SEASON PREVIEW 2024/2025
BILLINGHAM STARS start the defence of their NIHL North 1 League title this Sunday with a mouthwatering tie against Playoff winners Blackburn Hawks knowing that retaining their Champions tag will be tougher than ever with stronger opposition and a new team in Leeds Knights 2.
Credit: Colin Edwards, CJE Photos
Keeping The Faith
The summer did not see wholesale changes at the Forum:
Players in: Jacob Hammond, Rowan Mills, Darren Stattersfield, Jack Wakefield (all from Billingham Buccaneers)
Players out: Thomas Brown (Romford Raiders), Andy Finn, Lewis Hall (both to Billingham Buccaneers), Patriks Grigors (Whitley Warriors)
Two-way signings: Sam Dowd, Lucas Dowdle, Ben Greenhalgh, Stuart Jackson, Tom Wakefield (all Billingham Buccaneers), Conner McNulty (Kilmarnock Thunder)
Credit: Colin Edwards, CJE Photos
The blow of losing Thomas Brown to the National League was soon softened by the full-time signing of Jacob Hammond, the talented young netminder having just had a standout season at Billingham Buccaneers and playing a massive part in them winning the North 2 playoff crown at Sheffield in April. A change in the ‘import’ rules meant a tough decision had to be made, the club deciding to retain Iain Brown and Rolands Gritāns whilst Patriks Grigors initially elected to return to Edinburgh Capitals with brother Rihards as a third choice before wisely deciding he needed regular game time and making the switch to local rivals Whitley Warriors. Elsewhere the team has stuck with its policy of bringing through young talent, and this season will feature two new faces in Rowan Mills - a regular scorer for the Buccaneers last year - and Conner McNulty on a two-way contract with Kilmarnock Thunder. Conner had an early opportunity to show the fans what they might expect from him last weekend, 2+4 in two games against the Warriors the perfect debut.
There is a change at the helm this year, Rob Wilkinson having announced his intention to step away from his coaching role at the end of last season. For the coming campaign, Stephen Foster will be joined on the bench by Richie Thornton, the former Bombers/Stars defenceman bringing a wealth of experience at the very highest levels of British ice hockey to his new position.
Credit: Colin Edwards, CJE Photos
N1 - Stronger & Bigger
North 1 moves to ten teams this season with the introduction of Leeds Knights 2. Other changes sees the Cup split into two groups of five teams (the first games home and away against teams in your group are League and Cup competition games as previous), a new points system and a Playoff format that means the North and South finals will be held together at the same venue with North v South games to cap off the weekend. The new points system will bring the NIHL in line with much of Europe - three points for a regulation time win, two for an overtime win and one point for an overtime loss.
First Up… Blackburn Hawks
Teams across the League have strengthened their rosters, so retaining the League title is going to be a tough ask for the Stars. Sunday’s visitors Blackburn are no exception, and they have all the momentum as a superlative last few months of last season saw them bag both the Cup and Playoff crowns. Crucially the Hawks have retained the core of this successful squad, including the ever-dangerous Adam Barnes and hot prospect Josh Crawley. During the summer they added a number of eye catching two- and three-way contract players that could make the difference for the Hawks, providing they feature regularly. Standout amongst these are defenceman Noah Kääriäinen and forward Daragh Spawforth - keep an eye out for these two should they ice on Sunday.
🔗 Blackburn Hawks on Elite Prospects: https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/2114/blackburn-hawks
Weekend Fixtures
Saturday:
✈️ Hull Jets 🆚 Leeds Knights 2 ⚔️
Sunday:
🐉 Deeside Dragons 🆚 Nottingham Lions 🦁
🏹 Whitley Warriors 🆚 Sheffield Scimitars 🗡️
💫 Billingham Stars 🆚 Blackburn Hawks 🦅
⚜️ Solihull Barons 🆚 Leeds Knights 2 ⚔️
Credit: Colin Edwards, CJE Photos
Sponsors
We are so grateful for the support we get from our sponsors and corporate partners and would like to take this opportunity to thank them once again https://www.starshockey.co.uk/our-partners
We hope everyone has a fantastic season - hello N1 2024/2025!
Credit: Colin Edwards, CJE Photos