DEVILS DEEPEN DEFENCE CORE

Tonight, the Solent Devils are pleased to confirm the return of fan favourite 21 year old British Defenceman Kristijonas Nekrosevicius 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.

Nekrosevicius’ 2023-24 season saw him spend time playing for both Solent Devils teams where he collected 12 points as a defenceman across a team high 41 games played. Kris was also apart of the Devils playoff run which saw them reach the finals for the second year in a row, with him playing in all 4 games for the team.

At the Solent Devils presentation evening 2023/24, Kris recieved the Shane Clacy Award.

Kris spoke on his return to Solent,

It feels great to return, I felt last season went well, I was given chances to step up and play big minutes within games.

Kris concluded by looking to next season,

I hope to improve further as a player and bring back some silverware.

Head Coach Alex Murray spoke on his latest retention,

I’m really pleased to have secured Kris for another season. His performances last year across both NIHL 1 and NIHL 2 teams were very impressive and he secured a regular spot in our senior line up down the stretch.

Speaking on how he thinks Kris will impact the line-up next season, Murray added,

His size and skill set offers a unique blend which is different to any player in our line up. Kris is constantly developing and I’m excited to see how he handles this seasons demands

Kristijonas Nekrosevicius will continue to wear #2 for the club for the 2024/25 season. His shirt will be owned and loaned by Rai Nekrose.

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

DEVILS RETAIN DUFFY

Today the Solent Devils have penned a deal to see experienced 36 year old goaltender Mark Duffy stay at Solent for the 2024-25 season.

Duffy will be returning to the club for his 5th straight season between the Devils’ pipes.

Mark Duffy was apart of the 2021 Solent Devils team who won the Spring Cup!

We asked Duffy how it felt to be back at Solent,

It feels great to be back! I’ve enjoyed everything about being part of this club and I’m so happy to be continuing. It’s a great club with a great view on where we’re going and a brilliant loyal and supportive fan base. Can’t wait to pull the jersey on again this season!

Mark spoke on how his 2023-24 season was interrupted with injury and work commitments,

Last season was a difficult one personally, an injury stopping me from being as available as I would have liked to be alongside a difficult and busy year at work. The real world calls sometimes and gets in the way of hockey, but that doesn’t change the desire to be playing and get out there to help the boys again this season.

Looking to September, Duffy had this to say,

It’s going to be a big change this year, with some new guys and a longer season coming but we’ve still got a great squad with exciting and experienced additions coming in. I’m looking forward to being part of a Solent team that keeps pushing and is right in the mix for silverware again this year!

Teammate and Head Coach Alex Murray had this to say regarding his latest retention,

It’s really good to bring back Duffy again for the up and coming season. Mark is an influential member of our team who makes positive impact on and off the ice.

Reflecting on last season, Murray added,

He will be the first to admit that last season wasn’t ideal and he will be working hard to get back to fitness and compete with both Aaron and Rory.

Duffy’s influence in our room is a crucial part of our success and culture and so I’m really happy he has agreed to return.

Mark Duffy will continue to wear #98 for the club.

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

HERE COMES HARCUP

As we look to the 2024-2025 season, the Solent Devils continue to add to their roster.
Today, the Solent Devils would like to welcome British forward Harry Harcup to the club!

The 24 year old brings experience to the Solent Devils forward core from the Bees IHC (Now known as Berkshire Bees) where he has spent the past 3 seasons.

Harcup has collected a range of high level hockey experience at a young age having played in the league for many years on teams such as, Bracknell Hornets, Slough Jets and Chelmsford Chieftains. Harry also wore the “A” for England U23 in 2021-22.

Last season saw Harcup split his time between NIHL National and NIHL 2 playing 40 games for the Bees IHC as well as making 4 playoff appearances for the team. His time playing in NIHL 2 saw him join the Basingstoke Buffalo for 8 games where he put up an outstanding 18 points! He also joined the team for their championship playoff run playing in all 4 games picking up 4 points,

Harcup had this to say about joining Solent,

Signing for Solent is a great feeling for me. It’s a team that I’ve always admired in the past. Playing against them many times and having battles, watching them play in playoff finals on many different occasions. It’s no secret this team competes for cups whether that be league or playoffs every year and I’m very excited to be a part of that.

When asked what made him decide on signing with the team, Harry had this to say

The key factor for me was looking at the team that Muzza was putting together and I know of most the boys and I’m confident this team will compete and want to win cups and that’s what I want.

Harcup concluded by discussing what his goals for the upcoming season involve,

I’d like to think the pace and intensity of my game whilst playing national league will serve me well. Winning the cup with Buffalo was good experience under my belt getting a lot of ice and having a bigger role on the team I think will help with the forthcoming season.

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

I’m delighted to have added Harry to our line up. Following a year between the Bee’s in National and a stint at the end of the season at the Buffalo, Harry was one of my top targets when I knew he was available.

Murray went on to discuss how he thinks Harcup will fit in with the team,

Having spoken to several former team mates of Harry, and with him directly on the phone, I knew right away that he would be a perfect fit for our team. His attitude and professionalism will suit our locker room and his work rate and goalscoring ability at this level will help our forward core.

