Thursday 27 July 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Billingham Stars have this evening announced the signing of defenceman Tom Keeley who is set to play a fourth consecutive season for the Teesside club, having first iced with the side in September 2014. Starting out with Billingham’s junior setup in 2006, Keeley switched to Canada’s OEMHL where he played three seasons for the OHA’s Maroon Mavericks before a move to the USPHL Elite saw the blue liner feature in thirty six games for the Space Coast Hurricanes. From here, Keeley returned to Teesside to ice in the NIHL with the Stars and, though unavailable for some of Billingham’s fixtures last season, contributed points where he could, tallying a goal and seven assists in twenty one league games. The sixth ‘D’ man to be signed by Billingham, Keeley joins the Stars’ defensive unit alongside long-serving Stars Ben Davison and Andy Finn, Latvian import ArtÅ«rs Ozols, youngster Darren Stattersfield and returnee Dave Thomas. 

In other news, Hull Pirates have secured the services of young defenceman Tom Stubley who joins Jason Hewitt’s line-up after a season with EPL outfit Peterborough Phantoms. First taking to the ice with Kingston Crunch in 2009, Stubley went on to divide his 2014-15 campaign between Hull Jets in the NIHL’s Division Two and former Elite League team Hull Stingrays, as well as captaining Kingston Sharks’ Under 18s outfit. Progressing to play fifty two EPL games for Hull Pirates in his following season, Stubley achieved a goal and three assists before his move to the Phantoms saw him better his points production. Now hopeful to develop his game further, Stubley makes a welcome return to the Pirates’ line-up with the aim to earn additional ice time and thereby progress to a higher level of the sport.  

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



Wednesday 26 July 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia – Ian Hanlon
Billingham Stars have this evening announced the signing of forward Callum Davies who, like fellow returnees Michael Elder and Andy Finn, is set to play a seventh season for the Teesside club after fulfilling the role of captain in his most recent campaign. Starting out with Sunderland Arrows in 2003, Davies then switched to Newcastle Vipers’ junior setup before icing for the Northern Stars and subsequently, Billingham. Renowned for achieving far more assists than goals, Davies found himself the Stars’ third highest points scorer last season after achieving nine goals and twenty five assists over the course of Billingham’s league campaign. It is this ability to create offensive opportunities and to pick out important passes which makes Davies an integral part of the Stars’ line-up and he will no doubt demonstrate this when he takes to the ice in September.  


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Tuesday 25 July 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Whitley Warriors have announced the signings of netminding duo Jordan Boyle and Rory Dunn ahead of the club’s upcoming season. Breaking through the ranks of Newcastle Vipers’ junior setup to ice with Solway Sharks during their 2014-15 campaign, young shot stopper Boyle recorded a save percentage of 83.8% over the course of ten games for the Dumfries outfit before featuring as backup netminder for the Warriors last season. Hoping to once again compete with Whitley’s first choice goaltender Richie Lawson, Boyle will aim to earn his ice time from player-coach David Longstaff by demonstrating his ability whilst continuing to develop his game at the club. Dunn, on the other hand, first iced with the Warriors in 1999 and, after a spell with the Hillheads club, besides Newcastle Vipers and Billingham Bombers, left the sport in 2007 before returning to the Warriors just last season. Though gaining few opportunities to feature between the pipes, Dunn proved to be a safe pair of hands when called upon in his latest campaign and will once again step into the breach should Whitley require him to do so next season. 

