Glasgow Clan’s new netminder Patrick Killeen reckons he’s entertaining to watch after agreeing to join the club from Milton Keynes Lightning making him Pete Russell’s first signing for 2019/20.
The 29-year-old is staying in the Elite League after spending the campaign just finished with MK, who finished bottom of the table after a disappointing season and will replace Joel Rumpel, who left the club.
And Killeen believes his year on these shores already stands him in good stead for another crack in the UK and despite what happened with Lightning, took a positive experience from a negative one.
“This league is a little different as it’s more physical and more net traffic,” he said. “It’s closer to North American hockey and didn’t find it too difficult when I moved over from Italy last year, but there was an adjustment.
“Obviously things could have gone better at Milton Keynes, but hopefully, knowing what I know now, it gives me a chance to improve on last season. But I loved playing in the league last year.
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“My playing style is a little unique as I like to use my sides as much as I can. I can make a couple of athletic saves and put myself in funny positions, but I’ve played that way for a long time. It’s been successful for me and may be entertaining for anyone watching.”
Killeen made 59 appearances at Lightning last season, but insists he enjoyed coming up against the Clan and admits to being impressed by the fans either in Glasgow or when they travelled to Milton Keynes for away games.
He added: “It’s going to be a great opportunity and I loved going to Glasgow in my couple of visits with Milton Keynes last year.
“The fans were amazing and two of my friends, Scott Tanski and Matt Stanisz played there and any time I asked them about it, they were always talking it up to me. They only had great things to say and it’s something I’m definitely looking forward to.
“Whenever the fans came to Milton Keynes, the Clan fans always made a lot of noise, which I thought was great and the team itself were one of the more dangerous teams to play against. They played right way and as a goalie, that makes the decision very easy.”
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