Solent Devils reveal Home and Season opener alongside brand new Theme Nights!

Ahead of the upcoming fixtures announcement, the Solent Devils have revealed special dates heading into the new 2024/25 season.

The Solent Devils are pleased to reveal that their first game of the 2024/25 season will take place at home in early September.

the Solent Devils Home and Season opener will take place on Saturday 7th September 2024 where they will take on the Milton Keynes Thunder at Planet Ice Gosport!

#73 Alex Murray had this to say regarding the seasons start,

I’m really excited to get the season underway and I’m looking toward to welcoming Milton Keynes for our season opener on Saturday 7th September.

With the new teams in the league our schedule is packed and every month we are jammed packed with important fixtures which I’m sure will please our supporters and fan base.

We are working hard behind the scenes to provide information about tickets and will hopefully be announcing this soon.

More information regarding the Solent Devils Home Opener including ticket prices will be revealed closer to the date above. Please pay attention to our social media pages for updates.

Solent Devils introduce brand new Theme Nights for the 2024/25 season!

The Solent Devils are introducing new Themed Nights into their calendar for the 2024/25 season!

These themed nights will allow fans to come together and celebrate special events throughout the year with the team on the ice suiting special jerseys.

The Solent Devils players will be seen wearing one-off special jerseys through the duration of warm-ups and all 3 periods of the game. These jerseys will then be auctioned off to the highest bidding fan after the game. These jersey designs will only be available for these nights only so fans and jersey collectors, to get your hands on them, start saving now!

Halloween Themed Night

The first of the Solent Devils Themed Nights will take place later this year on Saturday 26th October with the Devils Halloween Themed Night. For this game, the Devils will be facing the Swindon Wildcats 2 at Planet Ice Gosport wearing their one-off Halloween themed jerseys.

Christmas Themed Night

The Solent Devils will be celebrating the festive season with their final Themed Nights of the 2024/25 season which sees them wear brand new festive themed one-off jerseys. This night will take place towards the end of the year on Saturday 14th December where the Devils will be taking on the Streatham Redhawks at Planet Ice Gosport.

Murray also commented on the introduction of the new themed nights,

Lastly, I am looking forward to our new themed nights where we will be playing in one-off jerseys in partnership with Dunamis to provide our fan base with something special. We hope you are able to join us on our themed nights and can be in with a chance to bid for one of these unique jerseys!

More information including ticket prices and the reveals of these brand new jersey designs will be announced at a later date across our social media pages.

The 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

Coach Jock Behind The Bench for 2024/25

With the Solent Devils 2024/25 fixtures being revealed soon, the Devils continue to sign contracts to form their squad for the upcoming season.

Today, the Solent Devils are pleased to announce the return of Bench Coach Jock Hutchison!

Jock returns to help the teams new younger core with his many years of diverse coaching experience.

Hutchison will returning for his 4th season on the bench for the Devils and over the past 4 years has become a key part of the Devils gameday systems. Jock will not only be reuniting with many familiar faces from seasons prior but will also be reunited with Tom Banner and Travis Penny whom he coached in 2014/15 as Under 16s for the Basingstoke Bison U16 team.

Jock’s time at Solent has seen great success with the team finishing 2nd place in the league standings twice and with the team reaching the Playoff Finals for 2 of those seasons in addition.

Jock had this to say about returning to Solent,

It’s an absolute pleasure to be asked to return as bench coach for a 4th season with the Solent Devils. I’m really looking forward to the 24/25 season.

We asked Hutchison, after several years, how it felt to lead the team from the bench,

I have the perfect working partnership with Alex on the bench.
Bench management is key throughout a game from having players ready, keeping players heads up when we’re having a difficult game, passing on key play information Alex may need after a shift or at the end of a period.

Jock had this to say regarding his upcoming squad,

I believe there is exciting times ahead for the Devils with some key players moving on and new players coming in. Alex and myself will continue to develop the Devils philosophy of a team that is stronger together. Demonstrating this is club with strong values. A family.

Lastly, when asked how he plans to help the new players settle in, Jock said,

I have been involved in hockey for 18 years and through this time I have been fortunate to work with some of the new players arriving at the club such as Travis Penny and Tom Banner. It’s a great changing room and all the new players will feel at home very soon.