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


NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Billingham Stars have further added to their roster this week, announcing the return of forward Michael Elder and defenceman Andy Finn. Entering his seventh season with the Teesside club, after also playing two seasons for the Northern Stars during the refurbishment of The Forum, Elder continues to be one of the side’s top points scorers, contributing sixteen goals and eighteen assists in twenty eight games just last season. Consistent, committed and resourceful, Elder is a strong and skilled forward who will no doubt demonstrate his ability when he ices with the Stars next season. Likewise, Finn is also heading into his seventh campaign at Billingham having first iced with the side in 2011. After playing junior ice hockey in Sheffield, Finn progressed to play for EPL outfit Swindon Wildcats followed by a season with the Northern Stars. A strong ‘D’ man, Finn featured in twenty three league games for Billingham in his latest campaign, contributing six assists whilst working hard to keep the Stars’ opposition at bay. Missing out on several fixtures due to work commitments last season, it is hoped that Finn will be available to play as many games as possible when the Stars’ upcoming campaign eventually gets underway. 

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
In other news, Nottingham Lions have re-signed stalwart defenceman Adz Andrews who heads into his fourth consecutive season with the club, having fulfilled the role of alternate captain since joining the team in 2014. Tallying twenty two points in twenty seven games last season, seventeen of which were assists, Andrews is a hardworking ‘D’ man who always seeks an opportunity to contribute to his team’s offensive play whilst patrolling the blue line. As Nottingham makes the step up into Division One in September, Andrews’ experience will be invaluable when he returns to the side for their 2017-18 campaign. Meanwhile, set to make his Lions’ debut is former Sheffield Steeldogs’ netminder James Hadfield who recorded a save percentage of 88.9% over the course of forty six games in the EPL last season. As well as icing for the Steeldogs, Hadfield has also played three seasons for Guildford Flames in recent years besides featuring in thirty six games for Swindon Wildcats during their 2010-11 campaign. As such, Hadfield will now use this experience to compete for the position of first choice shot stopper alongside fellow netminder Thomas Hovell when he links up with his new team mates in September.

Photo Credit: UrbanScot Photography

Last but not least, Sheffield Steeldogs have re-signed left winger Andrew Hirst who, having recently switched to Hull Pirates mid-season, makes his return to Ice Sheffield for an eighth campaign. As one of Sheffield’s most skilful players, Hirst is certainly no stranger to finding himself on the scoresheet and, whilst last season was not one of his best, the forward managed to achieve one hundred and sixty four points in the EPL for the outfit between September 2012 and March 2016. A fantastic signing for the Steeldogs, Hirst is another player who poses a significant threat to his opposition and will no doubt look forward to demonstrating this when he makes his debut in NIHL North’s Division One next season.

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

Friday 21 July 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Solway Sharks have today announced their second signing as the club confirms that fan-favourite Ross Murray will play a sixth consecutive season for the Dumfries outfit. Not one to shy away from the physical aspect of the game, Murray was NIHL North’s most penalised player during his 2014-15 campaign but he continues to collect points as well as penalty minutes, last season tallying three goals and thirteen assists in twenty two games. Fulfilling the role of alternate captain at Solway since September 2015, Murray is one of the team’s most dedicated leaders and often excels at making life difficult for his opposition. Another strong signing for the Sharks, Murray joins netminder Calum Hepburn on Solway’s roster as the team look to follow up their title-winning season with further success in the NIHL North’s Division One (Moralee).

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Kindly speaking to NIHL Northern Trio, Murray shared his thoughts ahead of his latest campaign with Solway: “I’m happy to be back with the Sharks for the up and coming season. I’m really looking forward to it. The league looks like it’s going to be a lot better and that’s good. Last year was too easy. This year I’m looking forward for teams to really challenge us and for us to prove that this is our league and it doesn’t belong to the new teams. It gives us boys up here a chance to prove we belong in a second tier league and why a lot of us don’t play higher is because we are tied down to jobs etc. I would like us to win everything in the North again - that might be an aim too high but we’ve always aimed high here at Solway so why not? I like the fact that teams are making good signings. It keeps the league interesting and fun to be in but we’re the big boys in this league and we won’t let any other team come in and take our titles.”

