Today, the Solent Devils are delighted to announce the re-signing of Dan Lackey

Lackey returns to the Devils for his third consecutive year, having spent most of his hockey career in Basingstoke.

“I’m very happy to be back in a Devils shirt next year,” says Lackey, “a lot of credit goes to Muzza for what he has achieved with the club’s direction – I’m sure his dad would be very proud.  It makes it an appealing place to be.  The club is professionally run, from the off-ice team through to the dressing room, so it means we can just focus on playing hockey.  The fans are great too, they turn up every week and make a hell of a lot of noise, which is great to play in front of.”

Solent Devils head coach, Alex Murray, spoke of his excitement at Lackey’s re-signing with the Devils,

“Dan is a very experienced, versatile player.  I’m delighted Dan has agreed to return to Solent.  Lackey is a team first guy, who likes to get his nose dirty and can play any role for the team, including roles on both special teams.”

Last season, Lackey picked up 7 goals and 12 assists in 27 games, bringing his Devils stats up to 55 games played, with 16 goals and an impressive 41 assists – including one during their play off run at the end of the 18/19 season.

“I’m quite critical of myself, I expect a lot so always want more!” says Lackey, modestly, “I’m happy overall with the two years at Solent, that’s why I am back – oh, and to try and get some more silverware back to the Thunderdome!”

Murray, however, is somewhat more vocal about the solid player’s contribution to the team,

“Dan was exceptional last year, a close contender for Coach’s player and Player’s player due to his team first attitude and hard work ethic.  His performances were amongst the best in the team, week in week out, he competes consistently at a high level.”

Over the course of his career, Lackey has amassed 99 goals and 148 assists throughout his 329 games, and has won the title for most goals by a defenceman three times (2012/13, 2014/15 and 2015/16), was BUIHA tier one national champion in 2014/15 and WPIHL champion in 2015/16.  Lackey has also played in three playoff competitions, including the finals with the Devils in 2018/19.

Continuing to be modest, the quietly spoken Lackey goes on to say,

“I think I mentioned it last year, but I am not really a points guy.  At the end of the game, there are only two points that matter.  I’m just as happy standing in front of shots as putting the puck in the net.  One of my main skills is my versatility, other than taking Chico’s place, I played in every position last season.  One thing I think I can improve on though, is scoring, a few more goals may help the team, and we are all here to win.”

Murray’s confidence in the experienced player is evident though,

“Dan knows what it takes to play at this level.  I think for the team next season, we will still need Lackey to be versatile as we manage player availability and injuries, but I know regardless of what role Dan plays, he will perform to his best.”

Lackey will return to the Devils in shirt #9.  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 overjoyed to announce the re-signing of dedicated defenceman, and long-time captain, Alex Cole.

“I’m delighted to be able to welcome back our club captain for next season,” says Devils head coach, Alex Murray.  “Alex is a well-respected member of the team, who I lean on a lot for off ice duties, including fitness programmes and support for interactions with our fans.  Alex has been with me from the start, so he is one of my senior wing men within the organisation.”

Cole, as the longest serving Devil with 318 games, has contributed 20 goals and 128 assists in his eleven seasons at Solent, and has been with the team since before they became ENL 2 champions during the 2011/12 season.  When asked why he has returned to the Solent line up, Cole says,

“It’s the journey that brings me back, I remember only a few years ago, stepping up to the NIHL 1 and being smashed every game, we were lucky if we won four games in the season!  Now look at last season, no one’s playing for the money, they’re playing because we want to be there.  Competing for top spot last season against teams with huge wage bills, that’s what keeps me coming back.”

With 4 goals and 20 assists in the shortened 2019/20 season, Cole continues talking about the amazing season the Solent Devils had over the last year.

“Last season was great, we overcame so many hurdles.  The team had just about two lines at one stage and carried our unbeaten run for several games.  The aim at the start of the season was mid-table, if you look at the line-ups and structures in the league last season, I would have said that was a good point to aim for.  Quickly, we proved that it doesn’t always matter who’s on the ice, it’s who wants to be there and who can perform when it’s most vital.”