Head Coach Alex Murray had this to say regarding the return of his coaching tandem,

I’m really pleased to have Jock back behind the bench. Jock is an essential part of my coaching team and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the game and also the Devils philosophy.

Murray continued to reflect on his and Jocks coaching relationship,

I feel our relationship has flourished over the past 4 years and we are really able to informed discussions about the opposition and our own team.

Alex concluded by stating the impact Jock will have on the team for the upcoming season,

With Jock leading our bench I am able to focus on my own game and leave the organisation to him. With lots of new players this season, I’ll be looking to Jock to help bed these players into our systems and ideals.

The 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 Devils League Cup Group Revealed!

Following the success of the meeting on Saturday 13th July at Planet Ice Milton Keynes, The Solent Devils can confirm some information regarding their cup groupings ahead of the 2024/25 season.

The Solent Devils will fall into NIHL 1 South Division League Cup Group A, this means that we will be competing against the following teams through 2024 to play in the Cup Semi Finals in order to play the winner of the Group B Semi Finals for the League Cup in 2025.

League Cup Group A

• Streatham Redhawks
• Solent Devils
• Invicta Dynamos
• Milton Keynes Thunder
• Cardiff Fire

As stated before the winner of the Group A Semi Finals will take on the winner of Group B Semi Finals for the League Cup, Group B consists of the following teams,

League Cup Group B

• Chelmsford Chieftains
• Slough Jets
• Romford Buccaneers
• Oxford City Stars
• Swindon Wildcats 2

Please note that the League Cup is a separate trophy to the one awarded to the team with the highest points total at the end of the season, as well as the trophy awarded to the team for winning the Playoff Finals.

Cup games will work as they did in the year prior with the points from games labelled as Cup games counting towards the overall League table as well as a separate Cup table.

Cup games will be announced at a later date.

Key Dates

Other information revealed at the meeting included key dates surrounding Cup Finals and Playoffs.

The Solent Devils can announce that the League Cup Semi Finals will take place across Saturday 18th January and Sunday 19th January 2025 with the Cup Final taking place across Saturday 22nd February and Sunday 23rd February 2025.

England Ice Hockey also announced the NIHL 1 South Division Playoffs will take place across the following dates,

Playoff Quarter Finals across Saturday 29th March and Sunday 30th March 2025

Playoff Semi Finals across Saturday 5th April and Sunday 6th April 2025

Playoff Finals across Saturday 12th April and Sunday 13th April 2025

This new playoff format sees teams play each other twice in the Playoff Semi Finals playing both home and away fixtures at either clubs rink with goals being aggregated across both games similar to the previous Quarter Final structure. This new format also maintains the single Playoff Final game structure with the winner of the one game after 60 minutes is the winner of the Playoff Division (In our case NIHL 1 South Division). The Final Playoff Sunday will now see a new game in which the South and North Division Playoff champions will play each other to be awarded the Playoff Division winner which symbolises the best team in the entire division across North and South. This format is similar to that seen in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Information regarding Playoff Finals location and prices will be revealed closer to the dates above.

Please keep a close eye on Solent Devils social media pages over the remainder of this week to see more information regarding next season.

LLEWELLYN LINES UP FOR THE DEVILS

The Solent Devils continue to take steps to build their squad for the upcoming 2024-25 season by re-signing British Defenceman Joe Llewellyn!

Llewellyn brings back his size and diverse experience to the Devils defence core.

The 22 year old will be joining the team for his 2nd season with the club off the back of a successful season with 2nd place finish with the team at the Playoff Finals.

Llewellyn’s 2023-24 saw him play 25 games and collect 3 points as a defencemen with him also appearing in all 4 playoff games for the team.

Llewellyn had this to say regarding his return to Solent,

Returning to Solent feels incredible. The support from the fans, the camaraderie with the team, and the energy around the club is unmatched. I’m thrilled to be back and ready to give my all for the team.

There were several factors that influenced my decision to return to Solent, but mainly I believe we have something special here and I want to be a part of it.

Joe concluded by stating his goals for next season,

My goal for the next season is to help the team achieve success and bring home some well earned silverware.

