Whitley Warriors are delighted to announce that goaltender Josh Crane will once again take his place between the pipes this coming season.
After playing for Solihull Barons in the Under 16s league between 2009 and 2013, Crane switched to Coventry Blaze’s junior setup, dividing his ice time between the Under 16s and Under 18s teams and primarily icing for the latter in the following two seasons to register a save percentage of 91.5% in 17 league games in their 2015-16 campaign.
Crane then made his senior debut for NIHL 2’s Coventry Blaze in their 2016-17 season as well as making 18 appearances in the Under 20s league during which he recorded his best save percentage to date with 94.1%. In 2017, the netminder stepped up to NIHL 1 to gain experience with Milton Keynes Thunder whilst also featuring on 8 occasions for Coventry in NIHL 2, icing in the Under 20s league and being available to play for EIHL sides Milton Keynes Lightning and Edinburgh Capitals.
Whilst a return to Coventry followed, Crane iced in NIHL North 1 for Nottingham Lions, playing 14 league games and recording a save percentage of 85.9% before making the move north to Whitley Bay. He has since been a solid presence in the Warriors goal.
“I’m really looking forward to another season in Whitley,” Josh said, “I came up to Newcastle three years ago expecting to stay a year or two but I’ve loved every minute of playing in front of these fans and with the lads. We have the best fans in the league and from my experience it’s so much better having them on your side. I will try to put that same passion on the ice every week.”
“Josh came in later last season but was always working hard in training,” Head Coach Tony Hand told us. “I was impressed with him at the end of the season and I’m looking forward to seeing him back fighting for the starting position.”
Welcome back Josh!