NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Billingham Stars have again added to their roster with the re-signing of defenceman Andy Finn and netminder James Flavell.

Set for an eighth consecutive season on Billingham’s blue line, ‘D’ man Finn missed out on much of the Stars’ 2017-18 campaign due to work commitments but he was still able to chip in with two goals and six assists in eighteen league games last season to support his team’s offensive efforts. Having first played ice hockey in Billingham, Finn went on to enjoy three seasons with Sheffield’s junior setup before playing a season with Swindon Wildcats in the EPL. Finn then returned to the North East to play for the Northern Stars prior to their merger with Billingham and he has remained on Teesside ever since. As one of the team’s most experienced players, Finn is another strong addition to Billingham’s roster and he will surely look to contribute as much as he possibly can when the season gets underway in September. 

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Likewise, netminder Flavell will also prepare for an eighth successive campaign with the Stars after recording a save percentage of 88% over the course of twenty three league games during a difficult season for the Teessiders. Flavell made his debut for the Bombers during their 2004-05 campaign and remained with the club for a further three seasons before switching to local rivals Whitley Warriors in 2009 during the refurbishment of The Forum. Contributing to the Warriors’ back-to-back title wins, Flavell then returned to his hometown club to find himself crowned an ENL champion for a third consecutive season. Achieving a save percentage of over 90% for four consecutive campaigns prior to the Stars most recent outing in NIHL North, and accomplishing the best save percentage in the league during Billingham’s 2014-15 campaign, Flavell is undoubtedly one of the best netminders in Division One and his return will be certainly be welcomed by all those at the club.

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Billingham Stars have today added a second import to their roster with the signing of twenty-one-year-old Lithuanian defenceman Edgar Protčenko who joins the Teesside club from the Alps Hockey League after icing with Kitzbüheler EC in his previous outing. Having started out with Vilnius’ Under 16s team in 2010, Protčenko then made the switch to Iserlohner Under 18s in Germany’s Jugend-BL where he tallied twenty one points in twenty three league games. A season with Zalgiris Vilnius in the MHL B was then followed by a campaign in Canada’s GMHL with South Muskoka Shield during their 2015-16 season in which the blue liner achieved sixteen goals and twenty four assists in thirty three games. Playing for Energija Elektrenai prior to signing with Kitzbüheler EC, Protčenko divided his time between the side’s first and second teams, tallying a total of twenty one points in forty league games for the two outfits. In addition to this, Protčenko has also featured on fifty occasions for Lithuania so far, tallying nine goals and twenty two assists since he first iced for Lithuania’s Under 18s team in his 2011-12 campaign. In consequence, Billingham will hope that Protčenko will contribute to his team’s offensive efforts as well as being a strong addition to their blue line when he makes his debut with the Teesside outfit in September.

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Solway Sharks have today confirmed the signing of former Elite League left winger Cale Tanaka as the Dumfries outfit show much ambition ahead of their 2018-19 campaign in their quest for silverware. Starting out with hometown club Stouffville Spirit in Canada’s OPJHL in 2002, Tanaka played two seasons with the side before icing with Aurora Tigers in 2004. Also remaining with the Tigers for two seasons, Tanaka then switched to the NCAA with the University of Alabama-Huntsville before spells with Montpellier in France 2 and the Dundas Real McCoys in the ACH. After playing for Dundas, Tanaka made the move to the Elite League to ice for Hull Stingrays where he featured in thirty one games, tallying three goals and five assists in that time. Three seasons with Coventry Blaze then followed his debut campaign in the EIHL and Tanaka was able to shine for the club, tallying a total of eighty six points over the course of one hundred and fifty two league games for the outfit. Prior to icing with the Clan last season, the left winger played for Dundee Stars, accumulating eleven goals and twenty one assists in forty seven league games. Having played at the highest level of the sport in Britain, Tanaka will pose a real offensive threat for the Sharks who prepare to set their sights on one of the top spots in Division One.  