Head Coach Alex Murray had this to say regarding his latest re-signing,

I’m happy to have been able to re-sign Joe for next season after a positive start to his Devils career last season.

Murray continued on to discuss what Llewellyn brings to the Devils line-up,

Joe is a big unit who plays a strong solid defensive game, can hit like a truck and is not afraid to stand up for his team mates. He also has some good puck handling ability that saw him get time up the line up and with the power play last year.

Looking to next season, Murray concluded by saying the following,

After speaking to Joe this Summer, he knows what it will take to keep developing and make a lasting impact on our line up and he is eager to start the year. Im looking forward to seeing how Joe performs now he has a year under his belt.

Joe Llewellyn will continue to wear the #82 Jersey for the club for the 2024-25 season.

The 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

PANTER PICKS SOLENT

Today, Sunday 7th July, the Solent Devils are pleased to confirm the re-signing of 18 year old British Forward Riley Panter for the 2024-25 season.

The former Solent Junior Devil will continue to be on a two-way contract allowing him to spend time playing for the Devils in NIHL 1 and NIHL 2.

Panter’s 2023-24 season saw him spend time playing for both Solent Devils teams where he collected a total of 13 points as a forward across 19 games played. His time with the NIHL 1 team last season also saw him collect his first NIHL 1 point assisting on a goal. Riley also appeared in Solent Junior Devils’ 2023/24 playoff roster.

Panter, who will be entering his 4th season on a two-way deal had this to say regarding his return,

Returning back with the Solent Devils for another season feels amazing due to the fact the team is full of talented players that will help me along the way and my game.

Riley went on to discuss his goals for the upcoming season,

My goals for the season personally, are to be more confident with my game play and learn more from my mistakes.

Panter concluded by stating what he plans to bring to the Solent Devils line-up in September,

I feel like I can bring my young energy into the team and show levels of my skill to the team.

Head Coach Alex Murray had this to say about his latest retention,

I’m pleased to have retained Riley for the upcoming season. He is an exciting prospect with an incredible shot which we are hoping to nurture into a goalscorer at this level.

Riley knows what it takes to be successful at this level and I’m looking forward to supporting him achieve his goals.

Murray wrapped up by looking to Panters opportunity for the upcoming season,

He will remain on a two way to give him the opportunity to develop and when ready I know he’ll take his opportunity with both hands.

Riley Panter will continue to wear the #16 jersey for the club for the 2024/25 season.

The 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

WILD LACES FOR SOLENT

Following announcements introducing new faces and retaining young prospects, the Solent Devils move forward announcing the return of someone familiar in British Defenceman Mason Wild!

The 34 year old will be returning to Solent for his decadal season with the team marking 10 consecutive seasons with the club.

Last season saw Mason not only contribute offensively with puck movement and even a handful of goals, but also saw him shut down defensively collecting the Best Defenceman Award at the 2023/24 Solent Devils presentation evening.

Wild had this to say about returning to Solent,

It feels fantastic to be back in Solent! There’s something about playing here that just feels like coming home. The fans, the atmosphere – it’s all unbeatable. I’m really excited to get back on the ice and give it my all!

Speaking on recieving the Best Defenceman Award, Mason added,

Winning Defenseman of the Year was a huge honour. It’s a reflection of not just my efforts but also the incredible support from my teammates and coaches. It definitely motivates me to keep improving and contributing to the team’s success.

Wild concluded by looking to the upcoming season and the younger locker room,

With a lot of new faces in the team, I’ll be focusing on being a mentor and a steady presence both on and off the ice. I remember what it was like to be a rookie, so I’ll do my best to help them adjust, learn, and feel comfortable so we can bring out the best in each other.

Head Coach Alex Murray had this to say regarding Mason’s return,

I’m really pleased to have Mason return for next season.
He is a really important member of our team and deserved winner of our Best Defenceman Award last season.

Murray added by discussing Mason’s role for the upcoming season,

His ability to play with any D partner against the other teams top lines means I’m able to utilise Mason in all situations.

I’m really looking forward to Mason helping our younger players settle in as well.

Mason Wild will continue to wear #41 for the Solent Devils in the 2024/25 season.

The 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