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Meanwhile, it has also been confirmed that Solway Sharks’ young prospect Duncan Speirs has opted to leave the club to join Edinburgh Capitals’ Academy with hopes to play in the Elite League. Having played for Solway Sharks’ Under 18s team in 2012, Speirs quickly progressed to play for their Under 20s side as well as their SNL and NIHL outfits. Besides playing in the lower tiers of British Ice Hockey, Speirs was presented with the opportunity to feature twice for Braehead Clan in his 2015-16 campaign and he soon found the back of the net for the side to impress at this level. Last season, Speirs continued his hard work for the Sharks, tallying twenty seven points in nineteen games whilst also icing with Team GB’s Under 20s line-up at the World Junior Championships where he was able to achieve a goal and an assist in five games. Whilst Solway’s loss is surely Edinburgh’s gain, Speirs will aim to continue his development with the Capitals’ academy in the hope that he will be provided with an opportunity to establish himself in the highest tier of British Ice Hockey.

Further to this, Billingham Stars have confirmed the signing of a second Latvian import as forward Deniss BaÅ¡katovs prepares to make his debut in British Ice Hockey from September. After playing for Under 18s outfits HS Prizma/Pardaugava 93 and Daugavapils Ledus Skola, BaÅ¡katovs went on to ice with DHK Latgale in 2010 before playing for Prizma Riga both in the Latvian Hockey League and in Russia’s MHL B. From here, the forward then progressed to play two seasons in the MHL for Olimpiya Kirovo-Chepetsk and MHK Yunost Minsk respectively. More recently icing in the BeNeLiga, the highest tier of ice hockey in Belgium and the Netherlands, BaÅ¡katovs racked up forty five points for Dutch team Eindhoven Kemphanen before tallying fifteen goals and twenty two assists in nineteen games for Belgian outfit Chiefs Leuven. Yet to play ice hockey in Britain, it is hoped that BaÅ¡katovs can produce as many points in the NIHL as frequently as he has in his last two seasons, particularly as Billingham aim to compete with the National Ice Hockey League’s strengthened competition next season.

In other news, Nottingham Lions continue to build their roster with the announcement that forward Paul Stanley has signed up for a second consecutive season with the side, having first iced with the team in 2000. Playing just two seasons with the then EPL outfit, Team GB speed skater Stanley moved away from the sport following a call-up to the GB Short Track World Cup team during his 2001-02 campaign. Making a seamless return to ice hockey last season, Stanley played twenty eight league games in which he recorded an impressive seventeen goals and sixteen assists to finish the season as the Lions’ second highest points scorer. An excellent signing, it is clear that Stanley’s return to Nottingham will certainly be welcomed when Matt Bradbury’s side take to the ice in September. Also joining the Lions’ roster are Hovell brothers Thomas and Jamie who will both return to their hometown club for another season. After progressing through the junior ranks, Thomas Hovell first took his place between the pipes for the Lions in 2011 and is now heading into his seventh consecutive season with the club. Recording a save percentage of 91.9% last season, the shot stopper appears to have a good record to date and he will no doubt aim to develop further if he is to keep the strong opposition of NIHL North’s Division One at bay. Meanwhile, defenceman Jamie Hovell is heading into his sixth season at Nottingham, having taken a break from ice hockey between 2008 and 2012 after working his way through the junior ranks to play for Nottingham Jaguars in the Under 18s league. Set to be his first season in the NIHL’s Division One as a result, ‘D’ man Hovell will seek to stand his ground against Nottingham’s new competition whilst chipping in with points where he can. As the duo assume their places on the Lions’ roster, Bradbury’s team is gradually beginning to take shape, his squad now consisting of one netminder, three defencemen and three forwards with more to follow soon. 

