Friday, 30 June 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
It has today been announced that Billingham Stars have added player-coach Michael Bowman to their roster as the right winger heads into his sixth consecutive campaign on Teesside after joining the Stars from EPL outfit Bracknell Bees in 2012. Achieving twenty eight points in his last three campaigns for Billingham, Bowman brings experience and leadership to Terry Ward’s growing squad, fulfilling both the roles of player-coach and alternate captain in his latest term at the club. Having played eight seasons in the EPL before making the switch to Billingham, Bowman is no stranger to facing tough opposition and will therefore be well prepared to contend with the Stars’ newest competition in the NIHL’s Division One.  

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
It was also confirmed yesterday that the Stars have re-signed skilled forward James Moss as he prepares for a seventh season at The Forum. Always industrious in front of goal, Moss is one of Billingham’s most hardworking players and demonstrated his offensive ability from an early age as he iced for Billingham Bombers’, Newcastle Vipers’ and Whitley’s junior teams before linking up with the Northern Stars in 2010. In his most recent campaign, Moss’ points production was halved in comparison to his 2015-16 season as the forward missed out on eight league games through injury. Tallying fifteen points in twenty games, as opposed to the thirteen goals and seventeen assists accomplished in his previous outing, Moss will again turn his attentions to finding the net as he aims to get back to his best.  

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Meanwhile, Telford Tigers have re-signed sturdy defenceman Corey Goodison who last season iced for both Telfords NIHL and EPL outfits. Managing eight points in twelve games for Daniel MacKriel’s team, Goodison also featured in thirty four EPL games for Head Coach Tom Watkins during which time he notched a goal and six assists. This his third campaign with the Tigers’ organisation, defensively strong Goodison will continue to build on last season’s hard work as he looks to develop his game even further in September.

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

    

Wednesday, 28 June 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Billingham Stars have announced the return of long-serving forward Scott Ward who will now prepare himself for a fourteenth season with the Teessiders, having played his first senior season with the Bombers in his 2002-03 campaign. Continuing to ice when the club were rebranded as the Stars in 2011, Ward has remained a consistent member of Billingham’s roster. Chipping in with eight points in twenty four league games last season, Ward bettered his points production of his previous campaign and proved to be his most disciplined to date, picking up only fourteen penalty minutes. Joining fellow forwards Chris Sykes, Jack Emerson and Alex Preston in Billingham’s line-up, Ward can now look forward to another challenging season in the NIHL’s Division One.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
In other news, Billingham Stars have lost Jack Watkins to Telford Tigers as the skilled forward makes the switch to the Shropshire outfit where he will join brother and Head Coach Tom Watkins. Tallying thirty points in twenty seven league games for the Stars last season, Watkins utilised his power to cause problems for his opposition in front of goal and proved equally sturdy in defence. As such, he will be a great miss on Teesside but an even greater asset when he lines up with the Tigers in his upcoming campaign, the side having acquired a strong and steadfast team player. 

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


Tuesday, 27 June 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Billingham Stars have today confirmed the return of reliable defenceman Ben Davison who, first starting out with the Bombers’ Under 16s team in 2004, progressed through the junior ranks to eventually ice for the Teesside-based club in the English National League. After his first senior season with Billingham in their 2008-09 campaign, the temporary closure of The Forum led Davison to ice at Hillheads for Whitley Warriors and, subsequently, the Northern Stars. Following the reopening of The Forum in 2011, Davison returned to his hometown club to play thirty two league games, chipping in with points where he could. In recent campaigns, the blue liner has been a consistent member of Billingham’s roster to find himself named alternate captain last season but, hampered by injury in his latest term, Davison missed out on eleven of the Stars’ league games and will therefore be looking to bounce back from this disappointment when he ices for Billingham again in September.  

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

Monday, 26 June 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News


It has today been confirmed that Billingham Stars have added young forward Alex Preston to their roster as the Teessider joins his hometown club, following his return from America where he played for university side Rice Memorial Prep in the MPHL and the USHS. Prior to his recent campaign in the USA, Preston iced for Billingham’s junior teams, progressing from the Stars’ Under 16s roster to ice for the Under 18s, the Under 20s and twice for Billingham’s senior squad in his 2015-16 campaign. Picking up twenty nine points in thirteen games for the Stars’ Under 20s team, Preston will hope to harness this offensive ability when he takes his place in Billingham’s line-up next season. 

