Acknowledgements

THANK YOU!

With the 2016-17 campaign now over, I would just like to take this time to thank all those who have supported and contributed to NIHL Northern Trio this season.

Photo Credit: Duncan Speirs 

Firstly, I would like to thank Colin Lawson of IceHockeyMedia for his weekly supply of photographs throughout the season and for his unrelenting support; and also Ian Hanlon for providing photographs in Colin’s absence. Thanks also go to Colin for taking the time to discuss his involvement in the National Three Peaks Challenge earlier this season which he successfully completed in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Next, I would like to recognise the hard work of Whitley Warriors’ player-coach David Longstaff, Solway Sharks’ Head Coach Martin Grubb and Billingham Star Chris Sykes who have provided swift but detailed previews and reflections on a weekly basis, often feeding back additional pieces of information to assist with the writing of my match reports. Also, I would like to thank Warriors Shaun Kippin and DJ Good, Sharks captain Struan Tonnar and assistant coach Scott McMeeken, and Star Jack Watkins for their contributions in the respective absences of David, Martin and Chris. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

In addition to these contributions, there are many players across the Northern Trio who have taken part in ‘Team Talk’ interviews this season. These players are: Whitley Warriors’ power forward Jordan Barnes and defenceman Lawson Glasby; Solway Sharks’ forward Joe Coulter, young prospect Duncan Speirs and Finnish defenceman Kim Miettinen; Billingham Stars’ forward Jack Watkins and blue liner Andy Finn. Thanks also to media team Billingham Stars TV for volunteering to be interviewed. Everyone’s efforts are very much appreciated. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Thank you to all those coaches and players who helped to raise awareness of Whitley Warriors’ ‘Fill The Rink For Frankie’ campaign by sharing the link to Frankie’s Just Giving page via social media and/or donating.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge all those who took part in NIHL Northern Trio’s Christmas Special; many thanks to Warriors’ Jordan Barnes, Richie Lawson, Andre Payette and Shaun Kippin, IceHockeyMedia photographer Colin Lawson, Sharks’ Struan Tonnar and Marc Fowley, Stars’ Chris Sykes and Jack Watkins, Tigers’ Head Coach Jason Parry and player-coach Daniel MacKriel, Dragon Marc Lovell, Baron Thomas Soar, Sutton’s Lloyd Gibson, Hawk Aaron Davies, NIHL Radio Commentator Oz Phillips, Nottingham’s Adz Andrews, Senator Mark Hartley and Eagle Scott Barnett.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Special thanks go to Solway Sharks’ Vice-Chairman Graham Robson for agreeing to be interviewed about off-ice operations at Solway Sharks’ ice hockey club and for being very open and honest throughout. Thanks also to Duncan Speirs for supplying the photo for this article and to Robert Murray for his input when called upon.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

In addition, I would also like to thank Solway’s Head Coach Martin Grubb, Slovakian import Juraj Senko, netminder Calum Hepburn, forward Marc Fowley, Finnish import Kim Miettinen, captain Struan Tonnar, defenceman James Hutchinson and alternate captain Ross Murray for taking the time to contribute to ‘Solway Sharks: Adding to the Trophy Cabinet’. This is currently NIHL Northern Trio’s most viewed article to date. Without your help, this would not have been possible. Thanks also to David Morrison who provided a photograph for this article. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Further to this, thanks to Sharks’ assistant coach Scott McMeeken, Star Chris Sykes, Blackburn Hawks’ player-coach Steven Duncombe, Solihull’s Head Coach Perry Doyle, Eagle Scott Barnett, Wild's player-coach Ollie Baron, Altrincham Aces’ captain Brian Worrall and Senators’ netminder Mark Hartley for taking the time to share their views before and after playoff weekend. Also, a big thank you to Duncan Speirs for providing photographs of Solway Sharks’ playoff games. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Last, but not least, I would like to thank all those who have taken the time to read any of my blog posts over the course of the season, and to all those who have chosen to retweet or share the link to my blog with others. 

Photo Credit: Duncan Speirs 

I look forward to posting again in September but don’t forget, you can catch up with the latest signing news from Whitley Warriors, Solway Sharks and Billingham Stars over the summer months here too!

NIHL Northern Trio