Solent Devils are delighted to announce that James Hounsome has signed for the 2019/20 season.

Hounsome joined the Devils halfway through last year, from Milton Keynes Lightning.

When discussing Hounsome’s return, Devils head coach, Alex Murray said

“I’ve known James since he was in our junior system, I’m sure he would agree this is his hockey home.  Settling in wasn’t a big challenge for James, he has come back to skate at Solent over the summer in the last few years, so already knows a lot of the other players.”

“It’s a family environment in the locker room,” said Hounsome when asked what kept him with the Devils, “the big brother effect of the older players towards the younger guys and the way we, as a team, have great chemistry, it makes it easier to play with anybody in any line, at any time.”

At twenty, Hounsome isn’t what you would typically call an older player, but he has the calm, assured demeanour of one, which, coupled with his experience makes him a valued asset to the team.

“James is a confident guy and he brings a lot of energy to our room,” says Murray.  “Although he is young, he is always talking to the junior players, which is great.”

Hounsome played seventeen games last season, earning 17 points – 8 goals and 9 assists – while spending just 8 minutes in the penalty box.

“I was very happy with my performance last year,” Hounsome reflected.  “Stepping in to a new team, half way through the year, playing almost 18 less games and still finishing top ten in points was something I was very happy with, and being able to help the team make the playoffs was great.”

Murray comments on Hounsome’s late entry to the Devils season,

“James came in during a difficult period in his career, he was recovering from two separate injuries and had fallen out of love with hockey.  My first priority was to get him back fit and enjoying his hockey again.  Thanks to the wonderful off ice team we have at Solent, he soon recovered from his injuries and was producing on the ice, scoring crucial goals along the way.”

As they start to look ahead to the new season, coach and player alike are looking to how Hounsome can continue to help the Devils.

“Consistency is key, last year I went five games without a goal, but still had eight assists,” said Hounsome, “I feel if I had scored in some of those other games, I could have made more of an impact.”

“This is a big season ahead for James, he has everything you need to be an excellent hockey player, size, speed, strength and an unbelievable shot.  The step up in leagues will be a good test for James, as he will be relied upon more this season – I will expect a bigger points return that last season, this is not unrealistic as I know the potential James has!”

Musing over the league restructure, Hounsome seems unfazed by the Devils playing in NIHL 1.

“I think we can’t sell ourselves short because a number has changed on the league name.  It’s not like we are stepping into a shark tank with this new league, we have to prove our worth by beating some of those teams that are moving up with us.  I think how we do depends on how confident we are individually, we have to believe we are the best to achieve what we want this season.”

Hounsome will be returning in shirt #14 next season.  If you are interested in sponsoring a Devils shirt, or becoming a club sponsor, please contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.

Alex Murray continues into new era with Devils

Today, the Solent Devils are delighted to announce the return of Alex Murray to the team.

Murray, who returned to the Devils in 2013, now heads in to his tenth season with the club and after the improvements made to the team in NIHL 1, Murray saw them to greatness in NIHL 2 following the league restructure in 2017, and now, heading in to the once more restructured league, Murray will be at the helm as head coach, as the Devils return to NIHL 1.

“I’m delighted to return as head coach of the Solent Devils, for what will be my seventh season in charge of the team,” said Murray. “The club is part of my DNA, growing up playing for this wonderful club, it’s been an objective of mine to change the club’s vision, ethos, professionalism and its reputation around the hockey community.  It has taken blood, sweat and tears, but I am really looking to continue to make improvements next season.”

Devils manager, Steve Ferguson said

“It is great to see Alex returning for next season, it’s good to work with him as he knows what it takes to bring out the best in the players and the staff, so the game experience for the supporters is second to none.”

Looking back over the last few years – especially their time in NIHL 2 – is somewhat bittersweet for Murray, the consummate perfectionist is happy with what the club has achieved, especially the growth the Devils have achieved, but there are always minor points where Murray feels he should have done better.

“The last few years have been wonderful for the club,” Murray begins, “the results on the ice have been phenomenal, which has allowed me and others to grow the club off the ice.  I’ve often looked back in frustration, to miss out on a league by one point one season and a head to head result another, as well as our narrow playoff loss last month!  However, if I look back overall, we have become a stable club with a solid fan base, we have developed players who have now moved to NIHL or national league, and we have a club to be proud of.”

