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The Inferno
The Inferno Interview... Esbjerg GM
30th Aug 2013 | Posted by The-Inferno
The Inferno - How much do you know about the Devils and the EIHL?
I personally played there years ago and also coached with my Team in Holland 4 years ago. I was at the Olympic qualifier in Japan to watch the National Team as well. Many of the import players I have coached or coached against during my time in the ECHL, also knowing a couple of the coaches in the league I feel I have a good feel for the Game over there. As for the Devils just a list of players and a little feedback here and there.
The Inferno - Your current net minder (Ervins Mustukovs) played for a number of seasons with the Sheffield Steelers over here, has he given you any hints about what to expect heading to Cardiff and Coventry?
Ervins told us he enjoyed playing in the UK and gave us a heads up on a couple things.
The Inferno - We play a more North American style in the UK, will that affect how you approach the games over here?
Myself and my assistant are both North American guys and have brought some of that to our Team along with many years coaching abroad. We are a pretty young hockey Team working on getting better every day. Certainly have talked to our players about the smaller ice surface and a North American style game.
The Inferno - In the UK we currently have an import limit of 11, this is considerably higher than in Denmark. Do you feel the lack of imports helps your national team?
Yes, there must be room for talent but important these 8 imports can teach. It's all a cooperation between the Danish Ice Hockey Union clubs and good talent work which will help the national team.
The Inferno - The ice pad in the Big Blue Tent is one of the smallest in the league and we've signed a lot of tough players this season. Is there anyone on your team who the home fans should keep an eye out for?
Being able to sign tough guys with 7 imports is not really a option or as needed in our league. We do want to play a hardworking , physical hockey and have seen that at all games we have played or have watched so far this year.
The Inferno - Is this the first preseason game for the team or does your preseason preparation start earlier?
We have been on the ice together since august 5 and have played 3 games so far. 1-1 Herning, 4-3 Odense OT and 0-1 Bremerhaven Germany OT.
The Inferno - Have you heard much about the venues you'll be playing in over here? The BBT may only be temporary, but with the excitement surrounding the Devils it's likely to be pretty intimidating!
Most all guys have played on the smaller ice, but I believe their will be a adjustment. Loud fans always bring a great atmosphere to a game, which I have heard happens at your rink.
The Inferno - How did these games come about? Teams from Denmark have played in this country previously but it was many years ago, what is the advantage to playing abroad for Esbjerg?
I believe it is a great chance to play against 2 very good teams and also a chance for our guys to get together on the road and bond together. Good to see another style off hockey.
The Inferno - Shawn Limpwright who spent a season with Sheffield in the EIHL has recently signed for you, what do you expect from him this year?
I have coached against Shawn in the ECHL and know he is a gritty solid 2 way player and that is what we need from him.
The Inferno - What are the clubs aims for this season? What sort of crowd do you get for home games?
Hopefully top four. From my stand point is to get better every day and so far I am seeing that. Last season we have average around 1400, 15 years ago 2700. Hope to get more this season.
The Inferno - With the league you play in, do you have a rival team?
In the 90s it was Herning which was the great rival. Esbjerg and Herning fought for the championship in the 90s. Now it's more SønderJyske which is our rival, SønderJyske won the championship and the cup last season.
Esbjerg Energy.
I personally played there years ago and also coached with my Team in Holland 4 years ago. I was at the Olympic qualifier in Japan to watch the National Team as well. Many of the import players I have coached or coached against during my time in the ECHL, also knowing a couple of the coaches in the league I feel I have a good feel for the Game over there. As for the Devils just a list of players and a little feedback here and there.
The Inferno - Your current net minder (Ervins Mustukovs) played for a number of seasons with the Sheffield Steelers over here, has he given you any hints about what to expect heading to Cardiff and Coventry?
Ervins told us he enjoyed playing in the UK and gave us a heads up on a couple things.
The Inferno - We play a more North American style in the UK, will that affect how you approach the games over here?
Myself and my assistant are both North American guys and have brought some of that to our Team along with many years coaching abroad. We are a pretty young hockey Team working on getting better every day. Certainly have talked to our players about the smaller ice surface and a North American style game.
The Inferno - In the UK we currently have an import limit of 11, this is considerably higher than in Denmark. Do you feel the lack of imports helps your national team?
Yes, there must be room for talent but important these 8 imports can teach. It's all a cooperation between the Danish Ice Hockey Union clubs and good talent work which will help the national team.
The Inferno - The ice pad in the Big Blue Tent is one of the smallest in the league and we've signed a lot of tough players this season. Is there anyone on your team who the home fans should keep an eye out for?
Being able to sign tough guys with 7 imports is not really a option or as needed in our league. We do want to play a hardworking , physical hockey and have seen that at all games we have played or have watched so far this year.
The Inferno - Is this the first preseason game for the team or does your preseason preparation start earlier?
We have been on the ice together since august 5 and have played 3 games so far. 1-1 Herning, 4-3 Odense OT and 0-1 Bremerhaven Germany OT.
The Inferno - Have you heard much about the venues you'll be playing in over here? The BBT may only be temporary, but with the excitement surrounding the Devils it's likely to be pretty intimidating!
Most all guys have played on the smaller ice, but I believe their will be a adjustment. Loud fans always bring a great atmosphere to a game, which I have heard happens at your rink.
The Inferno - How did these games come about? Teams from Denmark have played in this country previously but it was many years ago, what is the advantage to playing abroad for Esbjerg?
I believe it is a great chance to play against 2 very good teams and also a chance for our guys to get together on the road and bond together. Good to see another style off hockey.
The Inferno - Shawn Limpwright who spent a season with Sheffield in the EIHL has recently signed for you, what do you expect from him this year?
I have coached against Shawn in the ECHL and know he is a gritty solid 2 way player and that is what we need from him.
The Inferno - What are the clubs aims for this season? What sort of crowd do you get for home games?
Hopefully top four. From my stand point is to get better every day and so far I am seeing that. Last season we have average around 1400, 15 years ago 2700. Hope to get more this season.
The Inferno - With the league you play in, do you have a rival team?
In the 90s it was Herning which was the great rival. Esbjerg and Herning fought for the championship in the 90s. Now it's more SønderJyske which is our rival, SønderJyske won the championship and the cup last season.
Esbjerg Energy.
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