Edinburgh Capitals have managed to secure the return of experienced forward Joel Gautschi for the 2022-23 Scottish National League campaign.
The 31 year old centre has been a prolific scorer in the SNL over the last ten years. Joel is another player who progressed through the Murrayfield Junior system as a kid before making his mark in the Scottish National League.
Back in 2010-11, Joel took his first steps into pro hockey when he iced a handful of games for the Capitals in the Elite Ice Hockey League. For the following three years, he was part of the Capitals roster, playing just under 100 league and cup games at the top level in the UK.
Throughout his time in the EIHL, Joel was still a huge part of the Capitals SNL team up to 2017-18. He won the SNL title in 2013-14 as a Cap which was an achievement he repeated in 2018-19 with Murrayfield Racers.
Joel has won numerous other trophies along the way and finished last season as a champion when he won the SNL Play Off trophy with his last team, Dundee Comets.
Joel has scored an impressive 188 goals and 199 assists for 387 points in approximately 150 SNL games. He is also a leader on the ice. During his two years with Murrayfield Racers from 2018-20, he wore the C on his jersey.
Head Coach Steven Lynch expresses how vital this signing is for his team. “Joel’s signing is a very important piece of the jigsaw for us. Edinburgh hockey fans will know him well and know exactly what he brings to any team. He is a leader on the ice and can create offence as well as anyone in the SNL. Having Joel back with the Caps gives us a stronger attacking threat and a better chance to win every night. What also really impressed me when talking to him was his willingness to get involved in junior coaching with Learn to Play at MJIHC as his young son looks to be picking up the hockey bug and it’s invaluable when people like him want to play a part in helping the next generation of players starting their hockey journey. I’m delighted that he has decided to return and look forward to working with him this year.”
Joel is delighted to return to the place where his hockey journey began. “I’m so happy to be back at the Capitals. I have a lot of good friends that I have known for a long time and played with that have signed for the team this coming campaign. As for the season itself, I have the same expectations every season and that is to win everything! I’m really looking forward to being back on the Murrayfield ice again as that’s where I started playing Ice hockey in Britain. This is probably where I will end my playing days as well.”
More signings will be announced in the coming days.
LET’S GO CAPITALS!
Photo: Ian Coyle
