News Article | 1st May 2009 » Ron Shudra moves on

Shudra to Coach Scimitars U12's

Sheffield's ice hockey legend, Ron Shudra, will not be re-signing as Coach of the EPL team, Sheffield Scimitars, instead he will be turning his attention to coaching his son in the junior ranks at U12's.

Shudra is one of the Gentlemen of British ice hockey and has enjoyed an illustrious playing career in the UK since he joined Solihull back in 1990. Last season he was appointed as Coach of the Scimitars and he created quite a buzz around hockey as expectations ran high. Unfortunately, the team made a very tough start to the league campaign when they struggled initially, but as the season wore on, Shudra pulled the team together, as well as putting in some massive performances on the ice in true Shudra fashion.

Even with Shudra playing some of his best hockey, it was not enough to lift the team in to the top half of the league table and although a play-off place was secured, the Scimitars did not make it to the Play-Off Finals at Coventry. This was a bitter disappointment to Shudra and the Club.

With new ownership of the Club comes new ideas and a fresh perspective, and this is what has happened at the Scimitars as Gary Apsley and Ian Johnson look to develop the Club from the ground up. With Shudra having suffered the disappointment of the last campaign and now looking to devote more time to his family, the timing is right for a change of direction and a change of Coach at the helm of the Scimitars.

Outgoing Chairman of the Scimitars, Martin Birch said today "Ron is without doubt the most famous hockey player in British ice hockey. He has accolades many current players aspire to, his influence on the game can not be underestimated and to cap it all he is a really nice guy who is everyone's friend." He went on "Shudes has played a major role in the development of the Scimitars, he has been inspirational on the ice and in the dressing room, he has won the hearts of the people of Sheffield and ice hockey in general and I am grateful that he chose to help the Scimitars in our quest for success. I offer him my personal thanks and wish him all the very best for the future!"

Shudra said "I was very disappointed at the way this season has gone but at 41 years old now and 19 years playing here, its time to commit more time to Cole and the juniors to help them develop to their full potential. This is why, when I found out there was an opening for the u12's in early February, I made the commitment to them then and they would take priority over all the other hockey related duties I would have. It is only a 20 game season for the juniors so I will have time to commit elsewhere, let's see where it takes me!"

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4th May 2009
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10th April 2009

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