Alex wrapped up by saying the following,

I’m really excited to see what Harry can achieve as a Devil and I’m confident he will be a fan favourite

Harry Harcup will wear #17 for the Solent Devils, this number was formerly worn by Liam Coleman.

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

Connor Continues with the Devils!

The Solent Devils continue to take steps to build their squad for the upcoming 2024-25 season by re-signing depth scorer Connor Hutchison!

The 24 year old will be joining the team for his 4th straight season with the club off the back of a 2nd place finish with the team at the Playoff Finals.

Hutchison’s 2023-24 saw him play 28 games and collect 7 points with him also appearing in all 4 playoff games for the team.

Speaking on his return to Solent, Connor said the following,

It feels good to be returning to Solent, it’s a place I call home and I’m excited to be going into another year with the team and some new faces.

When asked why he chose to return to the Devils, Hutchison told us,

My reasons for returning is because I love playing hockey down in Solent, there’s nowhere else I’d rather be, the past 2 years have been close but hopefully this year we can bring home the silverware!

Connor concluded by discussing what he plans to bring to the team in the upcoming season,

Going into my 5th season at the club I feel like I’m more of a senior player and hopefully can help the young guys and keep doing what I’m doing.

Head Coach Alex Murray spoke about Connor’s return by saying,

I’m really pleased with the re-signing of Hutchy who has developed into an important member of our core.

Having a team first guy who developed and adapted his role last year, shows the kind of person he is.

Reflecting on the past season, Murray added,

I was really impressed with how Connor played down the stretch last year in particular at the playoff final weekend and I will be looking for him to build on that for this coming season.

Connor Hutchison will continue to wear #6 for the club and his jersey will be owned and loaned by SKIM FRESH PLASTERING LTD 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

LOCAL SHOT STOPPER RE-SIGNS FOR SOLENT

After a great performance and victory for the British Royal Navy Ice Hockey team, today’s mid-week signing is Portsmouth born netminder Rory Martin-Edwards!

The 22 year old will be joining the senior team for his 4th consecutive year this season with the signing of a two-way contract meaning he is able to continue to play for both NIHL 1 and NIHL 2 Devils teams.

Rory’s regular season with the Solent Junior Devils saw him play 15 games where he had a save percentage of .915 and a goals against average of 4.19. His time playing for the Solent Devils saw him play 5 games where he had a save percentage of .920 and a goals against average of 1.90.

When asked about returning to the team, Martin-Edwards said,

I am grateful for the opportunity to return for another year and feel excited about the upcoming challenges and opportunities. Solent Devils is a great club to play for with a brilliant dedicated fan base that always brings a big atmosphere to a small venue! I’m really looking forward to getting started again in September.

Reflecting on last season, Rory said the following,

There is a unique pressure for a goalie to perform well and I will be building on all my game experience from the previous seasons, not only as a Solent Div 1 and Div 2 player, but also now playing ice hockey with the Royal Navy.

Regarding his plans for next season, he added,

To continue with my high level of fitness, play as much hockey as possible, and obviously stop as many pucks as I can!

Head Coach Alex Murray spoke on his latest signing,

I’m really pleased to be able to bring back Rory, who continues to develop into a really top goaltender.

Rory is a goalie who has really invested into the Solent way and is ready for more opportunity this year.

Looking to next season, Murray added,

He was a big part of the success in our second team last season and when coming in at NIHL 1 he did not disappoint.

Fresh of the back of a successful weekend with the Navy I’m really intrigued to see what next season brings for Rory as he looks now to start make himself a more consistent piece in our line up.

Rory Martin-Edwards will continue to wear #50 for the club.

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

CLOUTMAN COMMITS TO SOLENT

Tonight, the Solent Devils are pleased to confirm the return of 22 year old British Defenceman Harry Cloutman 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.

Cloutman’s 2023-24 season saw him spend time playing for both Solent Devils teams where he collected 33 points across 38 games played.

Harry had this to say regarding his return to Gosport,

It feels good to be back, I can’t wait to get back with the team. I’m excited to get back out there in front of the fans at the thunderdome!

At the Solent Devils presentation evening, Harry Cloutman recieved the Coaches’ player award. When asked about what this means to him, he said:

It feels pretty good getting the award, myself and Alex have done a lot of work over the last few years and I feel like I have applied myself in a role assisting Alex with coaching at all levels. I am definitely honored to receive this award.

Speaking on his plans for the upcoming season Harry said,

⁠For me this year coming, I want to build on my performance from last season. Overall my goal for the year is to help get back to those top spots battling with every team week in week out.

Head Coach Alex Murray said the following about Cloutmans return,

I’m really pleased to announce the return of Harry. Clouts was an integral part of our squad last year and was the deserved recipient of the coaches player of the year award.
His commitment and dedication as well as his support off the ice has helped improve our player pathway and was the key reason the NIHL 2 had their most successful season in their history.

He continued on to discuss Harry’s expected impact on the roster next season,

On the ice last season, Harry took on more responsibility and was an influential member of our second powerplay unit as part of our defensive core. I know Harry has been working hard this summer to get to the next level.

Harry Cloutman will continue to wear #18 for both clubs for the 2024-25 season.
His jersey will be owned and loaned by Morgan’s Barbers.

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