards (Anthony Petruzzelli and Kobe Roth) earlier this month, with Patrick Bajkov and the aforementioned McParland signed to replace them.
“Along with Patrick, we think we have made a significant upgrade to our line up in terms of finding goals,” said Dixon.
“As we said earlier, there is no doubt we have struggled to find the net so far this season. Steven can skate well and his numbers over the course of his career speak for themselves.”
Dixon’s arrival adds another layer of offensive firepower to Guildford’s roster and should help the Flames move in the right direction in the months ahead.