Murray earned 87 points in the regular season (30G + 57A), and 2 goals and a further 3 assists during the playoffs, making him the second highest points producer in the team in the last year.

“My personal performance isn’t something I focus on too much, unless of course it’s having a negative impact on results,” said Murray.  “I look more closely at how I’m impacting the important games, and how well I’m doing with my plus/minus and special teams, all of which, upon reflection could have been better.  I set myself and my players, tough but realistic objectives every season, and as a result I feel maybe I could have done slightly better when the team really needed it.”

Looking forward to next year, where the league restructure will put a new national league in place, the Solent Devils will return to NIHL 1 where they will play against experienced NIHL 1 teams such as Milton Keynes Thunder and Invicta Dynamos, plus Oxford City Stars and Chelmsford Chieftains are among the group reforming this league.

“The league structure change next season is overdue,” said Ferguson, “given the obvious divide between the top seven teams and the lower seven.  With the Solent Devils returning to NIHL 1, then not only are there more games but the games will be close and tough, teams will be going for the win in regulation time, so fitness is going to be key to a successful season.”

“Next season is going to be tough, we will very likely be the only pay to play team in the league, with all of the other teams able to financially support players,” said Murray,

“it makes us handicapped before a puck is dropped.  That said, we are a determined, spirited bunch and I have players that play for the logo on the front of a jersey rather than the back, that team first attitude will win us games and that’s all I can ask of my team.  Previous to our time in NIHL 2, we were making big inroads in the NIHL 1 and beating teams regularly, and I will look for the same again this year!  We are in an awkward position because there are clubs who will stay in NIHL 2 who are financially more secure and can support players more than us, however our performance, results and ability even as a pay to play club often misleads people into thinking we operate on a budget.  Realistically, we want to challenge ourselves and test ourselves against the teams in NIHL 1, and I for one am excited to get back to where we left of two seasons ago.”

Murray will be returning in shirt #73 next season.  If you are interested in sponsoring a Devils shirt, or becoming a club sponsor, please contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.

Tonight, the Solent Devils are delighted to announce that FOUR Solent Junior Devils have been signed on a two way deal with the club.

Harry Cloutman, Tom Bazell, Kieran Tavener and Jamie Southwell will join current Solent Juniors Elliot Lewis and Callum Farrell. Several of them have been invited to line-up for this weekend’s game against the Lee Valley Lions.

Head coach Alex Murray has spoken of the importance of this partnership;

“As a club we have gradually been growing closer to the junior club during my time as Head Coach, I believe now that the junior club is in a very strong position, and with Richard at the helm, I believe things will only get better.

Part of the link we have with the juniors is to provide the opportunity for young players to experience what it’s like playing senior hockey.

For several years due to the level we played at, it meant the gap was just too wide for the junior players to cross over to.

Now with the current league structure and the rapid development of the under 18s, I’m delighted that we are able to provide an opportunity for these young players to see what senior hockey is all about.”

Solent Junior Devils Head Coach Richard Facey added;

“As a junior club we are so pleased for and proud of these players. They have demonstrated that they deserve this opportunity with their attitudes and efforts this season and for the past few years.

This opportunity has been aided by the senior development sessions which the junior club has just started for the more senior players. It has given these players exposure for our coaches to look at them in a different environment and has given them an opportunity to experience the change in tempo to prepare.

As a junior club we are very proud of these players and know that they are the start of a trend that we hope to continue.”

The Solent Devils face off against the Lee Valley Lions at 5pm on Saturday 13th October, with doors opening at 4:15.

 

Veteran forward returns to Devils

The Solent Devils are very pleased to announce that Drew Campbell is coming out of retirement and will be putting a Devils jersey back on.  Campbell is returning on a temporary basis, to help the Devils due to injuries within the squad.

Campbell holds Devils records for all time points and all time goals, and is behind only Alex Murray in all time assists, as well as being in the league championship squad back in 2012 and the play off winning team from last season – a season where Campbell managed 30 goals and 36 assists in his 29 games.

“The team are carrying some injuries at the moment,”

says Devils head coach, Alex Murray,

“some players are still recovering from injuries picked up in the summer, and others following the game against Invicta.  As a result, I felt it vital to bring in some extra depth to ensure we give ourselves the best opportunity at winning every game we play.  Missing out on the league by one point taught me not to take any game for granted, and I’m delighted after speaking briefly with Drew he was happy to return on a short term basis to help the team through our current situation.”