In other news, it has been announced that young prospect Thomas Relf will return to Sheffield Steeldogs’ defence for another season after featuring in forty eight games for the side in his previous campaign. Collecting eight points in his debut season for the Steeldogs, Relf has also enjoyed two terms in the EPL with Bracknell Bees between 2014 and 2016, as well as icing for the club’s NIHL and Under 18s outfits. Set to continue his development with the Steeldogs, Relf now looks ahead to his 2017-18 campaign with hopes of gaining more ice time in the NIHL’s Division One (Moralee). Also joining Ben Morgan’s growing roster is left winger Liam Charnock who has today re-signed for the Steeldogs as he prepares for his third season at the club. After first playing ice hockey for Kingston’s junior teams, Charnock enjoyed four seasons overseas, icing in the OEMHL, the USPHL Elite and the WSHL before making his return to British Ice Hockey with the Steeldogs in 2015. Achieving sixteen points in forty two games, Charnock will equally hope for an opportunity to demonstrate his ability in the National Ice Hockey League when he takes his place in the Steeldogs’ line-up again in September. 

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

Friday, 23 June 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Whitely Warriors have further added to their roster today with the re-signings of long-serving forward Martin Crammond and defenceman Dan Pye. Starting out in Whitley’s junior setup in 2002, Crammond went on to make his debut for the Warriors in their 2005-06 campaign and has since played a further eleven seasons at Hillheads, proving to be a reliable, consistent and committed player throughout his career. Chipping in with six assists last season, Crammond continued to support the offensive efforts of his team mates and he will no doubt work just as hard to contribute when he lines up with the Warriors again in September. Also returning to David Longstaff’s roster is blue liner Dan Pye who joins the Warriors for a fourth consecutive season. Missing out on some of Whitley’s fixtures in his most recent outing with the club, Pye managed to pick up seven points in twenty league games for Whitley, bettering the points production of his previous campaign. Bringing experience to the Warriors’ defensive unit, Pye takes his place alongside fellow ‘D’ men Harry Harley and Josh Maddock as Whitley’s squad continues to grow.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Meanwhile, Billingham Stars have confirmed that outstanding netminder James Flavell will once again take his place between the pipes when the Teessiders head out onto the ice in September. Accomplishing a save percentage of 91.2% in twenty six league games last season, Flavell continues to be Billingham’s first choice shot stopper due to his proficiency in net, his ability to deal with high pressure situations and his wealth of experience at this level. A standout signing for the Stars, Flavell will make a welcome return to The Forum in September for what will be his seventh consecutive season at the Teesside-based club.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson


In other news, Telford Tigers One have re-signed captain Jason Silverthorn who is set to play a fourth season for the Shropshire outfit as the club take their place in the NIHL. Achieving an outstanding seventy one points in fifty two games for the Tigers last season, Canadian-born Silverthorn made his debut in British Ice Hockey in 2006 with Edinburgh Capitals and went onto play a further seven seasons in the Elite League, icing with Cardiff Devils for two seasons before moving to Hull Stingrays. Playing for the Tigers in the EPL since parting company with Hull, Silverthorn has offered Telford excellent leadership whilst setting his sights on goal and it is these qualities which will be much sought after next season as Telford compete in the NIHL. 