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

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Billingham Stars have added to their defence over the last two days with the re-signing of blue liners Thomas Keeley and Ross Hanlon. Heading into his fifth consecutive campaign with the Stars on the back of a season which saw him tally four assists in seventeen league games, Keeley is a strong defenceman who gained experience in both Canada’s OEMHL with the Maroon Mavericks and America’s USPHL with the Space Coast Hurricanes from 2010 to 2014. A sturdy ‘D’ man, Keeley will look to build on recent performances to ensure his side improve on last season’s eighth place finish. Joining Keeley on Billingham’s blue line is defenceman Hanlon who will prepare for a third successive season with the Stars having notched three assists in fourteen games after missing much of the 2017-18 campaign due to work commitments. Starting out with Sunderland Arrows prior to joining Newcastle Vipers’ junior setup in 2005, Hanlon was able to gain ice time in the ENL before making his EIHL debut during the Vipers’ 2008-09 campaign. Further to this, the defenceman also iced with Telford Tigers in the EPL and featured for local rivals Whitley Warriors during the side’s 2013-14 season. Bringing much experience to Billingham’s defence as a result, Hanlon will again look to contribute as much as he possibly can throughout the Stars’ upcoming campaign. 

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By comparison, Whitley Warriors have added two strong forwards to their line-up as both Jordan Barnes and Martin Crammond return for another campaign at Hillheads. Preparing to play a tenth season with the Warriors, hardworking forward Barnes proved to be an excellent on-ice leader last season further to tallying fifteen goals and fourteen assists in thirty five league games. Demonstrating discipline in order to adapt to the challenging competition of NIHL North, Barnes was one of Whitley’s most influential forwards and proved impressive over the course of the season whilst fulfilling the role of alternate captain. Meanwhile, Crammond will now prepare for his fourteenth campaign as a Warrior after showing himself to be an incredibly versatile player last season when requested to play on the blue line by player-coach David Longstaff. Icing in twenty seven fixtures, Crammond chipped in with two goals and three assists as he adapted to his new role within the team and he will no doubt show himself to be a consistent member of Whitley’s roster once again when he takes to the ice in September.

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

It has today been announced that Billingham Stars have signed Canadian forward Kevin Boyd who has made the move from Stayner Siskins alongside Head Coach Tom Brown. Playing ice hockey in the USHS-prep with Hoosac School during their 2013-14 season, Boyd then went on to ice with Ottawa Canadians in the EOJHL as well as featuring for Brampton Bombers and Kanata Lasers in the same season. Signing for Niagara Falls Canucks in 2015, Boyd tallied four goals and seven assists in thirty eight games before making the move to the Siskins. Accumulating forty four points in thirty nine games in his first season at the club, Boyd has since fulfilled the role of alternate captain, scoring twenty four goals and notching a further forty six assists to finish his most recent campaign as Stayner’s fourth highest points scorer. As a new addition to Billingham, Boyd will look to exhibit his skill when he takes to the ice with his new team in September.

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Meanwhile, Solway Sharks have confirmed the re-signing of consistent blue liner Stuart Kerr who featured in thirty four league fixtures for the Dumfries outfit last season. With this his fifth campaign at Solway, Kerr’s ability does not go unnoticed, having previously featured for Braehead Clan in the Elite League and both Team GB’s Under 18s and Under 20s sides in recent seasons. Chipping in with a goal and six assists further to being a calm and composed member of the Sharks’ defensive unit, Kerr will continue to bring consistency to Solway’s blue line as he develops his game further with the guidance of Head Coach Martin Grubb. Joining fellow defencemen Josh Grieveson and Lewis Baldwin on Solway’s roster, Kerr will once again show himself to be a reliable and resolute presence on the ice.   

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

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Solway Sharks have today confirmed that forward Connor Henderson (pictured left) will be returning to play a third consecutive season with the club. Accomplishing forty two points over the course of thirty two league games to find himself Solway’s second highest points scorer last season, Henderson is a skilful and creative forward as indicated by the thirty assists he tallied in his most recent outing. Having started out with Solway Sharks’ junior setup, Henderson went on to ice with the Maroon Mavericks in the OEMHL and West Michigan Wolves in the NA3HL where he was able to gain valuable ice time before his return to Solway in 2016. Achieving silverware success with the Dumfries outfit during their 2016-17 campaign, Henderson will now work alongside his teammates as the Sharks prepare to build on last season’s fourth place finish. 

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Likewise, Whitley Warriors have confirmed the return of forwards Dean Holland and Ben Richards for their 2018-19 campaign. As one of the most experienced players on Whitley’s roster, having previously played in the Elite League with Newcastle Vipers and Dundee Stars, as well as icing in the EPL with Manchester Phoenix, Telford Tigers and Guildford Flames, Holland has fulfilled the role of captain for the Warriors over the last two seasons, finishing as his team’s third highest points scorer with thirty nine points from thirty three league games in his most recent campaign. A strong forward with a skill for finding the back of the net, Holland is an asset to his team and will undoubtedly demonstrate this when the season gets underway. Meanwhile, Richards will prepare to take to the ice for a seventh successive campaign with Whitley, having worked incredibly hard last season. Despite missing out on some fixtures due to work commitments, Richards was the Warriors’ fifth highest points scorer after tallying fourteen goals and seventeen assists in twenty eight league games last season. Bringing skill and pace to Whitley’s line-up, Richards proved a real offensive threat and will once again look to make an impact for his team when he heads out onto the ice for the Warriors in September.

