Promising Raiders goalie Brad Windebank says he’s grateful for the opportunity to return to the club after a frustrating injury spell.
The teenage netminder returned to the Romford side and keen to push Ethan James for the starting slot as he and Callum Burnett were confirmed for Sean Easton’s side.
And the 18-year-old revealed he’s spent lockdown getting his shoulder stronger as he eyes a return to action.
”It was obviously very frustrating to get injured, especially that early in the pre-season,” Windebank told the Raiders website. “It was made all the more frustrating waiting on results from hospitals and doctors from scans and tests which prolonged the lay-off for me.
“It was equally frustrating making the long road trips to sit and watch the boys on the ice knowing that I was unable to contribute in any way.
🚨P L A Y E R • A N N O U N C E M E N T🚨
✍🏼 𝙅𝙖𝙨𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙞𝙡𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧𝙣 ✍🏼
Our Captain is back baby! Jason Silverthorn re-signs for his 7th season! 🤩
Read the story in full and see own and loan details 👉🏼 https://t.co/OshQS1bf6D pic.twitter.com/AgcHfHiS1p
— Telford Tigers (@Telford_Tigers) August 12, 2020
“I guess I am lucky enough to be given a second opportunity by Sean, but I will just need to show what I can do when I am given a chance to play this season.
“I had started physio just prior to the lockdown and with college closing I found I had so much time on my hands to work on getting the shoulder back to full fitness and working on building it up in preparation for getting on the ice again.
“Obviously lockdown has been hard on everyone in varying ways, but I have been working on fitness with off-ice exercises which will benefit me in the long run.”
There was plenty of re-signings across the National League as Telford Tigers welcomed back their title winning captain Jason Silverthorn back for his seventh season and for him, there was no question of him returning.
Reece Cochrane was one of two D-men to return to Sheffield Steeldogs (PHOTO: Sheffield Steeldogs)
He told the Tigers website: “How could I not come back? After the season we had last year and our ability as a group to come back with the challenge of defending two titles was something I couldn’t pass up on.”
Basingstoke Bison also beefed up their roster by bringing back forwards Hallam Wilson and Sean Norris to make it 16 names on the roster for player-coach Ashley Tait.
Reece Cochrane returned for Sheffield Steeldogs along with defence man Tom Relf, who signed on a full time basis and leaves Sutton Sting, with whom he was on a two-way deal.
Leeds Chiefs also welcomed back one of their star players from last season as Luke Charnock confirmed a second campaign with Sam Zajac’s side.
In Swindon, the Wildcats made the only new signing from the last couple of weeks as they picked up Hungarian born forward Balint Pakozdi from USPHL side New Hampshire Jr Monarchs.
IN-COMING! Netminder Matt Croyle signs from Bracknell Hornets to boost Stars squad. Welcome to Oxford!! #Oxford 💛💙🥅🏒 pic.twitter.com/1ys5U0eIDr
— Oxford City Stars 🏒⭐️ (@OxfordCityStars) August 15, 2020
OTHER MOVES
NIHL 1 North
Tomas Rubes (F) leaves Billingham Stars for HC Banik Sokolov (CZE)
NIHL 1 South
Casey Wilson (F) joins Raiders 2 from Bracknell Hornets
Harry McGarvey (D) and Henri Kohvakka (F) – both sign for MK Thunder from MK Storm U18s
Matthew Croyle (NM) – signed for Oxford City Stars from Bracknell Hornets
Alex Trendall (F) – re-signs with Solent Devils
NIHL 2 North
Ben Washburn (F) – re-signs with Telford Tigers 2
