Telford Tigers move to bring in Kruzik

TRS Telford Tigers have signed Czech defenceman Jaroslav Kruzik – and the 22-year-old is already targeting a season of challenging the EPL's top sides.

Kruzik agreed terms with Telford after spending two years in the top leagues in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. And with three seasons in Canada's tough Ontario Hockey League also under his belt, the former CHL draft pick wants to help Telford improve on their 2011-12 campaign.

He said: "I want us to have a good team and play good hockey. I hope we have a good season.

"I want to be helpful and get enough points to help the team into the play-offs – and have a good run there."

Kruzik's experiences in the OHL came at a relatively young age, when he played 174 games for Barrie Colts and Kingston Frontenacs as a teenager. Those years produced 10 goals and 50 assists, along with 124 penalty minutes.

He added: "I am really happy to have signed for Telford and it is something new for me.

"One of the reasons I chose the Tigers is because I was looking for something new. I like international leagues more than ours in Slovakia."