Also, Dragons Head Coach Scott McKenzie has re-signed forward Alex Parry who heads into his third consecutive season with the side after taking time away from the sport between 2013 and 2015. Starting out with Deeside Avalanche in the Under 16s league in 2005, Parry has continued to play his ice hockey in Flintshire, enduring the rebranding of the club and also enjoying the side’s promotion to the Moralee Conference in 2016. Playing just fourteen games for The Dragons last season after suffering an injury, Parry will be hoping to return to his usual form which saw him average a point per game in his 2015-16 campaign. Similarly, forward Jordan Bannon has also re-signed for The Dragons after playing eleven games for the team last season. Although unable to play for the club immediately in September due to his alternate sporting commitments, Bannon will link up with the team a little later in their campaign in the hope that he can again make an impact in the latter stages of the season by involving himself in the side’s offensive play, contributing goals and assists where possible.


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



Wednesday 19 July 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Billingham Stars have this evening announced the signing of Latvian defenceman ArtÅ«rs Ozols who joins the Teesside club from Latvian outfit Zemgale where he made his senior debut during his 2012-13 campaign. Remaining here for a second season whilst breaking through the ranks of Jelgava’s Under 20s team, Ozols then switched to Liepaja, playing twenty games for their senior side and averaging a point per game for the club’s junior outfit. More recently, a season with VirkiÀ in Finland’s II-Divisioona was then followed by a third spell in Latvias top division with Zemgale where Ozols picked up twelve points in twenty three games. A towering defenceman at six foot three, Ozols is expected to be dependable in defence and will no doubt demonstrate this when he takes to the ice with the Stars next season. This news follows the Stars’ confirmation that Swedish imports Dennis Boström and Daniel Palmebjörk will not be returning to play for Billingham next season.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Meanwhile, Solihull Barons have completed their roster this week with the signings of forwards Luke Brittle, Stephen Heape, netminder Daniel Brittle and defenceman Jacob Smith. Joining the Barons from Telford Tigers, Brittle brothers Luke and Daniel will hope to make a positive impact at Hobs Moat Road next season. Whilst both started out in Telford’s junior setup, Luke Brittle progressed to play for the Tigers EPL team before icing with Chelmsford Chieftains, Blackburn Hawks and Spanish side S.A.D. Majadahonda. Contributing twenty six points in twenty two games last season, Brittle is a highly skilled player and will no doubt facilitate Solihull’s offensive play when he links up with Head Coach Daniel MacKriel at his new club in September. Likewise, Daniel Brittle will also join up with the Barons, having already followed MacKriel from Blackburn Hawks to Telford Tigers last season. A strong shot stopper, Brittle achieved a save percentage of 89.1% in what was a difficult campaign for the Shropshire outfit who were battling relegation with a depleted defence on occasions. Two excellent additions to MacKriel’s roster, these players will also be joined by forward Heape, who will hope to avoid further injury after finding himself sidelined for the most part of last season, and ‘D’ man Smith who heads into his third consecutive campaign with the Barons after patrolling the side’s blue line consistently in his latest outing at Hobs Moat Road.

Last but not least, Nottingham Lions have confirmed the signing of forward Richard Slater who had originally agreed to a twelfth season with Solihull Barons before work commitments meant that continuing to play for the side would be difficult. Slater first iced for the Barons in the English Premier League in their 2005-06 campaign and, with the exception of two games for EPL outfit Peterborough Phantoms, has only played ice hockey for Solihull. Returning to the sport after a season out, Slater earned himself seventeen points from twenty four games in his latest term at the club but will now turn his attentions to facing the Barons when he ices for the Lions in September. Further to this news, Nottingham have also announced the re-signing of defenceman Luke Thomas who returns to play a tenth season with the Lions. Formerly the club’s captain from 2012 to 2016, Thomas brings both experience and leadership to Nottingham’s defence which will certainly prove valuable as his side makes the leap into the NIHL’s Division One. As one of the Lions’ longest serving players, Thomas’ commitment and consistency will be welcomed when he returns to Nottingham’s line-up in September. 

