NIHL
North Bulletin
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| Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson |
Whitley Warriors have
confirmed that player-coach David Longstaff will take charge of the Hillheads
outfit for a second consecutive season. Battling to avoid relegation just
months before Longstaff’s appointment at the club, the Warriors were
transformed by the coach to such a degree that they were able to contend with
the NIHL’s strongest teams and subsequently earn themselves a playoff place. With
nineteen goals and thirty assists, Longstaff was the club’s highest points
scorer last season and, with a wealth of experience, he has much advice and
guidance to offer Whitley’s younger prospects.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Already adding to his
roster, Longstaff has secured the signings of forwards Jordan Barnes, Martin
Crammond and Dean Holland along with blue liner Craig Johnson. Whilst Barnes
continues to fulfil the role of power forward and is often involved in the more
physical aspects of the game, both Crammond and Holland seek to trouble their
oppositions’ defence on a regular basis, tallying thirty four points in their
most recent campaign. As one of Whitley’s longest serving players, Crammond
will look to provide the Warriors with the consistency he has shown in recent
seasons whilst Holland, still recovering from a pre-season injury sustained in
his last campaign, will surely star in Longstaff’s line up as his own fitness
levels continue to improve. Johnson, on the other hand, featured on Whitley’s
blue line for just thirteen games in his previous term, having been ruled out through
injury before further dividing his ice time between the senior team and the
Braves. The young defenceman was able to make an impact as the season
progressed however, building on offensive opportunities to snatch a goal and
create openings for his teammates. Though releasing news of these signings, it
has also been confirmed that netminder Mark Turnbull and forward Kyle
Hindmarsh-Ross have parted company with the Hillheads outfit as the pair make
the switch to Wiarton Rock in the GMHL. Speaking to NIHL Northern Trio,
Longstaff noted: “I am pleased with the signings we have made so far and we
have a few more to announce but are waiting on several players to decide if they
want to carry on playing next season.”
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Likewise, Billingham
Stars have boosted their defence with the addition of Andy Finn and Tom Keeley.
Starting out with the Northern Stars in 2010 following a move from EPL side
Swindon Wildcats, Finn amassed seventy penalty minutes in his last campaign,
spending far more time in the sin bin than any of his team mates. Whilst the
physical aspect of the game appears to be one that Finn does not shy away from,
he is also capable of assisting the Stars’ offensive efforts. Meanwhile, Keeley
returns for a third consecutive season, having enjoyed spells in the Ontario
East Minor Hockey League and the USPHL Elite which allowed the blue liner to
build on his ice hockey experience following ice time with junior setups in the
North East of England. Scoring on eight occasions in twenty two games, Keeley
has the ability to snatch points; however a chest injury sustained mid-season
saw the defenceman miss out on several fixtures for the Stars. Seeking a more
positive start to his 2016-17 campaign, Keeley is the fifth ‘D’ man to sign for
Billingham as the Stars’ roster gradually begins to take shape.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Also enhancing their
roster this week, Solihull Barons have announced the re-signing of ‘D’ men Dave
Rogers and Kieran Papps, and forward Andrew Whitehouse. Whilst Whitehouse goes
into his sixth term with the club, both Rogers and Papps joined the side three
seasons ago; the former breaking through the ranks of Solihull’s Under 18s team
whilst the latter made the switch from Coventry Blaze in 2013. The Barons’
squad growing considerably over the last few days, it appears that Solihull
will once again be a force to be reckoned with in September. In other news,
Blackburn Hawks’ alternate captain Matt Viney and forward Ben Simister have
joined the lengthy list of players who have opted to leave the Lancashire
outfit, following their NIHL title and playoff victories last season. In
addition, Widnes Wild player-coach Scott McKenzie has made the decision to leave
the club, having worked incredibly hard to develop the team. Tallying one
hundred and twenty eight points to become top points scorer of the Laidler
Conference in his last term, McKenzie also iced in the Elite League with
Manchester Storm on six occasions to reach the highest level of British Ice
Hockey once more, and his absence will surely be felt by all those involved
with the club.
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