Ice Hockey: Fans’ favourite Zembergs signs on again for Capitals

Capitals’ player-coach Richard Hartmann believes the talented youngster can only get better, saying: “Marcis was a fans’ favourite and ended up being our second top goal scorer last year. He is very quick and at only 23, I feel he has a great opportunity to develop as a player and increase his point’s production next season.

“He has the potential to be a great offensive threat, but I also want to work with him on the defensive side of his game, as he has all the tools to develop into a solid all round player.”

Zembergs, who has represented Latvia in World Championships at Under-18 and Under-20 level, won over fans with a great work ethic, and a deft touch around the net, helping him to score 23 goals. He becomes the third player of last season’s squad to confirm his return for the new season which starts in September along with Hartmann and Slovakian star Rene Jarolin, who signed a 12 month contract extension earlier this year.

In what proved to be a disappointing season for the Murrayfield men, after they narrowly missed out on a play-off spot, Zembergs was seen by the Capitals’ faithful as a bright star, and for many, the team’s most improved player.

Speaking of his new deal he said: “I enjoyed my first season in Edinburgh and I’m excited to be given the opportunity to come back.

“It is a great city and the fans are fantastic. I think that the plans that Scott (club owner Scott Neil) and Richard have in place mean that the team will be more competitive. I’m ooking forward to scoring more goals next season.”