Christiansen to continue as Capitals coach

DOUG CHRISTIANSEN today revealed he will be back for a second season in charge of the Edinburgh Capitals ice hockey team.

The rookie director of hockey guided the Murrayfield men to a national cup semi-final for the first time, their highest ever league placing, and into the end-of- season play offs. And the American-born forward also collected a franchise record 41 league points from 54 games.

Talks between club owner Scott Neil and the 30-year-old have been on-going since before the end of the season.

And Christiansen, from his home in Milwaukee in the United States, said: "I'm thrilled to be coming back to Edinburgh. I am looking forward to making next season even better.

"Scott and I have had many conversations the last two months working toward this agreement. It was not always easy, but in the end we made a commitment to one another to win in Edinburgh.

"My off-season is over. I'm thrilled to start working again. I have a passion about what we are trying to accomplish in Edinburgh."

Christiansen revealed that a major part of his decision to return for a second season was the club's loyal fans. "I would like to thank the fans. Your support last season was a major reason why I decided to return. We have the most loyal fans in British ice hockey and I'm looking forward to putting a team on the ice that you are proud of."

Neil, who is currently talking to potential new sponsors and investors to drive the club forward, said: "We've spent some time talking to Doug but, overall, he did a good job as a first-year coach. We had a bad spell of over two months, but he showed his character by staying positive and focused.

"We made the semi-final of a national competition, ended in eighth place in the table and qualified for the play-offs – that's good for a first-year coach.

"We're working on the budget right now but one thing is clear, We must move forward and we can't just be happy with being an eighth, ninth or tenth-placed team in this league.

"We have to protect the business and we'll have to find ways of becoming a top team going forward. In that context, we'll need to have quality people involved from day one."