Ice Hockey: Ambitious Edinburgh Capitals aim for nth degree

NICK FANTO is the first Edinburgh Capitals player to be attracted to Murrayfield by the prospect of further education - and there could be more.

The player is heading for Heriot-Watt University instead of trials for the top ice hockey league on the planet.

Michigan-born Fanto has spent the last four seasons playing for the University of Nebraska-Omaha. And the 23-year-old, 6ft 2in forward will continue his studies towards an MBA while in Scotland.

Capitals coach Brad Grattan said: "Nicholas is going to be our first player to take the MBA package coming from America.

"He's been in the Omaha hockey program. We'll be looking at more players to fill spots in our team as well for the MBA programme.

"I can't say enough about how much this arrangement will help our team."

He added: "We have already signed players who come from university leagues. We've also signed one that is taking the next step towards their MBA.

"This is nice to have for a team because you could lose a player if you don't have an education programme like this."

Grattan said: "I've heard lots of good things about the MBA programme in Heriot-Watt and it certainly helps in attracting players to our team.

"I give high marks to a university willing to help our club."

Defenceman Evan Schafer, Grattan's first signing, is also from a university background.

The 6ft 2in player, who was a fourth-round draft pick, 105 overall, in the National Hockey League (NHL) entry draft to Florida Panthers six years ago, has spent the last four seasons playing for University of Saskatchewan.

The 24-year-old from Mankota, Saskatchewan, was an assistant captain for the University of Saskatchewan team. Gratton said: "I've researched, talked to and interviewed this kid and everything that has come back to me is very positive.

"One big thing is that he wants to be here and do a good job for us."

The coach added: "Nick is also going to be a good fit for our club. Coming out of university, he is a hard worker.

"He is also a winger that drives hard to the net and will create room for our finesse players."

Daniel Madsen wants to continue his education on the ice rather than in a classroom.

Madsen, who played in the World Junior Championships, is also big and is physical - a characteristic of the players that Gratton has signed so far.

The coach will give the young player every opportunity to advance his game alongside Fife-born Great Britain youth defenceman Willie Nicolson and experienced senior international Kyle Horne.

Capitals' other signings so far are last season's skipper Martin Cingel and Jeff Hutchins plus Scottish-born Bari McKenzie.

Gratton revealed there are more singings in the pipeline. The 40-year-old said: "We're doing our own homework on players to fit into our programme in Edinburgh.

"I'm not picking players just to fill spots. Every player on our team will have a job to do.

"We will put the right guys together. We'll have a mix of younger and older players on our team. But I don't want to be involved with a team which is looking to get new players in all year to fill spots.

"It is far better to do your homework now and get the right guys in place because it can cost a team lots of money, and disturb the players if there are lots of changes."

Ambitious Gratton added: "There are lots of players out there and there are more available every day. If a guy comes up that is a 50-goal scorer you don't just grab him.

"It is important that you research him by talking to coaches that coached against him.

"But, overall, we hope to build a team that plays hard every night."