Telford Tigers pick up the scraps from the demise of the 2021 Elite League
Tom Watkins admits Telford Tigers have benefitted from the decision to cancel ice hockey's Elite League season ahead of their return to action.
Tigers return to the rink this weekend after more than 11 months off the ice, as they partake in the special five-team Spring Cup between second tier National League clubs.
Watkins' side host Romford side Raiders on Saturday evening (6.30pm) before making the trip to Essex on Sunday (5pm) – all games played behind closed doors and streamed online.
Tigers returned to training just last week and Watkins had to build a last-minute roster after the Spring Cup was confirmed 'out of the blue'.
A handful of Tigers players have not been able to commit, due to personal and Covid reasons, but the Telford Ice Rink outfit have been able to take advantage of higher-ranked hockey not going ahead with the World Championships, featuring Great Britain, set to go ahead in Belarus and Latvia in May and June.
Watkins said: "Everybody is in the same situation, with the elite league not going back to play, there are a lot of guys in need of a place to play ahead of the upcoming World Championships with Great Britain.
"So they need to get on board, they are very keen to get out there and put themselves in the shop window, get themselves some competitive game time in advance of their Great Britain training camps.
"We've put David Clements (defenceman) from Coventry Blaze on the roster, who is a GB international.
"Sam Jones (defenceman), from Sheffield Steelers, is a GB international. Kieran Brown, who was previously Sheffield Steelers and Cole Shudra, from the Steelers.
"We've got a good group and there may be one or two more to add to that as well."
Experienced former stand-in captain Andy McKinney will not be involved in Spring Cup action, while Tigers will also be without defenceman Oliver Lord and forward pair Brandon Whistle and Jack Flynn.
The action, also involving Swindon Wildcats, Sheffield Steeldogs and Bees, takes place over seven weeks until the weekend of March 27 and 28. The five teams will play 12 games each.
Action can be live streamed by supporters, who can purchase match pass tickets at telfordtigers.net/tickets/streaming-tickets/
