Latest news with #Potter
The Herald Scotland
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Jo Potter's surprising Rangers exit may suit both parties
Potter won four trophies at Rangers with a double each season and although there were questions asked that the team with the biggest budget in the league did not claim the championship, the understanding is that internally Potter retained the full support of the club. Indeed, the Ibrox side were keen to keep her rather than take the fairly meagre compensation on offer from Crystal Palace as she looks to take the London club back up to the top flight. There were accusations among some of the support that Rangers lacked the mentality to get over the line in terms of coping with the pressures that go hand-in-hand with winning a Championship. To that end, this parting of the ways may suit both parties. And while people will point to the lack of a title, particularly given Rangers' resources, Potter was influential in helping to establish the foundations of an under-20 side while the staff for the women's side went up by 30%. Jo Potter won four cups while at Rangers (Image: Craig Williamson - SNS Group) Affable, articulate and straightforward to deal with, there was always a suggestion of Potter appreciating the magnitude of the job in Scotland to properly elevate the game and the profile of the women's game. At times she offered some compelling insight on this, all the more so since her time with England came before the burst of interest that the Lionesses have enjoyed since winning the Euros. There was always a sense that she would cut her managerial teeth in the SWPL before heading back across the border. But it is no bad reflection on the SWPL to have key personnel in terms of players and managers attracting attention. Fran Alonso claimed a bold move to the States on the back of what he achieved at Celtic – short-lived and also without winning a title – while there remains a pathway for players to head to the riches of England. The current crop of exciting young players who are emerging into the national team will all harbour quiet ambitions of going on to play at a level where things on and off the park feel significantly elevated from what they are in the SWPL. Read more: David Murray accuses Celtic's Peter Lawwell of 'revelling' in Rangers' demise Manager admits defeat on ex-Rangers star 'out of his price range' As the league still struggles to find its feet in terms of moving towards an entirely professional structure which still feels light years away, the reality is that the pull of England will always be seen as life changing. One suspects she would have given a huge seal of approval to the decision to play as many home SWPL games as possible at Ibrox this season. Aside from illustrating the club's commitment to the women's game, it also facilitates supporters who are at ease with Ibrox and its surrounds. Aside from anything else, the example of Arsenal south of the border would show that it is a massive step in the right direction. AND ANOTHER THING Elena Sadiku's gig at the Euros in her Swedish homeland will offer the Celtic boss the chance to get inside a tournament that some of her charges did not. As Scotland find themselves on the outside looking in again this summer as another major competition kicks off, Sadiku at least will have a ringside seat. The Celtic manager will work with Swedish TV to cover the tournament, which kicks off in Switzerland next week. It will also provide an opportunity to keep her profile high on the back of a year in which she found it elevated through a FIFA Best nomination and Champions League participation with Celtic. It will be interesting to see, however, what effect it may have on Celtic's pre-season schedule – and whether she is back from media duties to oversee the countdown to the season kicking off. This week the club announced a parting of the ways with seven players while discussions are ongoing with another three. One of those released scored the goal that took Celtic into the Champions League this season. Sadiku had suggested at the back of the last campaign that the players who had not improved were those that she had not signed for Celtic. Of those released this week, Sadiku did not sign any of them. The confirmation this week that Stewart McGuire is the new Head of Women's Football Operations should signal the beginning of the foundations going down for the start of the new season. One can only assume there has been a list of targets left on his desk. AND FINALLY Save us the hand wringing over the Swiss women's team losing to FC Lucern's under-15s. Having also lost 2-1 to under-15 side FC Solothurn as they prepare for the Euros, there has been much laughing and pointing across social media as obviously this clearly identifies just how poor the standard of the women's game is, right? The only thing it shows is the difference in physiology between male and female athletes. It is not about skill or tactics or ability but rather a differential in muscle mass, strength and testosterone levels. In the same way that male and female tennis games focus on different attributes – Serena Williams said it was two different sports – women's football cannot be held up and compared to the men's.
