DANNY BOY AIMS TO MAKE HIS MARK

DEFENCEMAN Danny Markowitz jets into Dundee this week at his own expense hoping to land a regular spot with Dundee CCS Stars. The 24-year-old from Jericho, New York, is expected to make his debut against Belfast Giants in an Elite League and Challenge Cup, Group A, double-header, on Tayside on Friday. But he misses Wednesday’s joust at fourth-placed Sheffield Steelers because the paperwork can’t be processed on time. He will slot in to replace crocked, 29-year-old Canadian defenceman Doug Krantz who has made 12 appearances for the club, scoring two goals and setting-up two others. Markowitz, born in a town set up by Quakers escaping persecution in England, played 47 games for Alaska Aces last season but has been squeezed out because of the National Hockey League lockout. The 24-year-old, six-foot tall, player has done his homework on Dundee, who are currently seventh in the table, and is up for the gamble. He knows several of the Tayside team’s players but has not iced with them. Dundee are attempting to re-focus after Saturday’s 9-1 home defeat by Cardiff Devils. Jeff Hutchins, Dundee’s playcaller, said: “We’ve signed Danny on a trial basis to cover for Doug. “He’s looking for a spot after what is going on in North American and is paying his own way. “If he is successful then I have a decision to make.” Commenting on Saturday’s disappointment, Hutchins said: “We didn’t show up to play.”

MORRIS OUT IN COLD

Former Glasgow Tigers talent Nick Morris has been linked with a return loan move to Elite League cracks Swindon Robins. That’s despite the 18-year-old rising star being a regular guest for Berwick Bandits last season. Morris is the only rider from Scunthorpe Scorpions Premier League Champions side not to be retained. Scorpions will track Josh Auty, David Howe, Thomas Jorgensen, Ashley Birks, Michael Palm Toft and Gary Irving plus 19-year-old Australian prospect Ryan Douglas who was recommended by Morris. Promoter Rob Godfrey said: “The one rider departing is Nick Morris. We thank Nick for his efforts for the Scorpions in the latter half of 2012, and for helping to bring the league championship to the Eddie Wright Raceway. “We also thank Nick for recommending Ryan to ride for the Scorpions.” Meanwhile, both Glasgow and Edinburgh Monarchs have welcomed the new-look Premier League Cup which opens the season. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Berwick have been drawn in one of the four groups and Mike Hunter, Monarchs’ director, said: “This is good for box-office, good for travel and satisfies our desire to have a short, sharp, opening event.” Glasgow’s co-promoter Alan Dick added: “We also welcome this season starter against some of our nearest rivals. “Local derbies are always liked by the fans and are good for the box-office.” The other groups feature Newcastle, Workington, Redcar; Sheffield, Scunthorpe, Leicester; Rye House, Somerset, Ipswich, Plymouth. Meanwhile, the first round of the Knockout Cup features: Berwick v Redcar, Glasgow v Rye House, Newcastle v Plymouth, Leicester v Edinburgh, Workington v Ipswich. Byes to quarter-finals: Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Somerset. And the British Speedway Promoters’ Association have confirmed that the Premier League matches will feature one home fixture and one away with the winners decided from a knock-out play-off between the top six clubs. They also confirmed that this is the last year of the 42.50 points team limit for seven riders.

CLAN RE-GROUP AND FIFE WIN AGAIN BUT STARS AND CAPITALS SHOT DOWN

Elite League: Dundee CCS Stars 1, Cardiff Devils 9; Braehead Clan 5, Coventry Blaze 2; Fife Flyers 4, Edinburgh Capitals 1. BRAEHEAD Clan’s player/coach Jordan Krestanovich led from the front with a double as the Glasgow side tamed Coventry Blaze 5-2 in Scotland. Robert Farmer and former National Hockey League (NHL) star Drew Miller also found the net. Jade Galbraith completed the scoring with an empty net strike for Clan with 40 seconds left after Coventry gambled by withdrawing their netminder to give themselves six skaters. Dundee CCS Stars were reeling after being blitzed 9-1 by Cardiff Devils on Tayside. Chris Blight and Stuart MacRae both claimed two goals and two assists while former National Hockey League star Paul Bissonnette scored a goal and set-up four others. Dundee’s only goal came from Sami Ryhanen after six minutes of the second period. Fife Flyers opened up a three-point cushion over bottom club Edinburgh Capitals thanks to a 4-1 victory at Kirkcaldy. The Kirkcaldy club had to come from behind to collect their second win this week after a narrow victory over Hull Stingrays last Tuesday. Scots sniper Jordan Steel shocked home fans with an opener for Capitals after 27 seconds. But Fife responded with four straight goals. Chris Wands opened their account in the eighth minute and Derek Keller put Fife ahead 27 minutes later. Two goals in 28 seconds at the start of the final session secured the points. Jason Pitton netted 23 seconds into the third period and Bobby Chaumont scored a debut goal after 51 seconds following his move from Braehead Clan in midweek.

