NIHL North transfer round-up

BLACKBURN, OK – Former Whitley Warriors boss Simon Leach has agreed to join NIHL1 North champions Billingham Stars. Leach replaces Stephen Foster, who stepped down as Coach earlier this week, and admitted he’s excited to be given the opportunity. “After meeting with the Stars’ management I was impressed with what they had to say and they made me feel that Billingham would be a great place to come and coach,” said Leach. “I’m looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead and will be doing my very best to carry on the excellent work done by Stephen and Terry Ward last season.”

Leach’s first act as Coach was to pull off a major coup with the signing of Michael Bowman from Bracknell Bees. Bowman returns to his native North East after enjoying a successful career in the BNL and EPL with the likes of Newcastle Vipers and particularly Slough Jets, helping the Berkshire club to two play-off titles and a cup success. Leach, also confirmed Adam Robinson, James McCabe, Scott Ward and Andy Thornton had all agreed another season. It’s also thought influential defenders Dave Thomas and Andy Finn will ice again next season, though the club are yet to make any official announcement.
Whitley Warriors’ Coach Garry Dowd has added another three to his roster with Callum Watson, Josh Maddock and Martin Crammond all returning for another year at Hillheads. Watson topped the Warriors’ league points standings last term with 49 points from 31 games and Dowd was delighted to secure the forward for another campaign, “Signing Callum was a no-brainer,” said Dowd. “He’s got great speed, especially in the opposition’s defensive zone, which makes him a difficult player to stop. We’ll be looking for more of the same from him in the coming year.” Dowd said he was still in talks with a number of last season’s squad along with some new faces – Billingham’s Simon Hehir is thought to be amongst those being considered by the Warriors.
Solway Sharks have announced Nathan Salem and Struan Tonnar have agreed another season in Dumfries. Head Coach Martin Grubb suggested both players were vital to Sharks’ hopes of challenging for the title saying, “I really wanted them to return as they’re both quality players. Nathan showed last year he’s a real danger to opposition teams and his strength, shot and eye for goal will make him a real threat to any team. Struan’s been exceptional for us in the last few seasons and his versatility has seen him play both forward and defence when needed. He’s a key part of our powerplay and I’ll be looking to use him in a more offensive role this year and get him back to producing as a forward most nights.”
Deeside Dragons have confirmed the signings of Tom King and Brian Worrall from Blackburn Hawks. The pair join former team-mates Ric Hughes and Aaron Davies in North Wales, as the Dragons continue to put together an impressive looking roster. King returns to Deeside after coming through the junior ranks and onto senior level with Flintshire Freeze and was delighted to make the switch from Blackburn saying, “I’m looking forward to the start of the season and being part of this new team at Deeside. A good team is being put together and I’m sure we’ll do well.” Another Dragons target, Chris Jones, is thought to favour staying with Telford Titans, though it’s understood Blackburn would be interested in adding him to their depleted roster.
Hawks finally announced a new addition to their roster in the shape of Jordan Ashington. The 21-year old joins from Division Two’s Bradford Bulldogs and Coach Jared Owen is confident his new forward will prove a hit with the Hawks, “He’s a very strong skater, with a heavy shot and will offer us a big strong forward who goes hard to the net, creating opportunities for himself and his team-mates. We feel he’ll more than compensate for one of the gaps we have from the players who’ve moved on and will be a player the Hawks’ fans will appreciate in no time at all.”
Sheffield Spartans Coach Chris Wilcox has confirmed Ollie and Will Barron have agreed another year with the Yorkshire outfit. The prolific pair led Spartans’ scoring charts last year with Ollie racking up 45 points with 39 for Will and Wilcox will be hoping for a similar return this time around. Defenders Andrew Turner and David Pyatt have also agreed to return.
Newly promoted Sutton Sting have been quiet so far, but it’s understood they’re interested in signing ex-Nottingham Lions netminder Alan Levers and former Blackburn defender Scott Glover. Relegated Nottingham Lions have strengthened their squad with the signing of defenseman Luke Thomas from rivals Solihull Barons, while Gareth O’Flaherty has returned for a fourth season.
Contact the author at: Michael.Black@prohockeynews.com