Three more players have been confirmed for the NIHL North All-Star weekend 2014.
Josh Nicklin (Coventry Blaze), Perry Doyle (Solihull Barons) and Joe Wightman (Nottingham Lions) will represent Laidler Conference at the showpiece charity event in aid of Mind.
Forward Nicklin (left) played junior hockey in Milton Keynes, before signing for Blaze in 2010/11 after moving to the city for his university degree. The 21-year-old has averaged over a point a game for Blaze and leads their scoring charts this season. His form has led to him earning a two-way deal with the EPL’s MK Lightning.
Rugged defenseman Doyle (right) began his career at Solihull in the BHL during the 1980s. He went to play for a number of teams, including Nottingham Panthers and Sheffield Steelers, before returning to Solihull in the late 1990s.
After a long spell out of the game he returned to Hobs Moat Road last season and is currently a key part of their defensive unit. In a career spanning over 400 games, ‘Tough Guy’ Perry has scored over 100 points and amassed nearly 1200 penalty minutes.
Long-serving Lions forward Wightman (below) has been with the club since the age of four, winning five junior titles and gaining two All-Star Conference shirts. He was selected for England and GB U18s teams and traveled to Briançon, France, gaining a bronze medal in the IIHF Junior World Championships.
Wightman played for Solihull Kings in the EPL, before joining Lions after finishing university. A star performer in their double winning 2007/08 squad, Wightman was top scorer last season as they claimed the NIHL2 title.
The NIHL North All-Star weekend takes place at Deeside Ice Rink during June. On Saturday 7th Deeside Dragons face a Laidler Conference All-Star Team, while the following day they join forces to face the Moralee Conference All-Stars.
A bumper crowd is expected and Coast to Coast will bring you more player announcements in the coming weeks.
(Image permissions: Josh Nicklin – Scott Wiggins; Perry Doyle – Keith & Jenny Davies; Joe Wightman – John Knowles)
