The team have made a slow start to the season.
Sean Scarbrough hopes Streatham Redskins’ move to a new ice rink will coincide with an upturn in fortunes for the side.
The Redskins have made a slow start to the season, winning two of their opening six games, and are seventh in the National Ice Hockey League South One.
They play their first game at the new £26m Streatham Hub on November 24 and Scarbrough also wants the 1,000 capacity stadium to increase awareness of ice hockey in South London.
“So far we’ve had unlucky results but the team is playing pretty well,” the 27-year-old said.
“Hopefully when we get the new rink in two weeks we’ll be flying and results will start to go our way.
“It’s an Olympic-size rink which is much bigger than the rink we play in now. What we’ve noticed in the games where we’ve played on bigger rinks was that we were struggling.
“Hopefully practicing and getting ourselves in shape to play on that size of rink will make us better down the road.
“I think our new rink will also help to raise awareness. If we’re able to get that many people it’s going to bring in kids that are going to watch and say I want to do that, I want to play in front of a large crowd.”
Scarbrough is playing his way back to full fitness following meniscus surgery in the summer but hopes he can extend his stay at the Redskins beyond this season.
And, unlike some of his predecessors, he insists money will not be an issue when it comes to contract negotiations.
“I think if I play the way I know how to play I will have offers [for next season],” says Scarbrough.
“It’s obviously up to the team [whether I stay]. They had a great import last year who left just because I think he wanted more money and I’m pretty stoked with what I’ve got.
“For me it’s about location too. Who wouldn’t want to be in London? If you want to play hockey in England you want to be in the capital city right?”
Photo courtesy of Hanna T., with thanks.
Follow us @SW_Londoner
