NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Solway Sharks have confirmed the re-signings of forwards Joe Coulter, Connor Henderson and Struan Tonnar ahead of their pre-season fixtures against Sheffield Steeldogs this weekend. Heading into his fifth full season with the Sharks’ NIHL team, Coulter will be aiming for a repeat of last season’s success which saw him average a point per game, recording six goals and twenty one assists in twenty seven league games. Developing his game at the Dumfries club in recent seasons, the forward continues to be one the team’s greatest assets and will no doubt show his ability when he takes to the ice with the team once again. Likewise, Henderson also achieved twenty seven points in Solway’s league campaign, tallying nine goals and eighteen assists over the course of nineteen games to prove a real prospect for the Sharks. Going into the 2017-18 campaign on a two-way contract with Elite League outfit Braehead Clan, Henderson has taken part in the side’s pre-season schedule ahead of his latest outing in the NIHL. Further to these signings, long-serving Shark Tonnar will now head into his tenth consecutive season at the club, having captained the side to success in their latest campaign. Scoring eighteen goals and nine assists in twenty seven league games, Tonnar will utilise his experience and skill to outwit his opposition in the hope that he can help the Sharks to build on their 2016-17 treble-winning campaign.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Meanwhile, Billingham Stars completed their roster yesterday with the signing of defenceman and player-coach Richie Thornton who heads into his seventh campaign with the club after notching thirteen assists in twenty six league games last season. Valued for his leadership qualities and his experience, having played in the BNL, the EPL and the Elite League over the course of his career, Thornton returns to the Stars’ coaching line-up alongside fellow player-coach Michael Bowman ahead of Billingham’s pre-season schedule against Telford Tigers this weekend.

In other news, The Dragons have acquired the services of two experienced forwards as former Altrincham Ace captain Brian Worrall and ex-Eagle Steven Hetherington join the Deeside club for their 2017-18 season. Despite playing ice hockey in Manchester for most of his career, Worrall enjoyed a spell with the Dragons in their 2012-13 campaign in NIHL 2, averaging two points per game. Having played at the highest level of ice hockey in Britain with Manchester Phoenix, Worrall brings with him his great knowledge of the sport and a vast amount of experience. By comparison, Hetherington started out with Blackburn’s junior setup in 2000 and, after taking time away from the sport, returned to ice with the Lancashire Raptors, remaining with the club when they rebranded as Blackburn Eagles. Achieving thirty three points in twenty four games last season, Hetherington is a proven goal scorer in the NIHL’s Division Two and it is hoped that he will be able to apply his usual goal scoring prowess when he steps up to play in Division One with the Dragons this season.  

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