Leeds Knights

Last updated

Leeds Knights
City Leeds, England
League NIHL
DivisionNational League
Founded2019
Home arena Planet Ice Leeds
ColorsBlue, Yellow and White
   
Head coachRyan Aldridge Flag of England.svg
Website Leeds Knights
Franchise history
2019 - 2021Leeds Chiefs
2021 - PresentLeeds Knights
Championships
Regular season titles2 (2023, 2024)
Playoff championships1 (2023)

The Leeds Knights are a professional ice hockey team based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The team is a member of the National League and plays at Planet Ice Leeds.

Contents

History

The team was announced, along with the new National League, on 16 March 2019. [1] However, rumours of a Leeds-based team playing out of the 1800 capacity [2] Planet Ice Leeds arena were circulating months beforehand. [3] In joining the league, they became the first ever hockey team to play out of the city. [4]

The Chiefs name was selected by Planet Ice following the results of a fan poll. The 'Chiefs' moniker won the poll, results of which were announced on 16 May 2019, having beaten the alternatives; Cotton Kings and Mighty Mammoths. [5]

Former Whitley Warriors Defenceman Sam Zajac was announced as Player-coach of the team on 10 May 2019. [6] Zajac's first signing for the Chiefs was former Manchester Phoenix captain, Defenceman Luke Boothroyd. [7]

In November 2019, head coach Sam Zajac launched an urgent appeal after a large amount of the team's equipment was stolen from an apartment block in Batley. This included new helmets that hadn't even been worn yet, along with sticks and gloves used by the players all season. [8] Despite this, the Chiefs confirmed their weekend games would go ahead as planned via a statement on Twitter.

In their first National League season, the Chiefs finished 10th. They won 13 games, losing 36, achieving 28 points overall. The season was curtailed in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [9] For the first five months of the season, the Chiefs were required to play home games elsewhere, due to a delay in the opening of their rink. [10] The first game at their Elland Road arena was against Sheffield Steeldogs on 31 January 2020. [11]

In 2021, the club rebranded and changed their name from Leeds Chiefs to Leeds Knights due to a change in ownership. The team is now owned by Stephen Nell who was an also owner of Swindon Wildcats. The new name has ties to the Royal Armouries in Leeds. [12] David Whistle arrived as Head Coach and General Manager, but departed in January 2022. Former Swindon Wildcats coach Ryan Aldridge was then appointed as interim coach until the end of the 2021/22 season. [13]

Aldridge was named as permanent Head Coach ready for the 2022-2023 season, a season in which the Knights won both the league and the playoffs. [14] In the 2023-2024 season, the Knights successfully defended their league title, but lost in the playoff final to Peterborough Phantoms in a shootout defeat. [15] The following off-season, England Ice Hockey accepted a request to submit Leeds Knights 2, a new team, into the NIHL 1 North league. Upon creation, Davey Lawrence, the Leeds' National League team's assistant head coach, became the Head Coach of Knights 2. [16]

Roster

Correct as of 2 November 2024

(*) Denotes a Non-British Trained player (Import)

