Author: Voice of the Devils

2021-22 Signing Alert – Oscar Evans

This evening, the Solent Devils are delighted to announce the return of the exciting young forward, Oscar Evans.


Commenting on signing Evans said

“I will bring speed and energy for sure and hopefully some goals too!”


Evans career has seen him play 84 games, racking up 29 goals and 13 assists, speaking about the signing Head Coach Murray said

“Oscar is a really exciting prospect, who will only get better the more he plays at this level. He provides vital depth on the left wing and is able to contribute on the score board!”


Evans continues

“My goals this year are to get back to scoring and assisting more and contribute to the team as much as I can.”
“The streaming series we did was so important for us as we’ve never not played hockey for that long before so we needed to get that feeling back and it was the perfect thing really after a tough year!”

Evans adds

“…the last 18 months was extremely tough and for everyone and with no hockey it was tough to stay motivated physically and mentally but on a positive note we got to spend more time than usual with family.”

Evans will return to the Devils in shirt #77. If you would like to sponsor a Devil or become a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com

2021-22 Signing Alert – Mark Duffy

This evening, the Solent Devils are delighted to announce the return of English Netminder, Mark Duffy.


Duffy signed for 2020-21 and after many false starts to the season, Duffy commenced with the Devils during the Spring Series Cup series demonstrating his capabilities to a full house on the Solent Devils Youtube streaming Channel as the team took the silverware.

With a career 130 games and an SVP of .857% Duffy comments on signing


“I hope to do everything I can for the team when needed and to keep pushing Chico all season.”


Head Coach Alex Murray commented


“Duffy is someone who I’ve known since a kid, when we played a lot of in-line together! We’ve always discussed him playing with the Devils but it never materialised until the Spring Cup. Duffy has settled in well and is experienced enough to push Chico and his a big presence in net for us. We have a strong goalie tandem and Mark is a crucial part of that.”


Talking about his goals for the season Duffy added


“…Looking forward to a season where we can really get on some good winning streaks, upset some of the ‘big’ teams and really push for some silverware.”


Duffy continues


“Taking part in the summer cup meant that we had a great opportunity to get the cobwebs off after a long time away and to set ourselves up for a big season to come. For me it was a great chance to get to know all the boys before the first full season and see what it means to be a Devil in training and at game time.”


Speaking about what he will contribute Duffy said


“I hope to bring a bit of experience to a quite young group and I hope to bring some top performances at the weekends. I’m the type of guy that will do anything to help the team and I’m looking forward to helping the boys towards silverware and a deep playoff run.”


Duffy will return to the Devils in shirt #98. If you would like to sponsor a Devil or become a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com

2021-22 Signing Alert – Dan Shier

This evening, the Solent Devils are delighted to announce the re-signing of English forward, Dan Shier.


The Isle of Wight based player will begin his fifth season with the senior team, starting his 87th game when the season opens in September. Shier has accumulated 10 goals and 17 assists and looking to add to the tally in 2021-22.

Shier said

“I’m looking forward to the season, the stretch of water can be a pain but we’re very lucky to have Wightlink supporting us so we can keep the island boys playing.”

Coach Murray commented

“It’s great to welcome back Dan for next season, he is a great team guy who stands up for his team mates and its skilful and gritty which makes him unique in our line up. Shier has settled into the team well over the past few years so I look forward to seeing him kick on this year”

Speaking about the pandemic Shier continues

“It’s been a tough time for everyone – I’ve done my best to keep fit and earlier training in the spring definitely helped me.”

When asked about the Spring Cup Series Shier said

“After a year out it was great to be able to play in the Spring Cup – we missed the fans but it does feel like we now have a momentum to take into the new season when some teams will have been off the ice for 18 months or more”

On favourite away destinations commented

“Probably Cardiff for the ice and Chelmsford for the atmosphere.”

The Solent Devils would also like to thank Wightlink for their support during the Spring Cup Series and their continued support in the 2021-22 season, without which we’d likely lose the senior and junior talent from the island.

Shier will return to the Devils in shirt #12. If you would like to sponsor a Devil or become a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com

2021-22 Signing Alert – Calumn Perella-Fox

This evening, the Solent Devils are delighted to announce the re-signing of Scottish born defenceman, Calumn Perella-Fox.


The industrious and reliable defender, Perella-Fox will be returning for his fifth season with Solent Devils and has stacked up 91 games, 5 goals and 10 assists.


Perella-Fox comments

“Hopefully we can pick up where we left off and take it into the season.”


Head Coach, Alex Murray has commented on his pleasure in retaining close friend and versatile player Perella-Fox

“I have played with and coached Cal ever since we were kids. He is a reliable, team first player who is strong on the puck and can play in a variety of positions. Everyone really respects Cal in the room and that’s a reflection on his work ethic on and off the ice for the team.”

