Today, the Solent Devil’s are delighted to welcome back British defenceman, Mason Wild.

“I’ve played for the Devils for five consecutive seasons and every season has been great,” says Wild, when talking about why he has re-signed once more with Solent.

“The atmosphere from the fans is excellent and we are always pushing to compete with the tougher teams. It’s where I started playing and now that I’m permanently living on the South Coast, Devils are my home team.”

“Mason is an exceptional player,” Devil’s head coach, Alex Murray, proudly states. “He has loads of experience, with a very clear understanding of the clubs philosophy and the direction we are going. Mason is a very reliable player on the ice, and can be very versatile in his position.”

Wild played just eight games last season before having to unexpectedly cut the season short.  Those eight games however, added a goal and four assists to his Devil’s career stats, now standing at 18 goals and 34 assists in 122 games, with the club where he first started playing hockey.

“I was unlucky to get a freak injury to my finger, which has put me out of hockey for about 9 months. That’s the longest I’ve been out of hockey for a while,”

Wild says, somewhat modestly, having played 156 games since commencing his senior career, earning a total of 22 goals and 47 assists, which included two seasons for Oxford City Stars.

“I had a regular succession of injuries over the past few seasons and this has been a great time to recover properly and get ready for the season ahead. I’ve been doing a decent amount of fitness and rehab which will hopefully help me back on the ice.”

“I was devestated for Mason when he suffered his finger injury, which was one of the worst I’ve ever seen,” sympathises Murray, who is no stranger to injury himself.

“It has taken a lot of time to recover from, so I’m hopeful Mason will be back to full fitness to fulfil his role as alternate captain for the team. Mason will be a key player in our squad, expected to play big minutes, and I have no doubt he will perform when on the ice.”

After his recovery and looking forward to the season ahead, Wild jokes,

“I always laugh with Alex that my goal for the season would be to have a full one – luckily I’m not that superstitious! With everything that’s going on in the world at the moment it’s hard to predict how the season will unfold.”

Having been a league champion in 2013/14, and as part of the playoff winning team from the 2017/18 season, then playing in the final the following year, Wild is used to playing the important games – not accustomed to sitting on the sidelines.

“I’m excited to get back on the ice and play some competitive hockey. It was strange being a spectator last season but was also great to watch such a strong team.”

Murray wraps things up simply by saying, “I hope Mason has a positive season, he deserves it following last year’s incident. I know, if we have Mason on the ice, we have a much better chance of winning!”

Wild returns to the Devils in shirt #41. If you are interested in sponsoring a Devil, or becoming a team sponsor please contact devilssupporters@outlook.com

Today, the Solent Devils are delighted to announce the re-signing of British defenceman, Ben Lock.

The veteran defender returns to Solent for his seventh consecutive season, and excitedly says,

“There is no secret of my love for the club, I wouldn’t play anywhere else. This really feels like my second family, from the management to the coaching staff – and the fans!  We were onto something special last season, and we definitely have unfinished business. The team Alex is bringing together is exciting, and I am really looking forward to being back on the ice.”

Alex Murray, Solent Devils head coach is obviously happy to have the stalwart defender back again.

“Ben is a key member of our squad, who is very experienced at this level,” Murray says.  “Ben is a team first guy, who is willing to put his body on the line for the benefit of the team!  His presence in our end is essential to our success.”

Over the shortened 2019/20 season, Lock played 26 games, scoring a pair of goals and helping out with 6 assists.  These numbers add to Lock’s impressive career totals, where he has played 277 games, with 21 goals and 43 assists – the Devils have been lucky enough to have the skilled blue liner for 156 of those games, where from his totals 19 goals and 34 assists have been for the Devils.

“I was reasonably happy with my performance last season,” says Lock.  “After two years out of NIHL 1, it is pleasing to still be able to play big minutes for Alex and help the team be extremely competitive.”

Murray goes on to say,

“Locky had a great season, his defensive stats speak for themselves, but I was definitely impressed with his offensive contributions too, which have seen Ben become a top player in this league.”

From his early years in Guildford, Lock moved to Slough where he was part of the 2010/11 ENL2 league championship squad.  Lock moved to Wightlink Raiders in 2012/13, and a year later with Raiders went all the way to the Playoff final, where the team were runners up to Chelmsford Chieftains.  His move to the Solent Devils in 2014/15 saw Lock go on to be part of the playoff winning team at the end of the 2017/18 season, where the Devils beat Chelmsford in Bracknell.  Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Lock simply says

“My aims are very much the same as the last six years, to be solid in defence – whether that’s blocking shots or corner battles, which allows our highly skilled forwards to do their job.”

Murray, echoing these sentiments, doesn’t want Lock to change his approach,

“I want more of the same from Locky this year, his performances have always been consistent, and I am excited to see him back out on the ice.”

Lock returns to the Devils in shirt #71.  If you would like to sponsor a Devil, or find out about becoming a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.

Today, the Solent Devils are pleased to announce the signing of British netminder, Mark Duffy.

Duffy moves to the Devils from Oxford City Stars, where he has spent almost half of his senior career, after moving from Bracknell in 2016.

