Liam Reddox (VLA)
In the centre holding the Le Mat Trophy, is 32 year old Canadian left winger, Liam Reddox. He is unusual in that he played so many seasons for just one club. In fact since moving to Europe in 2011/2 he has only played for Växjö Lakers - that is every season the club have ever been in the top division, the SHL.
Reddox was drafted in 2004 by Edmonton Oilers after an impressive U18 World Championship where he scored six goals and an assist in just seven games. Between 2007/8 and 2010/11 he rotated between the Oilers in the NHL and teams in the AHL finally amassing 100 games in the top division and 186 in the lower one. Like many who have come from North America he had good stats from the AHL but could not reproduce it consistently at the higher level.
But just when Reddox seemed to he at his best in the NHL he made the surprising move to Sweden. His consistent points scoring and strong defensive capabilities make him an asset to any team and the Växjö Lakers have truly benefitted.
His best points scoring year coincided with Växjö's first ever championship win in 2014/5. The Canadian national team also took note of the 175cm tall forward's form and he played his first international matches for Team Canada since junior days that season too. The club also rewarded Reddox's contribution and he has been captain their ever since leading the team to a second championship last year.
Whilst the Canadian's role has changed, his goal scoring has gone down by half, he is a key part of manager Sam Hallam's winning recipe inspiring the players around him and doing the tough work on each shift. I cannot see the Lakers dominating as they did last year having lost so many key figures, but Reddox and Hallam have the skills to lead players to play above themselves, and, who knows, maybe even create a little but of unexpected hockey magic this season.
@ABritOnThinIce1
