Jamal Watson has ‘unfinished business’ in the Elite League.
Speaking on Thursday [28 August], that’s how the 30-year-old blueliner framed his Guildford Flames return in conversation with British Ice Hockey.
Three years have passed since Watson last skated for the Flames — and plenty has changed.
The Canadian left Guildford for HC Innsbruck in 2022, recording 30 points (10 goals, 20 assists) in 48 ICEHL appearances before skating across the German border to second tier side ESV Kaufbeuren.
Watson produced 72 scintillating points (21 goals, 51 assists) in 102 DEL2 games, but Guildford remained on his mind.
The Calgary-born defender was an integral piece of the Flames’ run to the 2021-22 playoff semi-finals, scoring 51 points (14 goals, 37 assists) in 54 regular-season appearances for Paul Dixon’s side.
And he’s hungry for more.
Here is every word Watson said on Thursday.
Jamal Watson Interview: ‘The standard in the Elite League is only getting better’
Jamal, thanks for taking the call — how was your summer?
It was a long summer because I was done playing hockey on March 23 and we start a little bit later here.
It was a bit of an extended break and it was nice to get a little more recovery in before the start of the new season.
You’ve spent the last three seasons on the continent, what have you taken from those experiences?
I guess the last three years have been a big development for me in terms of completing my game, especially as offence has been the biggest piece of my game.
Playing against top-line talent in Austria and in the DEL2 in Germany and being relied on offensively and defensively has helped me round out my game and become a more complete player, rather than looking at myself as a guy who puts the puck in the net and points on the board.
I’ve had a really great time in every place and I’ve had some good success.
It was good life experience to see a different culture and language for three years, which I wouldn’t have experienced if not for hockey.
Jamal Watson: ‘I’m excited to be a part of it’
How does the Elite League compare to the DEL2 and ICEHL?
The standard in the Elite League is just as good as any league out there and it’s getting better. I know a lot of guys in the league now and they’re top-line players [from those other leagues].
Jamal Watson, Guildford Flames (Image: HC Innsbruck)
In Austria and the ICEHL, they have the top teams: Red Bull Salzburg, Bolzano, and so on.
Those teams are always competitive in the Champions Hockey League. But Sheffield [Steelers] were right there in the round of sixteen last year, surprising teams they played against.
I think the level of talent in the Elite League has gotten much, much higher and I’m excited to be a part of it.
Compared to the second league in Germany, it’s a much heavier game over here and you’re getting elite players who want to play here because it’s a great starting point for playing in Europe.
Jamal Watson: ‘We’re trying to lift the Flames into the silverware area’
You’ve been back in the UK for about a week — how is preseason going, with a very different mix of players from your last spell in Guildford?
It’s been great. Paul has been unbelievable in terms of making every feel comfortable and ready. Adam Long is the only guy I played with when I was here before, so it is a brand new group, but that’s part of what hockey is.
I’ve been away for three years, so there was always going to be a new core of guys.
It’s fun to be part of that new core and we’re going to try to lift the Flames into the silverware area, where we’ve been lacking.
There are good hockey teams every year and it’s hard to beat the likes of Sheffield and Cardiff [Devils] to challenge for that league title.
The first week has been really fun, despite dealing with jet lag and all of that stuff, but I’m excited to get some actual game time this Saturday [versus Amiens in preseason].
Jamal Watson: ‘I want to increase my legacy in this league’
Why did you decide to come back to the Elite League this season?
Obviously, these things work quickly. I have a couple of friends who signed over here and the attractiveness of it was to be back in an English-speaking country.
Jamal Watson, Guildford Flames (Image: John Uwins)
Living in Germany was great, but it’s nice to be back and I feel like I have unfinished business in Guildford.
Losing that semi-final to Cardiff to a goal that we obviously want back [stings] and I think we have a team that can challenge those top guys.
I want to increase my legacy in this league, with this team, and try to bring that first piece of silverware to Guildford.
The Flames face Amiens in preseason: is one game enough to prepare for the year?
I absolutely think it is: we’re doing a week of practice, double days, and everyone’s in the same boat.
You can’t replicate everything in exhibition games: it’s about being ready and prepared to win once the puck drops for points.
I think the group of guys we have this year are going to be ready for puck drop when Cardiff and Coventry [Blaze] come round on the opening weekend. We’re going to use this exhibition game to iron out some of the system stuff and see what we need to work on.
You can only get some of the feeling in practice, but playing against another team will bring us closer together and show if we’re ready to bring it for the season-opener.
Jamal Watson: ‘Flames fans will enjoy watching Tyler Busch’
How are you feeling heading into the game against Amiens?
It’s going to be fun. I haven’t actually played against a team from France, so it’s going to be interesting to see how the competition stacks up.
Playing in Europe over the last couple of seasons, one of my favourite parts has been playing exhibition games against teams from different countries.
I’ve played a bunch of teams from different levels and leagues and got to experience a different level of competition. I’ve played against DEL, Swiss2, and Finnish teams and it’s always nice to see how you stack up against those players.
My final question for you, Jamal: who on the Flames is going to surprise fans this year?
I think one player who doesn’t really get much hype, but plays a really important role on our team, is Tyler Busch. If you watch the way he plays out there — that hard working, good in the face-off circle, physical [centre] — he’s a great teammate and someone Flames fans will enjoy watching.
He’s been a big part of a successful team in Cardiff the last couple of years and he brings something to the table that’s tough to [understand] because everyone wants to put the puck in the net but he brings the intangibles: the little things that make you hard to play against.
And that’s something people will realise when they see him in action.