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Last but not least, Billingham Stars have re-signed Callum Davies for an eighth consecutive campaign, the forward making his return after notching twenty eight points in twenty six league games for the Teesside club last season. Having started out with Sunderland Arrows before switching to Newcastle Vipers’ junior setup, Davies then played for the Northern Stars prior to the side’s merger with Billingham in 2011. Fulfilling the role of alternate captain for much of his time at the club, Davies is another excellent acquisition for the Stars as they continue to reassemble the core of last season’s roster and he will no doubt show his worth once more when he lines up with Billingham again this coming season. 

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

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Continuing to add to their roster, Solway Sharks have confirmed the re-signing of influential alternate captain Ross Murray this evening. A strong forward as well as an excellent leader, Murray proved impressive last season, almost halving the number of penalty minutes he served in his 2016-17 campaign whilst more than doubling his points production. Achieving fourteen goals and twenty four assists in thirty four league games, the forward completed his most recent season as his team’s fourth highest points scorer and is yet another fantastic acquisition for the Sharks.

Speaking to NIHL Northern Trio, Murray shared: “Last year we knew it was going to be tough to break the ex-EPL teams up so we gave ourselves realistic goals of being the best of the old NIHL. Hopefully we’ve learned a lot from the past season and aiming to finish in that top three spot gives ourselves a real chance of silverware at the end of the season. I love the fact Solway are wanting to be a top team in the league and don’t just take part. We’ve always found a way in Solway to step up when we need to and hopefully we can this year. I’m excited for the season ahead. Big changes have been happening up here, on and off the ice, and I’m glad I can be part of it.”

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Meanwhile, Billingham Stars have re-signed young defenceman James Hellens who will prepare for his second season at the club, having demonstrated his ability on the blue line in his previous outing. Featuring in twenty six league games for the Stars in his most recent campaign, Hellens bagged himself three assists whilst also fulfilling the role of alternate captain for both Billingham’s Under 18s and Under 20s teams. Racking up twenty six points in fourteen league games for the Under 18s, and claiming five points from five league games for the Under 20s, Hellens will once again prove to be a valuable member of Billingham’s defensive unit as he continues his development with the Teesside club.

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Billingham Stars have tonight announced the appointment of Head Coach Tom Brown who joins the club after recently coaching in Canada. A former Billingham Eagle, Brown is no stranger to Teesside, playing for the club during their 1995-96 campaign before dividing his time between the Eagles and EPL outfit Peterborough Pirates in the season that followed. Continuing to play for Billingham from 1997 to 2000, Brown accumulated a further two hundred and thirty eight points for the side to prove an impressive forward over the course of his playing career. Taking up the role of Head Coach with Essa Stallions in the CPJHL in 2016 and more recently fulfilling the role of assistant coach with Stayner Siskins in the PJCHL last season, Brown now returns to his former club as Head Coach as his team prepares to contend with the difficult competition in NIHL North next season. 

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Meanwhile, Billingham have also confirmed that young forward Ethan Hehir has re-signed for the club ahead of their 2018-19 campaign. Making a huge impact in his debut season with the Stars, Hehir notched two goals and seven assists in sixteen games besides captaining Billingham’s Under 18s team and icing as alternate captain for the club’s Under 20s outfit. An important prospect, Hehir will undoubtedly impress again when he returns with the aim to gain more ice time with the senior side next season.

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

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Billingham Stars have confirmed that forward Jack Emerson has re-signed to play a seventh season at the Teesside club after accumulating eighteen points from thirty one league games in his most recent campaign. Having started out with the Northern Stars’ junior setup in 2010, Emerson remained with the side when they moved to The Forum in the season that followed, playing for both Billingham’s Under 16s and Under 18s outfits prior to making his debut with the senior team in 2012. Featuring for the Stars’ junior teams whilst icing with Billingham, Emerson became alternate captain of the club’s Under 20s team for their 2015-16 season, notching twenty three goals and twenty two assists in forty five league games. A hardworking individual, Emerson will again seek to be effective in offence when he returns to the ice for the Stars.  

