NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

As the summer signing news continues, Billingham Stars have re-signed defenceman Ross Hanlon this week, the blue liner having made his return to the Teesside club around the midpoint of last season. Starting out with Sunderland Arrows in 2003, Hanlon progressed to play for both Newcastle Vipers’ Elite League and ENL outfits before dividing his 2010-11 campaign between the Northern Stars and EPL side Telford Tigers. Hanlon then iced with Billingham Stars for two seasons following the club’s return to The Forum. It was after his 2012-13 campaign with the Stars that Hanlon then decided to feature for Whitley Warriors before taking a two-season break from the sport. Playing fourteen games in his latest campaign, Hanlon contributed four assists and will now embark on a full season with the Stars from September.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson   

Further to this news, Solway Sharks have re-signed experienced ‘D’ man James Hutchinson whilst also acquiring the services of former Elite League defenceman Kyle Horne who both line up in Martin Grubb’s defensive unit alongside young blue liner Stuart Kerr. Having started out with BNL side Fife Flyers in 1996, Horne went on to ice for EPL outfit Slough Jets in 2005 where he fulfilled the role of alternate captain. A natural leader, the defenceman then progressed to play ten seasons in the Elite League, first playing for Edinburgh Capitals before returning to the Flyers in 2011. After taking time away from the sport last season, Horne will no doubt bring his wealth of experience to the Sharks’ blue line when he makes his debut for Solway next month. Meanwhile, making a welcome return to the Dumfries outfit is on-ice leader Hutchinson whose influence, skill and experience contributed greatly to Solway’s success last season. Tallying three goals and ten assists across twenty six league games in his latest campaign, the one-time EIHL champion chipped in with points where possible whilst proving to be an incredibly reliable and committed member of the Sharks’ defence. Having played for Elite League outfits Basingstoke Bison, Hull Stingrays and Belfast Giants as well as the EPL’s Peterborough Phantoms, Hutchinson will be more than prepared to face the challenge presented by the strengthened competition of NIHL North in September. Also, for those who missed it, Solway Sharks have re-signed young defenceman Stuart Kerr and forward Daniel Abercrombie who both head into their third senior season at the club. Contributing a goal and seven assists for the Sharks last season, Kerr worked hard to demonstrate his worth on Solway’s blue line whilst Abercrombie shone in front of goal to finish as the side’s third highest points scorer with twenty goals and eleven assists. Both assets to Grubb’s squad, Kerr and Abercrombie’s youth complement the experience of their team mates which make the duo an excellent addition to the Sharks’ roster.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Meanwhile, in recent weeks, Whitley Warriors have also added to their defensive unit with the signing of blue liners Stuart Tomlinson and Liam Smedley. After playing recreational ice hockey at Hillheads, Tomlinson joined the Warriors for their 2015-16 campaign but the ‘D’ man only managed to feature in thirteen games for the side after injury woes prevented him from completing his first spell at the club. Linking up with the Warriors again in the latter stages of last season, Tomlinson demonstrated his ability away from the blue line, scoring two goals in the process. Smedley, on the other hand, will now head into his fourth senior season with the Warriors, having progressed from Whitley’s junior setup to make his debut for the Hillheads outfit in 2014. Tallying two assists in twenty seven games last season, Smedley was one of Whitley’s most committed defencemen and will no doubt continue to develop his game when he ices with the side in September.

In other news, Nottingham Lions have further added to their roster with the signings of former Tiger Joseph Aston, defenceman James Maughan and former Elite League forward Marc Levers. Whilst Aston joins Nottingham after playing for both Telford’s EPL and NIHL outfits last season, Maughan makes the switch from his hometown club Hull Jets. Meanwhile, two-time Elite League champion Levers returns to Nottingham having played for the Lions during their 2000-01 English National League campaign. Bringing with him leadership qualities, Levers joins the club from EPL outfit Peterborough Phantoms where he fulfilled the role of alternate captain for three consecutive seasons. 

Likewise, Hull Pirates have today added netminder Joe Gent to their roster besides signing forwards Aaron Lyon, Cain Taylor and Kieran Beach at the end of last month. As shot stopper Gent continues his progression into senior ice hockey alongside fellow netminder Ashley Smith, Lyon, Taylor and Beach will also aim to earn their ice time next season as the trio prepare to develop their game further in the new look NIHL. 

Lastly, The Dragons have confirmed the re-signings of defencemen Matthew Wainwright and Josh Richardson whilst adding forward Simon Furnival to Scott McKenzie’s offensive line-up. However, this news was followed by Marc Lovell’s decision to take time away from the sport, leaving the Dragons without one of their most valued leaders ahead of their 2017-18 campaign. Having played in the Elite League, the EPL and both the NIHL’s Moralee and Laidler Conferences in his career, Lovell was a highly experienced and reliable member of The Dragons’ roster and it is hoped that it will not be too long before he makes his return to the sport.    

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