Whitley Warriors are delighted to announce that forwards Dean Holland and Ben Richards will once again feature in the roster for the 2018-19 season. The pair, who are both entering their seventh season in the maroon and gold, racked up eighty three points between them last season.
Dean, 29, played junior hockey at Sunderland before icing for Whitley Braves in 2005-06. He then moved to Newcastle Vipers, playing for their Under-19, ENL and EIHL sides. Dean represented Great Britain at Under-20 level before embarking on a career with Newcastle Vipers, Manchester Phoenix, Dundee Stars and Telford Tigers amongst others. In 2011-12, Dean returned to Whitley Bay, icing for Warriors. However he moved to Guildford Flames of the EPL the following season, where he played seventy-six games in two seasons. In 2014-15, He returned to Warriors again and was handed the captaincy in 2015-16.
Dean said, “I’m happy to be back. I think we over achieved last year which is a credit to the lads in the locker room. We have a close team and everyone are friends.”
Ben came through the ranks of Whitley Bay Junior Ice Hockey Club before breaking into the senior team in 2012-13. A firm fan favourite, 21-year-old Ben has been described as “the baby-faced asssassin” on Warriors Radio and rightly so – fifteen goals and nineteen assists last season led to him being voted into the top three of Hillheads Player of the Year. Ben played for Great Britain Under-18 in 2013-14 and is widely regarded as a talent in the roster.
“I’m really happy to be asked to play again this year!” Ben said. “I’m looking forward to seeing all the boys and getting ready for what we all know is going to be another tough season.
“Hopefully we can build on last year and continue to prove people wrong and hopefully go further in the playoffs. Obviously we’ve lost Harry who will be a big miss on the score sheet but we’ve managed to sign two new defenders who can fill that void in some way!
“That being said I’m excited for the challenge ahead and I’m looking forward to playing in front of the best fans in the league again.”
Welcome back Dean and Ben!