Jamal Watson has ‘unfinished enterprise’ within the Elite League.
Talking on Thursday [28 August], that’s how the 30-year-old blueliner framed his Guildford Flames return in dialog with British Ice Hockey.
Three years have handed since Watson final skated for the Flames — and many has modified.
The Canadian left Guildford for HC Innsbruck in 2022, recording 30 factors (10 objectives, 20 assists) in 48 ICEHL appearances earlier than skating throughout the German border to second tier aspect ESV Kaufbeuren.
Watson produced 72 scintillating factors (21 objectives, 51 assists) in 102 DEL2 video games, however Guildford remained on his thoughts.
The Calgary-born defender was an integral piece of the Flames’ run to the 2021-22 playoff semi-finals, scoring 51 factors (14 objectives, 37 assists) in 54 regular-season appearances for Paul Dixon’s aspect.
And he’s hungry for extra.
Right here is each phrase Watson mentioned on Thursday.
Jamal Watson Interview: ‘The usual within the Elite League is just getting higher’
Jamal, thanks for taking the decision — how was your summer time?
It was an extended summer time as a result of I used to be carried out enjoying hockey on March 23 and we begin a little bit bit later right here.
It was a little bit of an prolonged break and it was good to get a little bit extra restoration in earlier than the beginning of the brand new season.
You’ve spent the final three seasons on the continent, what have you ever taken from these experiences?
I assume the final three years have been an enormous improvement for me when it comes to finishing my sport, particularly as offence has been the most important piece of my sport.
Enjoying towards top-line expertise in Austria and within the DEL2 in Germany and being relied on offensively and defensively has helped me spherical out my sport and turn into a extra full participant, relatively than myself as a man who places the puck within the web and factors on the board.
I’ve had a extremely nice time in each place and I’ve had some good success.
It was good life expertise to see a special tradition and language for 3 years, which I wouldn’t have skilled if not for hockey.
Jamal Watson: ‘I’m excited to be part of it’
How does the Elite League examine to the DEL2 and ICEHL?
The usual within the Elite League is simply nearly as good as any league on the market and it’s getting higher. I do know loads of guys within the league now they usually’re top-line gamers [from those other leagues].
Jamal Watson, Guildford Flames (Picture: HC Innsbruck)
In Austria and the ICEHL, they’ve the highest groups: Purple Bull Salzburg, Bolzano, and so forth.
These groups are all the time aggressive within the Champions Hockey League. However Sheffield [Steelers] had been proper there within the spherical of sixteen final yr, shocking groups they performed towards.
I believe the extent of expertise within the Elite League has gotten a lot, a lot larger and I’m excited to be part of it.
In comparison with the second league in Germany, it’s a a lot heavier sport over right here and also you’re getting elite gamers who wish to play right here as a result of it’s an awesome start line for enjoying in Europe.
Jamal Watson: ‘We’re attempting to carry the Flames into the silverware space’
You’ve been again within the UK for a couple of week — how is preseason going, with a really completely different mixture of gamers out of your final spell in Guildford?
It’s been nice. Paul has been unbelievable when it comes to making each really feel snug and prepared. Adam Lengthy is the one man I performed with after I was right here earlier than, so it’s a model new group, however that’s a part of what hockey is.
I’ve been away for 3 years, so there was all the time going to be a brand new core of fellows.
It’s enjoyable to be a part of that new core and we’re going to attempt to carry the Flames into the silverware space, the place we’ve been missing.
There are good hockey groups yearly and it’s onerous to beat the likes of Sheffield and Cardiff [Devils] to problem for that league title.
The primary week has been actually enjoyable, regardless of coping with jet lag and all of that stuff, however I’m excited to get some precise sport time this Saturday [versus Amiens in preseason].
Jamal Watson: ‘I wish to improve my legacy on this league’
Why did you resolve to come back again to the Elite League this season?
Clearly, this stuff work shortly. I’ve a few buddies who signed over right here and the attractiveness of it was to be again in an English-speaking nation.
Jamal Watson, Guildford Flames (Picture: John Uwins)
Residing in Germany was nice, nevertheless it’s good to be again and I really feel like I’ve unfinished enterprise in Guildford.
Dropping that semi-final to Cardiff to a aim that we clearly need again [stings] and I believe now we have a staff that may problem these prime guys.
I wish to improve my legacy on this league, with this staff, and attempt to convey that first piece of silverware to Guildford.
The Flames face Amiens in preseason: is one sport sufficient to organize for the yr?
I completely assume it’s: we’re doing per week of observe, double days, and everybody’s in the identical boat.
You possibly can’t replicate all the pieces in exhibition video games: it’s about being prepared and ready to win as soon as the puck drops for factors.
I believe the group of fellows now we have this yr are going to be prepared for puck drop when Cardiff and Coventry [Blaze] come spherical on the opening weekend. We’re going to make use of this exhibition sport to iron out a number of the system stuff and see what we have to work on.
You possibly can solely get a number of the feeling in observe, however enjoying towards one other staff will convey us nearer collectively and present if we’re able to convey it for the season-opener.
Jamal Watson: ‘Flames followers will take pleasure in watching Tyler Busch’
How are you feeling heading into the sport towards Amiens?
It’s going to be enjoyable. I haven’t really performed towards a staff from France, so it’s going to be fascinating to see how the competitors stacks up.
Enjoying in Europe over the past couple of seasons, one in all my favorite elements has been enjoying exhibition video games towards groups from completely different nations.
I’ve performed a bunch of groups from completely different ranges and leagues and received to expertise a special degree of competitors. I’ve performed towards DEL, Swiss2, and Finnish groups and it’s all the time good to see the way you stack up towards these gamers.
My remaining query for you, Jamal: who on the Flames goes to shock followers this yr?
I believe one participant who doesn’t actually get a lot hype, however performs a extremely essential position on our staff, is Tyler Busch. For those who watch the best way he performs on the market — that tough working, good within the face-off circle, bodily [centre] — he’s an awesome teammate and somebody Flames followers will take pleasure in watching.
He’s been an enormous a part of a profitable staff in Cardiff the final couple of years and he brings one thing to the desk that’s robust to [understand] as a result of everybody desires to place the puck within the web however he brings the intangibles: the little issues that make you onerous to play towards.
And that’s one thing individuals will realise once they see him in motion.
