NIHL News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Sam Zajac icing against Newcastle Vipers ENL on 13/02/2008

It has today been announced that former Elite League and EPL defenceman Sam Zajac has returned to his hometown club Whitley Warriors, having last played for the side in their 2008-09 season. Since his last outing with the Hillheads outfit, Zajac has iced with EPL sides Telford Tigers and Basingstoke Bison as well as playing in the EIHL for Newcastle Vipers during their 2010-11 campaign. This was followed by a move to Braehead Clan where the blue liner remained for three seasons before returning to the Tigers. Here, he racked up one hundred and twenty seven points from September 2014 until his departure from the club earlier this year. Following the demise of the EPL, Zajac then opted to play for NIHL South team Swindon Wildcats, tallying five goals and eleven assists from the twelve games he featured in, before recently making the decision to return to his hometown club due to work commitments.  

Speaking to NIHL Northern Trio, defenceman Sam Zajac kindly took time to consider his return to Hillheads:

How are you feeling ahead of your return to Whitley Warriors and what influenced your decision to move back to your hometown club?

I’m really excited about returning to Whitley Warriors. It was something that we discussed throughout the summer as I was moving back to the area but I eventually decided to sign for Swindon. However, a change in work circumstances meant that I would be unable to commit to their schedule and luckily, they were really great when I requested my release. I always hoped to play for Whitley again at some point and fortunately, David and Dave have given me the opportunity to do so.

How do you feel at the prospect of icing against Whitley’s closest rivals, Billingham Stars on Sunday?

Billingham at home on Sunday is the perfect game to get right back into the swing of things. I’ve been following both teams’ results and the Stars seem to have picked up from a slow start and ground out a few wins. Hopefully there will be a big crowd in and a great atmosphere, and we can put on a show for them.

What do you make of how NIHL North’s Division One is shaping up so far and which opposition are you most looking forward to facing now that you are back to playing ice hockey in the North?

I think the league is probably stacking up as you would expect. Telford, Sheffield and Hull have retained some quality players so they were always going to be at the business end of the table. Apart from that, I think there’s lots of room to manoeuvre and any team that can string a few results together could be right up there come April. First and foremost, I’m looking forward to what should be a great game on Sunday night. Hopefully we can pick up a big win and move on to what will be a tough test the following week against Hull Pirates.  

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