Warriors Player Coach David Longstaff has confirmed that Jamie Tinsley with captain Whitley for the 2015/16 NIHL North campaign. Jamie was appointed skipper prior to the 2014/15 term by former coach Simon Leach and the popular forward has retained his position for the coming year. It is understood that the clubs alternate captains will be named at a later date.
Warriors have also been able to add 2 blue liners to the roster as Joe Stamp and Stu Tomlinson have both linked up with Whitley. Both players expressed an interest in icing for Warriors over the summer months and following trials Coach Longstaff is delighted that the 2 d men have shown the necessary skill and know how to be part of Warriors squad for the coming campaign.
Joe is no stranger to Hillheads Ice Rink as he played his junior hockey at the rink before joining the armed forces. Joe has now moved back to the north east and is delighted to have earned his place on the Warriors roster. Warriors experienced forward DJ Good played with Joe in junior hockey and Warriors number 9 speaks highly of his new teammates defensive ability.
Joe shared his thoughts on linking up with Warriors.
“I played for the Warriors when I was 16 with DJ Good and ex Warrior Dale Howey. We played on the same England team together.
“I can’t remember exactly how but I ended up in the army and served 13 years and 10 months, 2 tours of Iraq and 3 tours of Afghanistan. I decided on leaving the army and was pushed by a few people to try out for the ‘Warriors’ and made the team. I’m personally chuffed to bits after being away from that level of competition for so long just to be a member of the team. I don’t like losing, so hopefully we will do well this season.”
Stu Tomlinson is a 25 year old defenceman who also played his junior hockey at Whitley turning out for the Tomahawks and Braves during his early years in the game. Tomlinson has not played competitive league hockey in recent years however he has still been playing at recreational level and he has shown himself to be a solid composed d man during the clubs pre season training.
Fans are reminded that Warriors pre season games start next weekend when the club take on the Kirkcaldy Kestrels away from home on the Saturday 22nd August (face off 6.30pm before a fixture at Hillheads the following day (Sunday 23rd August 7pm face off). Whitley will be without some senior players for these games however this will enable Coach Longstaff to blood some of the younger members of his roster who will no doubt be eager to prove their worth ahead of the clubs league campaign getting underway.