Monsters Press Room

McGuire's Monsters finally snapped their nine game losing streak with a 6-3 victory over the Scarabs.

GM Carnell admitted after the game "I was beginning to wonder when we were going to break the jinx."

With only 5 wins in the last 20 games for the Monsters, its seen them slip further down the standings.

"I hope this will be the start of a better run" continued Carnell. "We have the foundations for a decent team, we need to address a few areas still but we will continue to work on things behind the scenes and hope to have more positive news soon"

The Monsters have a tough away schedule coming up travelling to Stevenage Beefs, St Louis Spirit and then finally Milton Keynes Giraffes before returning home for a game against Dr Lovestinks

"These next four games will be closely analysed by the management to see how everyone as settled after the recent trades, once these have been played we will make any further adjustments if needed"

McGuire's Monsters lingering hopes of reaching the post season for the first time in their franchise history were finally put to bed last night after it became mathematically impossible for them to qualify.

"It had been a long time coming, but finally the hammer was brought down" stated GM Carnell who reflected on a long season, which still has some way to run.

"We started the first 20 games playing .500 hockey, but then we have just failed to build on the start and ended up winning just a quarter of our games. We are deflated, but not defeated, we will see out the remaining fixtures with a focus on building for the future, the roster know they are playing for positions next season, so we will see what happens”

There are rumours circulating within the media there may be a change in the near future for the Monsters, when asked to comment, Carnell simply repeated “The Monsters will finish the season”

So for now the Monsters look to finish the season improving on their current form, but what lies in store for the Monsters during the summer, only time will tell.

The Monsters and Eskimos management have made a joint statement confirming both franchises have been sold and will be relocating.

GM Carnell, today spoke for the first time since his teams season's ended after once again failing to progress to the Playoffs stating major changes were happening during the summer on and off the ice to get the team back on the right tracks for the start of the new season.

“Last season has been written into the history books, it is now time to forget the past and move forward, and that is what we are doing in more ways than one.” Carnell continued “The decision (to move) wasn’t an easy one, but after the team has under achieved for the past 3 years, cutting all ties with the past can only be a good thing. The board believe this is the best move”

It is with immediate effect that the Monsters and Eskimos franchise cease operations and are moved to Derby where the Derby Ice Dogs will call the Markeaton Arena home, with the farm team moving just down the road to Heanor's Brampton Ice Rink and will start the new season as the Heanor Hornets.

“Terry Murray will remain in his head coach position for the Ice Dogs for the upcoming season” confirmed Carnell “where as the Hornets will be actively seeking a new head coach with Dave Tippett’s contract expiring. We would like to wish Dave well, and hope he finds suitable employment in the near future, Dave had a tough season with the Monsters and was sent to the Eskimos to see out his contact with Terry moving the other way. The franchise will not be rushed into filling the Head Coach role, but will be exploring all avenues”

In closing, GM Carnell stated that with several contacts with both teams ending this season, they would not rush into making any signings and would bring in free agents that are a good fit to the team where required.