Sproat to Make Home in United Kingdom
_Photos/Princeton/Dustin_Sproat_Cincinnati.gif?max_width=360)
Dustin Sproat will continue his professional career across the Atlantic as the former Princeton standout will don the jersey of the Nottingham Panthers of the Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL), the team announced Thursday on its Web site.
Sproat, the leading scorer in the 2010 East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) playoffs with 11 goals and 21 points, guided the Cincinnati Cyclones to the 2010 Kelly Cup title. The 29-year old competed in 91 games in 2009-10 splitting time between Cincinnati and Milwaukee of the American Hockey League (AHL).
“I guess I’m known as a great two-way player, this year I had about a point a game playing on the best defensive team in the league but there’s more than that to come in a different system,” Sproat is quoted as saying on the Nottingham Web site. “I outscored some of the top names in the coast this year in all the big games and I can’t wait to bring that work ethic to Nottingham.
“I spoke to players around Europe and everyone told me Nottingham was the place to go in the UK. I’m looking forward to it and you can add me to the list of players who’ve told you they can’t wait for the new season to get going.”
GMB Panthers coach Corey Neilson added: “Dustin has five years in the pros under his belt, in Cincinnati, they made it to the Conference Finals last year and they won the Kelly Cup this year. In both campaigns Dustin led the team in playoff points, goals, and plus-minus.
“I can see him leading by example and making the big plays in the big games. He knows what’s expected of him and he is relishing the challenge. He’s a high energy guy and will be good value for the fans to watch.”
Sproat has also played for Reading and Fresno in the ECHL and is a graduate from Princeton. The six-foot tall Canadian is likely to extend his studies thanks to the unique tie between the GMB Panthers and the University of Derby. He has also set up his own hockey foundation which has done a lot of work in the community so his approach will fit in with the Nottingham Panthers own program and ideals of getting into schools and meeting kids from all walks of life.