As captain of one of the smallest teams in the country, and with virtually no budget, Cole continues to talk about how rewarding it is, and how much the fans mean to both the team, and him personally.

“We’ve never been blessed with a big squad, but we always work with what we have.  I don’t like an easy path, I prefer to work for it as it seems much more rewarding, and I think the fans respect that.  We have a lot of support and get a good following to our away games, which definitely doesn’t go unnoticed.  Without the fans, we wouldn’t be here, they are as vital to the game as we are.  The supporters are fantastic, I personally have bonded with so many of them, their families and their kids.  It’s so great to see them after the games at the Sailmaker so we can get to know the fans and not just see them through the glass.”

It was Murray who made Cole captain, back at the start of the 2015/16 season, after pinning an “A” to his chest the year before.  This doesn’t seem to be anything that Murray has had any reason to question or raised any doubts in his mind, as he says,

“Alex is a leader for this club, simply because he is as committed and passionate about it as me.  You need your captain to be loyal and lead by example, Alex does both of these things, on and off the ice.”

“Every season I set myself goals, I work and train in the summer to adjust any areas or improve on weaker ones.  I was notoriously a stay at home defenceman, two years ago I went about trying to change that and to impact the team going forward, not just going back.  My target was to match last seasons points in a tougher and stronger league, and be more patient defensively in our end.”

In the season before last, Cole was the NIHL 2 leading defenceman for both assists and points – this in the season after Cole captained the team to a playoff championship,

“I’m sure I managed 33 points in 2018/19, so I was on target with 11 games left to get another 9 points last season, and I have become much more confident with play-making.  The importance of winning is key, my personal points of course contribute towards results, as do everyone else’s, so I am extremely happy with a point a game.”

These goals and targets, and the increase in confidence from Cole don’t go unnoticed by the ever-diligent Murray,

“Alex always likes to set himself targets and goals each season.  Off the ice, he is very humble and always wanting to improve.  I’ve been impressed with his offensive contributions recently, but more so how he has begun to be so effective in his decision making during the big games and in the big moments.  I was very pleased with Alex’s contribution last season, he often plays with our second forward unit, so contributing on the board has helped the team overall.”

As thoughts turn to the future, Cole goes on to say,

“Next season we have to push for the top spot, I know everyone else will be looking for that and I’m sure other clubs will be aware of that.  With that in mind, we have to remember that no clubs will be unprepared and we wont catch them snoozing, it will be a very tough grind but if we can pull it off then what a feeling that will be!  A personal goal of mine will be to be more clinical with shooting and have more confidence and patience in the offensive zone – I can’t wait to get started again.”

Murray concludes simply, and with confidence in his captain,

“Next season is a complete unknown, I know Alex will be ready regardless and I will be looking for him to start the new season just like he did the last, as we look to hit the ground running.”

Cole will return to the Devils in shirt #8.  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 re-signing of head coach and versatile player, Alex Murray.

“It is great to have Alex in charge again next season,” says Steve Ferguson, Devils general manager, “he is passionate about not only the game and the team, but about creating an exhilarating and memorable experience for the supporters, his clarity of vision makes it easy and enjoyable to be a part of the off-ice team.”

Murray returns for his eleventh season at Solent, where he has played 262 games, scored 131 goals and contributed with 287 assists,

“The Devils is my home, I have spent the majority of my life at this club, playing since the age of 3 and coaching since I was 13 years old.”

Since returning to the Devils in 2013, Murray has coached the Devils up the table through NIHL 1, battled for supremacy in NIHL 2, won a playoff championship and took the Devils back to the final the following year, and then saw them claim second in NIHL 1 at the end of last season.

“It’s a no brainer to continue the journey I am on,” Murray states, “I want to establish this club as one of the most efficient in the south of England.”

With the Devils being a small club with a budget limited by several factors such as the capacity at their home games, the Devils face many challenges, but Murray seems to relish the task in front of him,

“It’s a great challenge, one I enjoy thoroughly! What it does show is that you don’t need a big budget to be competitive at this level.  I am humbled to have a team of players who I call family, as well as a wonderful back room team and of course, our fans who make all of this a success!  I could not be as successful as I am today without the help of everyone.”

