Today, the Solent Devils are overjoyed to announce the re-signing of netminder, Christian “Chico” Cole.

This will be Cole’s eleventh consecutive season at Solent, where his skill and ability between the pipes have earned this fan favourite, cult status with the club.

“I’ve always loved playing for Solent as I feel it is where I play my best,” says Cole.  “The locker room is always great, and I can’t wait to get back for another season.”

Solent Devils head coach, Alex Murray is clearly delighted the veteran goaltender has agreed to return.

“Chico is part of the club’s DNA, he has been a tremendous servant to this club and is the best goaltender in the league!  For me, Chico is one of the first names on the list to get to commit, his loyalty to our club is a testament to the man he is, and we are lucky to have him.”

In the 2019/20 season, Cole posted 19 wins and just 3 losses in a season which saw him make 801 saves, had a goals against average of 2.92 and a save percentage of 92.82 – earning him NIHL 1 South player of the month in November 2019, NIHL 1 South netminder of the year, and saw him named in the NIHL 1 South first all-star team.  Somewhat modestly, Cole simply says

“I am very happy with how last season went, regardless of stats I feel I played my best season yet, and in a very good league.”

In addition to the amazing year and accolades from the 2019/20 season, Cole has had a career where he has played 278 games and has recorded 14 shut outs, won the playoffs in Bracknell at the end of the 2017/18 season and was the netminder for the team as they were runners up the subsequent year.  Additionally, Cole has been named as a part of the all-star team four other times, and was part of the Solent Devils for the 2011/12 season, when the Devils became the ENL 2 league champions, earning promotion to league 1.  With all this in mind, it is fair to say Cole has played in some high pressure games, but as he gets older Cole seems to take the pressure in his stride.

“I prepare for every game the same, but the more years I play I feel I am relaxing more and more, which is why I feel the best of me is yet to come.”

Murray has nothing but good things to say about the Solent Devils number one,

“Chico is an exceptional performer, his stats speak for themselves.  There is never a situation where he lets us down, he is the last line of our defence and almost always comes out winning!  The trust our team have in his ability allow us to be confident in our decision making, as well as play the game we want.  If his best is still to come, I am very excited!  Chico has been the best goaltender at this level for several years, if he can continue his high level of performances next season, then we stand a good chance of repeating our successful campaign.”

With the new season creeping towards everyone with agonising slowness, Cole simply lays out the plan for the future,

“I personally want to help the Devils lift trophies, so if I keep my performances consistent, and the team scores goals we are in with a chance.”

Cole will return to the Devils in shirt #1.  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 return of British utility player, Scott Cooper.

Cooper returns to the Devils for his second consecutive season, and while he is relatively new to the Southern leagues, Cooper’s senior career began in the 2007/08 season with the Newcastle Vipers.

“It was a very easy decision to re-sign this year,” says Cooper, “I think as a team we have unfinished business, considering we were in the running for the league title this year.  I think most of all, to be able to play in front of the best fans in the league, with your closest friends, every week is what makes Solent great.  There is nothing more you could ask as a player.”

Solent Devils head coach, Alex Murray, is very pleased that Cooper has agreed to return for the upcoming season.

“Scotty was a great acquisition last season,” Murray says, enthusiastically.  “Having moved down south due to work and personal reasons, Scotty had glowing references from his former teams!  Scotty is another team first guy with vast amounts of experience, with the ability to play both forward and defence.”

In the 2019/20 season, Cooper played 19 games, chipping in with 2 goals and helping out with 4 assists, while sitting incredibly few penalty minutes – just 4.  Cooper’s career is now at 224 games, spread across teams in Billingham, Newcastle, Solway, and Slough. In that time, he has scored 22 goals and earned 39 assists.

“I’m always critical of my own game” Cooper says, “but I know my role and it’s not always to put up points, I always try to contribute in other ways such as bringing energy to the line up each night, being that positive team guy and to help the team anyway I can to achieve our goals.”

Murray continues in his enthusiastic talk of Cooper, and what he brings to the team,

“Scotty fitted in perfectly on our third unit with Drew.  He provided depth to our left wing and also the versatility of being able to drop back and play defence.”

During the course of his career, Cooper has been in some big games, and is obviously used to fighting for titles, such has the Devils have been doing for the last few seasons.  Cooper has won his respective leagues twice – once with Newcastle and once with Widnes – and has played in four separate playoff competitions, winning in 2018/19 with the league champions, Widnes Wild.  Looking to the new season, Cooper says,

“I think naturally we have to show ourselves to be a contender for the league title again.  We proved on any given night we can compete with anyone in this league.  Winning will only come with everyone’s contribution and doing our own jobs right every game.  I think consistency will be key, as always, and making sure we turn up with the right attitude and the correct focus for each game.”

“Now Scotty has settled in,” Murray continues, “understands the philosophy of the team and the systems we play, I expect him to really kick in this season.  Scotty will be expected to play more minutes and put up more points, but I know he will thrive on this role and not give anything less than his best for the club.”

Cooper will return to the Devils in shirt #24.  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 return of young defender and 2019/20 Shane Clacy award winner, Harry Cloutman.

