Whitley Warriors will play a challenge series with Edinburgh Capitals, the Scottish side returning to hockey after a four year hiatus.
Edinburgh Capitals were an Elite League team until 2018 when they lost the ice time contract at Murrayfield Ice Arena to newly-reborn Murrayfield Racers. After a change of management at the rink earlier this year, Capitals were reinstated at Murrayfield and will play in the Scottish National League.
One player from the current Warriors roster who will be excited to return is defenceman Rihards Grigors. Latvian-born Grigors first made his name in British Hockey when he signed with the Capitals back in 2016-17, spending two seasons in Edinburgh as a Caps player.
The Warriors are no strangers to Murrayfield Ice Arena and have faced many battles against Edinburgh based clubs there over the years. The Caps and the Warriors have only ever faced each other twice before, back in the 1999-00 season. Both games were in the Benson & Hedges Cup Group stages.
Warriors Head Coach David Longstaff is delighted to have the opportunity to face the Capitals this coming season. Capitals Head Coach Steven Lynch faced Longstaff many times over his playing career and now he looks to go to battle from behind the bench. “We look forward to these challenge games for a number of reasons. They give us a chance to assess our team against a quality NIHL opponent and where we may potentially need to improve. It also gives us an opportunity to fly the flag for the SNL league and help raise its perception south of the border. Should we compete and challenge Whitley, it may give other Scottish clubs food for thought about cross border competition down the line which can only benefit and raise the standard of hockey in Scotland in the long run. It has always been my ambition to attempt this, previously through junior hockey and now through seniors. And the game on the 15th of October is a great way for the Capitals to mark their return to their home at Murrayfield which in turn will hopefully encourage all Edinburgh hockey fans to come along to what will be a great, emotional night.”
The first leg is scheduled for Saturday 15th October at Murrayfield Ice Arena, 6.30pm face off, with the second leg at Hillheads on Sunday 13th November.