Solent Devils may be a small club, hampered by the capacity of the ice rink they play in, but their army of fans are dedicated to the Devils, many of whom travel to away games and have been known to outnumber their opponents fans in their own rinks.  Murray is always grateful for the support for the team, and the team of volunteers that help run the Devils home games,

“The fanbase has grown considerably over the past couple of years.  I feel the time we spend after games with the supporters is invaluable.  In turn, the support we get back is amazing.  The players really enjoy playing at home, it’s all down to the support we receive, in particular from our wonderful supporters club!”

While Murray prefers playing forward, last season due to injuries or player unavailability, the versatile and solid player skated many games in defence.  Ferguson simply comments,

“Alex is a master of reading the game dynamics, his influence on the ice ensures that players remain focused on the outcome of the game and not lost in the moment that can cost you a game.”

Murray contributed twelve goals and forty assists in the 2019/20 season – 31 games – while only sitting 24 penalty minutes, but when asked to reflect, modestly says

“It is difficult to judge your own performance, however, I am constantly asking for feedback from my coaching team and senior players.  Over the last few years, my dad would also provide feedback, which is one thing I am missing at present.  The transition back to defence has been a blessing in disguise, I can help control the game from the back, as well as see the game better, meaning my coaching is more effective.”

As thoughts turn towards the future, Ferguson says,

“I’m expecting Alex and the team to continue to demonstrate the determination and talent that silenced that silenced their many critics, next season is 2019/20 part 2 – unfinished business.”

“It’s a real shame last season was cut short,” says Murray, “I completely understand and agree with the reasons.  Last season was one of the best seasons I have been a part of, to go unbeaten at the start of the season for so long was amazing, as was competing with all the teams with budgets, I am very proud of what the team accomplished.”

There is still a lot of summer ahead of us though, and before thoughts of the new season and what is to come carry everyone away, Murray goes on to say

“The upcoming season is a complete unknown, so, for now, I will continue to recruit the strongest team as possible, assessing our position and goals closer to the time, when we know what the season and the other teams look like.”

Murray will return to the Devils in shirt #73.  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 signing of British forward, Steve Osman.

Osman transfers into the Devils from the Bracknell Hornets, where in the 21 games he has played in the 2019/20 season, he scored 18 goals and contributed with 25 assists.

“Ozzy is someone I have known for a very long time,” says Alex Murray, Devils head coach.  “We have often talked about him coming to Solent, but work and distance has always meant it never quite happened.  Steve is a proven goal scorer at this level, who will add depth to our forwards – in particular at centre – which we have been short on since I dropped back to defence.”

 

“I’m very excited to be signing for the Devils,” says Osman, “you have a great squad here, they are a great bunch of guys who battle hard every game and are reaping the benefits of all the hard work and dedication Alex and the boys put in.”

Osman started his senior hockey career at Swindon, with the Swindon Cougars and is a familiar name around the South leagues, he knows many of the Devils too, having played with Richard Facey, Kieran Annis and Alex Trendall during his time at Wightlink Raiders, so his familiarity with some of the players will be beneficial when joining Solent.

 “Ozzy will be expected to get up to speed with the Solent way pretty quickly, as we look to keep pace with the teams at the top of the league,” says Murray.  “We all know about Ozzy offensively, but I will also be looking for him to lead his line at both ends of the ice, he is also great on faceoffs, which will be another benefit.”

Over the course of his career, Osman has played for several teams, including the Bracknell Bees, Basingstoke Bison and Cardiff Devils. The 32 year old has played an astounding 385 games with 270 goals and 356 assists.

“I feel like I will bring some additional scoring to the team, and I am hoping to add to an already talented scoring group,”

Osman replied when asked what his aims are for the rest of the season.

“I will also help out by, hopefully, being a good two-way centre.”

Murray then goes on to say

“Ozzy gives us more options through the middle of the ice but can also play the wing.  Once he is settled into the team, I have some tough decisions to make in terms of line ups, that said it gives us better depth and will mean players will have to fight for their places on the roster.”

