Presence and experience of Sam Zajac key to Leeds Chiefs’ recruitment

Zajac will again be in charge when the puck drops in September as the Chiefs embark on their second season in NIHL National – coronavirus crisis permitting.

The 2019-20 campaign may have ultimately proved disappointing with the Chiefs finishing bottom, but with Zajac able to begin his recruitment at the same time as his nine coaching rivals this time and with the team’s new rink up and running, there is an expectation Leeds will prove more competitive in 2020-21.

And Coulter, the Scottish-born alternate captain signed last summer by Zajac, says there will be no shortage of players looking to come to Leeds.

“I honestly don’t think there is another coach in the league that could have done what Sam did last season,” said Coulter, expected to be among a core group of players Zajac is keen to retain for next season. “We came up against so much adversity, but his man-management skills were just brilliant – he did a great job of keeping everybody happy.

“Guys want to play for him. He’s a natural leader, he’s a charismatic guy and in terms of British players for next season, it will definitely work in the team’s favour with Sam in charge.

“They know he is a good guy, they know he is a good coach – he built this team’s never-say-die identity.

“And with the new rink being open now, that will only help more in terms of bringing in some top-end guys.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. These are challenging times but the team at the Yorkshire Evening Post need your support more than ever in the weeks ahead.

While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you - wherever possible and providing it is safe for you to do so - to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Inevitably falling advertising revenues will start to have an impact on local newspapers and the way we continue to work during this period of uncertainty. So the support of our readers has never been more important as we try to make sure that we keep you connected with the city you live in during this time. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. We need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

Our team of trusted reporters are working incredibly hard behind the scenes- from kitchen tables and spare bedrooms - to look at how we can do this and your continued support to the YEP will help to protect its viability in the days and weeks ahead.

For more details on our subscription offers please visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk/YEP, email [email protected] or call us on 0330 4033004

Thank you

Laura Collins

Editor