News Report

Sam the man...

Versatile player Sam Russell joins us from MK Lightning

• admin
• 11 September 2024

Chieftains are delighted to announce the signing of versatile player Sam Russell from Milton Keynes Lightning.

The 24 year-old played his junior hockey for MK Storm and Okanagan Hockey Academy before moving across the pond to Canada to improve his hockey education.

He played in the senior EHL league for New England Wolves but returned to England to join Cliff and several of his Chieftains team mates at his hometown club MK Lightning in the 19/20 season. The following season he also enjoyed time with Coventry Blaze in the Elite league, alongside his club career, he’s also enjoyed GB experience at both Under 18 and Under 20 levels.

Last season Sam had a year off to recover from an injury, but he was still on the ice nearly every day as he was coaching at his old school in Canada to stay involved in the game.

Cliff was delighted to get Sam to join the team and said “I’m so happy to get Sammy to agree to join us, he skated with us a couple of times in the summer and looked sharp but we weren’t sure he was going to be able to arrange his shifts at work, however that’s all sorted now. Sammy’s a player who I have known literally all his hockey playing life and I know he will give us a massive boost, he can, and will play literally anywhere in the line up and he’s a guy who wants to compete and push the team on in the right direction.”

Sammy commented “I’m really grateful to have been given the opportunity to play again, reunite with old teammates and play the sport I’ve committed so much to. I came to watch Benny last season and could easily tell this is a loved club. It’s a great group of lads with Cliff leading the way, it’s going to be a great year and I want to do nothing less than win everything.”

Welcome to the Black 'n' Gold Sam!