Netminders
No.Nat.PlayerCatchesDate of birthPlace of birthAcquiredContract
31 Flag of England.svg Sam GospelL27 March 1994 (age 30) Nottingham, England 2021 from Manchester Storm 24/25
32 Flag of England.svg Harrison WalkerL25 June 2002 (age 22) Bradford, England 2022 from Widnes Wild 24/25
Defencemen
No.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthAcquiredContract
3 Flag of England.svg Bailey PerreR10 May 2004 (age 20) Swindon, England 2022 from Swindon Wildcats Two-Way
8 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Bowdyn NeelyR15 October 2003 (age 21) Calgary, Canada 2023 from South Shore Kings 26/27
14 Flag of England.svg Lewis BaldwinR2 July 1999 (age 25) Billingham, England 2019 from Solway Sharks 25/26
18 Flag of Latvia.svg Krisjanis FugalisL23 April 2003 (age 21) Liepāja, Latvia 2024 from Iroquois Falls Storm 24/25
24 Flag of England.svg Dylan HehirR30 November 2002 (age 21) Billingham, England 2022 from Whitley Warriors 24/25
44 Flag of England.svg Jordan GriffinR29 January 2002 (age 22) Crewe, England 2020 from Sheffield Steelers 24/25
54 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Noah McMullin*L15 June 1998 (age 26) Sackville, Canada 2023 from Ontario Tech University 24/25
Forwards
No.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthAcquiredContract
6 Flag of England.svg Ethan HehirR2 July 2001 (age 23) Billingham, England 2019 from Billingham Stars 24/25
9 Flag of Scotland.svg Jordan BuesaL30 March 2000 (age 24) Troon, Scotland 2023 from Glasgow Clan 24/25
11 Flag of England.svg Matthew HaywoodL27 December 1990 (age 33) Doncaster, England 2022 from Glasgow Clan 24/25
12 Flag of England.svg Kieran Brown 'C'L27 February 2001 (age 23) Bradford, England 2021 from Widnes Wild 24/25
19 Flag of Scotland.svg Innes GallacherR5 October 2004 (age 20) Kilmarnock, Scotland 2023 from Kilmarnock Thunder 24/25
22 Flag of Latvia.svg Edgars VengisL18 September 2008 (age 16) Ogre, Latvia -Two-Way
23 Flag of the Czech Republic.svg Michael DanečkoL23 June 2004 (age 20) Havířov, Czech Republic 2024 from Sheffield Steeldogs Two-Way
33 Flag of England.svg Finlay BradonR24 November 2005 (age 18) Darlington, England 2022 from Billingham Stars 25/26
37 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Matthew Barron*R25 March 1999 (age 25) Yarmouth, Canada 2023 from Trois-Rivieres Lions 24/25
41 Flag of England.svg Oliver EndicottL10 June 2004 (age 20) Swindon, England 2022 from IPK U20 24/25
73 Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Matt Bissonnette*L16 January 1992 (age 32) Beaconsfield, Canada 2024 from Sheffield Steeldogs 24/25
95 Flag of England.svg Mac HowlettL30 December 1999 (age 24) Woking, England 2023 from Dundee Stars 25/26
Team Staff
Nat.NamePositionAcquiredPlace of birthJoined From
Flag of England.svg Ryan AldridgeHead coach2022 Swindon, England Okanagan Hockey Academy U18, England U18
Flag of England.svg Stephen NellGeneral manager/Owner2021 England Swindon Wildcats, NIHL
Flag of England.svg Jason ThomasEquipment/Team Manager2019 Swindon, England
Flag of England.svg Verity ThomasPartnership Manager2024 England

Source: [17]

Season-by-season record

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime Losses; PTS = Points; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manchester Phoenix</span> Ice hockey team in Blackpool , Widnes

Manchester Phoenix was a semi professional ice hockey team from Greater Manchester, England. The club was formed in 2003 as a result of the efforts of supporters group Friends of Manchester Ice Hockey to bring top-level ice hockey back to Manchester after Manchester Storm folded in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nottingham Panthers</span> Ice hockey club in Nottingham, England

The Nottingham Panthers are a British professional ice hockey club based in Nottingham, England. They are members of the Elite Ice Hockey League. Their main team sponsor is the Nottingham Building Society.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Basingstoke Bison</span> Ice Hockey club from Basingstoke, England

The Basingstoke Bison are an English Ice Hockey club from Basingstoke. They currently compete in the NIHL National League and have previously been members of the Ice Hockey Superleague and its successor the Elite Ice Hockey League. Unfortunately due to arena refurbishment/renovation the team is unable to compete in the upcoming 2023/24 Season

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milton Keynes Lightning</span> Ice hockey team in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

The Milton Keynes Lightning are an ice hockey team founded in 2002 and then again in 2019 in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The Lightning currently play in Britain's second-tier professional league, the National Ice Hockey League (NIHL), since the 2019–20 season. The Lightning previously turned up in the top tier Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) from 2017–2019, and the tier-3/tier-2 English Premier Ice Hockey League (EPIHL) from 2002–2017. Their home rink is 2,200-seat Planet Ice Arena Milton Keynes, known locally as the MK Arena or the Thunderdome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slough Jets</span> Ice hockey team in Slough, Berkshire