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


Sunday 16 July 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Making their long awaited first signing of the summer, Solway Sharks have confirmed that last season’s first choice shot stopper Calum Hepburn will return to Martin Grubb’s roster after the young netminder was called upon last September, following an injury to fellow goaltender Kieran Hobbins. Recording a save percentage of 94.5% in Solway’s title winning campaign, Hepburn was a key component in the Sharks’ success and will now head into his second senior season after making a fantastic impact in his first outing with the Dumfries outfit.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Meanwhile, leaving Solway Sharks for Billingham Stars, young defenceman Darren Stattersfield has returned to Teesside to play for his hometown club. After starting out with the Northern Stars’ Under 16s team in 2010, Stattersfield attended the Okanagan Hockey Academy in the UK between 2012 and 2015. Subsequent to this experience, Stattersfield then travelled to Canada where he iced for the Coldwater Falcons and London Lakers in the GMHL besides featuring  for Norwood Nemesis and Essa Stallions in the CPJHL. Making the switch to Solway Sharks in the latter stages of last season, Stattersfield proved to be a tricky defenceman and, extremely good at causing problems for his opposition, will no doubt bring this element to his game when he makes his debut for the Stars in September.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
In other news, Telford Tigers have acquired the services of highly experienced GB defenceman and three-time Elite League champion Jonathan Weaver. His career spanning twenty eight seasons, Weaver started out with Sunderland Arrows’ Under 16s team in 1990 and progressed to ice with the Durham Wasps in the BHL. From here, Weaver moved on to ice in the BISL for Newcastle Cobras, Manchester Storm and Ayr Scottish Eagles between 1996 and 2002. After spells with Hull Thunder and Fife Flyers in the BHL, Weaver made the switch to Newcastle Vipers and continued to play for the team following the formation of the Elite League. After icing with Coventry Blaze and Nottingham Panthers at the highest level of British Ice Hockey, Weaver dropped down into the EPL in 2014 to play for Telford Tigers where he has fulfilled the role alternate captain for the last three seasons. An outstanding presence on the ice, Weaver tallied forty one points in thirty four games in his last campaign and will no doubt be eager to pick up where he left off in the NIHL next season. 

Last but not least, The Dragons have signed two-time French champion and right winger Mickaël Brodin who, having so far played his whole career in France, first iced with Reims in 2000 where he remained until 2002 before moving to Amiens. After two seasons of playing in the north of France, Brodin then switched to Dijon and subsequently Caen prior to a move to Morzine-Avoriaz. Playing seven consecutive campaigns and captaining the side for four seasons, Brodin halted his playing career in 2014. Though missing out on the last three seasons of ice hockey, Brodin is expected to bring skill to The Dragons, besides experience and leadership, as he joins the Deeside-based club as player-assistant coach ahead of the team’s 2017-18 campaign.



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Thursday 13 July 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Billingham Stars have announced the re-signing of netminder Mark Watson who will now head into his sixth season with the Teesside club after starting out with Newcastle Vipers’ junior setup in 2006. Recording a save percentage of 88.6% last season, Watson mainly featured in the Stars’ cup games and was also called upon when shot stopper James Flavell suffered a back injury in the final Tees-Tyne derby of the season. As a result of this signing news, Billingham have now secured the services of their backup netminder as well as first choice Flavell, meaning the side once again have two goaltenders they can depend upon for the season ahead.

Meanwhile, Sheffield Steeldogs have completed their line-up with the re-signing of defenceman Tim Smith who has played for the club since September 2013 and as such, is now heading into his fifth season with the side. Taking on the role of alternate captain in his upcoming campaign, Smith will hope to put his experience to good use having previously played in the English National League and NIHL with Invicta Dynamos between 2007 and 2013. Tallying nineteen points in fifty two games last season, Smith works hard to assist his team mates in their offensive efforts whilst managing the Steeldogs’ blue line. A reliable, diligent leader, Smith is an excellent final addition to player-coach Ben Morgan’s squad.


