Whitley Warriors have confirmed Andre Payette has agreed a second season with the NIHL North club.
Payette signed for Moralee D1 outfit last summer and quickly became a popular figure both on and off the ice.
He said: “It’s great to becoming back to Whitley Bay for another season. I’ve had superb support from the fans throughout my spell with Warriors and their backing has really played a part in my decision to return to Hillheads for the 2016/17 season.
“I’ve had a long career in hockey, however I feel the Warriors fans are the best fans in the British game given the backing they give to their team.
“I’m partial to the North East having played in the region for the Newcastle Vipers a number of years ago and given my son lives in the region it works well for me.
“I’m taking it one day at a time. I’m not saying this is going to be my last season, I’m just going to see how things progress.
“The hockey schools I’m involved in at the rink are proving to be a great success and I hope they will be a huge part of my future.
“I also feel the team has some unfinished business out on the ice after last season when we came second in the league.
“Under the guidance of David Longstaff and Dave Holland, who are a superb coaching team, it would be great to capture a trophy this time round.”
Billingham Stars’ forward Chris Sykes will be back for another season with the Teessiders, while young ‘D’ man Callum Read steps up from the club’s U20 team.
Top defenseman Juraj Senko has agreed another year with Solway Sharks and Daniel MacKriel has been appointed as the new Head Coach at Telford Tigers NIHL.
Phil Mulcahy has left the Tigers to join Blackburn Hawks, while Reece Cairney-Witter has signed for another year with the Lancashire outfit.
In D2N, Geoff Wigglesworth is back for a further year with Widnes Wild and Dan Berry has confirmed another season with Altrincham Aces.
Blackburn Eagles have announced two returnees to their roster, with Sam Dunford and Phil Crosby agreeing another year with the club.
(Image permission: IceHockeyMedia)
