Manchester Storm defenceman Joe Hazeldine admits leaving Nottingham Panthers was a wrench, but felt it was a move he had to make.
The 20-year-old has impressed in the Elite Series so far, after penning a three-year deal to join Ryan Finnertyâs men.
And, speaking on the latest episode of The BIH Show, heâs already learned a lot from his new team-mates as he starts out on the new phase of his career.
âThe decision to finally leave Panthers was tough and I had to weigh up a lot of options,â Hazeldine said. âThe age I am now, I need to be playing more minutes and Ryan Finnerty offered me that with Manchester.
âI was looking forward to coming here for a new season, but it was shut down because of the virus. Iâm glad this tournament came up and Iâm loving getting the chance to play a lot of minutes.
âIâm taking a lot things in and learning a lot, especially from Dallas (Ehrhardt), whoâs been my D partner. With âKlavâ (Andreas Klavestad) being out, weâve had to club together and I feel like I have a role here. Iâm definitely excited about the future in Manchester.â
Hazeldine is currently back in his hometown of Nottingham for the competition, but Covid regulations and procedures mean heâs restricted in what he can do.
He spoke of being back in the arena, a place with so many good memories for him, the influences on him with Nottingham Panthers and joked how an emergency trip to the family home might be in order.
âItâs been different to be back playing in the Motorpoint Arena and be back where it all started for me,â he added. âIâve certainly enjoyed being back home and Iâve been showing some of the guys the sights on the walks weâve been on so itâs been great.
âMy family are in the city so unfortunately, I canât just pop out and see them because of the procedures we have, but my washing might need doing soon. Itâs hard, but for the best to keep everyone safe.
âLooking back though, Panthers are one of the biggest clubs in the country and being part of that, seeing the professionalism, itâs definitely set me up as a professional along the way.
âStepping up from the juniors was a difficult one, but I did the best I could. I did get down about a few things, but as Iâve got older, itâs been about not getting too high or too low and thatâs one thing I picked up from playing with the players I did.
âThe influences Iâve had have really helped, especially in the low times and Iâve also learned to take everything in, like a sponge. Iâm not at the veteran status yet, but if I can be half the guy those people were for me, Iâll be happy.â
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