DJ Good named as Warriors captain while coach Leach joins GB set-up

Whitley Warriors Coach Simon Leach has confirmed that Warriors’ long-serving forward Daniel Good will be the clubs captain for the coming season. This will be DJ’s second season as Warriors skipper, as the popular forward also led Whitley during the 2012-13 campaign after being appointed by former coach Garry Dowd last summer.

DJ recorded over 40 points last season, averaging better than a point per game as Whitley finished 5th in NIHL North Division 1.

Daniel gave us his thoughts on being named club captain.

“I’m a local player who watched the team as a kid so I’m proud to be the captain. We have a very strong team that already looks good in pre-season, so hopefully there is a chance that I’ll get to captain a side that wins something.”

Warriors’ head coach Simon Leach also spoke about his recent appointment to the Great Britain international set-up.

“I’m delighted to have been asked to be involved with the GB set-up. Ive worked with Martin before and we know each other so well so there should be no teething problems at all.

“It’s great recognition for NIHL hockey that myself and Martin have been asked to link up with GB and it feels like all the hard work we’ve done over the years has paid off. Its a massive highlight of my career.”

Warriors have now been back in training for a number of weeks and blue liner Simon Hehir was able to take part in last week’s session. Hehir has been out of action for a long spell of time due to a nasty injury picked up in a home game towards the end of last season and Leach is keen to see how the versatile Hehir progresses now he is back out on the ice.

Whitley’s fixtures for the 2013-14 season are expected to be announced in mid-August, with the season then getting under way in early September.