Manchester Storm head coach Cameron Critchlow says the fans should be excited about what’s to come in terms of signing news over the new few weeks.

 

Storm’s boss is the first guest on the brand new official Manchester Storm podcast, StormCast, where he spoke of how his recruitment is going among many topics.

 

And he opened up on the areas where he felt his team – who finished sixth in the Elite League last season and ended the campaign in the play-off finals weekend – could improve.

 

“The fans should very excited about what’s to come,” he said. “There are a lot of factors that will make the fans happy such as scoring, toughness and skating ability. It should be an exciting brand of hockey.

 

What we’re looking to do is create a fast team that can score. We like to play hard and heavy, but like to play fast as well and that was kind of our motto last year.

 

We want to shut down and limit chances in our defensive zone, transition quick and get into the offensive area as quick as we can.  I think that’s a team we’re building that can demonstrate that and show how dynamic we can be.

 

We want to test other teams and put them on their heels as much as we can. It’s been fun to build this team to this point, but there are things we still need to address. That said, we’re happy with the product we have so far.

 

We think there’s going to be more offensive punch to our team and added more depth scoring wise.”

 

Excitement is building towards the new season and a return to the AO Arena for Storm as fans get ready to visit their new home for the first time against Sheffield Steelers on Sunday 6th September.

 

It’s fair to say Cameron is also looking ahead to the thought of taking his place behind the bench for the first time as he recalled his reaction to the news and what it will mean to the organisation.

 

“It was hard to wrap my head around at first,” he said. “The lore of the AO Arena in the 90’s, the incredible atmosphere and the incredible environment it provided.  Not only for the players, but the fans too.

 

Once we get going, I think it will be setting in until all the boards are set up and the ice is in, but I’m looking forward to it.

 

It’s such a huge step to be able to provide world class facilities in a world class arena they can be proud of when the families come to see them and share with them.

 

It’s going to be a bit of a legacy year.  As much as we’ve built and created to get to this point, it’s their arena, it’s on us to create something special and create a winning environment.

 

I know the guys that are coming back are ready and willing to do that.  It’s going to be fun, but it’s going to be hard work as well, but something we can’t wait for.”

 

By: Craig Anderson