Cloutman will be playing on a two way contract with the Solent Devils and the D2 Devils during 2020/21.

“The Devils are the team I always wanted to play for,” says Cloutman, “growing up in Gosport, they’ve always been my home team.”

Solent Devils head coach, Alex Murray said

“I am please Harry has returned for his first full season with the Devils.  Harry is a wonderful talent, with a great attitude towards learning and improving his whole game.”

In the 2019/20 season, Cloutman contributed four assists in his twenty five games for the Solent Devils, while on a two way with the Devils D2 team and playing for the under 18 team.  Cloutman was also the winner of the coveted Shane Clacy award, presented to the player who has shown an exceptional attitude throughout the season, both on and off the ice, on game days and in training.

“Last season was a good season,” says Cloutman, “my overall play has developed, and I am proud of my points, even though my numbers are not the highest.  Being presented with the Shane Clacy award was an honour, something I am really proud of.”

Murray goes on to say,

“The set up in the club has allowed Harry to be on the ice a lot last season, including junior hockey, NIHL 2, and coaching, in addition to the Devils.  This has allowed Harry to develop his all round game and also learn what it takes to play senior hockey.  Harry’s commitment to training, games and the club is unquestionable.  He is always the first player to arrive and the last to leave, his dedication should be rewarded and I was delighted to present him the Shane Clacy award, especially as Harry started and played most of his career at Solent.”

Looking ahead to the new campaign, Cloutman sets out his expectations,

“This season coming, I am hoping to make a positive impact on the team, both on and off the ice.  I feel that we are going to be battling at the top of the table again.  Last thing to say is that I am excited for the upcoming season, I can’t wait to see everyone on game days, and hear all the fans.”

Murray, too, has expectations for the 18 year old,

“Harry has to continue his development across both NIHL 2 and the Devils, logging bigger minutes with more responsibility at NIHL 2 until he is ready to hold down a regular role with the Devils.  I am sure that regular ice with the senior Devils is not far away.”

Cloutman will return to the Devils in shirt #18.  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 re-signing of Elliot Lewis.

 

“There isn’t enough time for me to give all the reasons I’ve come back to the club this year,”

says Lewis, excitedly,

“a few of the reasons behind my choice, are the people and the professionalism of Solent as an organisation.  From my teammates to the fans, it feels like a really big family atmosphere the minute you walk into the rink.  The club is run by a really dedicated group of volunteers who put in so much hard work to make our club have a professional edge, that’s why I love playing here – it’s home.”

Lewis, now heading in to his third season with the Devils at just 19 years old, spent some time in the junior programmes in Swindon and Guildford, as well as Solent, including being on two way contracts with the U18s and Devils 2, over the last two seasons.

Solent Devils head coach, Alex Murray, says

“Elliot is a wonderful, raw talent, who has a mature head on young shoulders.  Elliot will eventually follow several other Solent players in transitioning to the National League, but for now we are delighted to have him continue his development with the Devils!”

During his time with the Solent Devils last year, Lewis played 31 games, contributing 8 goals and putting up another 8 assists, keeping down to just 10 penalty minutes.  This brings Lewis’ Devils career to 54 games played, 15 goals and 11 assists, which includes a trip to Bracknell at the end of the 2018/19 season, where Lewis was a part of the playoff team, competing in the final against Chelmsford Chieftains.

“There are always things you can do better in your personal game to contribute to the team.” Says Lewis.

“Overall, I would say it is always a confidence booster, putting goals and assists on the board, where I can help the team get two points from games.  However, it’s what I was playing like off the puck that I was not satisfied with last year.  I was still playing with bad habits on some occasions, and I was not happy with that.  I was making silly mistakes that were easily avoidable, that did not benefit the team.  Last year was still my first official year as a senior player and I learned an awful lot from the experienced players, who pointed out when I was making mistakes and gave me corrective advice to improve me as a hockey player.”

“I’m really impressed with how Elliot performed last season,” says Murray.

“Elliot played the majority of the season as our second line centreman, which is a big responsibility for someone so young.”

Continuing Lewis’ comments about how the other players help in the development of the younger players, Murray goes on to say,

“Elliot is great in the dressing room, he is loved by everyone so there are always people in his ear helping him develop.  His father, Mark, is also a very experienced hockey player and coach, so he is lucky he will be getting feedback from his peers and parents, as well as his coaches, from every training session and game.”

Looking forward to the new season, Elliot outlines a few of his goals and how he hopes to contribute towards the Devils in their upcoming campaign,

“Personally, this year I would really like to cement my position within the squad, with getting more time on special team situations, but that wont be given to me, I have to make sure I’m doing all the right things, and listening to what Alex is telling me, as well as working hard in training.  My main goal is to bring my work ethic to the team, with the plan to bring back silverware to Solent, which the fans rightfully deserve.”

Aligned to the young player’s thoughts, Murray agrees,

“Elliot has to continue his progression, being more consistent with his performances, as well as set a points target to achieve.  Elliot is humble enough to accept this, and work tirelessly on improving, which I know he will.”

Lewis will return to the Devils in shirt #19.  If you would like to sponsor a Devil, or find out about becoming a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.

