NIHL
News
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Billingham Stars have
further added to their roster this week, announcing the return of forward
Michael Elder and defenceman Andy Finn. Entering his seventh season with the
Teesside club, after also playing two seasons for the Northern Stars during the
refurbishment of The Forum, Elder continues to be one of the side’s top points
scorers, contributing sixteen goals and eighteen assists in twenty eight games
just last season. Consistent, committed and resourceful, Elder is a strong and
skilled forward who will no doubt demonstrate his ability when he ices with the
Stars next season. Likewise, Finn is also heading into his seventh campaign at Billingham having first iced with the side in 2011. After playing junior ice hockey in
Sheffield, Finn progressed to play for EPL outfit Swindon
Wildcats followed by a season with the Northern Stars. A strong ‘D’ man, Finn featured in twenty three league games for Billingham in his latest campaign, contributing
six assists whilst working hard to keep the Stars’ opposition at bay. Missing
out on several fixtures due to work commitments last season, it is hoped that Finn
will be available to play as many games as possible when the Stars’ upcoming
campaign eventually gets underway.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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In other news, Nottingham Lions have re-signed stalwart defenceman Adz Andrews who heads into his fourth consecutive season with the club, having fulfilled the role of alternate captain since joining the team in 2014. Tallying twenty two points in twenty seven games last season, seventeen of which were assists, Andrews is a hardworking ‘D’ man who always seeks an opportunity to contribute to his team’s offensive play whilst patrolling the blue line. As Nottingham makes the step up into Division One in September, Andrews’ experience will be invaluable when he returns to the side for their 2017-18 campaign. Meanwhile, set to make his Lions’ debut is former Sheffield Steeldogs’ netminder James Hadfield who recorded a save percentage of 88.9% over the course of forty six games in the EPL last season. As well as icing for the Steeldogs, Hadfield has also played three seasons for Guildford Flames in recent years besides featuring in thirty six games for Swindon Wildcats during their 2010-11 campaign. As such, Hadfield will now use this experience to compete for the position of first choice shot stopper alongside fellow netminder Thomas Hovell when he links up with his new team mates in September.
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Photo Credit: UrbanScot Photography
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Last but not least,
Sheffield Steeldogs have re-signed left winger Andrew Hirst who, having recently switched to Hull Pirates mid-season, makes his return to Ice Sheffield for an eighth campaign. As one of Sheffield’s most skilful players, Hirst is
certainly no stranger to finding himself on the scoresheet and, whilst last
season was not one of his best, the forward managed to achieve one hundred and
sixty four points in the EPL for the outfit between September 2012 and March 2016. A fantastic signing for the Steeldogs, Hirst is another player who poses a
significant threat to his opposition and will no doubt look forward to demonstrating
this when he makes his debut in NIHL North’s Division One next
season.
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