Vipers shocked as Scott Langdon asks to leave

Nov 26 2010 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

JUST as player-coach Danny Stewart thought he had reshaped his Newcastle Vipers squad, the Elite League strugglers have been shocked by a transfer request from Scott Langdon.

The 25-year-old defenceman has been one of the club’s success stories in a difficult start to the season, but his hard-hitting performances have attracted the attention of the Central Hockey League.

Having released Dan Speer and Nathan Salem in the previous 24 hours, player-coach Danny Stewart has reluctantly allowed the Canadian to go too.

He said: “Scott’s request has come as a shock to me and the club, and we are gutted by his decision to leave.

“In saying that I would never want to get in the way of a player’s needs.

“Scott has the opportunity to play for the top team in the Central Hockey League with the chance of an AHL call-up.

“I would like to thank Scott for his production this season and wish him the best for his future career.

“He may have been our most consistent performer, and his style of play made him a favourite of mine from both a coaching and playing point of view.

“We will look to see what is available to replace him, but it will be a tough task to find someone of his quality at this point in the year.”

Langdon scored two goals and provided four assists in his 17 Vipers appearances this season.

The news was all the more demoralising because only hours earlier Stewart was expressing his relief at finally getting his squad up to full strength with D men John Schwarz and Kyle Sibley getting back to full fitness, and Nick Duff joining to take the spot left by Speer.

“It will be great to finally have a full roster,” he told The Journal on Wednesday, little realising what was to come.

“I believe we have played one period of the season with it so far!

“John played last week at probably about 50%, and Sibley should be back for the next game.”

The Vipers do not play again until a week on Saturday, when they travel to Dundee Stars – the only team below them in the table.

STUART RAYNER