Solent Junior, Elliot Lewis joins Devils

The Solent Devils are delighted to announce that Elliot Lewis is joining the senior men’s team at Gosport, and becoming a Solent Devil in the upcoming 2018/19 season.

Lewis, despite being 16, has played 38 games with the U18 team, earning 16 goals and 13 assists.

“I signed with the Devils, because I felt that it was a brilliant opportunity for me to develop as an ice hockey player, and gain experience under a well respected coaching staff – and players – in the Devils set up,” said Lewis.  “I really feel that I will thrive off these players and coaches, due to their level of knowledge within the sport and I really hope I can mature as a player in the surroundings of the club.  When the opportunity came my way, I wouldn’t turn it down – it was a no brainer!”

Devils head coach, Alex Murray seems pleased with the young signing,

“Elliot approached me earlier in the summer and has been skating with the team for a couple of months.  I’ve been really impressed with Elliot’s skill set for someone so young, he reads the game well and works hard.  He was a former Gosport junior and so it’s nice he has returned home to continue his development.”

Talking about what he will bring to the team, Lewis highlights his dedication and commitment,

“My overall goal this year is to bring hard work, determination and overall a positive contribution to the team.  This is my first year as a senior ice hockey player, and at the age of 16, so, therefore as a younger player I want to bring power, speed, and use all my energy.  I’ve got to make sure that I am working my hardest every game for the team, in whatever situation that may be.”

Looking towards Lewis’s development, he already has praise for his new team mates

“Already, I have received a tremendous amount of support, help and guidance from players and coaches in training, which I have already taken on board and feel a better player for it.  Being a young player, it’s a great place for me to be, as I want to learn and develop as a player.  Being within this team, I am constantly going to be picking up and learning new aspects of the game that I wouldn’t have necessarily seen at junior level.  For me to be here, I see it, in a way, as a free hockey school, where I can pose as many questions that I may have to players and coaches in order for me to become a better and more mature player, which is my overall goal for this year.”

Murray, looking to assist in the development of Lewis says

“Elliot will share his time between the Devils and U18s to ensure he is on the ice as much as possible, so he can continue to develop, he will prioritise the Devils when we have games, but the opportunity to play a lead role with the U18s will develop a different side to his game.”

Moving up to the senior environment must be an experience that is filled with emotions, but Lewis is excited for the chance to prove himself and relishes the challenge it will bring

“One thing I am looking forward to, is the fact I am going to be skating and playing on a rink, week after week, where I started playing at the age of 9.  Another thing I am excited for, is to be playing for a team I used to cheer for as a younger child, which is quite surreal in itself, I never imagined playing for the Devils as a child, but now it is a reality and I am very grateful for the chance.”

“Elliot knows he has to work hard to earn a regular spot,” says Murray, “he is keen to learn and is very determined.  I hope when given the opportunity to get some ice time he grabs it with both hands.”

Elliott will wear the #19 jersey and is sponsored by The County Groom Room, if you’re interested in sponsoring a players shirt please contact us at devilssupporters@outlook.com

Matt Colclough backs Devils

The Solent Devils are today pleased to announce that Matt Colclough has signed with them for the 2018/19 season.

Colclough will register with the club but at the moment will only train, unless there was a unique circumstance in which the Devils require Colclough on a game day.

Talking about his role with the Devils, Colclough says

“I still love the game and enjoy being on the ice.  Other commitments have taken priority, but having the chance to support the Devils – who are close to home – is perfect for me.  Also, I will get to skate regularly with some guys that I grew up playing with, which will be nice.”

Devils head coach, Alex Murray voices his pleasure at having Colclough aboard,

“I’m delighted Matty has joined the Solent Devils organisation for the 2018/19 season.  Matt is someone who I have played with for the majority of my hockey career, and we are good friends away from hockey.”

