Ice Dogs supporters meet Derek Campbell; the Ice Dog’s highest profile import signing to date.
With at least 10 years Pro experience amongst the American Hockey League, East Coast Hockey League, United Hockey League and the Elite League in the UK Derek Campbell will be a force in the Australian Ice Hockey League and certainly worth watching.
“Derek being one of the highest point scorers in the English Elite league as well as being what leagues call an enforcer, he will not only fill the net and set-up his team mates at the Dogs but he will bring a toughness that the Dogs have lacked in the last couple of seasons” explains captain Anthony Wilson.
Campbell can be considered a rare all-round hockey player that will add firepower upfront given the points he has put up in the Elite league, East Coast Pro, Canadian Major Junior and University hockey. On top of that he is certainly not afraid to drop the gloves if need be.
The Nepean, Ontario native from Canada won’t be alone as the Ice Dogs have stocked up on import talent this season.
“We are proud to add an import of Derek’s calibre to the line up” says coach Mark Stephenson. “I think he will fit right in with our team, and his experience will be of great benefit to our pursuit for a national title this season”.
The addition is not only a big plus for the Dogs but also for the local hockey community who will be able to see a high profile import on a consistent basis which is very important to the growth of the sport and gives the kids another idol they can follow.
Ice Dogs supporters and hockey goers can get their first glimpse of Derek at the home opening weekend starting May 15th and 16th when the Ice Dogs face the Penrith Bears and Melbourne Ice.
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April 28th, 2010 at 10:11 am
This is great news to hear ive been reading all the other teams import players and it’s good to see we got new gunpower.
Melbourne vs bears at penrith last weekend was an interesting game when the bears got up 4 to 3
May 1st, 2010 at 5:52 am
All the more reason for us Canadians to take note of hockey down under. Is Campbell the man to take over from Smulders as the top scorer this season?
May 1st, 2010 at 7:00 am
I saw Derek ‘Soupy’ Campbell’ play this season and you will be in for a player who blows hot and cold. He works hard in the corners and works hard for the puck and will on occasions go on a ‘run’ and score. However there is another side to ‘Soupy’ a lazy and a player that at times i found annoying to watch with his antics as they can cost you the game.
http://www.fireandiceforum.co.uk
May 1st, 2010 at 7:21 am
Will have people talking about him but as for an “enforcer” not even close.He is a brave guy and game to fight anybody but you won’t see him winning many fights.
Personally I could not stand him and one of the least liked players at our rink but I’m sure the coach will love him.
May 1st, 2010 at 7:44 am
Thanks for the tips on what to look out for Declan & wildthing74. Also a great write up about his strengths and weaknesses.
This is awesome! I bet all Dogs fan’s can’t wait to see him in action now
“game to fight anybody”, hehe – now i know what you meant by “leagues call an enforcer”
I did a quick google search and found a few fights. i can’t really tell who wins a fight in Ice Hockey (but i’m new to the sport), but it seems like he does
Holy crap!
he seems to have a lot of fans over in the UK
ok, that’s enough for me to get excited. can’t wait to see some aussie footage
May 1st, 2010 at 8:02 am
No problem. As it has been said he wont win many fights but will drop em with the best of em.
But remember he has played a full season in the Elite League which continues from Last Week or 2 of August through to the first week in April. So that type of physical demand may not put him upto your scratch.
Good luck though.
May 1st, 2010 at 8:44 am
This guy is a good player but when he loses his head if feel sorry for the other players. Also if he wants to start a fight with a player and they don’t want to, Campbell will go after them all game jsu so that he can have a go.
Campbell won the Elite league championship with Coventry who he played for in the UK.
May 2nd, 2010 at 12:02 am
Hi Guys,
Just want to clear up that Derek hasn’t been brought to the team to fight. We are excited to have him and was pointing out to aussie fans that he can hold his own using the term “enforcer”, and just so you know the UK league and AIHL are two separate kettle of fish when it comes to fighting anyway.
Appreciate the international input from Declan, Sarah and wildthing at the icedogs website.
May 2nd, 2010 at 10:01 am
I too watched derek play this season, being a fan of coventry blaze and he was one of my favorite players. Was not afraid to drop the gloves with anybody, whether they are quite a bit taller than him or not! As declan says, he works hard in the corners and does go on runs to score, over here in the UK he was seen as an enforcer but at coventry he was a lot more than that for us, his work rate in some games would be amazing and he would rob anyone of the puck in the corners. Personally im sad to see him go, but great signing for you guys and all the best for your season.
May 2nd, 2010 at 10:50 pm
When he is on his game Derek is one of the most influential forwards in the EIHL. He spent two years at the Vipers and impressed greatly in his first season for us. However the 2nd year he looked disinterested and his work ethic was non existent in numerous games. Saying all that he can skate, score, pass and fight too. He is a jack of all spades and a charismatic player. As far as toughness goes he would step up against the better fighters in the EIHL but usually came out second best, a light heavy at best.
May 3rd, 2010 at 5:04 pm
for a second there i thought this was a fighting blog.
HE IS HERE TO PLAY HOCKEY!!!
lets see what campbell as a hockey player has to offer to the dogs we do want to see a fight maybe sooner or later hopefully sooner but lets gets some wins for the dogs early in the season. the dogs want a team player someone who can help on the ice not off by sitting in the box he is here to play the game lets see what he can do.
May 4th, 2010 at 8:04 pm
Good player. He will be a top player over in OZ. Good luck Derek.
May 10th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
watched derek play both games this weekend and am impressed with his play,very quick and can score a brilliant goal as well,if he can match it with some muscle when need be,all the better
keep on rockin out there derek and keep puttin that puck across the line for us!
May 10th, 2010 at 9:40 pm
everyone talked him up to be a brawler seen him play twice now (saturday/sunday double header) he looked like a hockey player not a mug out there to look for fights. quick and skillfull a contributer.
May 13th, 2010 at 3:42 am
Excelent website, I recently came across it and I’m already a fan.
June 29th, 2010 at 11:22 am
I’d fight him…… seriously though from looking at the footage it seems that the Oz league is a lot less physical that here in the UK. should give him a chance to show his skill as a forward. good luck to #37 for sheffield steelers after he finishes with the dogs.