Streatham IHC embark on a new era in NIHL1 South this weekend when new Head Coach Jeremy Cornish takes charge of the team for the first time.
The ex-Wightlink boss took over from Nicky Chinn earlier this week and has quickly shaken up the roster, bringing in six former Raiders to replace five outgoing players.
Streatham head to London Raiders in the D1S Cup on Saturday, before hosting Bracknell Hornets in the league the following day and Cornish can’t wait to get started.
“I’m looking forward to it – it’s a new rink, a new start,” he told Banners on the Wall. “I’m excited to get to know the fans – I understand how they work.
“I think it’s a really cool opportunity – they’ve got a really solid foundation and they’ve got a decent team, so I’m going to mix in a few with what they’ve got and hopefully we can make a run here.
“Things will hopefully even out in the league over the next couple of weeks, which gives me a bit of time to implement the things I want to do.”
Oxford City Stars have also added a couple of former Raiders to their roster this week, signing defender Brendan Baird and forward Ben Paynter.
Baird will make his debut when the Stars face Solent Devils on Sunday, but Paynter must sit out four games while he completes a suspension.
Head Coach Simon Anderson said: “I’m delighted to welcome both Ben and Brendan to the Stars – they’ll both be fantastic additions to our roster.
“When speaking to Jeremy about them, he had nothing but good things to say about these guys.
“I’d personally like to thank Jeremy and the Wightlink Raiders’ management for their prompt and professional dealings these past few days, despite everything that has unfortunately occurred on the island.
“We look forward to seeing both these guys in yellow soon.”
Stars have confirmed that Czech forward Ondrej Pekarik has been released by the club.
WEEKEND FIXTURES
NIHL1 South
Saturday
Bracknell Hornets v Solent Devils
London Raiders v Streatham IHC (Cup)
Sunday
Invicta Dynamos v Chelmsford Chieftains (Cup)
MK Thunder v London Raiders
Oxford City Stars v Solent Devils
Streatham IHC v Bracknell Hornets
NIHL2 South
Saturday
Bristol Pitbulls v Swindon Wildats NIHL
Cardiff Fire v Wightlink Buccaneers (Cup)
Chelmsford Warriors v Slough Jets
Haringey Racers v Peterborough Islanders
(Image permission: David Trevallion)