Osman’s career has seen him pick up several trophies and titles along the way – 2009/10 ENL 2 South champion and 2014/15 NIHL 2 South West champion plus 2014/15 NIHL 2 South playoff champions with Bristol Pitbulls.  During the 2015/16 season, Osman earned the most assists in NIHL South with 48.  In 2016/17 Osman won the NIHL South playoffs, with the Invicta Dynamos.

Despite the fact Osman is joining an established team quite a way into the season, he is very upbeat about it and seems to have no real worries about heading into the Solent organisation.

“I am really looking forward to playing in front of all the loud and supportive fans at Solent, and can’t wait to get on the ice very soon!”

Osman will be playing in shirt #83.  If you are interested in sponsoring any of the Devils this year, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com

Today, the Solent Devils are delighted to announce the return of British defender, Jamie Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick is not a stranger to the Solent fans, having played 246 games after coming up from the Solent youth programme.

In his years at Solent – every year since 2004 – Fitzpatrick has amassed 94 assists while contributing 31 goals of his own.  Fitzpatrick was also a member of the 2011/12 ENL 2 champions line up, was part of the squad who won the 2017/18 NIHL 2 playoffs, and helped the Devils get there again in 2018/19.

Speaking about the signing Alex Murray commented;

We are delighted to have Jamie back on a interim basis over the Christmas and new year period. Jamie is a solid Defenceman who knows what it takes to play for this club.

Fitzpatrick will be joining the team in shirt #15.  To discuss sponsorship opportunities, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com

Tonight, the Solent Devils are delighted to announce the return of British defenceman, Kieran Annis.

Annis has played 318 games in his senior career, mostly on the Isle of Wight, including winning the playoffs in 2014/15.  Annis moved to the Solent Devils for the 2017/18 season, where he played 27 games, helping the Devils win the playoffs in Bracknell, against Chelmsford Chieftains.

When asked why he has chosen now to return, Annis says

“I’ve been off the ice for 18 months and had really started missing the sport.  I’ve had to evaluate things, and my career – unfortunately – took a front seat.  However, while this is still the case, I am in a position now where I think I can commit to playing, so we will see how it goes.  Alex has been in touch last season, and this season, it was nice to know that I always had the opportunity to return to the Devils.”

“Kieran becoming available couldn’t have come at a better time for us,” says Devils head coach, Alex Murray.  “We are very short on players at the moment due to injuries, suspensions and personal reasons.  I reached out to Kieran and it appeared to be the right time for him to make his return.  Kieran is an experience player who can play both forward and defence, and fits into our team and our philosophy perfectly.”

Over his career, Annis has scored 47 goals and helped out with 81 assists, 3 of those goals and 12 assists during his season at Solent, but Annis hasn’t played hockey since the end of the 2017/18 season.

 “Kieran hasn’t skated in a while, that said, after three training sessions he is going to be chucked in at the deep end as we have a double header.  I am confident Kieran will perform well this first weekend.  After the upcoming weekend, Kieran will be competing for a top four spot, which will be healthy competition for our defensive core.”

“I’m not worried,” says Annis, “I am quite self-critical, and I’ve expressed my struggles of remembering how to skate after the time off.  I’ve been assured that’s not the case.  My main concern when playing has always been letting the boys down, so I will do what I can to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Like most hockey players, it only takes a few weeks on the ice to be back up to speed.” Murray states.  “Kieran has trained for almost a month now, so I feel he is ready to step in and make a contribution – ideally in a more comfortable scenario, but some people thrive when you throw them in the deep end!”

Annis then continues,

“Right now, I am here to provide cover for the injuries and suspensions the squad is unfortunately going through.  I am probably coming back a week or two earlier than I was anticipating, but I will be ready come the weekend.  In addition to that, hopefully I will be able to rub off some experience to the younger guys, there are some really good, young players in the team, and if they aren’t helping me I would like to be helping them where I can.”

Annis will be returning in shirt #13.  If you are interested in sponsoring the Devils, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com