Coach Sam Zajac impressed as new Leeds Chiefs forward Ashley Calvert shows his strengths

GOOD IMPRESSION: Leeds Chiefs' new winger, AShley Calvert. Picture courtesy of Cerys Molloy.

The Chiefs came out of the games against Raiders IHC and Hull Pirates with nothing to show for their efforts, with results elsewhere meaning they are 10 points adrift of the top eight play-off places.

One of the positives to emerge from the games, though, was Calvert’s first shifts in a Chiefs shirt, with his registration only being confirmed hours before the game against Raiders IHC at Coventry’s SkyDome Arena.

Calvert may, like the Chiefs, have emerged pointless from the weekend, but player-coach Zajac was impressed with what he saw, reminding him why he moved to sign the 28-year-old winger soon after he was released by NIHL National rivals Sheffield Steeldogs after eight and half years.

Ashley Calvert, in action for Sheffield Steeldogs before his move to Leeds Chiefs. Picture courtesy of Cerys Molloy.

“Ash looked good for us out there both nights,” said Zajac.

“Obviously he’s learning the systems and the way that we want to play, but he played a lot of minutes over the weekend and did well considering he hadn’t been on the ice in a game situation for a few weeks.

“But he fitted in well and was throwing his body about plenty and he was getting under their skin a lot, particularly at Hull.

“We were more than happy with what we saw from his first weekend with us and he is only going to get better the more time he spends on the ice.”

Leeds Chiefs' player-coach sam Zajac, left, with Ashley Calvert. Picture courtesy of Leeds Chiefs.

The Chiefs are back in action on Saturday when they host league leaders Telford Tigers in Blackburn (5.30pm face-off).

They then head south 24 hours later for a second visit of the season to Bracknell Bees, where they lost 4-3 back in September.