The National
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The National
Jo Potter's surprising Rangers exit may suit both parties
The former England internationalist missed out on the SWPL title with two last day heartaches; Hibs nicked it from them at Ibrox last month while Celtic claimed it with a last minute goal the season before. Potter won four trophies at Rangers with a double each season and although there were questions asked that the team with the biggest budget in the league did not claim the championship, the understanding is that internally Potter retained the full support of the club. Indeed, the Ibrox side were keen to keep her rather than take the fairly meagre compensation on offer from Crystal Palace as she looks to take the London club back up to the top flight. There were accusations among some of the support that Rangers lacked the mentality to get over the line in terms of coping with the pressures that go hand-in-hand with winning a Championship. To that end, this parting of the ways may suit both parties. And while people will point to the lack of a title, particularly given Rangers' resources, Potter was influential in helping to establish the foundations of an under-20 side while the staff for the women's side went up by 30%. Jo Potter won four cups while at Rangers (Image: Craig Williamson - SNS Group) Affable, articulate and straightforward to deal with, there was always a suggestion of Potter appreciating the magnitude of the job in Scotland to properly elevate the game and the profile of the women's game. At times she offered some compelling insight on this, all the more so since her time with England came before the burst of interest that the Lionesses have enjoyed since winning the Euros. There was always a sense that she would cut her managerial teeth in the SWPL before heading back across the border. But it is no bad reflection on the SWPL to have key personnel in terms of players and managers attracting attention. Fran Alonso claimed a bold move to the States on the back of what he achieved at Celtic – short-lived and also without winning a title – while there remains a pathway for players to head to the riches of England. The current crop of exciting young players who are emerging into the national team will all harbour quiet ambitions of going on to play at a level where things on and off the park feel significantly elevated from what they are in the SWPL. Read more: David Murray accuses Celtic's Peter Lawwell of 'revelling' in Rangers' demise Manager admits defeat on ex-Rangers star 'out of his price range' As the league still struggles to find its feet in terms of moving towards an entirely professional structure which still feels light years away, the reality is that the pull of England will always be seen as life changing. One suspects she would have given a huge seal of approval to the decision to play as many home SWPL games as possible at Ibrox this season. Aside from illustrating the club's commitment to the women's game, it also facilitates supporters who are at ease with Ibrox and its surrounds. Aside from anything else, the example of Arsenal south of the border would show that it is a massive step in the right direction. AND ANOTHER THING Elena Sadiku's gig at the Euros in her Swedish homeland will offer the Celtic boss the chance to get inside a tournament that some of her charges did not. As Scotland find themselves on the outside looking in again this summer as another major competition kicks off, Sadiku at least will have a ringside seat. The Celtic manager will work with Swedish TV to cover the tournament, which kicks off in Switzerland next week. It will also provide an opportunity to keep her profile high on the back of a year in which she found it elevated through a FIFA Best nomination and Champions League participation with Celtic. It will be interesting to see, however, what effect it may have on Celtic's pre-season schedule – and whether she is back from media duties to oversee the countdown to the season kicking off. This week the club announced a parting of the ways with seven players while discussions are ongoing with another three. One of those released scored the goal that took Celtic into the Champions League this season. Sadiku had suggested at the back of the last campaign that the players who had not improved were those that she had not signed for Celtic. Of those released this week, Sadiku did not sign any of them. The confirmation this week that Stewart McGuire is the new Head of Women's Football Operations should signal the beginning of the foundations going down for the start of the new season. One can only assume there has been a list of targets left on his desk. AND FINALLY Save us the hand wringing over the Swiss women's team losing to FC Lucern's under-15s. Having also lost 2-1 to under-15 side FC Solothurn as they prepare for the Euros, there has been much laughing and pointing across social media as obviously this clearly identifies just how poor the standard of the women's game is, right? The only thing it shows is the difference in physiology between male and female athletes. It is not about skill or tactics or ability but rather a differential in muscle mass, strength and testosterone levels. In the same way that male and female tennis games focus on different attributes – Serena Williams said it was two different sports – women's football cannot be held up and compared to the men's.
Edmonton Journal
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Flames take lightning-quick Potter with 32nd overall pick
Article content There's more to Potter's game than the quickness with which he darts around the NCAA ice for Arizona State. Of course there is. You don't play U.S. college hockey as a 17-year-old against opponents who might be six or seven years older than you just because you're fast. But they say you can't teach speed, and Potter's got it. The son of four-time U.S. Olympian Jenny Potter – who won a gold, two silvers and a bronze medal with the Americans – the newest member of the Flames might have the 'fastest skater' title locked up if the organization ever brings their Super Skills Competition back. 'I think my strongest asset is definitely my speed,' said Potter, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and 183 lbs and is a leftie. 'Speed and skill and tenacity and compete are what I do best. 'I think the best players in the world have a lot of speed. Just looking at McDavid and MacKinnon and those guys, just being able to use my speed and hands at the same time is really important, and I think that's what the best players in the NHL do.'