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



Thursday, 22 June 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
After yesterday’s signing news which saw Chris Sykes return to Billingham Stars for another season, the club has today announced the re-signing of forward Jack Emerson. Having started out with the Northern Stars’ Under 16s team in 2010, Emerson heads into his sixth campaign on Teesside with hopes to build on last season’s efforts which saw him contribute just three goals and four assists in twenty six games. Though this is his highest points tally in senior ice hockey to date, Emerson was able to produce forty five points in fourteen games for the Stars’ Under 20s team in his 2015-16 campaign and also showed real potential in the NIHL last season when relied upon to play in place of absent team mates. A consistent member of the Stars’ setup, Emerson will now prepare to continue his development at Billingham with hopes that he will benefit from more ice time at this level.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
In other news, Solihull Barons have today added defenceman Ryan Selwood, netminder Josh Nicholls and forwards Richard Slater and Thomas Soar to their roster. Heading into his fifth consecutive term at Hobs Moat Road, Selwood fulfilled the role of alternate captain for his team last season, providing the Barons with leadership from the blue line and contributing to the side’s offensive abilities where possible to notch twelve points in twenty five games. Also signing up for a fifth season, netminder Nicholls makes his return having shared netminding duties with fellow shot stopper Sam Hewitt in his previous outing with the club. Recording a save percentage of 90.3% from nineteen games in the NIHL’s Moralee Conference, Nicholls has an excellent record with the Barons and, first choice in Perry Doyle’s playoff line-up in April, is sure to contend again for his place between the pipes next season, though this will not be against Hewitt who, like defencemen Phil Knight and Kieran Papps, will not return to play for the club in September.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Meanwhile, Solihull have also strengthened their offensive line-up with the re-signings of forwards Slater and Soar. First icing for the side in the English Premier League in their 2005-06 campaign, Slater’s next season will be his twelfth with the Barons having played in Solihull throughout his career with the exception of two games for EPL outfit Peterborough Phantoms. Returning to the sport after a season out, Slater earned himself seventeen points from twenty four games in his latest term at the club and will surely go from strength to strength when he ices again in September. Likewise, the Barons have also secured the services of Soar who finished as Solihull’s top goal scorer in his previous campaign with eighteen goals and sixteen assists tallied in twenty five league games. A standout player for the Barons in recent seasons, Soar made his debut for the team in their 2014-15 campaign, racking up eighty seven points in the NIHL’s Laidler Conference before hammering thirty five goals and twenty six assists home for his side following their promotion to Division One. With EPL experience, Soar’s goal scoring prowess is undeniable and he is certainly a player who will make a difference for MacKriel’s men next season. Kindly speaking to NIHL Northern Trio, Soar shared: “The main reason for returning was down to the closeness of the changing room and the willingness of the guys to battle for each other week after week. I’m most looking forward to the new challenge that the league restructure will bring and seeing old faces in our new league.”


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


Wednesday, 21 June 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Billingham Stars have announced their first signing this evening as winger Chris Sykes returns to play another season at the Teesside-based club. Achieving an impressive fifty one points for the Stars last season, Sykes finished as his team’s top points scorer, with only Dragons’ player-coach Scott McKenzie and Blackburn Hawks’ forward Rick Bentham producing more points in the league. Diligent, dedicated and dexterous, Sykes will take his place in Billingham’s roster for a fourth consecutive season as he aspires to better his most recent tally of twenty three goals and twenty eight assists. Whilst this will be no mean feat against the strong defences of his NIHL opposition, Sykes’ experience in the higher tiers of British Ice Hockey will surely stand him in good stead. Starting out with Sheffield’s junior setup in 2005, Sykes went on to ice for the Spartans in the English National League before progressing to the EPL in his 2009-10 campaign with Sheffield Scimitars and subsequently, the rebranded Steeldogs. Featuring twice for Elite League outfit Hull Stingrays during this time, Sykes eventually parted company with Sheffield to divide his ice time between the Stingrays and the NIHL’s Sutton Sting. After tallying more than thirty points for the latter, Sykes remained at the club for a second season before moving to Teesside. An excellent first signing for the Stars, Sykes will, as always, be raring to go in September and will no doubt relish the opportunity to compete against his former EPL club. 

In other news, it has today been announced that forward Charlie Thompson has joined Sheffield Steeldogs for a fourth campaign, having iced in thirty five games for the side last season. Besides taking his place in the Steeldogs’ roster since 2014, Thompson has also lined up for Sheffield Spartans, Sheffield Senators and more recently, Sutton Sting to benefit from additional ice time in the NIHL. Still developing his game, the young prospect was able to demonstrate his skill in his latest outing with the Sting, scoring ten goals and seven assists in just sixteen games to become the side’s fifth highest points scorer in their 2016-17 campaign. As such, Thompson will aim to build on last season’s personal success as he assumes his place in Ben Morgan’s squad from September.

