By Kris Smith
With just three days to go until the first game of professional hockey in Dundee since March 2020, the new Stars squad are starting to feel more at home and back up to speed, as they get to grips with their new tactics and teammates.
One of the new recruits, Dillon Lawrence is very familiar with life in the UK after playing three seasons in the Elite League already.
Now, after spending his first few days as a Star, he feels the team are already starting to come together as a group.
He said: “There is a bit of rust that everyone has had to shake-off, but I think we are looking pretty good.
“We have been playing with a lot of intensity and working hard, so I think we are on the right track and I am excited about how things are looking for us so far.”
Meanwhile, returning defenseman, Kris Inglis believes he and his teammates will be ready to go when Friday night’s exhibition derby rolls around, after they made a positive start to training.
Inglis said: “I am feeling good, it has been a good start to camp.
“The first day back after 18 months was a little bit tough but we had a good summer here in Dundee and got a chance to get on the ice every couple of days.
“So, I am feeling back up to speed now and yesterday was a bit tougher trying to find your legs again, but I feel like all the boys are clicking and there is a good high tempo to practice.
“I am sure that once we have gotten into our systems a bit more and trained more together, we will be ready to go on Friday night against Fife.”
A big test lies ahead of the Stars this weekend as they face their biggest foes in a double header but Canadian import, Philippe Sanche “cannot wait” to get back into competitive action after his long lay-off.
He said: “It feels good to get back on the ice and practice with a real team after almost 18 months.
“It is a bit sore at times, but my body still feels good, and I cannot wait to play on Friday, plus it will be nice to be back in front of the fans too.”
Sanche continued: “I feel ready for Friday already, we have a good group of guys and I think we have already found a lot of chemistry.
“So, I think we are going to have a lot of fun this year and especially this weekend against Fife.”
Two days down, three to go until Derby Day and we will be back tomorrow with more insight from some of our 2021-2022 roster.
Tickets for Friday’s Tayside Derby are selling fast but you can still get yours HERE.