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Continuing to add to their roster, Solway Sharks have today announced the signing of Slovakian left winger Peter Gápa who joins the Dumfries outfit from Finnish club Hokki in Suomi-sarja. Initially breaking through the junior ranks at HK Poprad, Gápa was particularly successful for the club’s Under 20s team, finishing his 2012-13 campaign with sixty two points, making him the league’s third highest points scorer that season. Since then, Gápa has played for HK 32 Liptovsky Mikulas prior to dividing his 2016-17 campaign between HC Presov in Slovakia 2 and Swedish outfit Ǻsele IK. With much experience, skill and speed, Gápa appears to be another impressive addition to Solway’s roster and will no doubt show what he is capable of when he makes his debut with the Sharks in September.

Meanwhile, Whitley Warriors have announced that defenceman Craig Johnson will return to their blue line after taking time away from the team last season to instead ice for Under 20s side Whitley Renegades. Having played three consecutive seasons for the Warriors from 2014 to 2017, and having also captained both the Tomahawks and the Braves in the past, Johnson is a welcome addition to Whitley’s defensive unit and will no doubt remind fans of his ability when he ices with the outfit again.

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Last but not least, Billingham Stars have confirmed that forward Alex Preston has re-signed to play a second consecutive season at the club. Captaining the Under 20s outfit in his last campaign besides icing for the Stars, Preston achieved seven goals in thirty one league games for the Teesside outfit and he will no doubt look to build on his recent points production for the senior side when the season gets underway.

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Whitley Warriors have announced the signing of defenceman Ross Connolly who joins the Hillheads outfit after short spell at Invicta Dynamos where he played nine games following a season with Casper Coyotes in the WSHL last season. Starting out with North Ayrshire Devils’ Under 18s side in their 2012-13 campaign, Connolly then progressed to the NIHL with Solway Sharks, besides icing for the club’s SNL and Under 20s outfits. After a season in Dumfries, Connolly then travelled to Canada to primarily feature for Temiscaming Titans in the GMHL where he tallied twelve assists in twenty five appearances during the side’s 2015-16 campaign. Continuing to ice for the Titans in the season that followed, Connolly then returned to Britain to play for London Raiders in the NIHL, notching a goal and six assists in eleven games before leaving to play in the Western States Hockey League last season. Gaining experience and knowledge whilst icing for these clubs, Connolly will look to make a positive impact on Whitley’s blue line when he makes his debut with the Warriors in September.

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Meanwhile, Billingham Stars have confirmed that alternate captain Chris Sykes has re-signed to play a fourth consecutive season on Teesside having finished his most recent campaign with seventy one points from thirty three league games to find himself NIHL North Division One’s sixth highest points scorer last season; an outstanding achievement during a difficult season for the Stars. With a strong work ethic, skill and an eye for goal, Sykes is a fantastic asset to his club and he will certainly demonstrate his ability to find the back of the net when he returns to the ice with Billingham this coming season.

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

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Billingham Stars have tonight announced their first signing this summer with the news that captain Michael Elder will return for an eighth campaign with the Teesside club. Tallying forty points in thirty one league games for the Stars last season, Elder continued to be an important member of Billingham’s roster, offering leadership, experience and consistency in what was a largely difficult campaign for his side. Hoping to overcome the disappointment of his team’s most recent outing in NIHL North’s Division One, Elder will aim to lead his team to success when the ice hockey gets underway in September. 

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Whitley Warriors have today announced the re-signing of defensive duo Josh Maddock and Liam Smedley as the Hillheads club continue to assemble their roster for their 2018-19 campaign. 

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Heading into his tenth season as a Warrior, Maddock was a reliable member of Whitley’s defence in their most recent campaign, working hard on the blue line and chipping in offensively to contribute a goal and nine assists. Calm and composed whilst under pressure, Maddock will no doubt prove to be effective once again when he takes to the ice in September. Meanwhile, committed ‘D’ man Smedley will prepare to play a fifth season at Whitley on the back of a successful campaign which saw him feature in every game for the Warriors, the youngster tallying nine assists whilst presenting himself as a figure of consistency on the blue line. Both valuable members of Whitley’s defence, the duo are the Warriors’ latest re-signings as the club continues to build on the foundations of last season’s roster.  

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

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Though confirming the news that Harry Harley will not be returning to Whitley Warriors for their 2018-19 campaign following the defenceman’s switch to Hull Pirates, the Hillheads club have announced the re-signing of versatile blue liner Kyle Ross. After returning to his hometown club from Canada last season, Ross successfully made the transition from his preferred forward role to Whitley’s defensive unit, quickly adapting to the position whilst continuing to contribute to the Warriors’ offensive efforts. Achieving a goal and nine assists in thirty five games, Ross bettered the points tally of his 2015-16 campaign to prove effective in defence and he will surely continue his development within this position when he laces up his skates for the Warriors again in September.

