The Solent Devils are delighted to showcase our Spring Cup jerseys in partnership with Dunamis Sport for the up and coming fixtures in March & April.
A unique edition of our game day jersey for this series with a special thankyou message across the shoulders acknowledging all keyworkers, without whose effort our lives would be more difficult.
For this series we are extremely grateful for the continued support of JRC, Wightlink and Planet Ice.
The Solent Devils are delighted to announce their inclusion in the upcoming return to play competition, as recently announced by the NIHL.
“After the most incredible twelve months, I am delighted that we will be able to get back on the ice in a competitive format, through the return to play programme,” states a jubilant Alex Murray. “While we know it has been difficult for everyone, the team has been working hard, both on and off the ice throughout the pandemic for the opportunity to return to play, which has now come.”
The competition the Devils will be competing in, will comprise of four other teams from NIHL South Division 1 and is due to commence the first weekend of March, in a round robin series. There will be many necessary precautions to ensure the safety of all players and staff, such as intensive testing, and the rinks being designated Covid-secure environments. While these games will be played behind closed doors, the Devils are currently reviewing options so the hockey starved Devils supporters – and fans for the travelling teams – can enjoy the return to play experience, as far as possible.
EIHA director Andrew Miller said,
“This represents the final part of this phase of our return to play plans for the NIHL and supports in the region of 390 athletes return to the ice this month. We continue to work with DCMS on returning more of our sport in the coming weeks as government restrictions allow. Our thanks for to all our clubs in the NIHL on working with us to make this possible and whilst this doesn’t include all teams, the joint working between all of our clubs has shown what is possible when we come together for the good of the sport.”
With the Solent Devils team having been announced over the summer of 2020 and training tentatively begun over winter, in hopefulness of getting back on the ice much sooner, the Solent Devils would like to express their gratitude to everyone, summed up buy Alex Murray,
“We would like to thank the EIHA, Planet Ice, our Supporters Club and our fans for all their support. We cannot wait to get back on the ice to represent our great club!”
For further details and announcements (including a few surprises), keep your eyes on the Solent Devils social media and website.
“I am really excited about coming to Solent, as I am a Portsmouth local so will be playing for my home club! I am also really looking forward to training with Chico, he is an amazingly talented netminder with lots of experience to pass on.”
“I’m really pleased Rory has joined the club,” says Devils head coach, Alex Murray, enthusiastically. “He is a great young goaltender with size and capability to really grow and develop to be a top player at this level.”
Last season, Martin-Edwards played 23 games across NIHL 1 and 2, posting a 4.39 GAA and an impressive 89.14 SV% – including 1 shut out.
“I have been playing ice hockey since I was 8 and have just finished under 18s at Bracknell,” Martin-Edwards says, “where I was also the NIHL 2 Wasps netminder, plus I also iced for both the Bees and the Hornets during last season.”
Murray, with some serious strength in his netminders and excited with this new development prospect finishes by saying
“Rory has experience of senior hockey at Bracknell, and it will be good for him to work with Chico and Duffy, pushing them both for a spot in the top two! Rory will share his time with the NIHL 2 team, so he will get as much ice time and experience as possible, helping to continue his development.”
Martin-Edwards joins the Devils in shirt #50. If you would like to sponsor a Devil, or find out about becoming a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.
“I am delighted to be able to bring Jack to Solent,” Solent Devils head coach, Alex Murray, said. “Jack is a young prospect who has shown his potential in Basingstoke, playing and putting up good numbers in senior hockey, while still a junior!”
“I’ve heard some great things about Solent the last couple of seasons,” says Peacock. “The club has become really professional, and I am very excited to become a part of the organisation for the next step forward in my career.”
After coming up through the youth teams in Basingstoke and Bracknell, Peacock spent the last two seasons with the senior Basingstoke Buffalo in NIHL2, where last year he played 17 games, scoring 8 goals and putting up 7 assists – this brings his senior career up to 39 games, with 13 goals and 13 assists.
Murray, always keen in developing youth players, helping them flourish in to confident and competent seniors says
“Jack will be playing on a two-way with the NIHL2 Devils, which will help with his development and also ice time. The more young prospects are on the ice, the more time they have to develop.”
