September 1, 2008

Hutchins Joins Bracknell

Jeff Hutchins (r), shown here with Bridgeport of the AHL, has joined Bracknell
Jeff Hutchins (r), shown here with Bridgeport of the AHL, has joined Bracknell

The Bracknell Bees are delighted to announce the key addition of former Union forward Jeff Hutchins to their 2008-09 English Premier Ice Hockey League squad. The 30-year old Hutchins joins the Bees having spent the last three seasons playing for the Coventry Blaze, Belfast Giants and Newcastle Vipers. The 6-foot Toronto-born star has played 132 games in the Elite Ice Hockey League, scoring 65 goals and 72 assists.

Before coming to the UK at the start of the 2005-06 season, Hutchins played in both the American Hockey League and East Coast Hockey League, where he was part of the 2002-03 South West Division Championship winning Mississippi Sea Wolves.

Bees' Head Coach Adam Bicknell is full of praise for his new recruit: "Jeff joins after three successful seasons playing in the top league in our country. He is a proven goal scorer and exactly the type of power forward I was looking to lead our offence this year. Jeff has put respectable numbers up in the Elite league and with his eye for goal and no nonsense style, he is certain to make an instant impact in the EPL this year."

"I had heard that Jeff was interested about our league with the possibility of working in London and also playing. Having met with Jeff several times it is clear that he is passionate about the game and was keen to join a title challenging team. Jeff had spoken to all of the local clubs and it was great to get his signature. He has been skating with us for the last couple of weeks and he has fitted right in. Jeff is an experienced player and it is great to have a player of his calibre wearing a Bees shirt this season."

"Jeff completes our line up for the forthcoming season. I'm really pleased with the players I have recruited and they give us real flexibility in line selections. Every player I have signed is a team player and I believe team strength is derived from unity. When a team plays for each other the performances are always committed and I expect our games to be far more entertaining this year."