Corey to take charge
The GMB Nottingham Panthers are pleased and excited to announce that experienced and highly rated defenceman Corey Neilson is stepping up to the role of head coach for next season.
Corey has been a part of the coaching staff for the last two seasons and has already started working on the recruitment of players for next season, using his extensive contacts in North America with a view to bringing some exciting players to the National Ice Centre.
The Edmonton Oilers third round draft pick said today : “I am very excited to be given this chance to take charge of the locker room of the biggest club in the UK. I love the club and I love the city. My wife who is British, and our kids have settled well in Nottingham and they are very happy living here.
“The organisation is very ambitious and so am I, we’ve tasted success in the last two years and everyone is planning to build on it. I know where the club wants to be and their aims are the same as mine.”
Corey Neilson has played at the East Coast level, in the American league and in Germany. He also had a couple of games with the Canadian National team. He was one of three nominations for defenceman of the year in the bmibaby Elite League last season, as nominated by the opposing coaches. He expects to continue to play on the blueline for the GMB Panthers.
Chairman Neil Black said of the big defenceman who was a key part in plotting our successes whilst he has been with the club and who brings a level of maturity and professionalism to the table both on and off the ice: “Corey has been very impressive during the talks I have had with him, he is determined to build a team to excite the fans and get the passion and pride in wearing the Panthers’ colours going again. It was great to win trophies in the last two seasons and we wish Mike Ellis well.
“Now we look to the future, by bringing Corey into the hot seat we are maintaining continuity whilst adding some new approaches from a member of the coaching staff who has seen things develop over the past two years. He knows what it will take to succeed in this league and as ever, the coaching staff will have every support the club can give them.”
Corey Neilson, added : “I have already been able to touch base with some guys who would be a perfect fit both for us and the game in the UK, now the deal is done and dusted I will be getting on with those negotiations. I will be talking to guys who were with us last year as well. The fans can rest assured the product on the ice will be well worth watching.”