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| Flynn Massie has rejoined the Wild for the rest of the season (Photo by Steve Cunningham) |
The Wild team away at Nottingham was boosted by the return of two former players after Dani Haid and Flynne Massie rejoined the club for the remainder of the NIHL season.
German national Haid played 86 games for Widnes between 2019 and 2023 and was part of the Wild team that won the North21 cup, the Division 1 National Championship and the 2021/22 Moralee Cup, scoring 40 goals, 23 assists and picking up just 15 penalty minutes. He has spent the last season and a half playing for Solihull Barons, scoring 10+7 in 47 games.
Scottish junior international Massie played 14 games for the Wild last season as part of a two way deal with SNL team North Ayrshire Wild, scoring two goals and 4 assists. He has spent this season in Germany, playing in the Under 20s league for Frankfurt Lions, scoring 4+3 in 26 games.
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| Will Daley in his farewell game for the Wild - with Head Coach Tom Jackson (Photo by Keith & Jenny Davies) |
The Wild team have announced that defenceman Will Daley has left the club. 16 year old Daley joined Widnes as his first senior NIHL club after playing junior hockey with Whitley Bay, Billingham and Solway and has played 21 games for Widnes this season.
Wild Head Coach, Tom Jackson said of Daley’s departure: “Will called me last week and I spoke with him and his dad, Chris at length about Will’s situation with the club and unfortunately as a family, they have chosen to request his release.”
“I would like to take this opportunity to wish Will and his family all the best for the future. Will came in from day one and earned his spot on the team as one of the mainstays this season, his competitiveness and ability will certainly be missed. He was a young kid who asked the right questions, rarely made mistakes and was a pleasure to coach. If he continues playing like he can, he will be an asset on any team he plays for.”
“Despite the short time he spent at Widnes he wanted to leave the right way and asked to play one more time with the guys (last weekend - against Solihull ) and say his goodbyes to the team. For me this shows great character and the door for his return will remain open while I’m in this role.”
Talking about leaving the Wild, Daley said: “I would like to thank everyone involved at the club and the fans for the opportunity that has been given to me this season. I’ve really loved my time at Widnes and would like to thank TJ and the coaching staff for having me as part of the team, I have made friends for life within the squad. Due to travel and college commitments, I can’t continue with the club unfortunately.”
Following his departure from Widnes, Daley was immediately snapped up by fellow Moralee Division team Whitley Warriors.
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Damarni James missed the game at Nottingham after having been been handed a 6-game suspension by the governing body’s Department of Player Safety (DOPS).
He picked up a 5 plus game penalty in the match away at Leeds for an illegal check to the head which resulted in a 3-game suspension and has also been given an extra 3 games for reaching the threshold of 15 disciplinary points for the season.
The EIH has a system which involves the accumulation of disciplinary points for committing offences and receiving penalties prior to, during and after games, and when a player or team has accrued a certain number of points – according to a fixed scale – sanctions such as suspensions or fines can be imposed.
