Panthers: Neilson gets his centreman

NOTTINGHAM Panthers have signed one of the top play-makers from the North American Central Hockey League.

And coach Corey Neilson is anticipating that 28-year-old centreman Marty Gascon will make as big an impact as the last time he played in Europe.

Gascon – the fifth French-Canadian in their line-up – was fourth in the league CHL assists chart last season, with 54 helpers from 66 games, plus another three in the play-offs for Mississippi RiverKings.

It was his third team last term, after starting with Arizona before being traded for a short-spell to a poor Tulsa Oilers side, where he was team-mate with new Panthers goalie Kevin St Pierre.

The previous season, though, he played in the French tier two with Neuilly-sur-Marne Bisons and literally ripped the league apart to help them to promotion with a remarkable 89 points (35 goals, 54 assists) from just 29 league and play-off games.

The 5ft 10in right-shooter spent his first professional season with Panthers' veteran Bruce Richardson at Fort Wayne, racking up a notable 59 points (23+36) from 84 games.

"I'm really thrilled to have got him," said Neilson. "Marty fits the bill perfectly, on and off the ice. He is a very skilled guy with control, vision, an ability to pass the puck and a key man on the power-play.

"I suppose people will see him as the replacement for Dan Tessier, but I'm not going to compare them in terms of what they have done as a pro. Marty still has it all to do by comparison, but he can't wait to get back to Europe.

"I think Marty will be out to make a big impression here."

Having played on three teams last season should not reflect on Gascon's loyalty or ability, says Neilson.

Out of the 37 assists he notched for Arizona before switching to Tulsa, 22 of them were on the power-play.

Neilson has one more import slot to fill and is waiting to hear from wingers he has targeted.