In season 2002-03, centreman Rick Brebant became one of only two players to score more than 1,000 goals at the highest level of British ice hockey. The achievement took the native of Elliot Lake, Ontario 16 seasons and just over 800 games in major competitions since he left Canada in 1987.
Brebant, 40, finished his British career with 2,407 points (1,017 goals), though he sneaked another 27 (two goals) this past season when, as coach of Manchester Phoenix, he helped out his new team in 33 league games.
He played on seven different teams throughout his long career and his fierce competitiveness was a major influence on their success. His clubs won seven playoff championships, seven league titles and six cups. Two of them - Durham Wasps and Sheffield Steelers - won the Grand Slam.
Between 1994 and 2002, he was capped 32 times for Britain scoring ten goals and 23 points. The 1994 championships in the World A Pool were among the highlights of his career. "My favourite goal was a short-handed one for Britain against Canada's NHL goalie," he recalled.
Neil Morris, the owner of his current team, Manchester Phoenix, describes him as "one of the hardest working, grittiest, skilful and most driven players I've ever had the privilege to watch".
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