Chelmsford Chieftains have reluctantly released Scott Stevenson.

It was a difficult decision for Chieftains as Scott was a popular player, both with his team-mates and the supporters.

Stevenson secured a good job during the summer and his work commitments have meant him not being able to make all of the training sessions and he was having difficulty in balancing his work with ice hockey.

The club felt that in the interests of both parties it was best to release him.

Chieftains Coach Shaun McFadyen donned his kit for the first time since his retirement at the end of last season.

He took to the ice in the second period of last Sunday's league match against Nottingham Lions and was immediately in the thick of the action.

He started on the forward line and was instrumental in Lee Cowmeadow's second goal.

McFadyen thought he got a deflection on a slapshot but the goal was credited to Cowmeadow.

Chieftains captain Jake French missed his first match of the season on Sunday following injury on Saturday at Solihull.

French limped from the ice after taking a slapshot on the instep of his right foot.

Within seconds he was back on the ice only to immediately take a similar injury to the other foot.

The injury was diagnosed as bad bruising.

Chieftains are close to signing a Canadian forward. Until the details are finalised the club cannot name the player.

However he has had a previously successful campaign with a British National League Club.

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