Also, Telford Tigers have signed experienced right winger Joe Miller who returns to the side after dividing his time between the Shropshire outfit and Basingstoke Bison last season. Though Miller’s most recent campaign did not see him produce as many points as in previous seasons, the winger has demonstrated his ability in front of goal over the course of his career; he was able to tally twenty six goals and thirty five assists for Telford in his 2015-16 campaign. As Telford’s roster gradually begins to take shape, the addition of Miller means that the Tigers are now made up of a netminder, four defencemen and six forwards with more signings to follow soon.




Last but not least, Nottingham Lions have re-signed defenceman and captain Elliot Perrin as they prepare for their first season in the NIHL’s Division One. Last season, Perrin managed to chip in with sixteen points in twenty six games whilst leading the Lions from the blue line. A second excellent signing for the club, Perrin will hope to guide his team through some tough encounters next season as the clubs in Division One adjust to playing new and strengthened competition. 


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NIHL Signing News

NIHL News
Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Solihull Barons have re-signed forwards Andy Whitehouse, Brandon Anderton and Matt Maurice this week alongside versatile Slovakian right winger Tomas Janak. Whilst long-serving forward Whitehouse returns for his seventh consecutive season at the club on the back of achieving eighteen points in twenty eight games, both juniors Anderton and Maurice are heading into their third term at the club. Anderton tallied one assist in eleven games in his latest campaign and will hope to gain ice time as he looks to develop his game further whereas Maurice shone for Solihull last season, racking up an impressive sixteen goals and twelve assists in twenty seven games to round off his campaign as the Barons’ fifth highest points scorer. Also returning is Janak who fulfilled the role of captain last season, offering his experience, skill and leadership whilst averaging close to a point per game.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Besides these signings, the Barons have also announced that forward Ed Eaton and defenceman Richard Crowe have committed to another season at Hobs Moat Road whilst former Hawk Philip Mulcahy has made the switch from Blackburn to make his debut with Solihull this September. Whilst Eaton has proved to be an exceptionally hardworking player in recent seasons, injury woes prevented the forward from icing with the Barons for much of their 2016-17 campaign as he managed just fifteen league games out of a possible twenty eight. Following the Barons’ promotion to the Moralee Conference in 2015, Eaton was able to rack up fifteen goals and twenty five assists to become one of the side’s top points scorers. As a result, he will be hoping to make a return to this good form when he links up with the side again next season.  Also, ‘D’ man Crowe is set for his seventh consecutive season at the club, having started out as a product of Solihull’s junior setup. An unassuming defenceman, Crowe works tirelessly on the Barons’ blue line whilst contributing to his team’s offensive play where possible and will look to continue this consistency when he ices again in September. Further to these re-signings, Solihull have added skilled forward Mulcahy to their roster who joins on the back of a difficult season with Blackburn Hawks. Earning twenty three points in twenty seven games, Mulcahy bettered his points production of his 2015-16 campaign to impress for a second consecutive season in the NIHL’s Division One. A standout player for the Hawks last season, Mulcahy combines his skill with pace to cause problems for his opposition. As such, Solihull have added another strong cohort to their roster, though the side have also announced that forward Richard Slater will no longer be signing for the club after moving to Nottingham due to work commitments.

Meanwhile, Telford Tigers’ Division One side have acquired the services of young prospect Jordan Stokes, former Baron Dale White and experienced EPL forward Rick Plant. Joining the Tigers on a two-way contract with Elite League outfit Coventry Blaze, defenceman Stokes will look to build on the experience he gained last season. Though featuring in just four games for the Blaze, Stokes iced on fifty one occasions with the EPL’s Hull Pirates and will no doubt be able to build on this achievement when he makes his return to the NIHL in September. Also, after playing the most part of his 2016-17 campaign with Solihull Barons, White will return to the Tigers’ roster after icing in six games for the side last season. Having played in both the EPL and the Elite League as well as the lower tiers of British Ice Hockey, White’s versatility and experience will stand him in good stead for Telford’s upcoming campaign as the side prepare to compete for the best possible league position in the NIHL. Another important signing for the Tigers is experienced forward Plant who heads into his fifth consecutive season with the Shropshire outfit. After mostly playing in the higher tiers of British Ice Hockey, Plant’s career consists of thirteen campaigns in the EPL besides seven seasons in the BNL. Last season alone, Plant contributed sixteen goals and thirty four assists in the fifty one games he featured; as such, averaging close to a point per game. A strong, reliable player, Plant is another valuable addition to Telford’s roster and will now focus on making his NIHL debut next season.

