SOLENT LOCK IN TAYLOR BETWEEN THE PIPES

Today the Solent Devils continue preperations for the start of the 2024-2025 season by securing the resigning of last seasons starting netminder Aaron Taylor.

After a successful return to ice in the regular season and a dominant playoff performance, Taylor proved to be a reliable puckstopper for the team.

Aaron’s regular season consisted of 23 games played where he put up a 13-6-1 record with a impressive .910 save percentage and a goals against average of 3.32. In the playoffs, Taylor’s numbers lead the way with 4 games played, 3-1-0 record with a .929 save percentage and a goals against average of 3.00.

When asked how he felt about his return, Taylor stated,

I’m really excited to see what we can achieve, I feel our league position can and will be improved on this year.

When asked to reflect on last season, Taylor replied,

There were highs and lows throughout the campaign, however I believe we beat everyone at least once, which highlights the talent we have within the squad.

Taylor had this to say regarding the highlights of last season,

There were a few I believe the first week of January was a good one and personally gave me the belief to kick on, I think my save percentage from that moment on until the end of the season was between the 92-94% mark, finding consistency to my game was important.

When asked what his goals are for next season, Aaron said the following,

To win some silverware with the club and enjoy it – You never know when time will be called on your playing days.

Speaking on his latest acquisition, Head Coach Alex Murray said,

I’m delighted to have been able to secure Aaron for a second consecutive season. When we talked last summer it was a case of coming in and doing the job required in the absence of Chico. I think he has done that a so much more! His performance throughout the season have stolen us games and kept up competitive, none other more than the Playoff semi final against Streatham.

Therefore I am really pleased he has decided to stay another year as we look to build off last season.

Taylor will return and continuing to wear the #92 jersey for the club.

Solent Devils are looking for Own and Loan Sponsors for the up coming season as well as Team Sponsors. If you are interested in being involved and supporting the team then please get in touch now by emailing Kerry on devilssupporters@outlook.com

SOLENT RETAIN SUTTON

The Solent Devils have successfully retained the service of Basingstoke born forward Ryan Sutton ahead of the 2024-2025 season.

Ryan Sutton returns to the Solent Devils for the third consecutive season after he joined the team mid way into the 2023-23 season.

Sutton’s regular season consisted of 26 games played where he put up 11 goals and 11 assists for a combined total of 22 points. In the playoffs Ryan picked up 2 assists across the 3 games he played.

Sutton has this to say about his return,

I’m really excited to return to Solent this season, can’t wait for it to be September already to get going again.

When asked what convinced him to return to Solent, Ryan said the following,

The group we have in Solent is great from the boys to the off ice staff and of course the fans! I’ve been made to feel welcome ever since joining the Devils, when thinking about my future this all played a part in my decision and deciding to return to the Devils.

Sutton had this to say regarding last season and his goals for the upcoming season,

I feel I had an okay year last season with a strong start and not so good end but I feel that I still have a lot more to offer to the team moving forwards.

My personal goal for next season is to add some consistency to my game to bring my best every night,

To look to bring home some silverware is always top of my list and hopefully we can build from last year and push on to do that this year!

Speaking on Suttons return, Head Coach Alex Murray stated,

I’m really pleased to be able to bring back Sutts for his third season with the club. Sutts has added some much needed offensive power to our line up as well as being physically strong off the puck.

Ryan has a great chance to kick on from his performances last season and I’m expecting a big year from him!

Sutton will be wearing the #61 jersey for the club.

Solent Devils are looking for Own and Loan Sponsors for the up coming season as well as Team Sponsors. If you are interested in being involved and supporting the team then please get in touch now by emailing Kerry on devilssupporters@outlook.com

#togetherstronger

Today, Tuesday 5th 2024, the EIHA have shared the information regarding tickets to this years Playoff Semi finals and Finals for the NIHL South Division 1 & 2.

This news is relevant to both Solent Devils (NIHL 1 South) and Solent Junior Devils (NIHL 2 South).

Please be aware if you intend on booking tickets, that there is no guarantee that either team qualify and therefore will play in these playoff games.

The EIH statement follows:

PLAYOFF FINALS TICKETS ARE NOW AVAILABLE

England Ice Hockey and the NIHL Management group are pleased to finally announce the sale of tickets for this season’s Northern and Southern Playoff Finals events at Ice Sheffield and Alexandra Palace.

We would like to thank fans for their continued patience in waiting for the release of these tickets.

