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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.

Fan favourite returns to Solent Devils

Today, the Solent Devils are pleased to announce the return of Alex Trendall to the line up.

The forward last year put in 26 performances for the Devils with 10 goals – one of which during the play off finals – and 12 assists.

Trendall’s career now totals 153 games with 29 goals and 25 assists.

When talking about why he re-signed for the Devils again this season, Trendall simply says

“Solent is a home team for me, the whole set up and atmosphere is like a family.”

Head coach, Alex Murray reinforces this;

“Alex has been with the organisation for several years now and it is always a preference of mine to bring back guys who are already aware of the set up and what I expect.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Trendall says

“I think we have a really good chance this year, Alex has made some really good signings over the summer and the team he is putting together is shaping up to be truly competitive.  The team, with the effort the guys put in during practice and games should see us do very well.”

Murray, who is constantly looking at his players and adjusting what they do and where they play to try any get peak performance from them talks about Trendall’s performance last year,

“Alex made great strides last season, physically on the ice but also off the ice.  We switched him back to the right-wing mid-season, which seemed to work wonders for Alex’s performance and point production.”

“My goals for the upcoming season,” says Trendall,

“is to help the Devils finish in at least the top three if we don’t win the league and to defend our title as play-off champions, retaining the cup we fought so hard to win at the end of last season.”

When discussing what position he will take within the team this season and his pairing with Mark Pitts last year, Murray says

“I haven’t completed my roster yet, so I cannot confirm who will play with whom, however, Alex is a player who offers us offensive options, in particular with his speed and puck control.  The good thing about Alex is, he is comfortable on both wings and can play several roles within the squad.”

As for the upcoming season, the excitable Trendall says

“I’m really looking forward to getting back out on the ice with the lads, and hearing the crowd cheer us on.”

Trendall will be returning to the Devils in shirt #10.  If you would be interested in sponsoring any of the Devils, or becoming a team sponsor, please contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.

Youth player, Sam Compton joins Devils

The Solent Devils are today pleased to announce that another player, Sam Compton, is moving to the Solent Devils.

Compton is obviously aware of the options open to him as he develops his career in senior hockey, but it appears he has been impressed by the Devils,

“What convinced me to join the Solent Devils,” Compton says, “was the strong organisation of the club and the motivation of the team.”

Devils head coach, Alex Murray, has obviously known of the young player for some time though.

“Sam is a player who I’ve been aware of for a few seasons now, having played with his uncle, Nick, on the Island.  I’ve been keeping tabs on his progress at Basingstoke.  He is a skilled defenceman who reads the game well.  He has a good shot, and plays big for someone quite small.”

The Devils, while promoting themselves as a development club, will be hoping to be in contention for silverware again at the end of the season,

Murray, talking about where to slot in this new recruit will also be looking to ensure the Devils aren’t left vulnerable.

“Sam understands that is joining an already strong defensive core, he will have to work hard to earn a place but having spoken to him throughout the summer he is determined to earn a regular spot with the team and command a top six spot.”

“My personal goals for the upcoming season, are just to help the team out as much as I can, wherever I can.  I think I am hard working, and have a determined will, which, I am hoping will help me in my goals of proving to be a valuable player for the Devils.”

“Sam has already played with the Buffalo,” says Murray, “so will be used to senior hockey.  It will be interesting to see how he does in our environment, as we will hopefully be in the hunt for the league title and so there comes a different pressure, not just the pressure of making the jump to senior hockey.  That said, having seen Sam skate this summer, I have every confidence he will achieve great things, and hopefully in a year or two I can progress him in to NIHL 1.”

Last season, with Buffalo, Compton picked up a goal and 8 assists in his 18 games, and 39 penalty minutes.

Compton has played in some high pressure situations too though, having been in the U19 England team, when they played Scotland in the junior finals last season.

“Playing in the England versus Scotland match was great experience, and I have found that the added pressure helps me to perform better.  I am hoping that my experience in these situations sees me go on to help the Solent Devils win another trophy!”

Compton will be joining the Devils in shirt #21 and is sponsored by Airlynx Express.  If you would be interested in sponsoring any of the Devils, or becoming a team sponsor, please contact devilssupporters@outlook.com.

Long time defenceman, Jamie Fitzpatrick returns to Devils

The Solent Devils are delighted to announce the re-signing of long time Devils defender, Jamie Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick has played 235 games as a Devil – his whole senior career – making him second in all time appearance, only beaten by Devils captain, Alex Cole.  This huge stretch with the Devils has seen Fitzpatrick lift the championship trophy twice, in addition to the play-off trophy last season.

Last season Fitzpatrick played 17 games, scoring once and providing three assists.  This takes his total to 26 goals and 90 assists, making him the Devils highest scoring defenceman with 116 points.

“Jamie is someone I have grown up with,” said Devils head coach, Alex Murray, “we’ve played together since juniors, he is a Devil through and through and to be a one club man for so long is a testament to his commitment to our club.  Jamie understands me and the team well, and is a team first guy on the ice.  He is quiet around the changing room but plays with his heart on his sleeve and will do anything to help the team achieve its goals.”

Talking to Fitzpatrick, he makes it clear why he has returned to the Devils,

“Coming back to play for the Devils is always an easy decision, especially with the atmosphere during the game from the crowd and the desire and passion to win from the lads on the ice.  There are no individuals in the team, every player that steps onto the ice plays for the team and each other, which makes it a successful and great team to play for.”

Being a defender with the impressive attacking stats – not to mention his long range shot – Fitzpatrick talks about the difficulties he had pushing forward in the 17/18 season.

“Not being able to train last season made it difficult for me, especially with my attacking decisions, making the correct pass or play in the offensive zone wasn’t my strongest attribute.  Working back in Gosport, I am looking forward to actually being able to attend training and step up my offensive game.”

Murray, however, seems to have no complaints over Fitzpatrick’s performance.

“I am looking for more of the same from Jamie, he is a solid defenceman who can hit, shoot and skate hard.  We have a strong defensive core and I will be looking to Jamie to continue to impress and keep our goals against down.  Jamie is a defenceman first, and while he can play on the wing if required, he will continue to patrol the blue line for us again this year.”

Fitzpatrick had a work commitment for the play-off final, so was missing from the game where the Devils lifted the cup, however, he was there for the semi-final the day before, and he mentions this while talking about his excitement coming in to the new season.

“It was great to be on the ice for the semi final and help the team get the win and into the final.  I was disappointed that I had to leave and head back to Plymouth for work.  We only just missed out on winning the league, and then to win against some of the top teams in the league to get to the play off final and win was a massive achievement.  I am looking forward to actually getting onto the ice for training to improve my game, but mots of all challenging and being in that top spot at the end of the season.”

Fitzpatrick will be returning in jersey #15 sponsored by Gordon Pooley in memoriam.  If you would be interested in sponsoring any of the Devils, or becoming a team sponsor, please contact devilssupporters@outlook.com