Martin Crammond, Josh Maddock and David Longstaff. Photo by Ice Hockey Media - Colin Lawson
Whitley Warriors are delighted to announce that Dean Holland, Martin Crammond, Craig Johnson and Jordan Barnes will all be part of the clubs roster next season. Warriors player/coach David Longstaff has secured the services of the quartet who all impressed as part of the Hillheads set up last season.
Young blue liner Craig Johnson stood out at times last season with his quality and tenacity out on the ice, also his willingness to operate in any role that the team needed made the teenager a valuable player to have in the Warriors squad.
Dean Holland, Martin Crammond and Jordan Barnes have all played the majority of their careers as forwards however all 3 players operated back on d at times last season showing just how versatile they all can be when Warriors coaching staff need to utilise the flexibility of their roster.
Long serving Warrior Dean Holland shared his thoughts on being part of the Warriors set up for the upcoming 2016/17 season and also on his own fitness situation.
“I’m very pleased to be icing for Warriors again next season, we came close to capturing honours last year and a lot was achieved by the whole squad. I’m once again looking forward to working with Lobby and seeing what we can achieve. As far as targets go team goals/targets are always my priority as personal goals are always achieved when team goals are met.
“I’m slowly getting better after undergoing the surgery that I should have really had last season but I put it off so I would be able to play for the 15/16 campaign.”
Dean went onto speak about how he thinks Craig Johnson will progress next season and also the other NIHL North team he thinks will be a top side in the coming season.
“I think Craig Johnson will be huge this year for Warriors and it’s great news he’s signed back for the club. He’s a great lad in the dressing room and all the older players respect him. He gives everything he has every time he’s out on the ice.
“I think Solihull could be the team to beat next season. They have a number of quality players and also some real snipers in their line up. Josh Bruce, Joe Henry and Thomas Soar have all scored goals wherever they have played. Games against them this coming season are bound to be exciting.
“I’m looking forward to seeing all the Warriors supporters come out in force at Hillheads once we get back into action. Our supporters are the best in the league for me.”
Jordan Barnes and Martin Crammond also shared their feelings on being part of the Whitley set up once again.
JB “I’m really looking forward to next season and hopefully I can put some more points on the board this time round. I’m also looking to play my normal hard hitting game and facing the likes of Blackburn, Deeside and of course our local rivals Billingham. If any of the sides we come up against play physically and are looking to drop the gloves I’m not going to shy away from that aspect of the game.”
MC “I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead this upcoming season. I know there’s been a lot of movement at some of the other sides in our division so it’ll be interesting to see what sort of sides they have this time round. I’m wanting to make a better start to the season than I did last year and hopefully progress from last year with regards to points to help the team out and progress as a team on the whole. It was great to get into the play offs last year and hopefully we will do the same this year but just with a different outcome at finals weekend. Last year certainly gave us the confidence that we can challenge for the top spot in the league.”
Warriors will be announcing some further signings in the next few days as Whitley’s squad for the NIHL North Division 1 2016/17 season starts to take shape.