Double signing delight for Chieftains fans (From Maldon and Burnham Standard)

Double signing delight for Chieftains fans

3:52pm Wednesday 4th July 2012 in Countywide

ICE HOCKEY: Chelmsford Chieftains have signed defenceman Danny Cox and Cameron Bartlett.

Cox will be pulling on the Chieftains jersey for the third consecutive season and his fourth overall after having two seasons at rivals Romford in 2008-2010.

Cox has grown as a player and settled on the Chelmsford blueline and the Riverside faithful have really got behind the 26-year-old due to his calmness on the puck and also his toughness and gritty determination.

After missing the start of last season due to going travelling, Cox came back and immediately made an impact to the team and averaged around 90 seconds a game in penalty minutes.

Gary Clarke said: “I’m very pleased and relieved to know Cox will be with us again next season and this time round, from the very start of the season.

“It was clear to see that during the first couple of months of last season we were lightweight at times in defence and at times felt we lacked a bit of grit.

“Cox changed all that once he was back with us and playing fit to his full potential. He is a typical stay-at-home defenceman, the type of D man any team in our league would be begging for and I’m thrilled to know Cox is back wearing a Chieftains shirt.

“Everyone can see how much he loves this club. He wears his heart on his sleeve, plays with passion and is technically very tough to beat.

“Not only did he strengthen our team when he returned last season, he gave the team belief. He is a great character in the dressing room and I will be looking to him again this year, more than ever, to show the leadership he possesses in bringing the best out of the team.”

Clarke has brought in another development of the Chelmsford junior system as Cameron Bartlett has signed to play for the 2012-13 NIHLS1 campaign.

With an eye to utilising the undoubted talent coming through the Chelmsford Academy, Clarke was keen to sign Cameron, who is known as an agitator, but fearless with it.

Scoring 16 points in just 20 games for the Chelmsford Warriors last season, the 18-year-old will be looking to make an impact in the higher league.

Bartlett is probably best remembered to Chieftains fans for daring to take on Romford hard-man Andrius Kaminskas in a gloves-dropped fight during the South East Cup tie.

Although roundly beaten, he proved he has nerves of steel and a never-say-die attitude that impressed Clarke and the coaching staff enough to offer him a full-time contract for this season.

Clarke said: “It’s great to have Cameron on board on a permanent basis.

“He showed great promise when playing for us last season and it’s only natural for him to make the next step within his development.

“Cameron has quite clearly showed he is not afraid to get stuck in. However, I have not brought him into the line-up to fight or play dirty – Cameron will play a hard-working but disciplined role.

“I will be expecting him to play an agressive fore-checking role, someone who is willing to finish his hits and someone who will work hard but smartly at both ends of the ice.

“This will be a huge season for Cameron in terms of his development – he will be playing hockey with what I believe will entail more systems, and with more strategy dependent upon the opposition. “I know he can handle this expectation as long as he’s willing to listen and learn, which I know he is. I’m sure everyone at the Riverside will be pleased to see another product of the junior development system take the leap into senior hockey.”

* The club have announced a Meet the Players night for Thursday, August 23, at the Two Brewers (in the function hall next to the pub), Springfield Road, Chelmsford, from 7pm.

The Chieftains are also building their commercial portfolio with new sponsors coming on board all the time, but the club are also open to new companies and organisations.

If you are interested, visit www.chelmsfordchieftains.com or e-mail donnawhiston@btinternet.com