Mike Galati is one of our newer recruits having been snapped up by die Pirates when Telford Timberwolves shut up shop last month.

The 22 year old. born in Toronto on July 29th I977,made an immediate impact notching a hat trick and scooping the man of the match award on his debut in Pirates 6-5 penalty shot win in Milton Keynes last month. Unfortunately Mike has missed the last three games due to a severe concussion sustained in Edinburgh or the 3rd of October but was skating out for the first time on Thursday and hopes to be returning this week. Mike recorded 4+2 at Telford in the Benson and Hedges in 5 games and has followed that up with 5+1 in the same amount of outings for Pirates.

However, his arrival at the Lagoon was only delayed when he joined Timberwolves this season as he had spoken to Stirling during the summer but preferred the Telford option. When they went out of business he was happy to sign on citing that Paisley looked to have a good line up with guys like Chris Jamieson and Matt Beveridge in the team and it looked like an exciting place to play. Mike didn't know any of his current team mates personally before joining but knew who they were from playing against them.

Mike started out at about 6 years of age by skating out to the outdoor rink right outside his house and went on to win MVP's and selections for All-Star junior teams in his early career. Indeed, it was this spell that Mike had his most memorable game when scoring the overtime winner, and earning the man of the match award, in the Quebec Pee-Wee Championship game. It was also in this stage of his playing days, like most players, when he developed a certain affinity with a shirt number. Mike's favourite is number 11 but since Matt Beveridge had already claimed that he has decided to make the number 8 shirt his for this campaign. His childhood idol was the great one, Wayne Gretzky but now he feels that no-one in the NHL really grabs his attendon although he admits to watching the NHL only rarely. His greatest influences back then were his family and his own desire to make it professionally. Now. his advice to youngsters who want to go pro is keep working hard and you'll get there.

Outside the game Mike thinks he would be doing something in physiotherapy if not playing hockey. He also lists his favourite hobby as sleep and if he had one wish he'd wish to be successful in everything he tries to do.

Currently he wishes to finish the season somewhere near the top of the scoring charts and hopes Co help the team finish in 3 respectable enough position to claim a play off berth. His favourite BNL rink is Guildford who Mike thinks will be our toughest opponents because of the size and quality of player their big budget has managed to capture. Manchester, for obvious reasons, is Mike's favourite ISL place to play and also the team he would pick to join if selecting his own side in Britain. It goes without saying that this is only if he weren't already a Pirate. His former European clubs are Eisbaren of Berlin, Edinburgh and, of course Telford but Mike would like to spend a couple of years playing in Italy in the future because of his Italian descent and two seasons there would qualify him to play for the National side.

His worst injury has been a broken hand and his biggest fear is waking up one day and knowing that its all over and that he cannot play anymore. Mike thinks the best points of his game is scoring and offence but. and not a strange thing for players who have never played anywhere but up front, thinks that defence is his worst point, however he is a team player When asked for a sentence to describe himself he said. "I am a hard working player who is loyal to my team mates"

And finally, his opinion on the best thing about Paisley, without hesitation, was you lot. The fans.