“I’m joining the Devils because I think they’re a great organisation,” Duffy says.  “I’ve seen them come on a lot over the past few years, and I am really excited to be a part of that.  I’ve known Alex Murray since we were kids, and I know he’s a winner – I’m looking forward to being coached by him.”

“I’ve known Duffy since we were kids,” echoes Devils head coach, Alex Murray, “I’ve played a lot of hockey – mainly inline – with him and he is a great guy, very experienced between the pipes at this level.  I have tried to sign Duffy a few times during my tenure with the Devils, so I am delighted I have finally managed to bring him in.  Mark will provide competition to Chico, which is both healthy and needed at this level.”

Duffy’s career spans 130 games, with a 4.79 GAA and a save percentage of 85.66% and was part of the league winning Oxford team over the 2017/18 season – the year Oxford pipped the Devils to the league title.

“I’m hoping to bring a strong alternative to Chico in net,” says Duffy, when asked his reasons for the move.  “Chico is one of, if not the best goalie in the league and I want to push him to make sure he stays at his best all season long!  I hope I can bring a bit of experience to the squad as well, which has some great young players in it.”

Murray lays out his expectations for his new signing, simply and concisely,

“Duffy has been around the game long enough and understands his role well.  He has been brought in to challenge Chico and he recognises that he has an opportunity to join a club who are heading in a really positive direction – we are really happy to have him involved.  We will be looking for Duffy to win us games when in net, and to quickly become acclimatised to the small rink at Solent.”

Duffy joins the Devils in shirt #98.  If you would like to sponsor a Devil, or find out about becoming a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.

 

Today, the Solent Devils are overjoyed to announce the return of club legend, Richard Facey.

Facey, having come through the youth system at Solent, went to Basingstoke in 2003 then spent a few seasons with the Buffalo with some time over on the Isle of Wight.  Facey then spent three seasons in Canada with the Banff Academy Bears, before returning to England and the Wightlink Raiders for the 2010/11 season and the subsequent few years, coming back to Solent to start the 2015/16 season.

“I’m very happy to be back,” Facey says, “I’m really proud to be part of the community of the Solent Devils and I’m very excited to see everyone, hopefully soon, after such a long break.  With the programme that Alex has put together, I believe we are a top club to play for that gives a good opportunity for young guys to grow and improve, by playing along side more experienced established players.  I’ve enjoyed being part of that and hope to help it continue.”

Solent Devils head coach, Alex Murray, simply says

“Richard is my right hand man, he has become so involved with the club that it would not feel right without him standing next to me.”

Over his career, Facey has played 428 games, scoring 277 goals and earning 422 assists – meaning he is just one point from 700 career points.  The list of accolades and achievements earned by Facey is possibly one of the longest for any player, with three consecutive seasons being voted into the all-star team, a league championship, two time BUIHA tier one champion, and won the post-season playoff competition twice (including with the Devils at the end of the 2018/19 season).  For the Devils, in his 157 games, Facey has found the back of the net 160 times and contributed 201 assists.

“As always, there were some elements of my game that I was happy with last year and some that I wasn’t,”

Facey comments, humbly, after the 2019/20 season saw him earn the most points in the league for the second consecutive season.

“I lacked some consistency, as I was not in the physical condition that I would have liked to have been in.  With the long break, I have put some time into working out and so hopefully I will see the benefits this season.”

Murray, somewhat more enthusiastically, is prepared to give the veteran forward the credit he deserves for his efforts over the last season,

“Richard’s stats speak for themselves.  He was top points scorer in the league, voted as an all-star forward, and contributed in every game. I was very happy with his contribution last season, which is indispensable at this level.”

After the 2019/20 season was cut short, with the Devils in second place in the league and chasing the top spot, with their eyes once more on the playoffs, thoughts start heading towards the upcoming season, and the possibilities it could bring.

“My goals this season are for the club to compete again,” says Facey, “with the hope to be in the conversation for silverware at the business end of the season.  I think that with the core group that we have, we can have a really good season and I’m looking forward to getting started again.”

 

“It will be another difficult season,”

Murray cautions, as his ever vigilant view on the rest of the league and the movement of players within it over the summer shows him how the competition will be when games finally get underway.

“With teams around us investing in additional players to try and compete, we have to keep improving if we want to keep up!  Richard has to continue leading the line and be a big player in the big games.”

Facey will return to the Devils in shirt #28.  If you would like to sponsor a Devil, or find out about becoming a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.

 

Today, the Solent Devils are delighted to announce the signing of British defenceman, Will Crossley.

Crossley returns to the Devils following two seasons away, having been part of the playoff winning team in the 2017/18 season.

“Having just moved back to the UK after spending the last two years in the US studying, it has always been my goal to be back playing for the Devils.  Each season, the team gets stronger, the fan base grows – and makes a whole lot of noise – and everyone involved is here because they truly love the sport, which makes it such an amazing place to play.  With the likes of Muzza (Alex Murray) and Alex Cole, there are top experienced players I can play with and learn from, helping me develop as a player and a person.”

