So, about this move then.....

Well, I've had a few days now to get things sorted in my own head, so here goes...

Firstly, I'm just as excited by the prospect of my team playing in the EPL as I was when it was first mooted to me early this year. Given our building size, crowds and financial base, the EPL is the ideal level for us to be at.

So, players so far. Well, I aint exactly complaining. Tony Hand will lace em up for the forthcoming season, giving us easily the most potent playmaker in the EPL by default. No D is going to relish facing Tony at all. Top points scorer come this time next year? Dont bet against it.

Steven Fone as starting netminder... Great. Sure, Smurph would ahve been better, but I'm sure he would have considered EPl a 'step back' for himself, especially with Lehman now being a Team GB player, So Fone is a more than adequete replacement (and a bit of a cult hero after hsi loan spell here 2 seasons back). He will also help his back up, the returning Adam Summerfield to progress hopefully (I fully expect Adam to start a few games this coming season).

Walker, Graham, and Boothroyd all return to the ice as well. Walker becomes the longest serving player at the club, IIRC, 09-10 being his 4th season at the Dome. All 3 made strides last season, and should form a solid core of Brits around which Tony can build the team. Graham in particular should benefit from more ice time, and I fully expect Boothroyd to be part of the 1st line D. Walker could be a good shout for wearing an 'A', as the 'senior' Brit (outside of Tony).

New boy Joe Graham.. Don't know much about him except that he has iced for the Panthers a few times.

And Ben Wood has been promoted from the ENL side. I believe big things are expected of this young d-man.

Imports? Tony is playing his cards close to his chest here. All he has said is they will all be high quality (ie not CHL/UHL cast offs), and one he has offered a contract to will be the best the EPL has ever see. Given his track record for unearthing quality guys, I have no reason to doubt this.

The new ticket prices look good. Not as chea[p as the 'established' EPL clubs, but better than the last few seaosns up here, and competative whne compared to other local options (Alty F.C., Sale rugby). Hopefully we will see a rise in attendances as a result.

And I honestly believe that the club will take the EPL ethos to heart, and won't come in being the 'Big Fish in the Small Pond'. we are in this for the long haul.

I can't wait til September now. Bring it on.