With Ice Hockey season fast approaching, the Solent Devils are in their final preparations for the 2016/17 season, and while some things have remained the same, there have also been many changes over the summer.
Despite a nasty injury at the end of last year, Alex Murray will return as both player and head coach for the Devils. This will be Murray’s twelfth year in the league, and his fourth consecutive year with the Devils. In a statement, Murray said “Last season was absolutely brilliant.  I’m delighted to be back.”
Last season’s captain for the Devils, Alex Cole, is also returning, and will be stepping out on to the ice with the “C” on his chest again this year. “I’m excited to be returning to the Devils once again as captain,” said Cole, “the summer was great wo work on repairing and strengthening the body, but you always miss the competitive hockey.”
Joining Cole in defence, are returning players Ben Lock and Andrew Goddard. Lock’s enthusiasm is contagious when he speaks about coming back to the Devils “This will be my 3rd year with the club, and each year we continue to get better and better. I cannot wait to get stuck into the new season.”
After being on a two-way deal with Basingstoke last year, Goddard will be full time with the Devils this season.
Also returning in his number one shirt this year, is Christian Cole – brother of Alex – and will be taking up his usual place of starting netminder. Speaking about his seventh year with the Devils, Cole simply said “There a few things that made me return, one of the main ones is family as they mean everything to me and my hockey career.”
A new face to the Devils bench this year is Matt Lawday. Lawday has spent much of his hockey career in Basingstoke, but has been tempted away by Murray and the team saying “After speaking with Alex a couple of times, I came to the decision that the best place for me to sign this year would be the Devils.  I feel excited to be playing for Solent as I know they run a good programme and will help my career moving forward.”
Also, moving from Basingstoke and their NIHL 2 team, is forward Mark Pitts. “I’m pleased and excited to be signing with the Devils for the upcoming season,” said Pitts, “I look forward to the challenges the league brings.”
A further change to the Devils this year, is their updated logo and shirt design. The design has been shown on the Devils website, however the first time the actual shirts will be seen by the fans and the public will be their pre-season friendly game against Basingstoke Buffalo, this Sunday at 7pm in Gosport. There will be special ticket prices for this game; Adults £5 each, and kids go free.
Following this, the Devils are on the road for two weeks, with their first league home game against Bracknell Hornets, 7pm on Sunday 25th September.
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