NIHL North News

NIHL North Bulletin

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Returning to the roster of Billingham Stars next season, forward and on-ice leader Callum Davies will be aiming high as he enters into his sixth season with the Teesside club. Scoring nine goals and assisting on a further twenty occasions, Davies is undoubtedly one of the Stars’ strongest players, having acquired much experience in the lower tiers of British Ice Hockey over the years. Icing with Newcastle’s ENL outfit between 2007 and 2011, the forward also made several appearances with the Vipers in the Elite League before moving onto Billingham in 2012. Featuring in Stars’ NIHL North Cup games, Davies contributed seven points in six games to aid his club’s quest for silverware and will look to equal, if not better, the quality of play demonstrated in his last campaign to enhance the Stars’ chances of  success in the Moralee Conference.

Joining Callum as part of the Stars’ offensive operation in September will be fellow forward Jack Davies who makes his return to Billingham’s line-up after recovering from a back injury which brought his season to an end in January. Going into his fourth season with the Stars, Davies will be hoping that he and his team mates avoid the injury woes of their last campaign to ensure the side get off to the best possible start. Racking up forty eight penalty minutes in seventeen games last season, Davies is certainly no stranger to dropping to gloves and will surely make his presence felt again next season.

Also, Stars’ second choice shot stopper Mark Watson has signed up for a fourth season with the Teesside outfit having starred in most NIHL North Cup games in his previous term. With a save percentage of 85.5%, Watson is gradually gaining ice time at Billingham and he continues to excel at the club as netminding duties are divided between himself and Stars’ long serving netminder James Flavell. Returning as an NIHL North Cup champion, Watson joins Billingham’s growing roster with a view to enhance his side’s chances of claiming silverware next season.

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Meanwhile, Solihull Barons have continued to add to their roster in recent days, signing forwards Thomas Soar, Ed Eaton and Swedish import Niklas Ottosson ahead of their 2016-17 campaign. Last season, the trio tallied one hundred and forty three points collectively to cement Solihull’s place at playoff weekend. Having linked up with the Barons prior to the club’s promotion in 2015, this line remains to be an impressive combination and will no doubt be raring to go again when September dawns. Besides forwards, player-coach Perry Doyle has secured the defensive capabilities of Ryan Selwood, Richard Crowe and Phil Knight, all of whom were instrumental in helping the former Division Two side to achieve fourth position in March. Confirmation that netminding duo Sam Hewitt and Josh Nicholls have re-signed for the Barons was also received this week, meaning that Solihull now have twelve signings to their name. Whilst Hewitt offers a calm and collected outlook between the pipes, Nicholls’ zeal is equally invaluable and it is these qualities which will see them both be included in Doyle’s operation in September.

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In other news, Deeside’s Slovakian import Adrian Palak has made the switch to EPL outfit Sheffield Steeldogs, having accumulated sixty one goals and thirty five assists with the Dragons last season. Further to this, former Sheffield Spartan Thomas Parkinson has become Blackburn Hawks’ newest recruit. Playing most of his ice hockey in the Under 20s league with Sheffield Scimitars in his last campaign, Parkinson will make his first appearance for the Lancashire-based outfit alongside fellow debutants Patrick Nyman and Philip Mulcahy in September. 

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NIHL North News

NIHL North Bulletin

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Continuing with the string of signing news recently released from clubs in the NIHL’s Moralee Conference, Billingham Stars have announced that defenceman Ben Davison will be joining the Teesside outfit for a sixth season. Featuring in all thirty two league fixtures on the Stars’ blue line in his last term, Davison is perhaps one of the outfit’s most consistent players, occasionally picking up points along the way. Starting out with the Billingham Bombers Under 16s team in 2004, Davison progressed through the club’s junior ranks before switching to Whitley Bay where he featured in ten games for Whitley Braves in 2009, as well as making five appearances with the Warriors. Now that September is fast approaching, Davison will look forward to making an impact in the Stars’ line up, with his consistency likely to play a big part once again.

Looking ahead to his next campaign on Teesside, Davison noted: “I feel good about the upcoming season, keen to get back to policing the Stars’ blue line and setting off where I ended last season, playing a lot of minutes and shutting down key players of the opposition. As of now, I would like to see us competing for every trophy we can win next season but we will have to see how other teams recruit this summer. I believe with the squad we had last year and a bit more consistency, we are beyond capable of doing so. However, I think some more depth in the squad would be a big bonus. It would be great to see some new faces in a Billingham shirt who can fit in with the boys and bring something to the games week in, week out.”

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Further to this, netminder James Flavell has also signed for the Stars ahead of his tenth spell with the Teesside club. As Billingham’s first choice netminder, Flavell played in twenty seven of the Stars’ thirty two fixtures to contribute a save percentage of 92.6% and, having played for Sheffield Steeldogs during his 2012-13 campaign, the star shot stopper is able to draw upon EPL experience when confronted with the division’s most influential players. One of the NIHL’s best netminders, Flavell has become a key figure in the Stars’ line up and will remain at the club for at least another season in the hope that he can work with his team mates to bring league and playoff silverware back to Teesside.