In contrast, forward Warren Tait has switched from the Tigers to make his return to Nottingham Lions’ squad, having played for the side in NIHL 2 three seasons ago. Over the course of his career, Tait has iced with five different Elite League teams, including Sheffield Steelers, Cardiff Devils and Basingstoke Bison, and therefore possesses a great deal of experience which will be vital next season when the Lions make the step up into NIHL North’s Division One.  


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Friday 7 July 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Billingham Stars have rounded off their week with news that defenceman Dave Thomas has made a return to the club, having last iced with the side in his 2014-15 campaign. Unable to commit fully to the Stars after their title-winning 2011-12 season, Thomas managed to feature in just twenty one games for Billingham between September 2012 and March 2015, meaning he was left no choice other than to part ways with the Teesside club. Renowned for his physical presence on Billingham’s blue line, Thomas is not afraid to rack up penalties, tallying one hundred and four minutes in his last full campaign with the Stars. With this set to be the eleventh season of Thomas’ career, it is hoped that the ‘D’ man will make a positive impact when he returns to The Forum in September.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Further to this news, netminder Denis Bell has switched back to Telford Tigers after dividing his most recent campaign between former EPL club Manchester Phoenix and Scott McKenzie’s Dragons. Recording a save percentage of 90.9% when he last iced with the Tigers, Bell will look to match, if not better, this achievement when he returns to Telford as first choice shot stopper next season.  


Meanwhile, The Dragons have re-signed hardworking young defenceman Ross Kennedy who makes a welcome return to the Welsh outfit after last season’s contribution of seventeen points in twenty one games. Demonstrating his ability to work hard across all areas of the ice, Kennedy proved to be a real prospect and will no doubt continue to develop his game when he returns to play his fifth consecutive season at the club in September. 




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Thursday 6 July 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Hull Pirates have today confirmed the signing of Matty Davies as the left winger makes the switch from Telford Tigers where he achieved eighty eight points last season, tallying eighteen goals and seventy assists in forty eight games. First playing for Kingston Jets in 2004, Davies quickly progressed to the EPL to ice with Solihull Barons and Swindon Wildcats ahead of a move to Elite League outfit Hull Stingrays. Remaining here for six seasons, Davies became captain in his final season at the club and moved on to assume the same position at Manchester Storm in his 2015-16 season. A strong, skilled and steadfast player, Davies is a fantastic addition to the Pirates’ roster and will certainly cause havoc for his opposition in the NIHL next season.

Meanwhile, The Dragons have secured the services of former Eagles’ defenceman Craig Lutkevitch. Playing his first season for the Eagles with Blackburn’s junior setup in 2004, Lutkevitch did not ice with the senior side until his 2012-13 campaign at which time the Lancashire outfit were fighting in the lower positions of the NIHL’s Laidler Conference. As such, Lutkevitch has yet to experience a full campaign in Division One, having only featured in a few games for Blackburn Hawks in recent seasons. However, a strong, industrious ‘D’ man with an aggressive edge to his game, Lutkevitch will surely slot into Scott McKenzie’s squad seamlessly as he lines up with his new team in September.


Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Last but not least, Slovakian right winger Karol Jets and defenceman Simon Harrison have signed for Telford Tigers’ Division Two team, having played for the Shropshire outfit in the Moralee Conference last season. Achieving forty two points in twenty five league games, Jets finished as the team’s top points scorer in his latest campaign and will hope to repeat this feat when he ices with the club again in September. Harrison, on the other hand, is the first ‘D’ man to return to the Tigers’ defensive unit as he signs up for a third consecutive season and will again look to chip in with points whilst demonstrating his usual hard work and resilience on Telford’s blue line. 

