BLOG: Talking Clan Towers – with Gareth Chalmers

NEXT HOME GAME: The EIHL Playoff Champions the Sheffield Steelers are the visitors to Braehead Arena THIS SATURDAY (7:00pm face-off). Tickets are available NOW via TICKETMASTER or by calling 0844 499 1700.

The Official Match Night Sponsor is Ogilvie Group.

Hi Clan fans,

Firstly, I hope everyone is staying safe and warm during this period of severe weather in the Central Belt. We haven’t even been able to train on the ice for the past few days with intu Braehead being closed due to the weather conditions, however this is a time when players and staff safety must be everyone’s priority – that will never change. Like a lot of people, I’ve had to walk a lot more with the road conditions and due to that I’ve bumped into quite a lot of the players out and about in Braehead and Renfrew. It’s been intriguing talking to the British guys and discussing the unprecedented levels of snow, where the European and North American guys find it highly amusing that the majority of the UK is at a standstill due to a ‘small amount’ of snow.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s game against the Sheffield Steelers at intu Braehead. We’ve had a lot of calls and messages asking if the game is going ahead. I am working very closely with the EIHL, Braehead Arena and the Steelers organisation to monitor the weather conditions over the next 48 hours. At this moment in time the game will go ahead as planned, however we will endeavour to keep the Purple Army and travelling Sheffield fans up to date with any changes should it be required. I encourage everyone to keep checking the club website and social media channels for any updates. The safety of the supporters, staff and players is paramount to the Clan organisation.

Last Saturday’s result and performance was bitterly disappointing for this club, it was a very big game in terms of getting back to winning ways and putting some distance between ourselves and Dundee in the hunt for a playoff spot. This club over the past four season’s has made Braehead a very difficult place for opposition teams to come to, our 2017/18 home form is the second worst in the EIHL and for an organisation this size it’s not acceptable. However I am big believer on not looking back on something we now can’t change, our focus and positivity must remain on the upcoming games as we look to get into eighth and that last playoff spot.

The IIHF transfer deadline was today (Thursday) and there has been very little activity around the EIHL. We have continued to look for players to bolster our roster as we look to strengthen for the playoff push, but like most teams we have found the market very very dry this season. We have been desperate for some further offensive firepower for a while now, however that quality of player is very difficult to come by at this time of the year. We even approached teams in Europe that we knew weren’t making the playoffs, however the players we wanted were not available or didn’t want to pursue a move. I’ve been asked this before and I’ll clarify it again. We are always looking for quality players to bring to Braehead – at any point in the season. If we believe it will make the team better on the ice, we will always do what we can to bring that player to Glasgow – that will never change at this club.

Thank you once again and hopefully we will be seeing you all on Saturday against the Sheffield Steelers. We’re also looking forward to welcoming the management, staff, family and friends of Ogilvie Group to the game.

Cheers

Gareth Chalmers

Hockey & Operations Director