News Article | 4th June 2010 » Scimitars sign Slovakian

The Sheffield Scimitars are delighted to announce the signing of their 3rd import player for 2010/11, Matej Kangyar.

Kangyar is a 22 year old Slovakian who has lived in the UK for around 4 years and until he moved to the UK played in the Slovakian junior leagues. Throughout his junior career he has been a very productive team player whilst playing in the top division, against top level teams. His move to the Scimitars and the English Premier League is a boy's own story as he was first spotted on one of the recreational practices at ice Sheffield, where he looked to be quite a player.

A sharp-eyed hockey supporter mentioned the player to Matt Darlow and Matej was invited to train with Sheffield's ENL team where he was scouted over a 3 hour period. A week later and Scims' Director's Ian Johnson and Head Coach were looking closely at the young Slovak and with the help of Scimitars club sponsor, Erik Meekel from SCL Direct, the young forward was offered a slot on the Scimitars roster.

Head Coach was really pleased with the find, especially as he was right under the Scimitars' coach's nose. He said, "After speaking to Matej face to face, I could see the desire to play hockey from the look in his eyes. He explained to me he had not played for 2 years, which astonished me due to the skill he showed."

Standing at 5'11" and weighing in at 13.5 stone Kangyar is a player built for hockey. Head Coach says, "He is built like a machine. I have not seen such an explosive skater in a great many years. Matej is highly mobile and with his physique he gets up to a colossal speed in just a few strides."

Kangyar did enough over the two training sessions to show Scimitars coaches Head Coach and Darlow that he could "do it all". His work rate is at a high level, he can score goals, make pin point passes, shows puck control in tight areas, he has a physical presence and most of all, has that relentless nature of never giving up.

Darlow added his surprise by saying, "This has been a great find for the team and I think Jon (Head Coach) is certain it will pay off which is great for us, especially with our budget."

Ian Johnson was also keen to point to the value young players like Kangyar can bring to the club. Last season the Scimitars gave a starting position to Daniel Slyk, another eastern European who showed great promise and there are echoes of Slyk's appointment with young Kangyar, but the similarities end there says Johnson who added, "This young lad excited me when I saw him in training, he was explosive and uncompromising, just the sort of player who will get people up off their seats. He's big, strong with good hands and fast. I think he'll fit in nicely."

Such is the commitment from Kangyar he is in the process of moving to Sheffield so that he can be closer for training and get the ice time he needs to sharpen-up in time for the start of the season. Darlow has already provided him with his pre-season fitness regime and Matej is working hard in the gym to reach the fitness level required and with on ice work with the ENL team he will be getting the skating sharpened-up too.
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2nd June 2010

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