Dino: It’s great to see John back at Pirates

Aug 6 2008 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

PIRATES director of ice hockey Dino Bauda has lured former favourite John Downes back to the club, Express Sports can reveal.

Downes has put pen to paper on a new deal after skating last season with the Solway Sharks in Dumfries.

The experienced Downes enjoyed two previous spells with the Pirates – both at their former home at the Lagoon.

The first was from 1994 to 2000, before he switched to the Edinburgh Capitals for half a season but he returned to the Lagoon towards the end of the 2000/01 campaign.

Downes, who also enjoyed a spell with the Dundee Stars in season 2003/04 joked: “I had come back to keep my eye on Dino, someone has to!

“But seriously, I am delighted to be back playing for Pirates.

“Braehead is a great arena and the boss is putting together a strong roster.

“I know most of the guys and look forward to playing with them again and I would like to show the fans that I will give 100 per cent for them too.”

Dino, above, who played alongside Downes at Dundee and Edinburgh, said: “I know John well and he will do a great job for the team.

“He is a popular lad and a very experienced player. He is strong and will cause problems for the other teams.”

Downes, 31, is the latest signing for the Braehead based ice hockey outfit and he follows fellow new boys, Elite League Brit ace Matthew Rich, from Manchester Phoenix, Ryan Ford from the Edinburgh Capitals, and 27 year-old Slovakian forward Martin Talajka, who also arrives from the Capitals, through the dressing room door