When asked about the role Murray has for Colclough, Murray says

“I always like to train with three goalies, it keeps the intensity high and allows goalies a chance to reflect on drills and then implement their reflection into the next drill.  When we spoke in the summer, Matty mentioned he was not returning to Streatham, I offered him the opportunity to support us in training and I am delighted he has accepted.  His experience and knowledge of the game will not only help raise the standards of our own goalies, but also help our players.”

“The Solent Devils have always been a hard working organisation, which I respect,”

says Colclough.

“I can see that people are doing their best to make it the best it can be, and I am happy to be a part of that.”

Colclough will mainly be at training with the Devils, but is determined to make his mark with the team,

“I always practice hard and come to the rink with the right attitude.  That is what is needed to make practices enjoyable and the rink a fun place to be, hopefully I can add to what the club already has.”

Colclough is currently without a sponsor and is seeking player sponsorship. If you would be interested in sponsoring any of the Devils, or becoming a team sponsor, please contact devilssupporters@outlook.com

Solent Devils bring back Wild for new season

The Solent Devils are today delighted to announce that Mason Wild will be returning to the team for the 2018/19 season.

Last year, Wild played 24 games as a Devil, earning 3 goals and 11 assists.  Over his time in Gosport, the defenceman has put in 126 games, with 17 goals and 35 assists.

Talking about returning to Gosport, Wild said

“I’m really looking forward to it, the Devils are a great group of guys, and seeing as it is pretty much the same team I am excited about my fourth season with them.”

The Devils announced a short time ago, that Wild was leaving the team for a NIHL 1 club (Streatham),

“The reason I moved originally, was because travelling was getting too much from London, but, now that I am moving back to the south coast things are a lot easier, I am very happy to be going back to my original club.”

This news was obviously very welcome to head coach, Alex Murray,

“I’m delighted Mason is able to return to the club, he is a high quality player at this level and will improve our defensive core!”

“Naturally, I was disappointed to lose Mason this summer, but he had some genuine reasons,”

Murray continues,

“travelling from Streatham to Solent twice a week was a costly venture, also the chance to play NIHL 1 is something I would never stand in the way of.  However, once Mason confirmed he was relocated back down south, we spoke on the phone and it was a no brainer for either partner.”

Now, looking ahead to next season, Murray lays down his expectations

“I expect Mason to pick up where he left, he is a leader on and off the ice, not so much vocally, but in his professionalism, hard work and dedication to the team.  Mason will be alternate captain with Mark Pitts this year.”

Wild too, is looking ahead

“As a team, we managed to win the play-offs, but just missed out on the league title, the goal would be to win both this season.  Individually, I want to start putting up more points, especially in the bigger games.  The top half of the league is always competitive, however, I feel like with the team we have, we can achieve the same – if not more – this season.”

Wild will be returning in shirt number 41, and is currently looking for a shirt sponsor. If you would be interested in sponsoring any of the Devils shirts, or becoming a team sponsor, please contact devilssupporters@outlook.com

Rhys McCormick returns to Devils

The Solent Devils are pleased to announce the return of Rhys McCormick.

This season, we are delighted to announce McCormick will be sharing his time between Solent and Basingstoke as he secures a two way deal with Ashley Tait’s Bison.

Last season, McCormick played 27 games for the Devils, picking up 5 goals and 6 assists.  McCormick, has come up through the Junior system in Gosport, with 93 games, 25 goals and 38 assists.

“Rhys has great potential,”

says Devils head coach, Alex Murray,

“he was a Gosport junior so I have always had a great connection with him, we get on really well and he is someone who I would like to help develop into league one in the very near future.  He has a great shot and skates well, which are key attributes to get to the next level.”

McCormick says he didn’t hesitate in returning to the Gosport,

“Coming back to the Devils for me, was an easy decision after the successful season we had, winning the play offs and narrowly missing the league title by one point.  It was a huge achievement for us as an organisation.  The professionalism of this team is second to none, which, as a player wanting to take their career further I feel you need that level of professionalism.  I committed to the Devils at the start of the summer, but had a fantastic opportunity to take a two-way with the Bison, Alex [Murray] was very supportive in my decision to take it, which means a lot to me.”