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Following the news that netminders Richie Lawson and Jordan Boyle have re-signed for Whitley Warriors, the Hillheads club last night announced their success in securing the services of experienced defenceman Sam Zajac for their 2018-19 campaign and have today added shot stopping duo Mark Turnbull and Rory Dunn to their roster.

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Returning to his hometown club in December after parting company with Swindon Wildcats, Zajac cut a strong and reliable figure on Whitley’s blue line whilst also seeking to contribute to his team’s offensive efforts. Further to chipping in with three goals and ten assists, Zajac reminded fans that he is not one to shy away from a fight as he clashed with Steeldog Liam Charnock to help Whitley to their 4-1 home win over the league champions. An invaluable member of Whitley’s blue line, Zajac will prepare to be influential from the outset when he ices with the Warriors in September. 

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Meanwhile, it has also been revealed that both netminders Turnbull and Dunn have re-signed for the Warriors’ upcoming campaign. Turnbull was Whitley’s second choice shot stopper last season, recording a save percentage of 89.8% for the Warriors following a spell in the GMHL with Wiarton Rock and Toronto Attack, whereas Dunn offered player-coach David Longstaff an additional netminding option, featuring only occasionally to assist his side when required. Joining Lawson and Boyle on Whitley’s roster, Turnbull and Dunn will once again work hard to contribute to their side’s netminding duties when the season gets underway.

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Whitley Warriors have tonight announced the re-signing of netminders Richie Lawson and Jordan Boyle who make their return to Hillheads after contributing to the club’s sixth place finish in NIHL North’s Division One last season.

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Joining Whitley Warriors in 2011 after a lengthy spell with Newcastle Vipers’ EIHL and ENL outfits, Lawson brought with him a wealth of experience which he will prepare to utilise once again when he heads into his eighth season at Hillheads. Aiming to build on the positive performances of his previous campaign after achieving a save percentage of 90.5%, Lawson will look to match, if not better, this statistic to ensure his team the best chance of success. Usually taking his place in Whitley’s line-up as first choice shot stopper, Lawson will be joined by twenty-two-year-old backup netminder Jordan Boyle who now approaches his fourth consecutive season with the Warriors. 

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Starting out with Newcastle Vipers’ junior setup in 2008, Boyle then switched to Whitley Tomahawks in 2010. Despite this, he played his first senior ice hockey with Solway Sharks in their 2014-15 campaign before signing for Whitley in the season that followed. Though featuring only occasionally for the Warriors in their most recent outing, Boyle gave his all when called upon and will again be on hand to support Lawson with netminding duties when the 2018-19 season gets underway.

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

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It has tonight been announced that Solway Sharks have made their fourth signing this summer with the addition of skilled left winger Steven Moore. Proving problematic for defenceman over the course of his ice hockey career, Moore started out with Kilmarnock Storm in the SNL, racking up twenty one points in fourteen games whilst also featuring for Solway on six occasions in their 2011-12 campaign. Since then, Moore has remained with the Sharks, utilising his pace and precision to provide the Dumfries outfit with a strong offensive threat; in Solway’s most recent league campaign, the left winger accumulated thirteen goals and twenty eight assists to aid the Sharks in their quest for a top four finish. An adept and assiduous member of Solway’s roster, Moore will undoubtedly continue to be hugely influential when he heads into his eighth season with the Sharks in September.

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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Solway Sharks have tonight announced the signing of young netminder Jordan McLaughlin who joins the Dumfries outfit with EIHL experience after making the move from Elite League outfit Edinburgh Capitals. Breaking through the ranks of Murrayfield’s junior setup, McLaughlin featured for the Capitals’ SNL team in their 2015-16 campaign before progressing to the EIHL in the season that followed, making three appearances for Edinburgh whilst primarily icing with Murrayfield’s Under 20s team. However, the young shot stopper managed to gain even more ice time in the Elite League last season, featuring for Edinburgh on twenty four occasions after becoming the Capitals’ first choice netminder midway through their campaign. Whilst McLaughlin will be new to the NIHL when he makes his debut with the Sharks in September, the youngster’s proficiency between the pipes and his aspiration for development will certainly prove beneficial to Solway when their 2018-19 campaign commences.

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