Wightlink Raiders
Wightlink Raiders | |
---|---|
City | Ryde, Isle of Wight, England |
League | English National Ice Hockey League |
Founded | 1991 |
Home arena |
Ryde Arena Capacity: 1000 Ice size: 165ft x 80ft |
Colours | White, Red, Black |
Owner(s) | Wightlink Raiders 2007 Ltd |
Head coach | Jeremy Cornish |
Captain | Domon Larter |
Website | |
Franchise history | |
1991 - 1992 | Solent Vikings |
1992 - 1999 | Wightlink Raiders |
1999 - 2004 | Isle of Wight Raiders |
2004 - | Wightlink Raiders |
The Wightlink Raiders are an ice hockey team based in Ryde on the Isle of Wight, England. They are sponsored by Wightlink and play in the third-tier NIHL South Division 1. The team are known for their small ice rink, which has in the past barred them from competing at a higher level.
History
Originally called the Solent Vikings, the team changed to their current name a year later. Although they were known as the Isle of Wight Raiders between 1999 and 2003 when Wightlink withdrew sponsorship, before the company re-joined the club in 2004. They are still the only club to be formally known with their sponsor in their name. Due to the clubs location on the Isle of Wight the team would struggle to survive without Wightlink's support.
In the 1990s, they dominated the English National League (now called the English Premier League), winning the league a record five straight years, including winning the league's cup competition during that time as well.
Team Roster
Management
Coaching Staff
Goaltenders
Defencemen
- #3 Steve Gannaway (Coaching role)
- #7 Damon Larter
- #24 Niall Bound
- #37 Sam Waller
- #38 Dan Pye
- #71 Ben Lock
- #76 Nick Compton
Forwards
- #5 Aidan Doughty
- #8 Joe Denness
- #11 Jeremy Cornish (Non EIHA Trained)
- #12 Steve Gosset
- #13 Kieran Annis
- #16 James Smith
- #17 Richard Facey
- #20 Nathan Taylor
- #21 Jiri Hanzal
- #32 Robbie Brown
- #36 Craig Tribe
- #73 Alex Murray
- #90 Corey Watkins
Former players
Andrew Robinson GB Matthew Brennen GB Anthony Standing CAN Daniel Sweeney CAN Gareth Phillips CAN Martin Jenneway GB Ivor Ambridge GB David Standing CAN Nicholas Rothwell CAN Craig Wynn GB Anthony Etienne Blaize GB Don Breau CAN David Wilson GB David Cannon CAN Peter Nyman SWE Tobias Holmqvist SWE Andreas Ost SWE Joachim Jonsson SWE Jonas Andersson SWE Johan Larrsson-Halleberg SWE Jani Saartamaa FIN Mark Wallace GB Darren Wallace GB Matthew Causen GB Matthew Paynter GB Victor Somfaleanu ROM Johan Jonsson SWE Derry Goodburn NOB David Hadath CAN Jamie Nagle CAN Peter Cooper CAN Bene Acquah GB Paul White GB Matthew Wynn GB Norman Pinnington GB Mel Grundy GB Daniel Giden SWE Juraj Rusic SVK Tolrik van der Het dol Timmerman ZIM Andrew Johnston GB Jamie Thompson GB Drew Chapman GB Gareth Endicott GB Alan Armour GB
External links
- Wightlink Raiders - Official Site of the Wightlink Raiders
- Vectis Tigers - The Isle of Wight's ENIHL Team, the Vectis Tigers