The Slough Jets are an ice hockey team from Slough, Berkshire, England playing in the NIHL South Division 1. The team was founded in 1986 after the construction of the Slough Ice Arena in Montem Lane in Slough and joined the first division of the British League. With the help of Gary Stefan who had previously been with Streatham Redskins, the Slough Jets were formed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peterborough Phantoms</span> British ice hockey team

The Peterborough Phantoms are a British ice hockey team that play at the Planet Ice Peterborough Arena, in Bretton, Peterborough. The Peterborough Phantoms ice hockey club was founded in 2002. It replaced the former city based team, the Peterborough Pirates, and plays in the same arena. The team currently competes in the semi-professional National Ice Hockey League, the second tier in British ice hockey below the fully professional Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL). They previously played in the English Premier Ice Hockey League (EPIHL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telford Tigers</span> Ice hockey team in Telford, Shropshire

The Telford Tigers are a National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) ice hockey team that formed in 1985. After initially closing in 1999, a new team, under the name 'Telford Wild Foxes', was formed in 2001; and re-adopted the original name in 2005.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Ice Hockey League</span> Ice hockey league in the UK

The National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) is a set of semi-professional ice hockey leagues administered by the English Ice Hockey Association. It is currently the second tier of British ice hockey, below the Elite Ice Hockey League. Formerly called the English National Ice Hockey League (ENIHL), it was renamed in 2012 to recognise the inclusion of several teams from Scotland and Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Streatham IHC</span> Ice hockey team in London, UK

The Streatham Ice Hockey Club is a British ice hockey club based in Streatham, London, England. Amongst the oldest British ice hockey teams still in existence, they were founded in 1932 as Streatham, and added the name Redskins in 1974. During the 1980s, the club were one of the leading teams in the British Hockey League, their biggest rivals being the Nottingham Panthers. By the end of the 1980s, however, the club's fortunes were in decline and they were relegated from the Premier Division in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Planet Ice</span> Ice rink operator in the UK

Planet Ice is the largest chain of ice rinks in the United Kingdom, renowned for providing a wide range of ice-related activities, including public skating, ice hockey, figure skating, Birthday Parties and other sporting and live events. With a strong emphasis on community engagement and accessibility, Planet Ice has developed comprehensive programs catering to beginners and advanced skaters alike, including specialised initiatives for inclusive skating. The facilities also serve as key venues for professional and amateur ice hockey teams, operating under the governance of major bodies such as the English Ice Hockey Association (EIHA), British Ice Skating (BIS), and Ice Hockey UK (IHUK). In addition to sports, Planet Ice hosts diverse events, from boxing competitions to music concerts, further establishing its role as a versatile community hub.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sydney Bears</span> Ice hockey team in Macquarie Park, New South Wales

The Sydney Bears is an Australian semi-professional ice hockey team from Sydney, New South Wales. Established in 1982, the Bears are the only remaining founding member of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL) still operating. The Bears are based at Macquarie Ice Rink, within the Macquarie Centre, in the northern suburbs of Sydney. The Sydney Bears are three time Goodall Cup champions and four time H Newman Reid Trophy premiers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hull Arena</span> Ice hockey arena in Kingston upon Hull, England

Hull Arena is an ice rink, in the city of Kingston upon Hull, England. It offers an Olympic-sized pad of 60 by 30 metres. It is also used for other sports, trade fairs and as a concert venue, for which it has a maximum capacity of 3,750.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bradford Bulldogs</span> Ice hockey team in Bradford, West Yorkshire

The Bradford Bulldogs are an English ice hockey team that play in the NIHL North Two (Laidler) Division of the English National Ice Hockey League. They play their home games at the Bradford Ice Arena, Bradford, West Yorkshire. They were formed in 1978. Many of the team were born and taught to play ice hockey in and around the Bradford area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milton Keynes Thunder</span> Ice hockey team in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

The Milton Keynes Thunder are an ice hockey team from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, they are known stylistically as Thunder. The team currently competes in the Britton Conference, of the National Ice Hockey League Division 1 South. The team was founded in 2001 predominantly to provide competitive hockey and further development opportunities for players leaving the Milton Keynes Junior Ice Hockey system. Their home rink is the refurbished and renamed Planet Ice Arena, known locally as the Thunderdome. It has a capacity of circa 2,500.

