NIHL
North Bulletin
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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Continuing to add to
their roster in recent days, Whitley Warriors have strengthened both their
offence and defence with the signing of forward Ben Richards, and blue liners Dan
Pye and Liam Smedley. Though Richards’ last campaign in a Warriors’ shirt was
somewhat disrupted through injury, the forward demonstrated his skill on
several occasions, scoring eight goals and snatching a further five assists to
challenge some of the strongest defences in the Moralee Conference. Also
re-signing for the Hillheads outfit, experienced ‘D’ man Dan Pye links up with Whitley
for a third consecutive season hoping to repeat the calm and collected
performances of his last term with the Warriors. Previously taking on the role
of away alternate captain alongside Joe Stamp, Pye became one of Longstaff’s
on-ice leaders; reliable, consistent and strong. Joining Pye on the Warriors’
blue line is promising youngster Liam Smedley who has made the transition from
Whitley’s junior setup in recent seasons to gain regular ice time with the
senior outfit. Chipping in with goals when offensive opportunities arise, Smedley
will seek to cement his place in Longstaff’s line up as he takes to the ice in September.
Meanwhile, Billingham have
announced the signing of forward Jack Emerson who joins the Teesside club for a
fifth NIHL campaign, having divided his time between the Stars’ Under 20s
outfit and the senior team last season. Whilst Emerson tallied one goal and
four assists for the Stars in his previous spell, the forward also racked up forty
five points as alternate captain of Billingham’s Under 20s side to become the
team’s top points scorer in this league. Voted Player’s Player of the Year for his performances with the Under 20s, it is clear that Emerson has a lot to offer the Stars as
they embark on yet another quest for silverware.
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Photo
Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
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In other news, Solihull
Barons have enhanced their squad with the addition of youngsters Stephen Heape,
Matt Maurice and Jacob Smith. Whilst Heape is a familiar face in Barons’ line
up, having recorded seventy penalty minutes in just thirteen games for the
side, forward Maurice and defenceman Smith debuted with Solihull last
season, the duo featuring for the side alongside commitments to both Coventry’s NIHL outfit and the club’s Under 18s. The addition of this trio takes the total
number of players on Barons’ roster to eighteen which, boasting a balance of
youth and experience, further suggests that Perry Doyle’s team will be a force
to be reckoned with next season.
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