Meanwhile, former Sutton Sting forward Simon Butterworth has been named as Head Coach of the Yorkshire-based team following Matt Darlow’s switch to Blackburn Hawks. Butterworth makes his return to the outfit in this coaching role having previously played four consecutive seasons for the Sting between 2010 and 2014. Recently taking time away from the sport, Butterworth accepts this new challenge with a view to build on the seventh place finish Sutton achieved in their previous campaign; the side capable of so much more.

Solihull Barons' new logo

In other news, Solihull Barons’ player-coach and Director of Hockey Perry Doyle has revealed that trio Tomas Janak, Josh Bruce and Joe Henry will play for the club again next season. Accumulating one hundred and thirty seven points collectively in their previous term for the Barons, Janak, Bruce and Henry certainly demonstrated their skill to contend with some of the most established defences in Division One and will surely look to do so again as their next campaign approaches. 

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

NIHL North News

NIHL North Bulletin

With several other NIHL North clubs having made summer signings, it was only a matter of time before player-coach David Longstaff and Head Coach Dave Holland released news of Whitley’s 2016-17 line up and first to make the roster is none other than returning Warrior and fan favourite, Andre Payette. Lengthy spells in both the Elite League and EPL mean that Canadian-born Payette is a highly experienced player with invaluable leadership skills and extensive knowledge of the British game. Moving away from his role as a forward last campaign, Payette iced on Whitley’s blue line, tallying six goals, ten assists and one hundred and eight penalty minutes which saw the defenceman serve a three match ban before the final game of the season. Renowned for his physical approach to the sport, Payette has also proved more than a match for some of the NIHL’s toughest players, including Solihull Barons’ player-coach Perry Doyle and Hawks’ ‘D’ man Reece Cairney-Witter. Already an asset to one of the NIHL’s most established teams, Payette’s involvement in Whitley Bay Ice Rink’s Pro Edge Hockey Schools and his commercial organisation of the club mean that the blue liner’s work is instrumental to the development of Whitley Warriors and ice hockey in the North East.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Meanwhile, joining the roster of Billingham Stars alongside forward Chris Sykes, and coaching duo Michael Bowman and Richie Thornton, defenceman Callum Read makes the progression from the Teesside outfit’s under 20s team to play senior ice hockey in the Moralee Conference next season. Working his way through the junior ranks at Whitley Bay, Read made the switch to Billingham last season after a year away from the sport, scoring on three occasions and tallying nine assists whilst icing on the blue line. Also claiming the award for Best Defensive Player at the Under 20s presentation night, it is clear that Read will be a welcome addition to Billingham’s squad as the team look to challenge for the NIHL North league title in their upcoming campaign.

In other news, former Hawk Daniel MacKriel has been named Head Coach of Telford’s NIHL outfit as he makes his return after five years away from his hometown club and former Head Coach Jason Parry will now take on the role of Assistant Coach. Whilst Parry has been with the Tigers from 2014, having also coached the Titans in their 2008-09 campaign, MacKriel started out with Telford in the mid-nineties and returned to play for the Shropshire’s EPL side in 2002 following spells with Blackburn Hawks and Solihull Barons. MacKriel then went on to make his return to Blackburn where he progressed from the role of alternate captain to player-coach, bringing the Hawks much success in recent seasons. It is now hoped that MacKriel and Parry will work together for the upcoming 2016-17 campaign to develop and enhance the quality exhibited by the Tigers in the Moralee Conference following their promotion in 2015. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Further to this, Blackburn Hawks announced the signing of young forward Philip Mulcahy and defenceman Reece Cairney-Witter. Whilst Mulcahy enjoyed his first taste of senior ice hockey with the Tigers last season, grabbing nine goals and eights assists, Cairney-Witter left Bradford Bulldogs for the Hawks in December and, with much the same temperament as Whitley Warrior Andre Payette, it will be the ‘D’ man’s physical presence on the ice that Hawks’ fans will be looking forward to most. As Head Coach Matt Darlow continues to build his squad in preparation for next season, Blackburn now have five forwards, four defencemen and a netminder to their name, with more announcements expected soon.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

For the latest signing news, keep an eye out for more NIHL North News Bulletins and for more photos from IceHockeyMedia, please visit: http://www.icehockeymedia.co.uk/.                                            

NIHL North News

Star signing Sykes set to shine again on Teesside

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Following last week’s announcement of coaching trio Terry Ward, Michael Bowman and Richie Thornton, Billingham Stars have now confirmed that forward Chris Sykes will also make his return to the club for the 2016-17 campaign with hopes that he can assist the outfit in their quest for silverware. Though claiming victory over Blackburn Hawks to seize the NIHL North Cup in March, the Stars failed to qualify for the NIHL North Moralee Conference Playoff Weekend, narrowly missing out to rivals Solway Sharks. Consequently, a playoff place and league silverware will be two of Billingham’s chief aspirations as they look to improve on last season’s run of form in the Moralee Conference.