“I’m delighted to be able to welcome back Will,” says Devils head coach, Alex Murray, “he had a wonderful first season with the Devils during our playoff winning campaign.  Will is going to provide depth, energy and youthfulness to our defensive group, which will help with the demand of this league.”

Crossley spent most of his formative years at Oxford, developing his skills, joining the Devils for his first senior season at the start of the 2017/18 campaign, where the young defender contributed seven assists and only sat eight penalty minutes in his 23 games.  Following that season, Crossley’s studies took him travelling, but upon his return to England it appears he is looking forward to picking up where he left off.

“I have no worries on returning to the Devils,” says Crossley.  “Having trained with the team back in January, I pride myself on being adaptable and being able to fit into any playing situation as needed.  Muzza and the team have always been supportive of me, so it’s very easy to fit back in.  While out in the States, I was playing as much as I could, at all different levels.  I got the chance to experience senior travel hockey, where one of the weekends was spent playing games in front of crowds at the Vegas Knights training facility in Las Vegas.  I am eager to get back to with the team and ready to repeat the successes of 2017/18 and the seasons since.”

Murray seems to have confidence in the returning player too, as he goes on to say

“Will is going to join our defensive group and challenge for the top six spots, he is very calm on the puck, has a great eye for the pass, and has no fear in the corners.  We hope that Will has progressed even further during his two years in the States, and are confident Will is going to impact our line up positively.”

Crossley lays out his aspirations for the new season, leaving no doubt over his desire to prove himself and ensure the Devils remain competitive.

“It goes without saying that I am here to play my part in winning the league and playoffs.  However, I know it’s going to take a lot of hard work against some tough competition.  Personally, I want to keep pushing myself to grow as a player, working on my confidence in the offensive zone, to try to capitalise on the opportunities I get on goal, to help the team.  I will also be working off-ice to increase my strength and conditioning, to help me be more physical in the offensive zone.”

Murray too, has expectations for Crossley, with Murray showing some of the potential he sees in this player.

“I will expect Will to be able to play a variety of roles throughout the season, always being ready when called upon, challenging our top four defencemen, as well as developing his own game further.  I see Will as a player who could go into the national after a few more years exposure at our level.”

Crossley joins the Devils in shirt #7.  If you would like to sponsor a Devil, or find out about becoming a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.

Today, the Solent Devils are overjoyed to confirm the re-signing of veteran forward, Canadian born, Drew Campbell.

Fans favourite, Campbell, approaching his 44^th birthday, joins the Devils for his fifth consecutive season, but his ninth overall at Solent.  Campbell started playing hockey in England in 1999 with The Basingstoke Buffalo, and has also spent time with Wightlink Raiders and Haringey Racers.

“The guys are amazing,” says Campbell about his return to Solent, “the room is a great family and I can’t think of playing anywhere else now.  I also feel there is some unfinished business after the last season finished prematurely, so the Devils still have a job to finish.”

Solent Devils head coach, Alex Murray, says

“Drew is the gift that keeps giving.  It is a testament to Drew that he is able to play such a high level of hockey for someone of his age, however, this is not a hinderance – his performances are always consistent and he is a valued member of our core group.”

Last season Campbell played thirty games for the Devils, scoring 20 goals and adding 13 assists, this brings his Devils appearances to 212 games with 210 goals and 203 assists.  These figures make Campbell second in all time points and all time assists for the Devils – second only to Alex Murray in both categories – and the leader for all time goals for the Devils.  Campbell has also been a member of the Devils as they won the ENL2 title and lifting the playoff cup in the 18/19 season.  Campbell’s stats, however, are small when looked at Campbell’s career as a whole – 457 total games, scoring a staggering 565 goals and earning 490 assists.

“I was okay with my performance last season,” says Campbell.  “Having the two shootout goals to beat Chelmsford both times was pretty fun, and also to get that many points as a third line centre was pretty good, but as we all know it’s the two points that we all want at the end of the game.”

Murray, clearly pleased with the decisions he made before the start of the 19/20 campaign goes on to say

“My transition for Drew could not have gone any better.  We knew that for Drew to be effective he could not log the minutes that other centremen do in the top two lines.  The decision to move him to third line centre provided me with the strongest third line in the league, which also kept Drew fresher for the bigger moments in the game, such as special teams, crucial faceoffs and the last minutes of periods and games.”

Heading in to the 2020/21 season, Campbell who also coaches within the Devils youth system, says

“I don’t really have any personal goals, but if I think about it, I guess it would be to help the kids and hopefully play with my son, who will be 16.  For the team, it is to help them finish as high up the standings as possible and to bring silverware back to the Solent Thunderdome.”

Murray knows that Campbell will always play to win, and that he can be relied upon both on and off the ice to help support the club in whatever way is necessary ends by saying

“Drew will know that we will expect pretty much the same from him in the upcoming season, but I am also respectful that Drew is not getting any younger, so we talk regularly to ensure he is not burned out.  His points tally will still be expected, and I am sure he will deliver!”

Campbell will return to the Devils in shirt #23.  If you would like to sponsor a Devil, or find out about becoming a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.