SUTHERLAND AIMS FOR 2014 GAMES

SCOTT Sutherland Edinburgh-based midfield star helped Kelburne claim back-to-back wins last weekend and his target now is to help the champions claim a ninth-straight domestic title and a place in Scotland’s Commonwealth Games side for 2014. The former CALA Edinburgh player has just spent a year Down Under and believes the experience has improved his game. Sutherland, a sales executive for sports goods firm Dita, is now gearing up for Saturday’s derby with Kelburne’s arch rivals Western at Auchenhowie. And he can’t wait. The Scottish indoor international is a son of celebrated hockey export, Chris Sutherland, one of Scotland’s best every players, who appeared more than 160 times for Scotland and Great Britain, and on 11 occasions for Europe, both indoors and outdoors. And the youngster said: “I learned a lot in Melbourne. We videod games, had one-to-ones with the coaches, one of whom was an Olympic gold medallist, after games, and my discipline is much better. I only had three green cards in Melbourne and I’ve learned not to feud with referees. There is no point. “I believe I’m a much better player now and I have a goal of making the Commowealth Games team in 2014. I had over two months off when I finished in Melbourne and I may go back there in the future, but for now I aim to get fit.” Sutherland would love to play in the Knockout 16 of the European Hockey League next Easter and Kelburne are checking if he is eligible . And he added: “I was involved in the under-age Scottish group but I’m now 22 and it’s the senior team or nothing for me. I want to make it and I’ve joined Kelburne to try to bring my game on even further. “I was in midfield last weekend alongside Michael Christie, Michael Bremner and Chris Nelson. That’s a really talented trio. “I was credited with a goal on Saturday against Grove Menzieshill but I didn’t score. We got four but it could have been more as we missed some easy chances. “We dominated Edinburgh University in the first-half on Sunday and won 5-2. We lost it for a spell in the second-half but we played really well and I’m enjoying being involved. I know a few of the Kelburne players from Scotland stuff and they are a really good bunch of guys.” Sutherland was approached to join Inverleith through a contact but said: “I’d played for CALA for years and couldn’t play Division Two hockey if I wanted to play for Scotland. “An Inverleith player spoke to me but I wanted the chance to play at the European Hockey League and emailed Ralphie (Kelburne’s player/coach Mark Ralph). They invited me to training and signed me on the second night. “Saturday is a big game. I’ve heard about Western and Kelburne rivalry for years and it will be good to be involved. “Western have had some good results lately but Kelburne are unbeaten and we want to keep it that way.”

WAUGH HELPS SAVE MONARCHS

BACK IN BUSINESS: Derek Sneddon, Andrew Tully and Theo Pijper in the pits at Armadale last season FORMER Hibs chairman Kenny Waugh is one of five businessmen to have helped keep Edinburgh Monarchs on track for next season. The former power station engineer who became a bookmaker and publican is the owner of Monarchs home track at Armadale. The others, who have made a “significant contribution” to keeping the former Premier League champions alive, are Laura Morgan, the new owner and promoter of Workington Comets, accountant and school governor, Alan Hartley, a former British Veterans’ speedway champion and chairman of George Watson’s Family Foundation Committee, bus boss Derek Wilkinson and Brian Gray, a potential new director. A number of fans have also donated £500 while others have gifted smaller amounts to keep the club from folding. Mike Hunter, Monarchs spokesman, said the club were on the point of closing down just two weeks ago. He added: “I could not see any way out of this then and there has been a lot of hard work and talking behind the scenes. “But there have also been a tremendous number of people who have leapt to support us and so we are continuing next season.” Monarchs will run at Armadale again and the news brings to an end a period of uncertainty for the club and their loyal fans. Edinburgh’s bosses will now confirm their participation in next season’s Premier League at the British Speedway Promoters’ meeting in Coventry from Friday to Sunday. Berwick Bandits have not yet said they are running next season but Glasgow Tigers have been sold to a new owner and the management team, headed by Scots-born but Danish-based businessman Alun Biggart, are already making plans.

GERMANS BACK TO DEFEND DOCHERTY CROWN

HOT-STOP: Jimi Lewis takes a breather, pic by Duncan Gray Champions Grossflottbeker from Hamburg, Germany will defend the Richard Docherty Cup in Edinburgh from Friday, January 4 to Sunday, January 6, it was confirmed last night . And the Player of the Tournament last season, Philip Witte, an Olympic gold medallist in Beijing in 2008 Olympic, should again be in their line-up alongside former Great Britain goalkeeper Jimi Lewis who was in the British Olympic squad in 2004. Grove Menzieshill, the most decorated side indoors in Scotland in the last decade, and Inverleith, who won the domestic indoor title in 2011, and a bronze medal in the EuroHockey Trophy last year, will spearhead the Scottish challenge. Two guest teams will also take part. Team ALBA and is led by former Scottish international and Western goalkeeper Kris Kane and Globetrotters is headed by Scottish international John Harris and his Inverleith colleague Phil Hall. They have recruited English-born Olympians Ben Hawes, Barry Middleton and Richard Smith plus Belgian Olympian Tom Boon The event has added a women’s competition three Edinburgh clubs involved, Inverleith, CALA Edinburgh and Grange.