Vipers Sign Czech Marek Ivan
The Mincoffs Vipers are delighted to announce that they have signed Czech centre Marek Ivan for the 2008/2009 bmibaby Elite League season as well as securing the services of former Sheffield Steeler and Cardiff Devil Warren Tait on a short term deal.
Marek Ivan joins the Vipers 3 years after playing for the Nottingham Panthers where he scored 46 points in 52 games for Nottingham including 25 goals and 21 assists and recording 135 penalty minutes during the 2004/2005 Elite League season. Ironically the Vipers open up their 2008/09 campaign against the Panthers this Saturday at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena.
Marek was selected by the St Louis Blues in round 9, number 244 overall during the 1997 NHL entry draft and is an imposing forward standing well over 6ft and having a reputation as a tough and physical centre who will score goals and will be out to prove a point against his former employees this weekend.
“I am delighted to have signed Marek,”said Vipers head coach Rob Wilson.#
“We have been in the hunt for another centre for a while and have been talking to a number of available players, as soon as we heard Marek was interested in moving to the Vipers we swooped in and did the deal.”
“He is a great centre that possesses great strength and has a mean streak in him and he is a centre that is going to fit in well with the mould of this team,” continued Wilson.
The Vipers have also been boosted by the news that former Cardiff Devil and Sheffield Steeler Warren Tait will play for the Vipers this weekend in the absence of American forward Rob Rankin.
Tait has played over 250 Elite League games for the London Racers, Cardiff Devils and Sheffield Steelers but has this year signed for the Sheffield Scimitars of the English Premier League after not being offered a contract with the Steelers.
“Warren is a great guy and a good player and really should be playing in the Elite League this season,” said head Wilson.” He is going to help us out this weekend with Rankin being away until Monday as his season with the Scimitars does not start for a few more weeks. Players like Warren Tait should still be playing in the Elite League.”
Marek will wear the number 49 shirt this weekend against Nottingham, the same number he wore whilst at Nottingham.
Tickets for this weekend’s eagerly awaited curtain raiser are on sale via the Metro Radio Arena box office and through www.newcastlevipers.com. Face off on Saturday at the Metro Radio Arena is at 6.30pm.
Photo Courtesy of Dave Page Photography
