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Red Wings battle despite short roster – players waiting for visas keep Red Wings a rookie squad

October 5, 2013   ·   0 Comments

The Shelburne Red Wings have yet to win a game this season.

After four games, the local squad has come up short including their home opener against the Lefroy Wave on Friday, September 27, at the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex.

After scoring four goals in the first period, the Wave notched two more to end the game 6–0.

It has been a rough start for the Red Wings who are struggling to start the season and have been shut-out in their last three games.

“We have young guys this year,” said coach Nikita Vasilyev, “Everybody who played last year are gone. They are playing elsewhere, in Russia and Czech teams, some guys went off to college. Now we have guys born in 97 and 98, they are very young. Our guys aren’t ready to play yet, we need more work and practise.”

The Red Wings have veteran players lined up to join the roster, however, they are currently in limbo waiting for visas to enter the country – a situation that has plagued the team for the last three months.

A strike by Canadian Foreign Services workers has slowed down the process.

The strike not only affects foreign hockey players, many colleges and universities have also had problems getting foreign students into the country.

“We have 16 guys stuck in Russia,” Vasilyev said. “We’ve been waiting for three months. This is why have such a young team now. The new players were all born in 92, 93, and 94.”

While having new players on a team is always good, having a few veterans with more experience to guide younger players can make a big difference in the outcome of a season.

For now, the Red Wings will have to work with the team they have and hope a job action settlement will speed up the process to bring additional players to the squad.

The Bradford Bull are currently in first place the Greater Metro Hockey League with six wins after seven games.

They are followed by the South Muskoka Shield who are undefeated after five games.

Four teams in the League have yet to win a game this season.

The Red Wings will return to home ice this Friday, October 4, to host the Rama Aces at the Centre Dufferin Recreation Complex.

The puck drop is scheduled for 8:30 p.m.

By Brian Lockhart

         

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