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.

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