News Article | 3rd May 2010 » The Straw Man Returns to the Scimitars

Arran Strawson, the most improved Sheffield Scimitars player from season 2009/2010, has re-signed for the EPL Club as Head Coach continues to build from the back!

Strawson completed his first full season with the EPL Scimitars last term and once he found his confidence he never looked back and earned himself the award for Most Improved Player of 2009/10, an award The Head Coach believes Strawson thoroughly deserved.

On announcing Strawsons' return Head Coach said, "Arran's skill level improved during each game last season, it was tremendous to witness his development as the season wore on. He takes everything on board from our coaching sessions and his game progressed from strength to strength. By the end of the campaign, Strawson turned into a competent defensive force, which is a huge pay off for all his hard work."

Head Coach added "I'm the type of coach who provides opportunities for up and coming players to prove their worth and allow them to explore avenues for further development. This has really paid off with Strawson as he is viewed as a talented player, who wears his heart on his sleeve, game in, game out."

Strawson was one of the young guns who enjoyed a grueling rookie season last time out and after a nervous start managed to put up some great displays patrolling the blue line for the Scimdogs. He attracted some rave reviews early in the New Year, especially as the Scims were fighting hard to find a return to form. It was Strawson's tenacity that endeared him to Head Coach, who added, "Strawson will be one of our key players during the new campaign and I'm sure he will add value to both offensive and defensive strategies. Strawson is amongst a crop of young defencemen who are relatively inexperienced at this level, but with a year of experience under their belts, I am sure it will pay dividends for our long term goals and objectives."

The Head Coach, along with new assistant Matt Darlow, have been working hard with a group of players who have been set objectives that need to be delivered over the summer to help them develop strength and fitness through dry land training, gym work and nutrition. This is a vital part of the close season as the players prepare for the rigors of the new season which is only a few months away.

Head Coach's long list of players is getting shorter as players get better offers from other Clubs or decide that a move to Sheffield is not for them. "It's a difficult time for the Head Coach of any team as we are all playing something of a waiting game" said Head Coach, he went on "I'm currently waiting for more than 20 guys to get back to me but I'm really happy to have Strawson back on board. He is a character on the ice and in the dressing room. He doesn't know how to quit, which his team mates use as a catalyst to motivate themselves and I'll be looking to him for this again this coming season."

With Ben Bowns already announced, this latest signing brings the current roster to two and with Head Coach's plans for four lines for 2010/11, there are plenty more slots to fill. Scims Director Ian Johnson is working closely with Head Coach on recruitment and said "I'm pleased Arran has rejoined the team, he fits in well with our plans and I'm looking forward to seeing his talent grow.

What we need now is to secure a couple of new players and I am hopeful of being able to announce our first import in the next few days, this will give us another big lift as we continue our preparations for the new campaign."

ends -

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7th May 2010
Previous News Article: Head Coach signs Matt.
29th April 2010

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