Building Craftsmen Dumfries-sponsored Solway Sharks have continued their team building for the 16/17 NIHL season with the addition of two exciting young forwards.
Duncan Speirs returns for a third full season at National League level, having also played SNL and U20 at the Ice Bowl. After a breakout season in 14/15, last year Speirs – who has just turned 19 – potted 37 points (17+20) in 36 league and cup ties. He also played on a two-way contract with Braehead Clan of the Elite League, scoring against Edinburgh for his first ‘pro’ goal.
Speirs also received international honours with a place on the Great Britain U20 squad who won a bronze medal in Megeve, France. Speirs rifled in a goal in the win over Ukraine during the tournament.
On the signing of Speirs, coach Martin Grubb was understandably delighted to keep the player in Dumfries for this season at least.
“Dunc is a player we were very keen to hold on to as I knew he had options to move. I felt it was important to finish his apprenticeship and we can give him the opportunity to do that here by playing a big part in this team.
“He has improved over the last few years and has become a very consistent performer for us and put up good numbers and he will continue to improve and do that. He has skill and is a player who can score goals but he also loves to battle in the corners and his overall game saw him rightly selected for the GB u20’s last year.
“He was also called up to Braehead for a few EIHL games and we now want to push him to continue his improvement and we are happy he’s chosen to do that here.”
Speirs will wear a new #38 jersey with the BCD Solway Sharks this season.
He will be joined on the forward lines by Daniel Abercrombie.
The North Ayr 18-year-old played with the Sharks for the second part of the NIHL season, making an impact in the eight games he dressed with four goals and four assists. For his home club North Ayr last season he bagged 17 goals in 13 SNL games, and a stunning 25 goals in just nine SIH U20 contests.
Sharks are delighted that Daniel will be with the NIHL side on a full time basis this season, adding speed and skill to the forward units at the Ice Bowl.
Coach Martin Grubb added: “Daniel joined us on a two-way with North Ayr and quickly became a fan favourite with his speed, skill and work rate.
“He was someone we were keen to get here full time and help his development, and I’m very pleased that this has now happened.
“He is a young player with a good attitude and he impressed everyone here with his performances last season. He will be expected to continue where he left off last year with picking up some points and being aggressive on the forecheck and we look forward to him being here full time and making an impact with his youth and energy.”
Daniel Abercrombie will be sporting the #7 jersey for the BCD Solway Sharks this season.
Look out for more names in the coming days as the Sharks build towards the start of the 2016/17 NIHL season.
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