2005

88 Kevin Conway

Kevin Conway is one of the most talented players to come to this country from Canada in the sport's modern era.

In 20 campaigns, ending in season 2003-04, he scored a prodigious total of 2,617 points (1,355 goals) in 738 competitive games at all levels. He also played a key role in the successful British national team of the 1990s.

His first British club was Ayr Bruins whom he joined in 1985-86 with his good friend, Tim Salmon. The pair had finished among the leading scorers in their final year in Canadian major junior A.

Conway's superlative scoring talent enabled him to win scoring titles and league trophies with several British teams.

In his first campaign here, in the three-import, Heineken-sponsored British League, he led the scoring in the Premier Division with 227 points (129 goals), and in 1987 he helped Durham Wasps to win the Heineken Championship at Wembley Arena.

The following season, reunited with Salmon, he tallied his highest ever single-season points total with 252 in 29 games as Telford Tigers won the Heineken Division One title. He was voted BIHWA's Player of the Year.

After enjoying a promotion run with Cleveland Bombers, in 1991-92 he moved south to Basingstoke, again with buddy Salmon. In his debut season, he hit the magic century-mark in goals for the fourth time in his British career.

After seven seasons with the club, during which they gained promotion to the Premier Division and spent two seasons in Superleague, he was their all-time leading scorer with a total of 950 points (481 goals).

In honour of his outstanding achievements with the club, Bison retired his number 10 shirt last month and raised it to the rafters.

But he wasn't finished. In 1999-2000 he won a English League Grand Slam with Chelmsford Chieftains. He ended his career with three seasons in Milton Keynes and Solihull.

He was capped 58 times for Great Britain, beginning in 1992, and was a member of the 1993 squad that memorably won promotion to the world A pool. He also played in two Olympic qualifiers. His all-time scoring total of 66 points (33 goals) is second only to Tony Hand's.

Born on 13 July 1963 at Sault St. Marie, Ontario, Kevin is now committed to the British game. He is coach in Hull of the Kingston River Rats, the reigning under-10 champions, whose side includes his eight-year-old son, Scott.

Compiled with research, provided by Martin C Harris - 2005.