OXFORD, UK – Oxford City Stars have announced a new face between the pipes at Oxpens Road for 2010/11.

In a move that will surprise many fans in the import limited English National League, City Stars Head Coach Ken Forshee has swooped for Swedish netminder Robin Lindva to tend for his team.

The 22 year old goalie spent last season with Trangsunds IF in Swedish Division 2 and replaces departing City Stars goalie James Skaife, who is taking some time out of the game to focus on other commitments. Born and bred in Stockholm, Lindva is excited to be moving to the historic University City:

“I am really excited to play for Oxford next season” said the Swede. “I feel ready for a change as I have played in Stockholm all my life, and always against the same teams. I also see it like an adventure and am hoping that I can help the City Stars to success”

“I will be flying out to Oxford late August time and everyone I have talked to so far has been so nice to me, I’m sure that it will be a good move for me”

Lindva becomes the first import goalie in the ENL for a number of years and Head Coach Forshee admits that an import goalie was not a priority, but circumstance led to the move, and he is now excited to see the Swede in action:

“I found him through Mikael Juhlin who played for me in Swindon” said the Canadian. “I fully trust Mikael's hockey knowledge and he was very positive about Robin, and says he should be playing in a higher league in Sweden, but just hasn’t had the opportunity yet”

“At the beginning of the summer I wasn’t looking to go with an import goalie, but I just couldn’t find two reliable British guys who I would have confidence in. I had one guy willing to come, but couldn’t find a second. So for this reason we went with Robin. I tried to bring James Skaife back but because of off-ice commitments he just felt he couldn’t give us the dedication he felt would be necessary”

“Robin is a quick, agile, athletic goalie looking to make a name for himself and we couldn’t be happier to give him this opportunity in Oxford. I feel we are very strong on defence and this of course just adds to that. We are looking for Robin to help take us from being a middle of the pack team to hopefully one of the better teams in league”

Lindva is the second Swede to sign up in the English National League this summer, as he follows in the footsteps of Henrik Sahlin, who has signed for Bristol Pitbulls.

Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com