Speaking about the Spring Cup Series Perella-Fox said

“The experience was so valuable, I hate being sat around so lock down has been hard for me, so I jumped at the opportunity to play again and be back with the lads on the ice.”


Perella-Fox will return to the Devils in shirt #44. If you would like to sponsor a Devil or become a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com

2021-22 NIHL 1 South League News

NINE CONFIRMED FOR SOUTH 1 AS 21/22 SEASON LOOMS LARGE


Almost 18 months since Streatham IHC clinched a league and cup double, the puck with drop again for the clubs in NIHL South 1 with a nine strong cast list ready to do battle.


Bristol Pitbulls, Chelmsford Chieftains, Invicta Dynamos, MK Thunder, Oxford City Stars, Romford Junior Raiders, Slough Jets, Solent Devils and defending champions Streatham IHC will make up the division from September.


The clubs will play two home and two away against each other to complete the league campaign which starts on September 11th and runs through until April 10th.


Playoffs will see the top eight teams qualify for the quarter final round, played as a two-legged tie (1v8 2v7 3v6 4v5) over the weekend of April 16&17.  The winners will then play at the South 1 Finals Weekend on April 23 and 24.


League champions from South 1 will also face off in a National Championship game against the North 1 league winners at Coventry on Sunday May 1 as part of the National Finals Weekend.


The cup competition will see the first league game home and away in the schedule will also count towards the Cup standings. The semi finals will be over two legs in early/mid December, with the Cup Final also over two legs scheduled between 8 and 16 January 2022.


Bristol Pitbulls return to the top division this year but also their home city in a new rink.  Co-owner Richie Hargreaves said:

“For many of us the last 18 months has felt like a life time of no hockey.  Here in Bristol it pretty much has been that and a lifetime out of the city.


“We are looking forward like many others to the thrills and spills of our beloved ice hockey this September.  We are very much excited as a club to be once again participating in South 1 and looking forward to our new chapter here in Bristol. But I think most of all is the return of that sixth player the fans who bring the energy night in night out which can only be found in our sport.”


Ben Pitchley, Romford Junior Raiders GM and head of hockey operations added:

“After the longest lay off ever, we are just glad to be able to get back on the ice, and fingers crossed, playing in front of fans again!”


One of the teams who played in our behind-closed-doors spring series, MK Thunder, are celebrating a special anniversary this season.  GM Lauren Cox commented: 

“The coming season marks 20 years of Thunder and we’re excited to be competing in a nine team league. The Spring and Rugged Stock Cup enabled us to play alongside and against some great talent, which has added more depth to our experience. Welcome to Bristol, we look forward to seeing their brand new rink.”


Work is underway between clubs and the NIHL fixtures secretary and the schedule will be published as soon as it is available.

NIHL SOUTH 1 KEY DATES:

  • Pre-season – September 4-5 2021
  • Regular season start – September 11 2021
  • Regular season end – April 10 2022
  • Cup semi finals – December 4/5 11/12 2021
  • Cup Final – January 8/9 15/16 2022
  • Playoff quarter finals – April 16-17 2022
  • Playoff Finals Weekend – April 23-24 2022
  • National Final v N1 champion – May 1 2022

2021-22 League News

NATIONAL LEAGUE NORTH & SOUTH READY FOR LAUNCH


The EIHA and NIHL are pleased to confirm that details of the Division 1 & 2 competitions will be announced over the next four days advising the competing clubs, league format, playoffs and cup competition information.


Clubs and the league have been involved in discussions in recent weeks about the return of competitive play in the NIHL after successful events played behind closed doors during the spring.


We are delighted to have 39 teams signed up to take part in the 21/22 season playing in four divisions.  League format, any cup competitions and post-season formats have been agreed and will be announced division by division starting with North 1 (Moralee) on Friday July 30.


Pre-season play will commence from September 4 2021 with regular season beginning either September 11 or 18 depending on the division.  The latest date that post-season play will end is on Sunday May 1 2022.

The divisions for 21/22 will be:

  • North 1 (Moralee) – 8 teams
  • South 1 (Britton) – 10 teams
  • North 2 (Laidler) – 9 teams
  • South 2 (Wilkinson) – 12 teams


Full details will be announced one division per day starting tomorrow, Friday July 30.


EIHA director Andrew Miller, who leads for the NIHL, said:

“We are pleased to have our competition formats agreed and myself and the Board are grateful to the clubs for engaging with us to make the NIHL return to play as good as it can be.


“The formats we will announce have teams playing at the right level with the right amount of games to suit their own club model. We are also pleased to be able to support clubs wishing to enter what would have been U20 sides into the NIHL, cementing the league’s place in the development pathway for our athletes moving from junior to senior hockey.


“After ceasing the leagues in March 2020 we are looking forward to welcoming supporters back into our rinks at all levels of the NIHL and for our teams to serve up an enjoyable, competitive season which will draw to a close with league title races, cup finals and playoff championships that everyone involved can get behind!”