Finding himself Billingham’s second highest points scorer for a second consecutive campaign, Sykes accomplished twelve goals and twenty six assists in thirty two games, only beaten to the title of the team’s top points scorer by Swedish import Dennis Boström. With experience in both the EPL and the Elite League, it is clear that Sykes has a lot to offer at Billingham but it is clear that the Stars must avoid the slip in form suffered last season in order to stand a chance of contending with the league’s strongest outfits. Losing points to Solway Sharks, Sutton Sting and Telford Tigers in the latter stages of their campaign, Billingham fell short of the playoff spots and will surely seek to rectify this with a positive start in September.

Speaking to NIHL Northern Trio following the announcement of this news, Sykes noted: “Well…2016-17 season is approaching us fast and I’m back with Billingham Stars. I couldn’t be happier. I’ve settled in perfectly now after my previous two seasons with the club and, when they approached me again to remain for another year, I was happy to say yes straight away and to get myself signed up! It’s great at the Stars and such a close, tight group, we have each other’s backs through the entire season and it’s nice to be a part of. The fans make it worthwhile when they’re singing and shouting the lads’ names every weekend, it makes a difference and it’s nice to hear. Michael Bowman and Richie Thornton have been announced as the coaches again, and I couldn’t be more pleased. I like playing under the guidance and experience they bring but it’s always nice that Bomber [Bowman] takes in what I have to say, or any of the lads for that matter, and we fix the problems together. He’s a great coach and a great guy to play alongside too. So here we go; two more months to go until September and I’m already chomping at the bit to get back on the ice, to get training and to start getting back into it.”

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NIHL North News

Arnone soars into Eagles line up

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Former Hawk Chris Arnone has made the switch to Lancashire’s Laidler Conference outfit Blackburn Eagles, having parted company with the Moralee champions last month.

Captaining Daniel MacKriel’s Hawks to NIHL North league and playoff titles in his final term with the club, Arnone racked up forty six points to establish himself as one of the strongest defencemen in the Moralee Conference last season. Also icing with Elite League franchise Manchester Storm on two occasions, Arnone’s ability will now be put to good use in the Laidler Conference from September with the blue liner now set to ice with Blackburn Eagles instead.

Having struggled in previous seasons, and often contending with fellow Laidler Conference outfits at the foot of the NIHL’s Division Two, Blackburn Eagles battled back in their 2015-16 campaign to claim a well-deserved playoff place at Ice Sheffield in April. Also returning for a fourth campaign alongside Eagles’ Assistant Coach Paul Burns, General Manager Darren Shaw and Assistant Manager Bob Alexander, Head Coach Scott Barnett will divide his time between the bench and the ice accordingly. Sharing his views on the Eagles’ addition of Arnone to their roster, Barnett told NIHL Northern Trio: “Chris is a big signing for the Eagles. We know what we are getting with him; he’s a player that wears his heart on his sleeve. As a ‘D’ man his stats speak for themselves and I don’t think there is a team in the Moralee or Laidler that don’t know what he is capable of or wouldn’t take him given the chance. He is certainly a player that can change a game for a team. I’m looking forward to seeing him in an Eagles shirt and I am sure there will be a lot of fans that are pleased he is staying in Blackburn.”

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NIHL North News

NIHL North Bulletin

Just missing out on fourth place and a much-coveted playoff spot last season, Billingham Stars have confirmed that Director of Coaching Terry Ward will return for the club’s 2016-17 campaign alongside player-assistant coaches Michael Bowman and Richie Thornton. Whilst Ward will oversee the organisation of the Stars from the bench, forward Bowman and defenceman Thornton will respectively take responsibility for the coaching of Billingham’s offence and defence.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Meanwhile, Solway Sharks have announced the return of spectacular Slovakian defenceman Juraj Senko. Taking on the role of alternate captain last season, Senko provided several offensive opportunities for the Sharks who struggled in the early stages of their campaign before battling back to claim a playoff place. Scoring at Ice Sheffield against league champions Blackburn Hawks, Senko will surely prove to be an invaluable source of skill once more when Solway head onto the ice in September.    

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Further to this, there is a new addition to the Sharks’ roster in the form of two-way player Ben Edmonds who will take to the ice with both Dundee Stars and the Dumfries outfit next season. Breaking through the ranks of Dundee’s junior setup, Edmonds iced on twelve occasions in the Elite League last season, picking up two goals and an assist, but the junior featured more so in the Stars’ Under 20s side, collecting an impressive forty five points.

Commenting on these latest additions to Solway’s roster, Martin Grubb noted: “We are delighted to be able to bring Juraj back as he is one of the league’s best players. He is happy in Dumfries and he wanted to come back and to get the Sharks challenging and winning trophies, and you need that hunger in your team. He’s an impact player who will again be vital to the team and he makes everyone around him better so it was an easy decision to bring him back. Ben is a young player with huge potential and the deal with Dundee Stars is one that is good for us all. He is skilled and can score goals and will do well here. We will help him to get the game time he needs along with practices at Dundee. I would like to thank Marc [LeFebvre] and Dundee Stars for allowing this to happen. We all look forward to helping Ben develop and welcome him to the team.”

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