Team Talk

TEAM TALK

With an interesting season unfolding before us, NIHL Northern Trio took the opportunity to catch up with Sharks’ Struan Tonnar, Star Chris Sykes, Warriors Shaun Kippin and Richie Lawson and Senator Mark Hartley. Here are their thoughts on the 2015-16 campaign at present:

Struan Tonnar

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

As team captain of Solway, Struan Tonnar is one of Sharks’ most valued ice hockey players. Here’s what he thinks of the season so far:

What has been your highlight of the season to date?

I can’t say there has been one particular highlight. Just being back to playing after the summer and getting back with the guys is what it is all about. We still enjoy it and each other. It’s hard to top that. It’s nice to see everyone just sticking together through everything and, despite it all, still pulling in the same direction.

What do you hope to achieve with Solway Sharks this campaign?

Unfortunately, this year, the league is beyond us. Like most other teams we are after those four playoff spots and throwing everything we have at making sure we make that playoff final and, of course, lift the silverware at the end of it.

Which members of the team have impressed you so far?

I think the most impressive has to be our young kids. We have sixteen, seventeen and eighteen year olds coming out and stepping into some tough situations. They love to skate and they don’t stop. It’s great to have them on the team. They’ll be something to watch in years to come and then the likes of young (Michael) Corbett starting to get ice time at this level has shown that he can not only step up, but how easy it can be for anyone to fit in with the core group of guys we have. We have to credit ourselves with that. If we can get more of these young guys in and get them learning a thing or two through playing then we are definitely on the right tracks.

What long term affect do you think the injuries to Martin Cingel and Alan Crane will have?

I think we already saw what happened when we lost Cingel, (his absence) took a lot of experience from the ice. We learned and have managed to deal with that now. It will now just be a bonus when we can get him back fit and healthy and skating again. We’ve still had him on the bench so we can pick his brain and still get some of that knowledge. Craner (Alan Crane) has always been a solid, smart player that any team would be happy to have. To lose him is a major blow; he’s a well-respected player in the team, on and off the ice, and we’ll struggle to replace his presence. It’s an awful injury to sustain and it shows the dangers that can happen out on the ice. Everyone is helping him and we all hope he recovers quickly and back to the standards he holds himself to.

Which other teams or players have impressed you? Is there anybody that has surprised you in particular?

Honestly, I think pretty much every team has stepped up their game. We could all see that Whitley had only one thing in mind this summer and it was to get as far away from the troubles they had last year and clearly they’ve done that. The biggest impression that’s been left so far is the form Telford and Solihull have shown. To come up from promotion and fit right into the top of the table is a great achievement. If they keep this up, it’s going to be hard for anyone else to break into the top four. That’s before you even mention Billingham, Blackburn or Sutton. The standard of the league has done nothing but improve year after year and, since we joined, it’s a credit to each team that they constantly set their ambitions higher each time.

Solway’s last two fixtures were cancelled due to bad weather. How much of a hindrance has this been to the club?

It’s a shame, due to circumstances that no one can control, that we had to cancel two games. No one likes to miss out and I can’t imagine how much it sucked for Telford and Sutton to come all that way and just be turned around. Hopefully, it can all be sorted out soon and have the games in our schedule. From our point of view, it’s given us the chance to get some players recovered from injury and hopefully back to the line-up for the New Year with them not having to miss any more games. We’ll also have young Duncan Speirs back from GB duty so he won’t have missed any games for us which is good. Other than that, we all got a chance to head upstairs and chill out, everyone as a team, which was good. Just relaxing always helps to knit a team tighter and it did that.

Solway has also entered into the North Cup this season? How have you found these extra fixtures?

I love the cup. I think it’s a shame that it’s only going to be the top team that wins it and there won’t be a final because another final in anyone’s case is fantastic to be a part of. Whether we made the final or not would be irrelevant, I just think it provides a far better scenario and spectacle for it to finish. Don’t let anyone tell you ‘it’s just the cup’. No team ever steps out without an attitude of winning whatever cup it is, and the fans are the same, that’s why we’re all part of this sport. The extra fixtures in the season are great. I actually wish there was more. These single game weekends aren’t as fun; double header weekends are far better in my opinion. Throughout the year, they would really test some teams’ brass and teams would be able to bond a lot more. And more hockey all round, it’s hard to complain about that, shame it can’t always be the case though.

