A NEW IMPORTER
Streatham has its 12th forward. 4 full lines can now roll on the High Road after head coach Ben Paynter has dipped into the import market for a player to round out his scoring options. And he couldn't have come away with a better bargain than 2024 play off champion and former Chelmsford Chieftain, Damon Porter
“Being able to add Damon at this point of the season will be a massive boost for our offence. He has a great shot, moves the puck well and will add some speed to our offence. He caused us problems when playing against us at times last season and I’m excited to have him with us for the rest of the year. Damon has skated with the team, and I think he will be a good fit in our group!” - Head coach Ben Paynter
Damons stats courtesy of EliteProspects
As Ben says, landing a player of Damon's quality is a massive boost and very much something of a rare occurrence at this time in the season. Most 50 point players are locked down at thus point in the season.
He was a player I was surprised to see not returning for the Chieftains. After all, no one wants to see a player who posts 29 Goals 23 Assists for 52 points in 26 league games leave. That even for a club with Chelmsfords resources is hard to replace at this level. A National level could replicate those numbers, but there is no guarantee of that. Porter was one player on my list of wants in the off season. But very much in my wildest dreams section. So imagine my excitement at the possibilities here with Porter joining an already strong offensive unit
Now at this point I feel I should make a point of suggesting some caution. Damon has all the tools to be a huge success for Streatham, and is a mega signing. This is the kind of late season addition that can put a team over the top in terms of challenging for trophies. But he has missed half a season at this point. Not to say he won't hit the ice running, but we should give the guy time to settle, learn the systems, get the ice time he would have got in pre-season under his belt. And dial his sights in(watch as he now goes out and scores a hatty in Solent)
That said the club has landed a player who will fit right in with the rest of the squad. High Skill, high speed and physicality with a defensive mindset that chokes off the opposition. That is the way I see what Ben has built this season. Something I think Damon matches. He brings a sizeable frame at 5 11 and 181lbs according to eliteProspects. The Chieftains themselves also play a physical style, so no worries about him fitting in with that aspect of the teams play.
Where Damon will likely excel for the team is of course around the net. He's a skilled skater on the puck, able to weave the puck through the forrest of lumber that sprouts up around the slot and crease areas trying to prevent shots on goal.
Streatham do like to play close to the net as much as possible, looking to close the distance and score not off the initial shot but also off the rebounds and chaos this generates. This can call for chances from tight angles, with quick snaps and these are both areas that Porter is able to convert from in spades. See the below exhibits of this
(all clips from the Chelmsford Chieftains Youtube channel)
All examples of shots on the net that have been converted, that were from as I described close in and on the angle. Not only that but there's a quick release on the chances.
As I said it will take Damon a bit of time to settle in and shake off the rink rust. But soon as he gets going Porter is no doubt going to be another key piece of offensive artillery in an already stacked offensive line up, that has now racked up 139 goals so far this season.
I'd expect Ben not to throw the lines in the blender immediately as the lines are settled and producing. Giving Damon some time in the lower 6 to help beef up the offence there, and on the second PP unit first. Then bring him up the line up and commit to making changes, that reflect his production for the team.
Because to, add Damon into the top six where he does belong based on past performances. Something will have to be taken away and moved down the line up.
Either way this, is a dream problem for coach Paynter to have. As he's faced with having to blend his lines not because of anything negative but because the team just added a huge net positive in an established import who can score and create. In any outcome both the top and bottom 6 units now get stronger overall as a direct outcome of this.
