GM Telford Tigers today released import Andre Niec with immediate effect.

Czech forward Niec arrived in Telford in October and picked up 23 points from playing in 14 games for Tigers.

But with the January 31 signing deadline looming and the team slipping down the English Premier Ice Hockey League table, Tigers bosses have decided the time is right to make changes to their squad.

Player-coach Claude Dumas said: “Andre did a job for us. He is a professional player, but it hasn’t worked the way I wanted.

“And we felt it was time to part, in the best interests of the team and the player. It is not any disrespect to Andre – it’s just one of those things.

“Andre came late to the team, and it hasn’t quite worked out. I wish him the best of luck and I am sure he will find another team very soon.

“It is never easy to release someone like this, but sometimes you have to. That’s hockey, and we have to be businesslike and put the team first.

“Meanwhile, I hope we can find the right piece of the jigsaw for us. We want to improve the team.”

Dumas stressed the looming deadline was key to the decision.

“We had to make a decision now, with the signing deadline at the end of the month.

“We now have three weeks if we want to make any changes.

Different

“We are not looking for just anybody, we are looking for the best player for this team – be that a defenceman or a forward. We will look at all possibilities.

“We want to try something different and see if we can pick up a few more points.”

Disappointed Niec says he will now look for a slot with one of Tigers’ rivals.

“I am going to talk to some other teams and hopefully someone will pick me up before the signing deadline,” said Niec.

“I would love to stay in the UK. I had a chance to go to a different team before and I turned that down because I wanted to come to Telford. 

“They have a great bunch of guys here and I’ve had a great time with the Tigers.

“The Tigers’ fans are really nice, supportive and friendly to me. Basically they are really nice people here in Telford.”

Tigers face second placed Peterborough Phantoms at home on Saturday (5.30pm) before taking a road trip to Sheffield on Sunday.

By CAROLINE GARBETT