Looking to the year ahead and what McCormick will bring to the team, he says

“I definitely expect a lot more out of myself this season, last season was a great learning curve for me, trying to soak up as much experience and advice from some of the core players in the team to enhance my development.”

Development is something Murray continues talking about

“Rhys understands that for him to be effective at senior level, he has to become more confident in his ability and the application of his skill set during games.  It’s easy to train well, but to implement that into a game environment when points or titles are on the line is no easy feat, and so we will look to work on that together this year.”

“I think I will bring a hard working attitude to the team,”

McCormick says,

“I’ve always liked to be a hard working player.  I personally bring a lot of speed with my skating ability, quick hands and my ability to shoot in my stride, also, being able to shoot the puck quickly if pursued.  I think that is something offensively I can bring to the team.  Ideally, I see myself as a two way player, but that’s something I still need to work on to piece everything together, along with the physical side of the game.”

These thoughts are clearly echoed by Murray,

“Rhys is progressing very well, considering he started the game as a teenager he is very committed and passionate about the sport and this will help with his development.  We look at all aspects of training, from physical to mental and to ensure he is ready for the challenge ahead.”

McCormick continues looking ahead

“This season, I feel will be slightly more challenging for us, with no disrespect to the teams in the league last season.  The other teams have improved their line-ups over the summer, and we have lost some key guys.  That doesn’t stop us from wanting to be – and having the ability to be – champions again.  Every team is going to want to beat the champions, that is in any sport, but as a team we have to take each game at a time, and stick to the systems Alex will put in place for us, by doing that I certainly feel we can carry on our success from last season.”

McCormick will be returning in shirt 29, and is currently looking for a shirt sponsor. If you would be interested in sponsoring any of the Devils shirts, or becoming a team sponsor, please contact devilssupporters@outlook.com

Perella returns to ice hockey and the Solent Devils

The Solent Devils are delighted to announce that after leaving the Solent Devils in 2012 and a three year break, Calumn Perella-Fox will be returning to ice hockey and re-joining the Solent Devils.

Perella-Fox’s career with the Devils spanned 25 games, where he scored four goals and earned four assists. Perella-Fox also played in the junior programme in Gosport, 78 games with 41 goals and 41 assists.

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

“It’s the love of the sport, I have missed ice hockey ever since I stopped playing, and I played most of my hockey at Gosport. I always wanted to return to Gosport, and I know a lot of the guys there, and I know they are a good bunch.”

“Calumn is a player I coached as a junior at Gosport,”

says Devils head coach, Alex Murray,

“I have continued to watch him develop at inline hockey, playing in national and European championships. Once I realised we would be short on defence this season, it was a no brainer to ask Calumn to join the Devils.”

A three year break in ice hockey, is quite a period of time and the gap is obviously something Perella-Fox is thinking about,

“My goal is to build my confidence as a player, and get back playing at a competitive level of ice hockey. I know the Devils already have a strong defence, I hope I can add to that.”

Murray, however, is confident that Perella-Fox will fit into the line up well,

“Calumn is a team first guy who will fit into our ethos with ease! He is a good puck carrier who reads the game well, he can help us on special teams with his calmness and energy.”

“I’m looking for Calumn to hit the ground running,”

continues Murray,

“he will be expected to play a vital role in our defensive unit and he will need to settle back into ice hockey quickly.”

Despite any nerves he may be feeling, Perella-Fox is excited to be coming back to hockey

“I’m looking forward to getting back on the ice and playing with a great bunch of guys, I’m also looking forward to the atmosphere on game days.”

Perella-Fox will be playing in shirt number 44, and is currently looking for a shirt sponsor. If you would be interested in sponsoring any of the Devils shirts, or becoming a team sponsor, please contact devilssupporters@outlook.com