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


Wednesday 5 July 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
It has been confirmed this evening that Billingham Stars have re-signed forward Luke Brown who now prepares for his fifth season at the Teesside club having first iced with the senior side in 2013. Tallying three points in just thirteen league games last season, Brown missed out on a large section of Billingham’s campaign whilst serving a lengthy ban from mid-September to December. However, as Brown has shown his worth in front of goal when captaining the Stars’ Under 18s and Under 20s teams in recent years, the forward will aim to get back to his best when he returns to Billingham’s line-up next season.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
Further to this news, Sheffield Steeldogs have announced the completion of their forward line with the signing of James Spurr. Captaining Sutton Sting last season, Spurr was one of the side’s top points scorers with fourteen goals and seventeen assists in twenty seven league games, demonstrating his goal scoring prowess as well as his leadership qualities. Spurr brings with him a great deal of experience, having played in the EPL with Peterborough Phantoms between 2005 and 2012 besides fulfilling roles of leadership with Sutton Sting since joining the club in his 2012-13 campaign. An excellent addition to Ben Morgan’s roster, Spurr will now turn his attentions to another season in the NIHL’s Division One and will no doubt exhibit his usual pace, power and puck control when he takes to the ice with Sheffield in September.

Also, Telford Tigers have confirmed the signing of forward Adam Taylor who makes the switch to NIHL North’s Division One. Starting out with Telford’s junior setup in 2007, Taylor has since divided his playing career between the Tigers’ EPL and NIHL teams and, as such, has a great deal of experience across the varying tiers of British Ice Hockey. Always capable of making an impact on the game, Taylor can now join fellow forwards Jack Watkins, Jason Silverthorn and Macaulay Halford in looking ahead to the Tigers’ upcoming 2017-18 campaign.



Last but not least, The Dragons have re-signed experienced player-assistant coach Marc Lovell who will once again work alongside player-coach Scott McKenzie to provide on-ice leadership as he heads into his thirteenth season with the Welsh-based outfit. Having played in the Elite League, the EPL and both the NIHL’s Moralee and Laidler Conferences in his career, Lovell brings experience to the ice whilst chipping in with goals and assists where possible. Following the Dragons’ promotion to Division One, last season was a difficult one for the club, though they were able to gain the upper hand in a closely fought league placement battle with Widnes Wild. As a result, Lovell will now work alongside McKenzie as the coaching duo set out to ensure that The Dragons can contend with their Division One opposition.





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Tuesday 4 July 2017

NIHL Signing News

NIHL News

Billingham Stars have today announced the re-signing of young forward Josh Nertney who will now prepare for his third senior season with the Teesside outfit after making his debut during the Stars’ 2015-16 campaign. Progressing from the junior ranks in recent years, Nertney divided his ice time between Billingham Stars and their Under 20s team last season, captaining the latter through seventeen games in which he tallied twenty two goals and twelve assists. Also continuing to gain ice time in the NIHL, Nertney was available to ice in twenty two of the Stars’ league games in his previous outing and, though failing to hit the back of the net, the youngster exhibited his diligence and commitment at every opportunity. Eager to resume his development with the Stars next season, Nertney will now prepare for his upcoming campaign with hopes to integrate himself fully into Terry Ward’s line-up.

Photo Credit: IceHockeyMedia - Colin Lawson
In other news, Blackburn Hawks have confirmed that Richard Bentham will return for a third consecutive season. Fulfilling the role of alternate captain in his most recent campaign at the club, Bentham achieved twenty one goals and twenty six assists in twenty league games to become one of the NIHL’s top points scorers last season. Always on the lookout for a goal, Bentham does not pass up the chance to cause problems for his opposition and is another of Steven Duncombe’s strong signings as the Hawks’ roster begins to take shape.

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