You were top point scorer among British players in NIHL2 last year; do you have any targets for this season?
On a personal level I never set myself point targets, to be up amongst the top again would be great but the league gets tougher every season and there seems to be a lot more competition around the league this year so for me there’s no target other than to try and remain consistent as possible.
The Tigers were runners up in the league last season; do you think this year you can go one better?
I think as a team our aim from the outset is of course to win the league and cup. With the addition of Haringey to the league and Oxford keeping most of their guys and adding to it I think it makes the challenge even more exciting and at the same time makes the league a lot more competitive and even more of a reason to bring it every game. We haven’t had the greatest of starts especially with our Coach Scotty Carter stepping down but we have to just try and build on from there and if everyone turns up each game then there is no reason why we can’t compete with any team in this league. We are all aware there isn’t an easy game in this League it will be interesting to see how it goes.
How did you first get into ice hockey?
My Dad used to take me down the rink on Sunday nights to Watch the Gosport Seakings (I think that’s what they were called) when I was about 3 years old as a few of his mates from work went down there and a few of their sons played... One of them being Krissy Abbot. I can’t remember everything but I’m guessing I liked it and Kris used to take me on the public skate once or twice a week and taught me how to skate. By 4 I was signed up and ended up being the youngest player in the Gosport setup and played 6 years in under 10’s. Best part of it that was all them years later from Krissy teaching me how to skate, we ended up being line mates in my first senior year in hockey at 16 back where it all started at Gosport.
You’ve played for England and South West throughout the youth age groups, how did that experience affect your game?
It definitely had a positive effect on my game when I was playing juniors. It fills you full of confidence and there isn’t a better feeling that representing your country, the experience playing against some of the best players in this country and around the world is something that looking back did really impact my game for the better. Having grown up being a part of that in hockey is something I will always take with me and feel that experience is so valuable to me as a person and a player.
For those who haven’t seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?
I have no idea really; I’d probably say a typical number 9. Good around the net and enjoy scoring goals.
You came up through the junior ranks at Swindon and Guildford and have played for Solent & Gosport, what brought you to the Tigers?
A combination of things really, I questioned my commitment at the time and after a half season with Slough I wasn’t sure if I wanted to commit to ENL1 with the Devils given the fact the Tigers Schedule was a lot more easy going and to be honest I wasn’t sure If I was even going to play that season. Then having spoken with Scott Carter over last summer and what he had planned for the team that year and the role I would play in the team and his plans for bringing me forward as a player it was a no brainer and for me, especially as I felt I wasn’t getting that from coaching at Gosport. It wasn’t the easiest of moves given the fact all my mates played for Gosport but it meant I could balance work and still enjoy my hockey which is exactly what I do over the island. We got a cracking bunch of lads over there and the atmosphere we have as a team is great and I like being part of it, so looking back it was a good decision and I don’t regret it one bit and I’m glad I’m back for another year!
If you could add one player to the team who would it be and why?
From this country it would probably be my old mate Frankie Harvey from the London Raiders. It would be a right laugh playing on the same team with him again and because were good pals off the ice I can only imagine how mental and often the team nights out would be. But if I could pick anyone in the world I’d pick Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks, the guy is the complete centreman and would make my life a lot easier playing with someone like that!
A big thank you to Lewis for taking the time to chat with us. Head over to twitter and look him up at @LewisTribble9
If you’ve got any feedback, you can tweet me @MattMerritt. I’d love to hear from anyone who takes the time to read the blog.
If you’re a hockey player/coach/team manager in a competitive league, I’d love to ask you some questions too, please get in touch either here or via twitter!
The Devils picked up their first win of the season this weekend and you had a great game too, how important will that be for morale?
The win is great for team morale, the whole team put the effort in and we earned our first win, it was a total team effort that will boost us up for our next game. I think that it was just what we needed three games in to this season as last year was hard to take so many loses. Every hockey player will always play to win
After a tough first season in NIHL 1 last year the Devils are tipped by many (myself included) to improve this year, what do you think will be most important in achieving that?
I think it comes down to the players committing to improving; keeping fit, training hard, turning up with the positive attitude and playing as a team. There has been a lot more effort put into this year with off ice training, two slots on the ice, also some great players added to our roster that have made our team a lot stronger. It doesn’t happen often, getting a second chance in this league, we were thankful to be givien it so we need to prove we deserve to be there!
With the ups and downs the Devils have experienced it’s important to have a steadying presence behind the bench. Who is the best coach you’ve played for?
I was lucky to have been coached by a guy called Kevin King. He scouted me as a 17 year old kid from Gosport selected me to play for England 19 and gave me a second line spot in his edi team in Bracknell I suppose at that time of my hockey a learnt a lot! He was a great coach. Firm, but his coaching skills were at the top; his coaching wasn’t just on the ice he got you ready mentally and physically. For me, I lacked confidence but he knew that and now, being older, I can see where he pushed me to make me a better player. He was all about being a close net team which I think is the number one thing you need to be a great team I have heard he’s not coaching now which is a big shame, I would say a big lose to English ice hockey, get your skates out Kinger!!!!!
Have you set any team targets for the season and do you have any personal goals for the year?
Team targets are probably the same for most teams, TO WIN GAMES! Personally, mine are to finish my chances.
A lot is made of the fact that Gosport (like Ryde) is among the smaller rinks in the league. Some say this gives an unfair advantage to the home team, what do you think about that?
I hear it a lot, about the size of our rink and do I think it gives us an advantage? N,o I don’t think so. How about when we play AWAY? The smaller the rink, the more physical the game is. When we play away we have to cover more ice than what we train on so I suppose it goes both ways…
The Devils have made some smart moves in the off-season, bringing in some players with valuable experience in the league who can play a variety of roles. Who should we be keeping an eye on this year?
Think our import Peter was a great signing, a big guy who’s powerful and has a rocket of a shot. Alex Murray, you all know him. Great centre man, holds the puck up well. I'm lucky I get to play with them both, I couldn’t leave Chico out. What a great goalie, very young but that doesn’t show! He is probably the biggest asset to the team! We've still got a lot of last year’s forwards who know where the goal is, so make sure you watch a game!
Looking around the rest of the league, which teams or players are you most relishing facing off against this season?
It’s always good to go over to the island; the Raiders have a great fan base and know how to give their fans an evening of ice hockey. The Chieftains last year played some great passing hockey against us; they have a great set up there too. We may not get the wins we want from those games but it shows you as a player that if you make a mistake they will punish you with a goal, something that we don’t want as a team.
Lastly, if you could add any player to the current Devils line-up, who would it be?
If I had the choice, Patrick Kane. The kid’s hands are rapid; he reads the game well and sets a lot of goals up for a little guy in the NHL!
Many thanks to Kris for answering our questions. You can keep up with the Devils throughout the season at @SolentDevil and you can say hi to Kris at @KrisAbbott77
If you’ve got any feedback, you can tweet me @MattMerritt. I’d love to hear from anyone who takes the time to read the blog.
If you’re a hockey player/coach/team manager in a competitive league, I’d love to ask you some questions too, please get in touch either here or via twitter!
