Images (C) Jo Loat
Prior to this week’s news the club management was approached by one of our lynchpin players, the GalxC Cooling Services Basingstoke Bison are saddened to announce the retirement of our popular net minder, Alex ‘Mettsy’ Mettam.
The 35 year old, Sheffield born and now Basingstoke resident, Mettam began his career in 2002/03, appearing for Sheffield Greyhounds, Steel City Scorpians and the Sheffield Steelhawks.
Over the next 4 seasons Alex played for the above mentioned teams, in addition to the Sheffield Spartans and Scimitars.
During this early period of his career Mettsy played alongside a number of other ‘up and coming’ players who would go onto become names familiar to hockey fans and are currently plying their trade in the NIHL National League, these include Matt Haywood (Leeds Knights) and his brother Lee Haywood (Sheffield Steeldogs), Ben Morgan, Dimitri Zimozdra (both Steeldogs), along with Steeldogs Head Coach Greg Wood.
Alex’s breakthrough came in 2006/07, when he appeared for the Sheffield Spartans in the ENL and the Sheffield Scimitars in the EPIHL. This turned out to be the start of a lengthy career at EPIHL and NIHL level, which would see him go on to play for the Guildford Flames, Milton Keynes Lightning, Bracknell Bees and finally Basingstoke Bison.
Mettsy is a 2 time EPIHL winner, firstly in 2007/08 with the Flames, secondly in 2009/10 with the Lightning.
The 2010/11 season, his 2nd in Milton Keynes, saw him earn the EPIHL Best GAA award (2.31) and the EPIHL Best Save % award (91.8) which he shared with the Flames nettie Miroslav Hála.
By the time the final buzzer sounds on Sunday night, Alex will have played close to 670 games across a career spanning 21 years, a truly outstanding achievement for any player, but more so for a net minder.
A fans favourite where ever he has played, respected by team mates, coaches and opponents alike, his confident composed style was that of someone who knew his role and gave any team he played for the chance to win.
Alex had this to say on his decision to retire,
“It’s something I’d thought about for the last year or so but I’ve decided now is the time to retire from playing.
“It would take to long to name everyone but I’d like to say a massive thank you to all of the goalie partners, teammates, coaches, training and off ice staff of every team I’ve been lucky enough to play for. I feel very proud to have played for a number of clubs that I grew up watching”.
“Everyone involved with Basingstoke Bison has made my time here the best, I’ve made lifelong friends and call Basingstoke home. I wish the club all the best for the future and hope to come back as a spectator in 2024!
Head Coach Ash Tait commented,
“It’s been an absolute honour and a privilege to have been able to coach mettsy over the last 5 years”.
“I didn’t really know him when I came here but after doing my research, the common reply when asking people was, ‘if he’s still available then sign him’. I followed that thought and haven’t regretted that decision once”.
Ashley continued, “He’s been a solid, consistent performer through his career and I wish him every success in the future”.
Alex will be sorely missed by all those connected with the Bison organisation, he leaves with our thanks for the past 4 seasons and our best wishes for the future.
No doubt Bison fans will give him the send off he deserves, whether it be in Basingstoke this weekend or possibly in Coventry, the following weekend.
#28
#wearefamily
Play Off Quarter final tickets for Alex’s last game in a Bison uniform are selling fast and we would advise all spectators to purchase in advance online form the the following link: https://iceaccount.co.uk/basingstoke-bison?Reference=Bison-Website
All season ticket holders seat (s) are reserved until midnight on Saturday 8th April 2023 for you to purchase them, please call the Box Office on 01256 355266 or visit the arena and purchase them in person, after this time all remaining seats will go on general sale.