 

 

 

Tonight, the Solent Devils are delighted to announce the return of seasoned defenceman, Calumn Perella-Fox, for his third consecutive year with the club.

When asked why he has returned to the Devils, Perella-Fox says,

“A few things that come to mind, the changing room and the team is great, we are like a family and I couldn’t see myself not returning.  The fans are great at Solent, too, they make the game days so much better.”

“I am delighted to welcome back our players player from last year,” says Alex Murray, Solent Devils head coach.  “Calumn is a valuable asset to our club, his versatility allows him to play in several positions and roles within the team throughout the season.  He is a team first guy, never giving less than his all.”

Last season, Perella-Fox scored once and earned four assists, with just twenty four penalty minutes from his 31 games, and was awarded Solent Devils players player of the year, an especially prestigious award, as this is chosen by the other members of the team.

“I was happy with my performance last season,” says Perella-Fox, “but feel I could also bring a lot more to the team on the ice.  Hopefully, as my confidence grows, I will keep improving.  Being awarded players player is such a great award to get, and I feel that was my best achievement from last season.”

Murray goes on to say,

“Calumn’s performances are not about statistics.  His work rate, versatility and consistency are all the reasons why he was recognised by his peers, his efforts every week in training, the way he applied himself, this is only visible to the guys in the locker room.”

This may be Perella-Fox’s third consecutive year with the club, but he is not new to the Devils, having come through the youth system at Solent into senior hockey, including being with the ENL2 championship team in 2011/12.  Perella-Fox moved to Wightlink Tigers for the 2012/13 season, where he played for two years, before taking a few years out of ice hockey, returning to Solent for the 2018/19 season.  Looking ahead to the new season, Perella-Fox says

“I know I still have a lot more to show, and I want to continue to develop.  I am here to help the team, but I will also, hopefully, get some more points on the board.”

“Confidence is a massive part of the game, and while I may apply pressure with the coaching techniques I use, I will be helping Calumn to build his confidence during games.  Calumn already knows that his performance is enough to get him a spot on the team, but every player on the team knows they need to work to keep their spot, consistency is a big part of that.”

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.

Today, the Solent Devils are delighted to announce the return of last season’s Coach’s player, Mark Pitts.

Pitts returns to the Devils for his fifth consecutive year, where he has been a solid player for the club as they battled back in the old NIHL 1, and was a part of the team that lifted the Playoff cup at the end of the 2018/19 season.

“Everyone is here because they enjoy playing hockey, everyone wants to be here,” says Pitts.  “There are never any arguments or animosity in the team, we have an excellent core of guys who make sure the dressing room has one of the best atmospheres I’ve ever been a part of.  Additionally, the Devils off ice team and the Devils organisation as a whole, is second to none.”

“I’m thrilled to welcome back one of the best centremen in the league,” says Alex Murray, Solent Devils head coach, “Mark is by far the most underrated player in the league, he is equipped to play in any moment of the game, in whatever role is required.  His work effort and attitude is exceptional, leading by example for all of our younger players.

Last season, Pitts played 29 games, putting away 14 goals and chipping in a massive 40 assists,

“Goals and assists are something I’ve never really paid much attention to,” Pitts says.  “I had plenty of opportunities to put the puck in the net last season that I missed, so that’s obviously something to improve on next season.  Overall, I am happy with my points production last season – it becomes much easier when you’re centring two of the best scorers in the league!”

Murray though, is clearly excited by the contribution from Pitts last season,

“Mark was simply our best all round player last season.  His ability to play any role, at any time means he is indispensable to our team.”

Pitts’ senior career has been an impressive 219 games since 2005, starting in Guildford, moving to Basingstoke in 2007, then joining the Solent Devils for the 2016/17 season, where he has now played 107 games, driving home 52 goals and helping out with 117 assists, making his career contributions, so far, a huge 135 goals with 233 assists.  These numbers though, don’t seem to excite the humble player,

“As I said, scoring is important, but I’s never been my focus, I leave that to the guys with flair and skill.  I focus a lot on endurance and strength, and I try to do the ugly stuff well – battling in the corners, blocking shots, taking hits trying to make a play.  Working at both ends of the ice is vital for me, there’s no point in being offensively strong if you’re defensively weak, so being fit enough to cover the whole ice, for the whole game, is a priority for me.”

Looking towards the new season, Murray makes it clear that he doesn’t expect Pitts to change his attitude towards games,

“Next season, I am looking for pretty much the same.  I think if there was any area of improvement, Mark would agree that it would be his finishing – that said, I am entirely happy with Mark as a player, and I am delighted he is back again!”

Pitts, ever the team player, is looking to what the team can achieve, but seems confident in the team he will be with and having Alex Murray at the helm,

“If the league structure remains similar, a top three finish would be a good target this year.  It is a highly competitive league with some very good teams, most people didn’t give us a chance last season and I feel we proved everyone wrong, but we will need to pick it up again this season.  Every game will be a fight, but with the team Muzza is putting together I am sure we will be up for the challenge.”

Pitts will return to the Devils in shirt #5.  If you would like to sponsor a Devil or become a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.