WITH just two weeks to the start of the new ice hockey season, City Motors Fox Oxford Blades are gearing up with some promising signings.

In a bid to wipe away the memory of last season's winless campaign, Blades have spread their net far and wide to bring in some exciting signings for the new English League Premier Division season, which sees them open at home to derby rivals Swindon Chill on Sunday, September 5.

Canadian defenceman Mike Dumka is the new player-coach. He has a wealth of experience in his homeland, and with Medway in the UK. He also spent last season in Belgium.

The German League has yielded three key signings, netminder Martin Fellhauer and forwards Michael Stegmann and David Stevens, the first two natives of Germany, while Stevens was born in Britain and grew up in Canada where he learnt his hockey.

Some familiar faces will be returning from last season - James Clarke, Trevor Joseph and Dan Cabby - and Oxford have upset their Swindon rivals by stealing British stars Ryan Aldridge, Wayne Fiddes, Grant Bailey and Mark Copping. Blades will be revealing more of their new signings at the weekend and director Sid Cabby can't wait for the action to get under way. "We know mistakes were made last season, but we have learnt from them and have carefully chosen our new players, going for more size and aggression and proven scoring ability.

"We have a good mix this time, combining experience with youth and we will be encouraging more of our outstanding junior prospects to move up to the senior grade.

"All I would ask is that people give us a chance, we want to repay all our loyal fans who stuck with us last year and attract even more spectators to this exciting sport."

This season, the Premier Division consists of seven teams playing a three home, three away schedule, and the Millennium Cup involving three teams from outside the division.

The division comprises of City Motors Fox Blades, Swindon Chill, Cardiff Rage, Invicta Dynamos, Romford Raiders, Wightlink Raiders and Chelmsford.

Story date: Thursday 26 August

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