The first NIHL North pre-season games took place this weekend, with Fylde Flyers facing Sheffield Senators & Solihull Barons meeting Coventry Blaze. Ex-Trafford Metros defenseman Dan Etherington grabbed a couple of goals on his Fylde debut as the teams fought out an entertaining 4-4 draw. Danny Jones (left) & Stewart Marriott completed the Flyers’ scoring. Team boss Mick Caunce is still looking to add another couple of players to his squad and remains hopeful import Elvis Veldze will return to the club from Latvia.

Solihull ran out comfortable 7-3 winners over Blaze in their challenge match which raised over £2000 for the Help for Heroes charity. Barons also confirmed veteran defenseman Phil Lee has agreed another season at Hobs Moat Road.

Solway Sharks hosted their Fans Forum event at Dumfries Ice Bowl on Friday evening. Coach Martin Grubb confirmed a total of six returnees to his roster with Bob Chalmers, Alan Crane, Lewis Gold, Steven Moore, Calum Henderson & Stevie Adams all back for another year with the club.

Sheffield Spartans have confirmed forward Joe Millard has signed for his eighth year with the club. Coast to Coast also understands Spartans could be set to add recently axed Nottingham Lions captain Nick Whyatt to their roster. Nottingham Panthers forward Marc Levers has signed a deal with the Lions, joining Josh Ward, Dan Green & Sam Gospel on two-way agreements.

Trafford Metros have had a busy few days adding another six players to their roster. James & Jason Pirie, Sean Day, Ben Brown & Marc Etherington will be joined by Kevin Cassidy, who returns to Altrincham after a year away from the game. Metros defenseman Scott Robson has left the club to join Hull Stingrays. Robson has signed a two-way deal with the Elite League side which will also see him ice for Stingrays’ NIHL2 team.

Invicta Dynamos have secured the signing of forward Nat Rose from Sutton Sting, while captain Andy Smith has returned for a ninth season. Wightlink Raiders’ import Jimmy Chiropoulos won’t be moving to the Isle of Wight after discrepancies in his game stats were discovered. Coach Jeremy Cornish has secured the services of Jiri Hanzal from Edinburgh Capitals as his replacement.

(Image permission: Lisa Jones)