David Phillips is a British professional ice hockey defenceman, currently playing for National Ice Hockey League (NIHL) side Hull Seahawks. Phillips was previously with EIHL sides Belfast Giants and Sheffield Steelers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bristol Pitbulls</span> Ice hockey team in Bristol, England

The Bristol Pitbulls are an ice hockey team representing Bristol, England, currently playing in the NIHL National League. Following the closure of the Bristol ice rink in 2012, their home ice moved to Oxford Ice Rink. In October 2021, the team returned to Bristol, winning their first fixture on their new home ice at the Planet Ice rink at Cribbs Causeway.

Sam Zajac is an English professional ice hockey defenceman currently playing for the Leeds Knights of the National Ice Hockey League. He spent the 2019-20 season as player/coach of Leeds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hull Seahawks</span> British ice hockey team

The Hull Seahawks are an ice hockey team based in Kingston upon Hull and their home ice is the Hull Arena. They compete in the NIHL National Division.

The Aspray Chester Deeside Dragons are a Welsh ice hockey team that play in the National Ice Hockey League, north division. They play their games at Deeside Leisure Centre, Flintshire, and replaced the previous team Flintshire Freeze. They won the North League championship in the 2015/16 season, with a record of 24-3-1 as well as the 2015/16 Laidler Playoffs. For the 2022/23 season the club has Aspray Chester as the clubs title sponsor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guildford Phoenix</span> Ice hockey team in Guildford, Surrey

The Guildford Phoenix are an amateur ice hockey team based in Guildford, England. They currently play in the NIHL 2 South West Division. The Guildford Phoenix are a minor league affiliate of the Guildford Flames of the Elite Ice Hockey League.

References

  1. ↑ "New National League announced". British Ice Hockey. 16 March 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  2. ↑ "Planet Ice rink is starting to take shape in Leeds". Planet Ice . Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  3. ↑ "How an ice hockey team in Leeds could prove popular and be successful at the top level". The Yorkshire Post . 28 November 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  4. ↑ "Leeds ice hockey secures place in newly-formed National League". Yorkshire Evening Post . 16 March 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  5. ↑ "Leeds settles on name for new ice hockey team ahead of 2019-20 National League season". Yorkshire Evening Post . 14 May 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  6. ↑ "Sam Zajac named as first player-coach of new Leeds ice hockey team". Yorkshire Evening Post . 10 May 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  7. ↑ "SLeeds Chiefs signal their intent with signing of Luke Boothroyd for new National League season". Yorkshire Evening Post . 27 May 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2019.
  8. ↑ "Leeds Chiefs launch urgent appeal for help after ice hockey equipment is stolen". Yorkshire Evening Post . 20 November 2019. Retrieved 23 November 2019.
  9. ↑ "NEWS: Board meeting confirms competitive hockey cancelled through May 31". English Ice Hockey Association. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  10. ↑ "Confirmed Leeds Ice Rink Opening Date". Leedschiefs.co.uk. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  11. ↑ "FixturesLive". W.fixtureslive.com. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  12. ↑ "Revealed: New name and logo for Leeds". British Ice Hockey. 19 May 2021.
  13. ↑ "Leeds Knight Confirm Change in Management Team". Twitter.com. Retrieved 15 January 2022.
  14. ↑ "2022-2023 NIHL Season Standings and Stats". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  15. ↑ "2023-2024 NIHL Season Standings and Stats". eliteprospects.com. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  16. ↑ "Leeds Knights 2 Is Confirmed for 2024-25". leedsknights.com. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  17. ↑ "Leeds Knights". Eliteprospects.com.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.