Ice Dogs sign import defenceman Blair Nicholson for the remainder of the 2009 season.  The pups have been playing shorthanded on the import front for the past 6 weeks and have been depleted at the back-end at times when Anthony Wilson was out earlier in the year with a groin injury.  Nicholson played for the Central Coast Rhino’s last season and started this season with the Penrith Bears before being snapped up by the Dogs to join them in their rat race for a playoff spot.

Nicholson is a solid stay at home defenceman who can move the puck up ice very well and can score from the point through traffic.  This extra back bone in defence will allow Sydney some flexibility in their line-up which could possibly see a Tomas Manco or David Dunwoodie upfront to help the forwards if need be as both those two can be dangerous around the net front.

The timing couldn’t be any better as the Ice Dogs look to make a big run home to the playoffs starting with the Melbourne Ice this weekend in a double point agenda.  “Having another solid defenceman will come in handy, especially in the race towards playoffs” says Coach Mark Stephenson.  “We also know what we are getting as we have seen Blair play before and we know what he is capable of”.

Make sure you get to Liverpool this Sunday July 19th for the make or break game of the year between the Melbourne Ice and the Sydney Ice Dogs.