5 British players the Panthers could poach this off-season

Panthers Brit core has been an interesting talking point this season. The departures of Robert Farmer and Steve Lee have hindered the depth of the roster, and there is a good chance this will be an area addressed during the off-season, especially with the import limit decreasing from 14 to 13, meaning the players you have outside of this bracket will become more significant to your chances of success. 

Panthers current British contingent consists of: 

Brett Perlini 

Jackson Whistle 

Joe Hazeldine (2-way)

Jordan Kelsall (2-way)

Josh Tetlow 

Ollie Betteridge 

Robert Lachowicz 

Sam Gospel (2-way) 

With many of those players still developing, a marquee British signing would do wonders for the Panthers going into next season. Brits are prized possessions in the EIHL, as there isn't exactly an overload of homegrown players out there who meet the required standards to play in the UK top flight. As a result, clubs typically hold on to these players, and poaching them isn't always straightforward. You won't see us bringing in a Robert Dowd or a Mark Richardson from the bigger budget clubs, but if we look lower down the Elite League, there are some players who will very possibly look for a big money move come the off season. 

Luke Ferrara 

I may as well mention the obvious choice first. 

Luke Ferrara has been outstanding for the Coventry Blaze this season. He not only has more goals than any other Brit, but any player at all, as he currently sits top of the EIHL goalscoring charts, with 31 at the time of writing. The brother of former Panther James has been instrumental in the success of the West Midlands side, who are on course for their best league position in over a decade. He is clinical and has proven to be a nemesis for the Panthers this season with 8 points across 5 meetings. 

After being released by Sheffield in 2017, the Peterborough born forward would surely look for another shot at one of the 'big 4' as a Brit of import standard that would more than make up for the slight reduction. 

Ross Venus 

Another Blaze forward who is having a breakout season is 25 year old Ross Venus. The scorer of the game winning goal in the 2015 playoff final is currently having his best season statistically, with 37 points in all competitions, one of which was a highlight reel goal scored at the NIC last Sunday. Having come through the Coventry youth system, he is currently in his 10th season on the Blaze roster, earning himself a testimonial, and recently earned a recall to the Great Britain squad for the Olympic qualifiers. 

With the Blaze having two of the most prolific homegrown forwards in the league in Venus and Ferrara, they surely can't keep a hold of both?! 

Jordan Cownie 

Heading to Scotland, Jordan Cownie has put up very respectable numbers in his 3 seasons with the Dundee Stars, the best of those being 2018/19, when he put up 37 points in all competitions. Aged 24, there is still time for him to develop further, and a move to a bigger club could certainly help the centreman in fulfilling that. 

Cownie had a small stint with the Panthers in the 2014/15 season, playing 4 games in all competitions, 2 of which were in the CHL, and another being his only league game for the club, in which he scored against the Edinburgh Capitals. 

Sam Jones 

This is a name that has possibly gone under the radar this season, but Sam Jones has seen increased ice time at Fife after making the step up from the NIHL, where he played for Swindon. He is becoming a physical presence at the back, and would be a welcome addition to the Panthers blue line. 

With Josh Tetlow being the Panthers only British defenceman, another young player to provide competition and added depth would certainly be beneficial. 

Lee Bonner

Ok, this might be a bit of a daft suggestion with Panthers already having 4 Brits learning their trade and needing more of a 'statement' signing who is established at EIHL level, but 22 year old Lee Bonner is certainly a prospect to keep an eye on, perhaps moreso for the long term. The centreman has put up fantastic numbers for the Hull Pirates over the last 3 seasons, and in each he has earnt brief EIHL call ups with the Manchester storm. 

With 65 points in 42 games this season, he sits 10th in the NIHL scoring charts despite being the youngest player out of the top 24. Surely he has the potential to play regular EIHL hockey sooner rather than later. Could it happen in the 2020/21 season here in Nottingham? I'd certainly welcome him on at least a 2-way contract.