NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Whitley Warriors have announced the re-signings of skilled forwards Ryan Sample and Callum Watson. Making his debut for the Warriors during their 2002-03 campaign whilst primarily playing for Whitley Braves, Sample quickly progressed to the senior side, bringing speed and skill to Whitley’s line-up. Never one to shy away from a fight, Sample racked up the penalty minutes as much as the goals over the course of seven full seasons with the Warriors. Taking a break from the sport from 2011 to 2013, Sample played four games during Whitley’s 2013-14 campaign but he did not ice with the side again until last season. Achieving seven points in fourteen league games, Sample returned to the ice in style with two goals and an assist against Telford Tigers in October. A diligent and dexterous forward, Sample is another welcome addition to David Longstaff’s line-up.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Likewise, long-serving Warrior Watson will also bring a great deal of skill to Whitley’s roster as he heads into his thirteenth consecutive season at Hillheads, having first iced for the side during their 2006-07 campaign. Since then, Watson has demonstrated his goal scoring prowess and shown himself to be a fantastic offensive threat on the ice, accumulating three hundred and nine points over the course of two hundred and sixty seven league games. Tallying five goals and six assists in his most recent campaign for the club after missing out on several games last season, Watson will no doubt build on this contribution next month to show what he is capable of when he takes to the ice with the Warriors once again. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Meanwhile, Solway Sharks have secured the services of forward and top points scorer Iain Bowie who re-signs for a second consecutive campaign after achieving twenty six goals and thirty one assists in thirty four league games for the Dumfries outfit last season. Taking a season away from the sport during Solway’s 2016-17 campaign, Bowie returned to the side last September and was immediately a force to be reckoned with, scoring four goals and notching two assists against Blackburn Hawks in the NIHL National Cup in the Sharks’ opening game of the season. With a capacity for finding the back of the net and wreaking havoc against his opposition’s defence, Bowie will look to at least repeat, if not better, last season’s points production when he laces up his skates again in September.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson

Last but not least, Billingham Stars have re-signed defenceman Richie Thornton who heads into his eighth consecutive season for the Teesside outfit. Playing twenty one league games for the Stars last season, Thornton chipped in with a goal and five assists to help his team’s offensive efforts whilst remaining a reliable presence on Billingham’s blue line. With an ice hockey career spanning more than twenty seasons, Thornton is one of the Stars’ most experienced players, having first featured in an Eagles’ line-up which also included newly appointed Head Coach Tom Brown. Bringing knowledge and leadership to Billingham’s defence, Thornton is another valuable member of the Stars’ growing roster and will no doubt make a positive impact for his team when the season gets underway. 

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