ENL South Division 2 Roundup

LONDON, UK – With Division 1 of the ENL Southern section already considered ‘too close to call’ by many, a number of teams in Division 2 also look to be shaping themselves to take a run at some silverware of their own this season.
 
Lee Valley Lions have made a big splash early on, announcing this week they had secured the signings of six players for the coming season, including four new faces to the Lions bench.
 
Whilst Lee Valley fans will welcome back Richard Hodge and James Scott-Joseph, the new faces poised to pull on the Lions jersey will no doubt create more talking points as the club moved to secure former Haringey Coach Lee Mercer as well as two further former Hounds players in the shape of talented young netminder James Tipple and Dave “The Mouth” Richards.
 
The experienced Mercer will no doubt prove a strong pick up for the Lions, while Tipple impressed many with a string of strong performances for the struggling Greyhounds last season and should help provide solid coverage in net. Richards is probable best known to many fans more for his antics than his puck skills. Never one to shy away from controversy, Richards will bring his unique style across London to entertain Lions fans this year and certainly adds a colourful element to the sport.
 
Lee Valley also welcomed Canadian D man Blair Dubyk to the team. Dubyk, who previously featured for Haringey as well, was a big part of the Bracknell Hornets team that lifted the ENL Southern play-off crown last season and will likely become a key member of the Lions roster.
 
The Peterborough Islanders welcome back D man Jon Brammall and the ever green Ross Mackintosh. The fiery Scot will be sharing coaching duties with former Isles forward Rich Wheatley, who returns to the club after a brief spell behind the bench last season.
 
The experience of Mackintosh and Brammall will be key this season if the Islanders are to bounce straight back up after a disastrous season in Division 1 last term.
 
Bristol have also capitalised on the massive success of the Pitbull’s inaugural season by entering a second team in to the league this year. Whilst the Pitbulls will be slugging it out in Division 1, a second team will also be looking to make a splash in Division 2.
 
With several members of last years league winners on the roster, Bristol could once again be among the contenders for the Division 2 title! The side have even managed to coax power forward Adi Smith back in to competitive hockey after several successful years with the local rec teams. Certainly a team to watch out for this coming season.
 
Contact the author: rob.mcgregor@prohockeynews.com