Campbell, when asked what brought him back from retirement says

“I’m back to help the team, even if it is on a temporary basis I would always be here to help the Devils.  Muzza called me and explained the situation, asking if I could come back for at least a while, and even though it might kill me I agreed!”

“I’m really looking forward to being back with the guys,” continues Campbell, “I will be here to help them in whatever way I can, and I look forward to seeing where the season takes us.  The Devils are amazing, they really are a great bunch of guys, and you really miss that when you’re not in the changing room.”

Murray goes on to lay down his expectations for the aging striker,

“Drew understands he will be expected to pick up where he left off last season.  We have games coming thick and fast in October and as a result I will need Drew to hit the ground running.”

Campbell will be returning in shirt #23, to sponsor any of the Devils please contact devilssupporters@outlook.com

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Young striker flies to Devils

The Solent Devils are today pleased to announce the signing of forward, Callum Farrell. Farrell joins the Devils after his first year at senior level at the Slough Jets, where he played 17 games and netting one goal. Over his junior career, Farrell played 43 games amassing 32 goals and 32 assists.

“I feel that the team have a lot of experience and knowledge that I can utilise to strengthen my game.”

Said Farrell about his move to the Devils.

Solent Devils head coach, Alex Murray, was impressed when Farrell joined the team over the summer

“Callum came to us in the summer and showed an interest in becoming a part of the Devils, his energy and effort during the summer try outs were exceptional, and I was impressed with how he tested himself against the top end Devils in battle drills and scrimmage. It’s that kind of mindset which is what we look for when recruiting, as the fearless attitude is a tough trait to own.”

Murray continues, going on to talk about Farrell’s playing style and ability,

“Callum brings energy and a willingness to learn, he has no fear and works his socks off in front of goal to create scoring chances. He can be physical for someone so small, and during his junior career he has found the net consistently.”

Farrell says his main goal is

“To strengthen the team, and to support them in equalling or improving their successful performance from previous years. Being part of such a strong team will spur me on to delivery my best performances, game after game – after all, I strive on pressure.”

“Callum joins the team on a two way with our under 18s team after signing from Slough,” says Murray, “I feel the two way with our junior system is important to ensure players like Callum still get the ice time they need to develop. I expect Callum to be ready for any opportunity that comes his way, and that he grabs it with both hands.”

Farrell is excited to be joining play off champions, Devils, and says

“I’m looking forward to lifting the trophy at the end of the season with this awesome team!”

Farrell will be joining the Devils in shirt #63. If you would be interested in sponsoring any of the Devils, or becoming a team sponsor, please contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.

Shier sails back to Devils

The Solent Devils are delighted to announce the return of Dan Shier.

Shier made 29 appearances for the Devils last season, scoring 2 goals and earning 10 assists.  The young player brings his total career games to 49 with 3 goals and 12 assists.

“I’m really please to be back,” says Shier, “it was great to be part of a play off winning squad and to be just a point away from league champions as well. I think we showed our quality in depth last season, and I think we can do the same this year.”

Alex Murray, Devils head coach is happy to have Shier back.

“Dan is a great young player,” says Murray, “with lots of potential.  Last season he earned the right to play for the Devils due to his hard work – and his performances with the U18s the previous year.  Dan is a likeable character and brings good energy to our team.”

Murray looks back on the performances last season,

“Dan took a little while to find his feet, learn the systems and get up to speed with men’s hockey.  Once he settled into the team he never let me down, standing up for his team mates as well, which is a unique trait!”

Looking to build on his performance from last year, Shier says

“I’ll certainly be pushing myself even harder to take myself to the next level, and I am thrilled that I’m getting the chance to further my hockey career with the Devils.”

Murray continues talking about Shier’s performances and is also looking to the new season.

“Dan needs to kick on from last season and push for a top nine position.  He has bags of potential, and now he needs to implement that from practise to games to cement a spot hire up the order.  I am confident that will happen, and that’s why I’m delighted Dan can continue his development with the Devils!”

Shier is excited to be heading in to the 2018/19 season, simply saying

“I’m looking forward to being back with the guys and getting the season going!”

Shier will be returning to the Devils in shirt #12.  If you would be interested in sponsoring any of the Devils, or becoming a team sponsor, please contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.