Sample steps away from Warriors set up – Whitley prepare for Blackburn game
Whitley Warriors forward Ryan Sample will play no further part in the 2013/14 campaign as Ryan’s personal/work commitments unfortunately have not allowed him to train and play with the Warriors of late.
Ryan signed for Warriors shortly into the current campaign which increased Whitley’s offensive options. Sample went onto play in 4 games for Warriors this term picking up 2 assists for the club along with 22 minutes in penalties. On re-signing for the club Ryan told the fans to ‘expect everything’ which was an appropriate quote given his brief return to the ice saw him drop the gloves and play some highly physical hockey.
Warriors are hopeful of going into this weekend’s away game against the Blackburn Hawks with a fully fit roster as Dan Harris who missed last weekend’s victory over Billingham is available again while veteran forward Karl Culley could well be back out on the ice after missing the last few games due to injury.
Whitley Coach Simon Leach will have a wealth of attacking talent to choose from against the Hawks as Warriors could have their entire senior roster available. Teenage forwards Ben Richards and Callum Queenan both found the back of the net against Stars last Sunday evening after being given increased ice time and with the youngsters performing so well Warriors could have around 13 forwards battling to be given regular shifts out on the ice.
One of those forwards Adam Reynolds who is Warriors top points scorer this season with 35 points from the 20 games he has iced in spoke about the competition for places in the side and then went onto give his views on the Blackburn match up.
“With the young guys coming in it has really upped the competition for places now and after good performances at the weekend it’s pleasing to see. Competition is always good to have around the team as it’s making everyone work hard in order to show Simon (Leach)what they can bring to the table.
“Blackburn away is always a tough place to go especially with the big ice they have down there. We will go there confident we can win after a huge derby victory for us which keeps us right in the playoff hunt. We will have to be disciplined and play smart hockey and stick to our systems.”
Whitley’s game at Blackburn faces off at 5.45pm this Sunday, for those fans unable to travel down to Lancashire updates will be posted on the Warriors forum and also on the clubs social media sites. Warriors are next in action on home ice on Sunday 16th February (face off 5pm) when the Sutton Sting take on Whitley at Hillheads Ice Rink in a NIHL North Moralee Conference encounter.