NIHL North – round-up

BLACKBURN, UK – Billingham Stars have confirmed the signing of Stephen Wallace from Manchester Phoenix. The forward returns to the North East after spells with Phoenix, Bracknell Bees & Sheffield Scimitars. Wallace scored 139 goals with 127 assists during his seven years in the EPL and represents a major coup for the 2011/12 double winners. Netminder James Flavell has also returned for another season with the club. Flavell posted a 93.6% save average last season as Stars finished with the best defensive record in NIHL1 North. Wallace and Flavell will be joined by influential defender Richie Thornton and captain Paul Windridge who’ve agreed a further year at Billingham Arena. James Moss, Michael Elder, Andy Finn & James Udell are other returnees. Stars have also announced a one-off challenge game against the EPL’s Sheffield Steeldogs on September 1st. Solway Sharks have confirmed the signings of John Connolly and Daniel Murdy. Connolly started last season in the EPL with Slough Jets, followed by a brief stint with Manchester Phoenix before moving to MHC Kazakhmys in Kazakhstan. The former GB U20 international has also featured in the Elite League with Braehead Clan & Edinburgh Capitals. Sharks’ Coach Martin Grubb was delighted to welcome Connolly to Dumfries, “I’ve been chasing John for a number of years,” said Grubb. “He’s got great experience both at home and abroad and will be a massive player for us this season.” Ex-Whitley Warriors forward Murdy joins Sharks after a year in NIHL1 South with Wightlink Raiders and is hopeful his new team will have a successful season, “I’ve heard excellent things about the club from Adam Reynolds & Nathan Salem,” said Murdy. “I know Martin’s been working hard to put together a solid team to challenge for hounours and it’s exciting to join a club which has high expectations of itself.” Sharks have also announced two challenge matches against EPL opposition. The NIHL1 North title hopefuls face Peterborough Phantoms in Dumfries on September 8th before travelling south for the return the following evening. Sutton Sting Coach Ian Johnson has secured two big signings for the NIHL1 North newboys with ex-EPL players Ryan Johnson & Jamie Spurr moving to the Sheffield-based outfit. Johnson makes the switch from Manchester Phoenix, while Spurr has over 200 games under his belt at the higher level with Peterborough Phantoms & Phoenix. Johnson also confirmed the signings of defender Scott Glover from Blackburn Hawks and Nottingham Lions netminder Alan Levers. Ben Lowe, Shaun Ashton, Thomas Jeffrey, James Goodman & Richie Oliver all return for another season. Sting have also announced a North v South pre-season challenge game against Chelmsford Chieftains. They’ll travel south for the away leg on August 25th, with the return at Ice Sheffield on September 1st.  Sheffield Spartans have confirmed the signings of brothers Ross and Dougie Jordan. Both are products of the Sheffield Hockey Academy, progressing through the junior ranks into senior hockey, before Ross moved away to study in Glasgow. Dougie returns for a fourth season while Ross has made the switch from the SNL’s Paisley Pirates. Spartans have added forward Elliot Knell and defender Arran Bell to their roster, while Luke Smith, Tom Proctor and Alex Harding all make the step up from the junior ranks. Netminder Josh Nicholls has confirmed his return to Coventry Blaze. Nicholls enjoyed two excellent seasons with Blaze before moving to the EPL with Telford Tigers. Coach Reg Wilcox was glad to welcome Nicholls back, “We really missed his presence in the room last year,” said Wilcox. “Josh is a player who puts his heart into every game and takes every slip personally.” In addition to securing Nicholls, Wilcox has added a number of players to his roster with forwards Philip Pollok, Rikki Bryniarski & Connor Hubbuck agreeing to return once again, while defenseman Dale White has joined from Solihull Barons. Blaze have also confirmed they’ll travel to face the Barons in a pre-season challenge match in aid of the Help for Heroes Charity on Saturday, August 18th (face-off 5pm). Blackburn forward Ric Ravey is back for a third season with the Hawks, while Coach Jared Owen has also secured defender Bobby Streetly fo a second term. Forwards Mark Good and Jordan Barnes have agreed another year with Whitley Warriors, while young netminder Joe Harley steps up from the juniors and will back-up Richie Lawson. Last years losing play-off semi-finalists Telford Titans have announced one signing so far, with Owen Bennett agreeing a sixth season with the club.

Trafford Metros have made their first player announcements of the summer, with experienced defenseman Simon Mills, forward Jamie Rogerson & netminder Tom McDonald agreeing another year at Altrincham. Andy Ward and Sam Towner have agreed two-way deals with Hull Stingrays. The pair will mainly feature for the Stingrays NIHL2 team but will be given opportunities to ice with their Elite League team . Contact the author at: Michael.Black@prohockeynews.com