The preparation for the 1999/2000 ice hockey season has begun in earnest for the Chelmsford Chieftains Ice Hockey Club.

Having appointed Erskine Douglas as head coach and named Andy Hannah as Douglas' assistant, the club is now busy in the ever difficult task of building a balanced team.

The club have signed young netminder Simon Smith from Guildford Flames where he has played for two seasons.

Smith, 20, is rated in the top four goalies in his age group (20 to 22 year olds) in the country.

Earlier in the season, Smith picked up two gold star awards in the Benson & Hedges Cup.

Prior to joining Guildford he was with Medway Bears (1996/1997 season) and won a string of honours including Mizuno player of the week (twice) and Mizuno Player of the Year.

He also won five gold-star Benson & Hedges awards, the most ever won by one player.

On the international front, Smith has played in the National Junior team at all ages from 14 up to 20, won a gold medal with the GB under 19s at the European Championships and was third choice goalkeeper for the National Junior team at the recent World Championships.

Erskine Douglas said, "I am delighted to have signed Simon for Chieftains in a position (goalie) which is always hard to fill.

''Simon has always had great potential and his two years at Guildford will have exposed him to quality players which has only served to improve his overall game. He will be a fine acquisition for the club."

Chieftains have agreed terms with a number of players and should have contracts signed and sealed with at least three defencemen and three forwards within the next few days.

With the announcement that 7Up had renewed their sponsorship of Chieftains for a second year the deal included a revamped playing strip.

Chieftains and their sponsors are to fund shirts for all junior hockey teams playing out of Riverside with all teams adopting the same shirt design as Chieftains.

Like everyone connected with ice hockey in Chelmsford, Chieftains and their sponsors are pleased with the progress made in the junior sections over recent seasons and particularly the superb league positions attained by all junior clubs last season.

7Up are to to extend their investment in Chelmsford ice hockey by supporting the junior clubs through the shirt deal.

All junior players at Chelmsford were asked to submit their ideas to help the club with final choice of designs.

Each entry was judged and considered by the Chieftain's directors, sponsors' franchise director, Kyle Whitehall and Riverside Centre manager, Kevin Reed.

The judging took place last week and the final designs and winners will be a closely guarded secret.

However, Chieftains' PR & Marketing director John Blundell said: "It looked as if the designs will include new colours."

Chieftains will continue to compete in the English Premier League next season.

The League lost Solihull Blaze and Milton Keynes Kings, who have moved up to British National League level.

New to the English Premier will be Cardiff Rage who have moved up from English League Division One. Teams will compete on a three home and three away basis.

It promises to be a highly competitive league with Swindon, Wightlink and Oxford all having made significant overseas signings already.

Chieftains are looking for accommodation for players for the season and are appealing for fans who have spare rooms to let to contact them if they can help.

Telephone 'Ollie' on 01277 364205 for further details.

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