The past season saw the Building Craftsmen Dumfries Solway Sharks make a return to the Scottish National League after an absence of 13 years.
Making a strong start to the competition with a 17 goal to 2 victory over fellow league newbies Belfast the Sharks racked up impressive results across the board against all opposition, at the same time as they played in the English NIHL league. It was Murrayfield Racers who proved the toughest test for the Dumfries side, the score a close 3-2 to Sharks at home in October, and the reverse fixture in Murrayfield in January ending tied, an overtime goal giving Sharks the narrowest of victories. Wrapping up their campaign before the abrupt end to the season due to the Covid 19 emergency the Sharks finished top of the Scottish league and unbeaten champions, winning all 17 of their games. They were delighted to be presented with the Scottish National League cup in front of their loyal fanbase on what proved to be their last game of the season, a victory over North Ayrshire Wild which saw them qualify for the playoff weekend, scheduled to take place this weekend in Dundee.
Coach Jamie Thomson commented, “To finish any season unbeaten is a fantastic achievement at any level. To be a championship team you need a massive commitment and focus on your end goal and the whole squad and staff have been fantastic this year. There was some negativity around us joining the Scottish league early part of the season but that was soon washed out and I personally think the games versus Murrayfield this year have been the most entertaining we have been part of for years and just what we needed. This year we had a full overhaul of our team with over 10 players departing to other clubs/outside commitments. We had to build a new team, and we put together a team of young players mixed in with some experienced veterans that if I’m honest no one outside the club gave a chance of winning anything – but they proved to everyone they can compete and will do for years to come, they’re all only going to get better. I’m over the moon for all the guys – senior players, young guys and staff – that we won some silverware this year as a reward, and this is just the start for them.”
Sharks Captain Struan Tonnar told us, “This season has been really fun, personally I’ve really enjoyed going to the rinks I don’t usually get to play in. Murrayfield is fantastic, you can feel the history as soon as you walk in and they have done really well to reignite a fan base in the capital. Our battles between the clubs I hope have helped spark a fire in some up and coming hockey stars in Dumfries and Edinburgh. Fife is similar, such great history in the rink, it made me realise how much I missed playing in there, having previously been a regular during the Scottish Premier and Northern League days. Then you have the likes of Aberdeen, who have a very passionate fan base. Scotland has some really iconic rinks and clubs, which as a country we should be proud of.
From my point of view it’s been great to meet guys I grew up playing against and playing against former Scotland teammates. For that alone it has been a memorable season. From a team’s point of view it’s been really beneficial to give some young guys key ice time that has really helped grow them as players. Being a part of a team that can lift silverware is something that stays with a player forever, and we have been fortunate enough to give some good young players that memory.
There are some great things in and around Scottish ice hockey, there’s some fantastic experienced players in the league who are helping to teach and develop the young guys, these are key years for the younger players and it’s playing in game situations with experienced players that develops kids. I hope this can continue and we can see more younger Scottish players breaking into GB teams and taking their chances in the NIHL and EIHL. Who knows where we will be when the season starts but I hope if there is a role the Sharks can play in helping the league and players develop, and if so then I am all for it.”
Netminder Calum Hepburn added, “This year we went into the Scottish league with only one goal and that was to finish up as champions, and I believe we smashed those expectations. We had ourselves a few tough games along the way, particularly with the Racers, but we always found a way to grind out a win which just proved to the league that we’re that team which never gives up and always pushes for the win.
It’s very unfortunate that the season ended as it did and we didn’t get a chance to get into a playoff run and try to win the club some more silverware, but everyone’s safety has, rightly, to be the most important thing. We now have to regroup and concentrate on looking forward to next season”
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