For more photos from IceHockeyMedia, please visit: http://www.icehockeymedia.co.uk/. To listen to Sykes’ interview with Billingham Stars TV, follow the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQnpAICN9ms


Monday, 19 June 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
It has today been announced that forward Corey Stones has made the switch from Blackburn Hawks to Hull Pirates. Starting out with Bradford Bulldogs’ junior setup in 2010, Stones progressed to Hull Jets in the NIHL’s Laidler Conference before moving back to Bradford to join the Bulldogs’ senior team. Making good progress at junior level, Stones appeared to find it difficult to settle with just one team last season, playing for The Dragons, Blackburn Hawks, Bradford Bulldogs and Hull Jets across the NIHL’s Divisions One and Two, besides playing for Kingston Sharks’ Under 20s team. Though still developing his points production at this level, Stones will hope to put his strength to good use as he takes to the ice with the Pirates in September.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
In other news, Solihull Barons have confirmed that attacking trio Josh Bruce, Joe Henry and Niklas Ottosson will join the club for another season as new Head Coach Daniel MacKriel takes charge. Heading into his fifth season with the Barons, left winger Bruce will look forward to matching, if not bettering, the performances of his previous outing in which he contributed ten goals and nineteen assists in the twenty league games he featured. Previously, Bruce has enjoyed spells in the Elite League with Coventry Blaze and also the EPL with Telford Tigers and Slough Jets, meaning the winger will accept the challenge offered by new competition in the NIHL and will no doubt shine for his team with the hope that the Barons can build on last season’s playoff qualification. Also returning to the club, versatile forward and three-time EIHL champion Joe Henry is set to play a sixth consecutive campaign for Solihull after finishing as the side’s top points scorer with thirty nine points last season. Like Bruce, Henry accumulated more than seventy penalty minutes in his previous campaign but this certainly did not inhibit the forward’s firepower and, as such, he is another fantastic addition to MacKriel’s squad. Last but not least, Swedish import Niklas Ottosson has signed up for a fourth season with the Barons, having first joined when the club played out of the Laidler Conference in their 2014-15 campaign. Earning eighty points in this season, Ottosson has not disappointed fans since, racking up fifteen goals and twenty two assists in his most recent campaign. With these three strong signings undoubtedly the first of many for the Barons, this is certainly a promising start for Solihull as Head Coach MacKriel takes the reins. 


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


Friday, 16 June 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
As Whitley Warriors’ player-coach David Longstaff continues to add to his squad, it has today been announced that blue liner Josh Maddock and forward Ben Richards will remain at the club for another season. Preparing for his ninth campaign at Hillheads, Maddock continues to be one of the Warriors’ most reliable ‘D’ men, making life difficult for the opposition whilst contributing points where possible. The second defenceman to re-sign for the Warriors following Harry Harley’s commitment to the club, Maddock will aim to improve on the points production of his previous campaign whilst Longstaff and his men collectively set out to better last season’s fifth place finish. Also re-signing for the Warriors is forward Ben Richards who progressed through Whitley’s junior setup with the Tomahawks and the Braves to play his first senior game at the age of sixteen. Making a great impact for the Warriors from a young age, Richards has successfully contributed to Whitley’s offensive play over the years but work commitments saw the forward ice in just fourteen league games from a possible twenty eight in his most recent outing. As such, it is hoped that the talented forward is available to ice in the majority of Whitley’s fixtures over the course of their upcoming campaign, particularly as the competition in the NIHL will be tougher than ever before.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon
In other news, Matt Viney has made his return to Blackburn Hawks this week, after switching from the Lancashire outfit to Telford Tigers last season. First joining the Hawks from Bradford Bulldogs in 2009, Viney played six seasons with Blackburn before being made alternate captain in the side’s 2015-16 campaign in which he scored eleven goals and twenty four assists. Following this excellent achievement, Viney then made the move to Telford’s NIHL team with several former Hawks last summer and was able to rack up thirty two points despite his side being in a relegation battle for the most part of their campaign. A welcome returnee for the Hawks, fans will hope for more of the same from Viney as he reprises his place in their roster. Also signing for Blackburn this week, ‘D’ man Bobby Streetly has committed to another season with the Hawks, having played twenty eight league games for the side in his previous term in which he tallied nine points and remained a consistent member of Steven Duncombe’s defence.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon
Meanwhile, Sheffield Steeldogs have confirmed the re-signing of Slovakian winger Adrian Palak as player-coach Ben Morgan continues to assemble an extremely strong squad ahead of his side’s upcoming campaign. Experiencing the NIHL’s Laidler Conference in his 2015-16 season with The Dragons, Palak contributed an outstanding ninety six points in just twenty six games for the Welsh outfit but then made the leap into the EPL to play for the Steeldogs last September. Missing out on a large part of his previous campaign through injury, Palak will be eager to demonstrate his true potential when he ices with the Steeldogs again and will undoubtedly make life difficult for his opposition as he sets his sights on goal next season.


