More signings

Having already snapped up four forwards from last season’s double winning squad and signed netminder Calvin Khass from Kingston, Whitley Warriors player/coach Simon Leach last night confirmed that four more players – all defenders – will be back at the club next season.

Leach will himself be playing again, while Dan Harris, Ritchie Thornton and Adam Hendry have all committed to another season at Hillheads.

“I am particularly delighted Dan will be staying at Whitley,” said Leach, “as he has great potential and I personally rate him as one of the best young defenders in the country right now.

“Now he is staying at Hillheads, it is up to us to make sure he develops, and learns, because he has the potential to become a top British defender and carve out for himself a very good hockey career.”

While the likes of Harris are the future, Leach sees the signing of both Adam Hendry and Ritchie Thornton as equally vital, because of the experience they can offer to the younger players.

“I am very happy Adam has decided to play for another season,” continued the coach, “we have a good blend of youth and experience and I will be looking to him to help develop some of our young talent over the course of the next few months, making sure their transition from junior to senior hockey is that much easier.”

With regard to former Newcastle team-mate Ritchie Thornton, Leach is delighted he will be back in Warriors colours come September.

“I think he made a huge difference to the side when he joined us in December,” he added, “not only on the ice, but in the dressing room as well.

“He brings good qualities to the team and brought top flight experience to the side at a vital time in our season and is another who is also very good with the younger players; giving them confidence with his professional attitude.”

Leach is the fourth defender signed for next season, but admits that wouldn’t have been possible without the help of assistant coach Kevin Dean.

“Kevin does such a good job running the bench that I can fully concentrate on what I need to do during the game,” he said, “and hopefully that means I can add just a little more experience to our back line over what will be another long, and sometimes difficult, campaign.”