Each of these events will run as follows:

Weekend tickets cost:

Adult: £55.00
Concession: £40.00
Under 16s: £30.00

This offers entry to all of the games at each venue for the whole weekend.  You can purchase your tickets by following the link below:

The Great Southern Playoff Finals weekend at Alexandra Palace:-

https://www.alexandrapalace.com/whats-on/nihl-playoffs-2024-weekend-tickets/

EIH will not be refunding tickets.

There are no allocated seating plans for the Southern Playoff Finals weekend.

We hope to see as many fans as possible to make both weekends a feast of the best of NIHL hockey!

End of statement.

We would like to reiterate that there is no guarantee that either team qualify and therefore will play in these playoff games.

If you would like more information regarding the Playoff weekend, including the date and location, please visit the link bellow:

https://www.solentdevils.co.uk/2024/02/10/nihl-south-division-1-2-playoff-information-announcement/?fbclid=IwAR2MvwvNoJ8aAXPnZI3clrNftlvT9GBSM7ofCdJDJXAaSr0K3US0ap_oZiw

WEEKEND TEAM NEWS

Ahead of tonights match up against the Invicta Dynamos, the Solent Devils have made some additional roster changes.

Players returning to the line up

Solent Devils Forward #5 Mark Pitts will be returning to the line up tonight. Pitts was previously out of the line up following a lower body injury.

Solent Devils Forward #22 Charlie Wedge will be returning to the line up tonight. Wedge was previously out of the line up following a lower body injury.

Players not returning to the line up

Solent Devils Captain and Defenceman #8 Alex Cole will not be icing tonight due to an upper body injury. Cole is expected to miss 2 – 4 weeks

Solent Devils Forward #17 Liam Coleman is out day-to-day with a lower body injury.

Solent Devils Forward #47 Oscar Evans will not be icing tonight due to a reaccuring lower body injury. Evans is now expected to miss the remainder of the 2023/2024 season.

Solent Devils Forward #77 Luke Forsyth will not be icing tonight due to a upper body injury. Forsyth is expected to miss 2 – 4 weeks.

Solent Devils Forward #96 Cain Russell will not be icing tonight due to a upper body injury. Russell is out of the line up indefinitely with this injury.

Tonight

The Solent Devils are at home and face off against the Invicta Dynamos tonight at 5.00pm (Saturday 17th February) with tickets still available at https://iceaccount.co.uk/solent-devils/event-tickets/?event_id=7195&stage=1

We hope to see you there, bring the noise!

Today, Saturday 10th Febuary 2024, the EIHA have shared the information regarding this years Playoff Semi finals and Finals for the NIHL South Divison 1 & 2.

This news is relevant to both Solent Devils (NIHL 1 South) and Solent Junior Devils (NIHL 2 South).

The EIH statement follows:

England Ice Hockey, The NIHL Management Group and the NIHL Division 1&2 Owners are pleased to announce the locations of the NIHL Division 1 & 2 Playoff weekends.

This season we are planning to hold the Playoff Finals weekend in 2 amazing locations. We are going to combine the 2 leagues in each of the regions into one big playoff weekend. What this means is that the fans of NIHL Divisions 1 & 2 will play there respective playoff semi finals and final in the same venue. The weekend will take place on the 6th and 7th April 2024

In the North we will be playing the Playoff Finals at Ice Sheffield and in the South we are going to be using Alexandra Palace.

The format of the weekend will be as follows:-

Saturday:-
Game 1 – NIHL Division 2 – Semi Final 1
Game 2 – NIHL Division 1 – Semi Final 1
Game 3 – NIHL Division 2 – Semi Final 2
Game 4 – NIHL Division 1 – Semi Final 2

Sunday:-
Game 5 – NIHL Division 2 – Grand Final
Game 6 – NIHL Division 1 – Grand Final

This means supporters will get to see 6 games of hockey for one great price.

League General Manager Haydn Hunter says

“We are looking forward to getting best of the best in each region. Into one venue, for two big celebrations of Hockey.”

Game timings and Ticket prices for these upcoming games will be released in due course.

Alexandra Place may feel familiar to Solent Devils fans as it is the location which is the home of the Haringey Huskies, a team the Solent Devils played in the Spring Cup series in 2021 and a team the Solent Junior Devils play in their regular season.
The venue is an iconic Victorian era building with unique architecture, dating back over 150 years making it one of the oldest locations housing an ice rink in the country.

To qualify to compete in these games, the Solent Devils must defeat the team they are drawn against in an upcoming 2 game series played over a weekend. These game’s times and locations are TBC due to the match-up relying on the NIHL South Divison 1 standings at the end of the regular season.

For future information and updates regarding the Solent Devils partisipation in these upcoming games, please follow our social media pages.