Vancouver Sun
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Vancouver Sun
Flames take lightning-quick Potter with 32nd overall pick
Any conversation about Cullen Potter is going to start with his speed. That's inevitable. Drafted by the Calgary Flames with the final pick of the first round, 32nd overall, Potter might just be faster than any other player whose name got called on Friday night. 'His speed is electric,' said Flames GM Craig Conroy. 'He's fast, quick, electric, he's got hockey sense.' There's more to Potter's game than the quickness with which he darts around the NCAA ice for Arizona State. Of course there is. You don't play U.S. college hockey as a 17-year-old against opponents who might be six or seven years older than you just because you're fast. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. But they say you can't teach speed, and Potter's got it. The son of four-time U.S. Olympian Jenny Potter – who won a gold, two silvers and a bronze medal with the Americans – the newest member of the Flames might have the 'fastest skater' title locked up if the organization ever brings their Super Skills Competition back. 'I think my strongest asset is definitely my speed,' said Potter, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and 183 lbs and is a leftie. 'Speed and skill and tenacity and compete are what I do best. 'I think the best players in the world have a lot of speed. Just looking at McDavid and MacKinnon and those guys, just being able to use my speed and hands at the same time is really important, and I think that's what the best players in the NHL do.' Nobody is expecting Potter to be one of the best players in the world right away, but the early returns on his college career have been extremely encouraging. Despite being only 17-years-old for a good chunk of his freshman year at Arizona State – he turned 18 on January 10 – Potter netted 13 goals and added nine assists in 35 games. He also put up four goals and four assists while playing for the U.S. under-18 team. Conroy and the Flames scouting staff watched it all, and were thrilled about getting a player with his upside so late in the first round. 'When you look at him, you think 'Where is he going to be?' ' Conroy said about playing against older competition in the NCAA. 'It would be like stepping into the American League right away, you're playing against me. That's what I think is so impressive for him. To see him play with the U18s, I thought he was noticeable every shift and it was the speed that caught my attention.' Depending on where you look, Potter has been listed as either a centre or a winger, but it's clear that the Flames view his future as being in the middle. Combined with Cole Reschny, who was drafted at No. 18 overall earlier in the night, Friday's first-round should accomplish the much talked-about goal of adding young centres to a Flames prospect pool that was running on empty. 'I hope so,' Conroy said. 'Hopefully he plays centre all year. Both of these playing centre, we don't have a lot of centres. Luke Misa played centre, but there's not a lot of guys in our organization that played centre that we drafted. For me, you can always move him to wing but for me, right from the start I'd rather not put that in my mind. They're going to be centres.' That suits Potter just fine. 'I think I can play anywhere, but with my speed and skill I'm the best down the middle and can accomplish the most,' said Potter, who will return to Arizona State for another season next year. 'Just keep developing (in the) defensive zone and offensive zone and get stronger and everything like that, but I think I'm most effective down the middle.' Potter's family pedigree didn't go unremarked upon, either. Potter's dad has been a hockey coach for three decades in Minnesota and his mom, as mentioned earlier, is a trailblazer in the women's game. While having hockey in your blood isn't enough to get you to the NHL on its own, it certainly doesn't hurt. 'It's huge, just having a mom who has played hockey before and at a high level, too, it's great,' Potter said. 'Just being able to talk to her after games and learn a lot from her growing up, and also, my dad played hockey, too, so just having a family I can trust and rely on when things aren't going as great, they've been really influential in my life and they're who I look up to the most.' daustin@
Ottawa Citizen
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Ottawa Citizen
Flames take lightning-quick Potter with 32nd overall pick
Any conversation about Cullen Potter is going to start with his speed. That's inevitable. Article content Drafted by the Calgary Flames with the final pick of the first round, 32nd overall, Potter might just be faster than any other player whose name got called on Friday night. Article content 'His speed is electric,' said Flames GM Craig Conroy. 'He's fast, quick, electric, he's got hockey sense.' Article content Article content Article content Article content But they say you can't teach speed, and Potter's got it. Article content The son of four-time U.S. Olympian Jenny Potter – who won a gold, two silvers and a bronze medal with the Americans – the newest member of the Flames might have the 'fastest skater' title locked up if the organization ever brings their Super Skills Competition back. Article content 'I think my strongest asset is definitely my speed,' said Potter, who is listed at 5-foot-10 and 183 lbs and is a leftie. 'Speed and skill and tenacity and compete are what I do best. Article content 'I think the best players in the world have a lot of speed. Just looking at McDavid and MacKinnon and those guys, just being able to use my speed and hands at the same time is really important, and I think that's what the best players in the NHL do.' Article content Article content Article content Nobody is expecting Potter to be one of the best players in the world right away, but the early returns on his college career have been extremely encouraging. Article content Despite being only 17-years-old for a good chunk of his freshman year at Arizona State – he turned 18 on January 10 – Potter netted 13 goals and added nine assists in 35 games. He also put up four goals and four assists while playing for the U.S. under-18 team. Article content Conroy and the Flames scouting staff watched it all, and were thrilled about getting a player with his upside so late in the first round. Article content 'When you look at him, you think 'Where is he going to be?' ' Conroy said about playing against older competition in the NCAA. 'It would be like stepping into the American League right away, you're playing against me. That's what I think is so impressive for him. To see him play with the U18s, I thought he was noticeable every shift and it was the speed that caught my attention.'