Last but not least, Dragons’ player-coach Scott McKenzie has secured the services of both defenceman Ryan Jones and forward Geoff Wigglesworth. Developing in the NIHL’s Laidler Conference with the Dragons until their promotion in 2016, blue liner Jones now enters his sixth season for his hometown club as the Deeside-based team prepare for the challenges awaiting them in September. By comparison, Wigglesworth played junior ice hockey with Altrincham Tigers between 2002 and 2003 but first experienced the NIHL over a decade later. Icing with Manchester Minotaurs, Widnes Wild and the Dragons since then, Wigglesworth has accumulated knowledge of the NIHL across both Divisions One and Two which should stand the forward in good stead when he returns to the Welsh line-up next season. 



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


Wednesday, 14 June 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Whitley Warriors have today announced the re-signings of reliable forwards Jordan Barnes and Shaun Kippin. Heading into his ninth season with the club, power forward Barnes achieved a career best by racking up ten goals and fifteen assists in the twenty six league games he played last season whilst more than halving the amount of penalty minutes he served in his previous campaign; Barnes sat out for eighty seven minutes in his 2015-16 season compared to only forty two in his latest term. Looking forward to the upcoming season, Barnes noted: “I am very pleased to sign again for the Warriors and hopefully it will be a good year all round for the club. The league should be good competition for all teams and players.” 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Also re-signing for David Longstaff’s line-up, skilful forward Shaun Kippin returns for a third consecutive season at Hillheads. Accomplishing eleven goals and thirteen assists, Kippin was one of Whitley’s top points scorers last season and fans will hope that the he will again exhibit his usual hard work, commitment and skill when he ices with the Warriors in September. Speaking to NIHL Northern Trio, Kippin shared: “It’s great to sign up for another year. I was pretty confident last year was going to be my last year as a player but last season was not a great one for the club and I didn’t want to go out on a low. This season is going to be very difficult. The league has massively improved and teams are spending a lot of money. All four teams that made the playoffs last year had two imports and, although the top eight teams make the playoffs this year, it’s going to be tough. I think we learned a lot about the team last year. We need to be better this season and I’m sure we will all push ourselves to be the best players we can.”

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Blackburn Hawks have further strengthened their squad this week with the signings of young prospect James Royds, defenceman James Neil and netminder Stuart Ashton. Signing for a second campaign with the Hawks after making his senior debut last season, Royds proved to be hardworking as he bagged three assists in nine league games, not to mention two goals and an assist in seven cup games. Besides icing in the NIHL, the young forward also captained Bradford Bulldogs’ Under 18s outfit, tallying an astounding thirty five points in just sixteen games. His youth complementing the experience of the Hawks’ growing roster, Royds is another excellent signing and will certainly shine as he looks to gain more ice time in the NIHL. Meanwhile, ‘D’ man Neil will make his debut with the Hawks in September, having played eight consecutive seasons with Manchester Phoenix in the EPL. Prior to playing for the Phoenix, Neil lined up with Nottingham Panthers in the Elite League and featured for the ENL’s Nottingham Lions, meaning the defenceman has experience across the varying tiers of British Ice Hockey and will no doubt adapt quickly to life in the NIHL. Taking on the role of alternate captain for Manchester last season, Neil chipped in with points where possible, contributing three goals and sixteen assists in what was a difficult season for the Phoenix. As such, the defenceman will thrive in the competitive climate of Division One when he ices with Steven Duncombe’s team in September. Further to these signings, netminder Ashton also makes his return to the Lancashire outfit for what will be his seventh season with the Hawks. With netminding duties divided between himself and fellow shot stopper Niks Trapans last season, Ashton saw his fair share of ice time over the course of Blackburn’s difficult campaign and will now prepare to compete for his place between the pipes against former Phoenix netminder Stephen Fone who signed for the club last week.