Finally, what are your hopes for the future of Solway Sharks in the long term?

Future hopes for us from anyone who has anything to do with this club is to be back sitting top of the league. If we can do this while still developing young Brits and moving them up to a good standard of hockey, then I think we’ll be doing just fine but don’t worry, I doubt anyone will have to wait too long before we get back to the consistent force we were not so long ago.

Chris Sykes

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

As one of Billingham Stars’ top points scorers, Chris Sykes kindly shared his views:

“This season has been an up and down season so far, and not as we planned it at the start. However, we are in fifth and sitting in a good position. We know what we have to do for that playoff spot and over Christmas we are going to get ready for a big push for that. We know we have the talent and the team unit to do it, we just have to bear down a little more in tight situations and then we will be just fine!”

Shaun Kippin

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Now in his ninth season with Whitley Warriors, long-serving forward Shaun Kippin told NIHL Northern Trio:

“I think we’ve had a great season so far, but I still feel there is more to come from this team come the end of the season. We are improving every week and it’s great to be a part of it. From a personal point of view, I’m just enjoying being back playing after a year out. My point production isn’t where I’d like it to be but I’m hoping to improve on that in the second half of the season.”

Mark Hartley

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

As netminder of Sheffield Senators, Mark Hartley has certainly encountered his fair share of shots this season. Here’s his take on life in Division One:

Who has been the most difficult forward you have faced so far?

I find that Joe Henry from Solihull Barons always manages to pick the smallest gaps. He has a lot of precision.

What has been your highlight of the season so far?

Just seeing the lads working their hardest every game. Results haven’t gone our way but that doesn’t stop our efforts.

How has the season been for you on a personal level?

On a personal level, I’ve been relatively happy. It’s fairly busy each game which gives me lots to do. I’d rather face sixty shots than ten though. Bobby (Robert Browne) and I are really enjoying the challenge and I think we’re doing okay given the circumstances.

What do you make of the jump from Division Two to Division One?

There is a clear difference in the standard but it really hasn’t helped that we have lost so many guys, but the guys we have give 100% every game so you can’t ask for much more.

Who do you think has stood out for the Senators?

It’s difficult to single anyone out. Every single lad brings something different to the team and they are all a great bunch of guys. I’d rather lose with this team than win with any other.

Which other teams have impressed you?

Blackburn is the obvious answer but they really are a great team. They can be incredibly clinical.

What are your hopes for the Senators in the New Year?

A win would be nice! Right now, I’d take a draw! But my biggest hope is that the boys maintain the efforts put in and we achieve our individual goals as a team and keep up the positive attitude.

Richie Lawson

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Warriors’ experienced netminder Richie Lawson also took time to tell NIHL Northern Trio what he has made of Whitley’s season so far:

What has been your favourite game to be involved in so far this season?

Billingham away-it felt good to break our curse and take the points in a dominating performance.

What has been your greatest highlight to date?

Beating Blackburn and holding top position.

…And your greatest disappointment?

Sheffield away, losing points.

What do you feel has been the Warriors’ greatest achievement so far?

Challenging for first position when aspirations are a top four finish.

How has the season been for you on a personal level?

Fantastic, it’s been a great start to the campaign. I am happy with my performance in the main to date but there is always room for improvement.

There have been several new signings for Whitley. Who have you enjoyed working with most?

It’s hard to single out one player as they all have their unique skill sets and abilities which they bring to the table.

Which players from Whitley have impressed you most?

Harry Harley, who is going from strength to strength and improving with each game, he is really solid and reliable defensively with the ability to quarterback a lot of our plays.

Which teams have impressed you most so far?

Blackburn is a good team with solid depth in their squad but, to be honest, the league is so competitive this year, almost all have made improvements. There is no such thing as an easy game anymore.

What are your hopes for Whitley in the New Year?

To continue to build and improve on our performances to date which will hopefully translate into wins. Our aspiration is a top four finish but wouldn’t it be great if we could push for the league title? I’m looking forward to picking up where we left off.

Thanks go to Struan Tonnar, Chris Sykes, Shaun Kippin, Mark Hartley and Richie Lawson for taking the time to respond to these questions, and also to Colin Lawson from IceHockeyMedia for his continued supply of photographs. Best wishes to all ice hockey coaches, players, fans and readers for 2016!

For more photos from IceHockeyMedia, please visit: http://www.icehockeymedia.co.uk/.