Whitley Warriors are delighted to announce that young forwards Harvey Starkie and Jayden White will make the move to senior hockey for the 2024-25 season.
Starkie, 18, and White, 17, have played for Whitley Bay most of their careers to date and both were part of the Under 18s leadership outfit last season with Jayden taking the Alternate Captain role while Harvey proudly wore the C on his shirt. Both players got a taste of senior hockey last season, icing once for Warriors on a road trip. Harvey will wear the #87 shirt for Warriors while Jayden will wear #92.
“I am really excited for the season to begin,” Jayden said. “Since joining Whitley Bay as a 9-year-old it’s been a dream to become a Warrior. Thank you to Tony for giving me the chance and I can’t wait to show what I can do.”
Harvey was equally enthusiastic. “I’m really looking forward to being part of the Warriors team. I feel very privileged after being part of the junior development since Under 10s. Excited for the future, I know I have to work hard to get ice time and I am ready for that.”
Head Coach Tony Hand was complimentary about both players. “I’ve seen Harvey and Jayden at training all season as part of our pathway initiative with the juniors and I have been impressed by both. I’ve spoken to them and they know what I expect and what the requirements are to make the line up, and it’s up to them to push hard to get more ice time by working hard at training every week and continue to develop.”
“The pathway from Whitley Juniors to Whitley Warriors continues to go from strength to strength,” said Gary Wood from Whitley Bay JIHC. “Warriors captain Shaun Kippin has been instrumental in working with us and Warriors management to identify and support juniors ready for their next step in ice hockey. Both players impressed when asked to train with the Warriors in their final junior year, and we look forward to seeing what they can do with more ice team this season.
“Harvey is an all-round player and highly respected captain – a highly valued team mate and started with the juniors in the Under 9s. Jayden also started his hockey journey with Whitley Juniors. He spent a few years at the Okanaga Hockey Academy, but returned to his roots at Hillheads.
“The coming Under 18s season sees a strong pool of young talent, many with national and international experience as juniors – grassroots talents showcasing hockey’s continued strength in the North East and the commitment of the junior pathway as a stepping stone to senior success.”
Welcome to Whitley Warriors, Harvey and Jayden!