Desire to prove Leeds Chiefs can be competitive force drives Sam Gospel

But, one of player-coach’s Sam Zajac biggest achievements of the summer will be convincing the 26-year-old goalie to remain in West Yorkshire for a second season.

As well as interest from at least two NIHL National rivals, there was also potential for Nottingham-born Gospel to continue his career in Europe, with the French second tier one possible option.

But a sense of unfinished business and the desire to prove that the Chiefs could be a competitive force in the UK’s second tier, convinced Gospel his future lay at Elland Road.

At times last season, the Chiefs showed what they were capable of, but the toll of playing large chunks of the campaign short-benched and, more crucially, without a home rink until the end of January, proved a huge hindrance.

This time, however, Gospel knows neither of those issues will come into play.

“Last season we were able to show spells of quality and promise here and there, moreso when we finally got into our right rink and had the right setting,” said Gospel.

“And that was one of the main things that interested me in coming back, not only the room and having that core group of guys back, but having the rink from the very start and bringing in the talent in that I know we are doing and, therefore, being able to perform to how we should on a more regular basis.

“Not that any of the guys last year didn’t do a fantastic job, but seeing who we have got coming in, I think we’ve got a bit younger, the talent level has increased and, as a goalie, you can only be happy with that.

“So far, Sam has done an excellent job on recruiting and it is an exciting time to be involved with the club.”

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