Whitley Warriors are delighted to announce that club captain Dean Holland will return for 2022-23.
33-year-old forward Holland will lace up his skates for the Warriors for the eighth consecutive season and brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously played at both EPL and Elite League level.
Holland first embarked on his ice hockey career at Sunderland before progressing quickly to divide his ice time between Newcastle Vipers’ EIHL, ENL and Under 19s sides in 2006 which was followed by a call-up to Team GB’s Under 20s outfit at the World Junior Championships in his 2007-08 campaign. Remaining with the Vipers until the team’s demise in 2011, Holland continued to ice in the Elite League and the EPL for Dundee Stars and Telford Tigers respectively. A return to Hillheads in his 2011-12 season saw Holland record 24 goals and 16 assists in 22 league games but a move to Guildford Flames drew the forward back to the EPL for a further two seasons where he was crowned EPL champion in both league and cup competitions.
Showing his commitment to the Warriors in recent seasons, Holland was awarded the captaincy after fulfilling the role of alternate captain on his return to the club in 2014. Since then, the forward has accumulated 89 goals and 133 assists in NIHL 1 North, leading his side to league title success in their 2019-20 campaign and steering them to the Play Off Final last season.
Welcome back, Dean!