Danish newcomer Lukas Lundvald Nielsen has made a big impression on and off the ice since he signed for Dundee Stars earlier this week.
And the 22-year-old was a catalyst for the Tayside team’s success over Scottish rivals Braehead Clan on Wednesday according to coach Omar Pacha.
Odense-born Nielsen joined from Gentofte Stars after playing 143 games in Demark’s top league.
Pacha said his impact was immediate.
He explained: “Having him at the morning skating session (before the game), skating hard and with a smile on his face and showing real energy gets morale up in the locker-room.
“He has a lot of speed and he was flying. He skated well in the game and we hope he jumps on the opportunity to produce here.”
Pacha added: “Lukas has fitted in well and is a youngster with high energy. He is happy to be here. He has a lot to learn, but he has made a great first impression.”
Cody Carlson, the former Braehead Clan defenceman, is due to arrive later this week and the coach continued: “It was a gruelling seven days to find these two players.
“A lot of late nights, a lot of emails and phone calls. The timing was horrendous but I think we have the key pieces to the puzzle.”
He was pleased to continue the club’s recent home run of four wins, and the victory sets Dundee up for this weekend’s double-header against bottom club Edinburgh.
Capitals are in freefall having lost their last 12 games and they were hammered 10-1 at Guildford Flames on Wednesday.
Pacha’s men host Capitals on Saturday (face-off 7pm) before travelling to Murrayfield on Sunday (6pm) and Stars are closing in on 10th-placed Milton Keynes Lightning who have 25 points from 31 games.
Pacha’s men have 21 points from 29 starts while Edinburgh have six points from 30 games and are cast adrift at the bottom of the pile.
The coach wants to see the same commitment from his men who were 2-0 down to Clan on Wednesday but stuck to the game plan and prevailed 3-2 after penalty shots.
Pacha said: “The game could have gone either way.
“We played well defensively, kept working and stuck to our game plan. It worked and tried to play three and four lines.
“That showed in the third period and this is a huge boost to confidence. We hope to build on this.”