An Interview With Lewis Tribble
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!