Fraser is our Rocky Balboa: Vipers boss

Evening Chronicle (Newcastle, England), March 30, 2007

Byline: By Lee Ryder

Newcastle Vipers have unearthed their own Rocky Balboa in the shape of Iain Fraser.

That's the view of Vipers chairman Paddy O'Connor ahead of their crucial Elite League play-off clash with Coventry Blaze tomorrow night (6.30).

The experienced figure of the former NHL centre has given Newcastle a major boost in the last few games.

And after coming out of retirement to star for the Vipers, he is hoping to bow out in a blaze of glory by helping retain the trophy won last April in the final showdown in Nottingham.

Having plied his trade in the toughest league in the world, Fraser has netted three times since joining Vipers and could prove to be an even bigger asset in the play-offs against Blaze over two legs.

Now with Newcastle bidding for a place at the prestigious play-off weekend, O'Connor feels that Fraser is as determined as anybody on the roster to make sure he ends his career with a glittering prize.

Like the final Rocky movie ( when a bruised and battered Sylvester Stallone boxes for one final time ( Fraser wants to have one last shot of glory in front of thousands of fans at the play-off weekend.

And just like the hit film, in which Balboa struggles to fight with calcium deposits on his hands, Fraser goes into the encounter with his peak days behind him.

O'Connor told the Chronicle: "Iain turned round to me and said 'the legs are gone ( but the hands are coming back'.

"He admitted he wasn't as quick as he used to be but told me that his hands can still get him out of some sticky situations.

"But watching him take on players is fantastic ( he is a superstar.

"They only come along once in a while and he is a great asset to us to finish the season strongly.

"He has achieved a massive amount in his career but this is one last shot at glory.

"He fancied this one and he is not the kind of guy to come here on holiday after flying over from the States.

"He knows Rob Wilson well and he's a winner.

"It does have a little bit of the Rocky movie about it, but he's here to win, not for the drama.

"He's here to play hard and to get a championship medal.

"We were pleased when he came ( and you haven't even seen the best of him yet."

Fraser knows the score when it comes to play-offs, though.

The Canadian has played for Dallas Stars and New York Islanders in the NHL and O'Connor is delighted to have his experience on board for one last crack at some silverware.

He added: "Iain Fraser has been a pal of Rob Wilson's for a long time but, in all honesty, he has been out of our grasp.

"And you can see that from what he has produced as a 37-year-old, you can obviously imagine what he could have produced earlier in his career.

"Earlier in his career he played in the top league, the NHL and then in Europe ( we couldn't get near him.

"He is a phenomenal player. I met him a few years ago and we always said maybe one day we'll sign you if we can! Now it has come about."

Meanwhile, the Vipers were expecting to complete the signing of a Czech goaltender today with Peter Aubry out of their play-off bid. Wilson said: "We have a very experienced campaigner ready to come in."