SIGNED: Zajkowski arrives as Clan’s new netminder
NEXT HOME GAME: The Braehead Clan face the Belfast Giants in an exciting start to the season on Sunday 28th August (6:00pm face-off). Tickets will be available from Monday 1st August via TICKETMASTER, by calling 0844 499 1700 or direct at the Braehead Arena box office.
The intu Braehead Clan are delighted to announce the signing of new goaltender Michal Zajkowski for the 2016/17 season.
The Swede arrives in the UK after a spell in Norway with Lillehammer, where he played alongside Daniel Åhsberg.
Clan head coach Ryan Finnerty revealed he’s looking forward to working with his new goalie, who replaces Chris Holt following his retirement from the game.
“I’m excited to work with him,” Finnerty said. “I haven’t worked with an international goalie before and we’ve had an influx of Swedes into the league.
“I love their work ethic and he’s looking forward to come here and play. He wants to find some success and we’re more than happy to accommodate him.
“He’s our number one guy and we’re going to give him the utmost confidence, plus give him a solid D-core in front of him.
“Basically, it’s about him getting settled and adjusting to the new league, but his main objective is, as always, to stop pucks and give your team a chance to win.
“We leaned on Daniel Åhsberg, having played with him last season and Alex Leavitt, who was another former team-mate of his and they spoke highly of him.
“He’s a massive competitor and wants to win. He’s extremely hard on himself if he doesn’t, works very hard and everyone we’ve spoken to says he’s great in the room.
“Michal ticks all the boxes for us and we’re delighted to be able to bring him on board for the new season.”
Zajkowski’s career has also seen him play in the top two leagues – the SHL and Allsvenskan – in his native Sweden, where he won the SHL crown with Modo Hockey in 2007.
More recently, he spent a year in Grenoble in France two seasons ago before heading to Lillehammer last season.
He’ll wear the #39 jersey for Clan next season and joins Kyle Wharton, Jay Rosehill, Matt Beca, Jeff Ulmer, Trevor Hendrikx, Gary Russell, Scott Aarssen, Cody Carlson, Zach Sullivan, Matt Keith, Bari McKenzie, Matt Haywood, Alex Leavitt, Daniel Ahsberg, Corey Cowick, Scott Pitt, Craig Peacock and Callum Boyd on the roster.