In other news, Sheffield Steeldogs have signed young forward Joe Cross and Slovakian import Stanislav Lascek. Having played for both Sutton Sting and the Senators whilst breaking through the ranks of Sheffield’s junior setup, Cross found himself on the Steeldogs’ roster last season but did not play a regular league game, instead icing in the side’s final playoff fixture. With much experience in the NIHL, Cross will continue his development at this level as he takes his place in the Steeldogs’ roster. Likewise, right winger Lascek has re-signed for the Steeldogs, having switched from Hull Pirates to the Sheffield-based outfit in the latter stages of his last campaign. As alternate captain for the Pirates, Lascek achieved fifty seven points in thirty three games and a further twenty two points in the thirteen games he played for the Steeldogs. Another fantastic addition to Ben Morgan’s team, Lascek will certainly demonstrate his firepower when the 2017-18 campaign gets underway.


In addition, Hull Pirates have confirmed the signing of right winger James Archer who makes the switch from EPL side Peterborough Phantoms where he achieved thirty three points in fifty three games. With a wealth of experience in the sport, having played at the highest levels of British Ice Hockey, as well as a short spell in New Zealand with Canterbury Red Devils, two-time EIHL champion Archer is a welcome addition to Jason Hewitt’s line-up which currently consists of three defenceman and five forwards.



Aside from signing news, it has also been announced that Solihull Barons’ Head Coach Perry Doyle has stepped down from his role at the club due to work and family commitments, allowing former Telford Tigers’ player-coach Daniel MacKriel to take up the position he leaves behind. Doyle will now prepare to work with the Barons’ junior setup whilst MacKriel looks ahead to another season in the NIHL’s Division One. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
NIHL Northern Trio would like to take this opportunity to thank Perry Doyle for his contributions to this blog over the last two seasons and to wish him all the best for the future.

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

Saturday, 10 June 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
As the NIHL signing news continues, Whitley Warriors have today announced that last season’s captain Dean Holland and superb blue liner Harry Harley are the latest players to re-sign for the club. An experienced, hardworking and skilful leader, Holland is set to join Whitley for a third consecutive season. After finishing as his team’s top points scorer with forty one points in his last campaign, Holland will once again be a key component in David Longstaff’s line-up when he takes to the ice with the Warriors in September. Likewise, ‘D’ man Harley continues to be a reliable member of Longstaff’s defensive unit and last season contributed nine goals and thirteen assists in the twenty one games he featured. Establishing himself as one of the team’s greatest assets, Harley will once again look forward to icing for his home town club alongside Holland as the duo embrace the challenge of new opposition in the already competitive atmosphere of the NIHL.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
In other news, Sheffield Steeldogs have confirmed that left winger Ashley Calvert will embark on a seventh campaign for the club after featuring in fifty three games for the side last season in which he managed twenty one points, tallying five goals and sixteen assists. With a great deal of EPL experience and even some Elite League appearances, Calvert will take on the role of alternate captain next season as player-coach Ben Morgan recognises his loyalty to the club.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Meanwhile, the Dragons have announced that captain James Parsons will again fulfil his role with the Welsh outfit for another season as he returns to Scott McKenzie’s side for his 2017-18 campaign. Starting out with Flintshire Freeze in 2004, Parsons continued to play for the side when they rebranded to become the Dragons in 2012 and remained loyal to the club through their battles in the NIHL’s Laidler Conference to facilitate the side’s promotion to Division One. Whilst loan spells to Telford Tigers and Manchester Phoenix in the EPL demonstrate Parsons’ high standard of play, the right winger also exhibited his goal scoring prowess in the NIHL last season, tallying thirty five points in twenty seven games, a feat which the Dragons will hope to be repeated next season as their captain resumes his role in September.


