Building Craftsmen Dumfries sponsored Solway Sharks are pleased to announce the signing of forward Richard Bentham for the 16/17 NIHL season.
The 26 year old played with the Sharks in the 14/15 season, scoring 26+31=57 in 36 league and cup games. Last year he returned to his howetown club Blackburn and won the league and playoff title, adding 99 points (43+56) to his personal tally.
Earlier in the summer the Hawks announced his re-signing however a change in personal circumstances meant the chance to sign him came about and the Sharks got their man.
Coach Martin Grubb said: “We are delighted to be able to bring Richard back to the club after it became clear that moving would be of great benefit to his personal life.
“He is a player who really enjoyed his time here before and didn’t want to move but again it was best for him at the time to join Blackburn. The fact he has always stayed in regular contact with friends here and he spent lots of time here was something that made it easy for us to bring him back.
“I firmly believe that players need to be happy away from the rink to bring their best to the team and although it was a bit of a surprise this move came about we have got ourselves a good hockey player who fits in well to our team and we all look forward to him being back in a Sharks uniform and helping us challenge for honours this season.”
Bentham will once again wear the #91 jersey with the BCD Solway Sharks, and joins Juraj Senko and Ben Edmonds on the roster. Further names will be announced in the next couple of days as the NIHL season looms ever nearer.
Photo credit: Mark Paterson/Skidpix
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