WILL Frederick insists Hull Stingrays have yet to see the best of him this season, having arrived three weeks ago to replace Matt Larke, who quit the club for personal reasons.
The American forward has made a steady rather than spectacular start to his career in Britain.
He has scored two points in five games, in line with the four garnered by Larke in 11 matches.
Frederick insists he's settling in well, but is not in peak game shape.
"Absolutely not," said the 25-year-old winger, when asked if fans had seen the best of him.
"I hadn't played since last Spring. I'm feeling better each week, and really trying to reach peak physical condition for game shape. I'm getting more used to a wide open game, it's a little bit different to North America.
"So far it's been a relatively easy process, and the guys have made it really easy.
"I'm getting used to the game, I need to continue finding my role on the team, and the chemistry with the guys. I'm not quite there in terms of game shape yet, it's putting it all together.
"Hopefully it won't be long before I'm right, the more I get into the routine, the quicker it will come."
Apart from chipping in with 15 to 20 goals, the 6ft 3ins and 220lbs (15st 7lbs), Frederick is also supposed to provide a more physical presence than Larke, who was three inches shorter and 30lbs lighter.
So far, though, there has been a distinct lack of 'crash, bang, wallop.'
"You have to pick your spot where you take a run at a guy because it's too easy to get out of position on the wide and long ice," said Frederick.
"It's not so much making a big hit, it's playing well down low and in front of the net and along the boards and ensuring you win your puck battles. That's the biggest thing, more than big, open-ice hits because they are few and far between in this league."
Frederick lines up against Blaze for the third time since he arrived.
The running total is one win on home ice each in two 4-3 scorelines, although Coventry's was in regulation time.
"Hopefully we can grab another two points tonight," said Frederick.
"They are a good match-up for us but we played much better at home than away against them."
After that it's a journey into the unknown at Braehead as Frederick gets used to long days on the road.
"Last weekend's trip to Edinburgh was interesting, kind of getting used to a five-hour bus trip before the game," he said.
"It doesn't make it any easier for us, but there are no excuses, we have to be prepared as Braehead are good."
Rapid Solicitors Stingrays are still smarting from collecting just one point from four after their 4-0 defeat to table-topping Nottingham and 3-2 penalty-shot loss to Edinburgh.
While the Panthers game was clear-cut, the defeat to the Capitals was controversial, with Stingrays insisting Jordan Mayer's penalty shot had crossed the line.
It was ruled out, leaving Dennis Rix to net to clinch Edinburgh the win.
"Nottingham was interesting. They played with a lot of energy," said Frederick.
"They were generating chances and when we got opportunities we could not capitalise.
"When they get up a couple of goals the momentum shifts and we could not come back from that. Edinburgh was really disappointing.
"We controlled play, apart from five minutes where we lost our way and they got two goals. Then there was the shoot-out debacle.
"I don't think we should have let them back into the game, it should have been done before overtime and penalty shots."