“My aim for this season is to gain the experience I need to develop as a player,” says Peacock, showing his attitude and desire to grow as a player, “and to work on key attributes that will help me excel in my game.”
Murray finishes with
“I’ve seen Jack skate a few times already this summer, and I am excited by his size and skill set, which will be a good addition to our forward line up.”
Peacock will be joining the Devils in shirt #21. If you would like to sponsor a Devil, or find out about becoming a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.
Shier has spent four seasons with the Devils, since his transition from the Wightlink Raiders – not including the time Shier spent with the youth team during the 2016/17 season.
“I love the atmosphere in the rink, the boys and the fans,” says Shier. “Coming back for a fifth season with the Devils was a no-brainer for me, and I can’t wait to get started again.”
“Dan is an exciting young player, with lots of potential and bags of energy when on the ice,” Alex Murray, Solent Devils head coach says of the returning player. “He is a guy who looks after his teammates, and works hard every shift.”
Over the course of his senior career, Shier has played 102 games, picking up 11 goals and 21 assists – of these numbers, 80 games, 10 goals and 17 of his assists have been for the Solent Devils, as well has having been part of the playoff winning team at the end of the 2017/18 season. Looking back at last season, Murray comments,
“Dan is a consistent performer, who gives his all in every shift, he works hard in the corners and is a skilful player.”
During the course of last season, Shier scored 2 goals and assisted 5 more during the 22 games he played – this is in addition to the 28 games he played for the Devils team in NIHL league 2, where he contributed a further 4 goals and 6 assists.
“I was playing my best hockey towards the end of last season after having a slow start, so I want to get straight back into it from there,” says Shier. Looking ahead to the upcoming season, he continues with, “I know there’s going to be a lot more competition for places this year so I intend to work hard to earn my spot. I know I need to step up this season and take every opportunity I am given.”
Murray, pleased by the way the team is shaping up and the options he is presented with when the season eventually starts, says
“With Dan returning, our forward numbers are increasing – which is good for competition. I will be looking for Dan – and all our forwards – to be consistent and give their all with every given opportunity. I look forward to continuing to work with Dan for another season.”
Shier returns in shirt #12. If you would like to sponsor a Devil, or find out about becoming a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.
The British forward returns to the squad for his sixth consecutive season, since returning to England from a year in America with the Tampa Bay Juniors.
“The reasons I have remained at Solent are simple,” says Trendall, “they’re a very consistent and professionally structured team, and a great set of guys. The fan base is great too, which is a huge boost when we are on the ice.”
Solent Devils head coach, Alex Murray, who is the one who signed Trendall to the Devils back in 2015 says
“Trendall is a wonderful piece of the puzzle. Alex has speed and a skill set which is different to our other forwards, so provides us with good options up front.”
Last season, Trendall scored 16 goals and earned 16 assists in 26 games, bringing his Devils career to 151 games, with 56 goals and 57 assists. These stats make Trendall 11th for all time games and all-time goals for the Devils, and 14th for all time points.
“I don’t think I am ever really content with my performance,” Trendall says. “I am always looking to perform and being part of a well-structured team, I feel like I improve every year.”
Murray, who is proud of the whole Devils organisation for the way they promote development, is obviously pleased by Trendall’s approach.
“It’s great Alex is always striving to improve. Consistency will be key this season, but we are really excited at the prospect of seeing him perform at this level again!”
As well as his time with the Devils – where he was part of the playoff winning team from 2017-18, and his time in the US with Tampa Bay, Trendall has come from the youth programme and started his senior career on the Isle of Wight. Looking ahead to the new season, Trendall talks about his aims
“This season, we have got to make playoffs – that’s a given. As for personal, I feel I need to work on eliminating mistakes. It’s fine having games with big leads and racking up points, but mistakes against the big teams will cost you more than the stats sheet.”
Murray, echoing what he has said previously, agrees with Trendall by saying
“Consistency is the main thing we need this season, Trendall knows this, and knows what we are looking for. Being swift on attack and clinical in front of the goal, while being agile enough to get back to defend is what will help win us games this season, and Trendall provides us a great resource in these areas.”
Trendall will return to the Devils in shirt #10. If you would like to sponsor a Devil, or find out about becoming a team sponsor, contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.
