Tom Watkins insists Corey McEwen will be given his chance to shine with Telford Tigers in the EPL next season.

Telford’s latest signing spent last year at Swindon Wildcats, following a lengthy junior career in Canada.

The 23-year-old forward qualifies as a home-grown player after spending his formative years in the Peterborough junior system.

Watkins said: “We’re signing a player with very good potential and when I saw him in the early part of last season, I noticed his speed first.

“I tried to sign him last summer and was disappointed when he went to Swindon. He’s got good energy and will benefit from being on the ice every day.

“I spoke to Corey’s team-mates and they all had good things to say about him. He will come here, work hard and be given his chance.”

McEwen is Watkins’s fourth new signing of the summer so far, alongside Warren Tait, Ondrej Raszka and Luke Brittle.

That recruitment campaign will continue over coming weeks, as the Tigers’ boss puts the finishing touches to his new squad.

“Corey is at a great age and he’s still young enough to keep on improving,” Watkins added.

“He’s got a good work ethic, and a good attitude to practice and games. I think we need to put him in the right places and if we do that he’ll thrive.

“He’s in good shape, shoots well and has the fundamental skills that I always look for. He’ll be an important player for us, as everyone is.

“Not every player can score 50 points a season, and you need every part of the puzzle. I think there’s a lot more in Corey’s locker than perhaps he showed last season.”

(Image permission: Steve Brodie)