Last but not least, netminder Stephen Fone has joined Steven Duncombe’s Blackburn Hawks as the two-time Elite League champion links up with former Manchester Phoenix team mate Luke Boothroyd. The first shot stopper on the Hawks’ roster, Fone boasts an excellent save percentage rate over the course of his career and, besides playing eight seasons for the Phoenix in the EPL, he also featured for Coventry Blaze and Basingstoke Bison in the Elite League. With this wealth of experience, it is clear that the Hawks have acquired an outstanding netminder who will no doubt be eager to demonstrate his ability when he takes his place between the pipes in September. 


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



Thursday, 8 June 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Sheffield Steeldogs have announced the signing of versatile forward Lloyd Gibson who makes the switch from Sutton Sting to play a second consecutive season in the NIHL’s Division One. Parting company with Sheffield Steeldogs early last season, Gibson iced in twenty four games for the Sting during which time he accumulated an impressive nineteen goals and eighteen assists to surpass the points production of his team mates. Having played in the EPL for the most part of his career, including a five-season spell with the Steeldogs and a particularly successful campaign with Peterborough Phantoms, Gibson has a wealth of knowledge and an aptitude for finding the back of the net which will no doubt be evidenced when the forward takes to the ice for Ben Morgan’s team next season.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Ian Hanlon
Further to this news, Blackburn Hawks have confirmed the signing of former Sheffield Spartan Tom Parkinson who is now preparing for a second season in Steven Duncombe’s line-up after making his debut with the Lancashire outfit in September 2016. Playing twenty five games for the Hawks, forward Parkinson chipped in with points where possible in what was a difficult campaign for Blackburn following their success in recent seasons. Meanwhile, the Hawks have also announced that blue liner Nick Oliver will not return to play a second season at Blackburn following the defenceman’s decision to fulfil a lifelong ambition to live and work in Canada.



Also this week, after playing two seasons with Blackburn Eagles from September 2015, former Dragon Chris Jones has made his return to Deeside. Starting out with Flintshire Freeze in the English National League in 2002, Jones remained at the club for nine seasons across Divisions One and Two before switching to the then-named Telford Titans in his 2011-12 campaign. Two further seasons with the Dragons saw Jones named alternate captain in 2014, a role he was also able to fulfil with the Eagles in his first season with the side. Contributing more than thirty points per season in the NIHL’s Laidler Conference over the last four seasons, Jones returns to Division One with the hope that he can achieve the same feat; a difficult challenge but one he will surely embrace.


Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
In addition, Telford Tigers Two have appointed Callum Bowley as player-coach for their 2017-18 season. Though only twenty three, Bowley is an experienced and incredibly skilful on-ice leader who played four seasons with the Tigers’ EPL team between 2011 and 2015 before later dividing his ice time between the side’s EPL and NIHL outfits. Following the relegation of the Tigers’ NIHL team last season and league restructuring, Bowley will now aim to build a successful squad over the summer months in the hope that his side can contend with their new competition in Division Two. Likewise, Telford Tigers One have also made their first signings this week as Head Coach Tom Watkins re-signed versatile defenceman Danny Rose before acquiring the services of returning Tiger Macaulay Halford. Set to head into his sixth campaign with the club, Rose remains a dedicated member of Watkins’ line-up and will no doubt continue to exhibit his usual reliability on Telford’s blue line when he takes to the ice in September. Halford, meanwhile, makes his return to his home town club from Sheffield Steeldogs where he achieved twenty nine points from twenty nine games last season, having previously divided his ice time between Telford’s NIHL and EPL teams since embarking on a senior playing career in 2012. Joining Rose on Watkins’ roster, Halford is the first forward to be named in the Tigers’ squad and will surely prove to be another great asset when he ices for Telford next season.


Last but not least, Widnes Wild launched their new radio show Time to go Wild this week with the announcement of three signings. It was confirmed that captain Shaun Dippnall and forwards Stuart Brittle and Bobby Caunce would all return to the side after a successful campaign in which the club achieved second place and playoff silverware. Time to go Wild’s weekly radio shows can be heard on Monday evenings from 7-8pm on Halton Community Radio on 92.3FM, online or via the TuneIn appAlternatively, podcasts will be produced after each show has aired. For those fans who missed out on Monday, this week’s podcast is available to listen to here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6L7uodQMtIc&feature=youtu.be



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