The Lookers of Yardley Solihull Barons step back onto home ice this Sunday evening when they face the Sheffield Spartons in the first of a series of preseason ties. While most of the Laidler Division winning 2014-15 Barons have returned, they will do so under new boss Perry Doyle and having been promoted to the Moralee Division will face a big step-up in the level of competition.
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| Andy Ayers squares up to the Spartans, the last time the Barons were in division 1 |
For Doyle who will combine his Director of Hockey role with an on ice presence as a defenceman, this will be an exciting year.
"I am looking forward to the new challenge. We've got the pre-season coming up I am wanting the team to be 100% fit and focussed on what we need to do. Over the warm-up I am looking to work on some new systems and see how the team gels. Sheffield, Widnes and Telford are all very solid hockey sides who should put on some good games for the fans and allow us to really get ourselves to where we need to be when the league proper starts.
"There are lots of strong teams in the league, with lots of great players but we have that too and if we work and play as hard as we should we won't have anything to worry about.
"The league kicks off with three great games, including Whitley at home on our opening night so we need to be ready.
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Solihull Barons
v Sheffield Spartans
THIS SUNDAY !
Face-off 6:30pm
Hobs Moat |
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Whitley has brought in a number of key signings after what was, by their standards, a weak 2014/15 season. David Longstaff returns to home town team the Warriors, a team he first laced the skates up for over 25 years ago, in a career which has seen him play at the highest levels of the domestic game. Meanwhile AHL/EPL/Elite veteran Andre Payette has taken the helm at Whitley and in doing so will bring a wealth of experience to the North East side.
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| The Barons last faced Whitley in 2011/12 |
"Whitley will be a big game. They've strengthened themselves quite a bit over the Summer - Longstaff has played at all levels and will bring a lot of experience to the team, while Payette knows how to run a hard, well-drilled, physical team. It should be great game for us.
The Barons launch their pre-season this Sunday at Solihull ice rink when they welcome the Sheffield Spartans to Hobs Moat, Face-off 6:30pm.
| Papps steps down as Pease steps up |
The Solihull Barons are sad to announce the release of Kieran Papps from the 2015/16 line-up with his position in the roster to be taken up by Tom Pease.
Papps joined the Barons for the 2014/15 season and while largely focussing on a solid defensive game amassed 17 points over the course of the season. Unfortunately having initially signed for this season, Kieran felt commitments outside hockey prevented him from being able to give hockey the attention needed at this level and stepped aside. The Barons wish him all the best.
Coming into the Barons roster is experienced defenceman Tom Pease who joins from the Coventry NL Blaze, where he has been Assistant Captain for the last two years. The 27 year old brings over a decade of senior hockey experience and will be a key figure on the Barons blue line in the upcoming season. |
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