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Leeds Knights

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}

{{Use British English|date=June 2019}}{{Infobox Pro hockey team|text_color=#f6e014|bg_color=#1661a3|team=Leeds Knights|logo=|logosize=200px|city=Leeds, England|league=NIHL|founded=2019|operated=|arena=Planet Ice Leeds|colors=Blue, Yellow and White
{{color box|#1661a3}} {{color box|f6e014}} {{color box|white}}|coach=Ryan Aldridge {{Flagicon|England}}|captain=Kieran Brown {{Flagicon|England}}|director=|media=|name1=Leeds Chiefs|dates1=2019 - 2021|reg_season_titles=3 (2023, 2024, 2025)|championships=1 (2023)|challenge_cups=1 (2025)|website=[https://leedsknights.com Leeds Knights]|affiliates=|dates2=2021 - Present|name2=Leeds Knights|division=National League}}The Leeds Knights are a professional ice hockey team based in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. The team is a member of the National League and plays at Planet Ice Leeds.

History

The team was announced, along with the new National League, on 16 March 2019.{{cite news |title=New National League announced|url=https://www.britishicehockey.co.uk/post/new-national-league-announced/|publisher=British Ice Hockey|date=16 March 2019 |access-date=19 June 2019}} However, rumours of a Leeds-based team playing out of the 1800 capacity{{cite news |title=Planet Ice rink is starting to take shape in Leeds|url=https://planet-ice.co.uk/planet-ice-rink-leeds/|publisher=Planet Ice|access-date=19 June 2019}} Planet Ice Leeds arena were circulating months beforehand.{{cite news |title=How an ice hockey team in Leeds could prove popular and be successful at the top level|url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/ice-hockey/how-an-ice-hockey-team-in-leeds-could-prove-popular-and-be-successful-at-the-top-level-1-9465178 |newspaper=The Yorkshire Post|date=28 November 2018 |access-date=19 June 2019}} In joining the league, they became the first ever hockey team to play out of the city.{{cite news |title=Leeds ice hockey secures place in newly-formed National League|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/other-sport/leeds-ice-hockey-secures-place-in-newly-formed-national-league-1-9654779|newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post|date=16 March 2019 |access-date=19 June 2019}}

The Chiefs name was selected by Planet Ice following the results of a fan poll. The 'Chiefs' moniker won the poll, results of which were announced on 16 May 2019, having beaten the alternatives; Cotton Kings and Mighty Mammoths.{{cite news |title=Leeds settles on name for new ice hockey team ahead of 2019-20 National League season|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/other-sport/leeds-settles-on-name-for-new-ice-hockey-team-ahead-of-2019-20-national-league-season-1-9768530|newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post |date=14 May 2019 |access-date=18 June 2019}}

Former Whitley Warriors Defenceman Sam Zajac was announced as Player-coach of the team on 10 May 2019.{{cite news|title=Sam Zajac named as first player-coach of new Leeds ice hockey team|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/other-sport/sam-zajac-named-as-first-player-coach-of-new-leeds-ice-hockey-team-1-9760314|newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post|date=10 May 2019 |access-date=19 June 2019}} Zajac's first signing for the Chiefs was former Manchester Phoenix captain, Defenceman Luke Boothroyd.{{cite news|title=SLeeds Chiefs signal their intent with signing of Luke Boothroyd for new National League season|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/other-sport/leeds-chiefs-signal-their-intent-with-signing-of-luke-boothroyd-for-new-national-league-season-1-9790031|newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post|date=27 May 2019 |access-date=19 June 2019}}

In November 2019, head coach Sam Zajac launched an urgent appeal after a large amount of the team's equipment was stolen from an apartment block in Batley. This included new helmets that hadn't even been worn yet, along with sticks and gloves used by the players all season.{{cite news|title=Leeds Chiefs launch urgent appeal for help after ice hockey equipment is stolen|url=https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/other-sport/leeds-chiefs-launch-urgent-appeal-help-after-ice-hockey-equipment-stolen-1306581|newspaper=Yorkshire Evening Post|date=20 November 2019 |access-date=23 November 2019}} Despite this, the Chiefs confirmed their weekend games would go ahead as planned via a statement on Twitter.

In their first National League season, the Chiefs finished 10th. They won 13 games, losing 36, achieving 28 points overall. The season was curtailed in March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|title=NEWS: Board meeting confirms competitive hockey cancelled through May 31 |publisher=English Ice Hockey Association|url=https://eiha.co.uk/news-board-meeting-confirms-competitive-hockey-cancelled-through-may-31/|access-date=2020-07-11|language=en-GB}} For the first five months of the season, the Chiefs were required to play home games elsewhere, due to a delay in the opening of their rink.{{Cite web|date=16 December 2019|title=Confirmed Leeds Ice Rink Opening Date|url=https://leedschiefs.co.uk/confirmed-leeds-ice-rink-opening-date/|website=Leedschiefs.co.uk|access-date=11 July 2020}} The first game at their Elland Road arena was against Sheffield Steeldogs on 31 January 2020.{{Cite web|title=FixturesLive|url=https://w.fixtureslive.com/staticapi.aspx?a=statzone_match.ashx?fixtureID=2235449|access-date=2020-07-11|website=W.fixtureslive.com}}

In 2021, the club rebranded and changed their name from Leeds Chiefs to Leeds Knights due to a change in ownership. The team is now owned by Stephen Nell who was an also owner of Swindon Wildcats. The new name has ties to the Royal Armouries in Leeds.{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishicehockey.co.uk/post/revealed-new-name-and-logo-for-leeds/#:~:text=Leeds%20Ice%20Hockey%20Club%20have,and%20will%20take%20effect%20immediately%20.|title=Revealed: New name and logo for Leeds |publisher=British Ice Hockey|date=19 May 2021}} David Whistle arrived as Head Coach and General Manager, but departed in January 2022. Former Swindon Wildcats coach Ryan Aldridge was then appointed as interim coach until the end of the 2021/22 season.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/Leedsknights/status/1481294911840260101|title=Leeds Knight Confirm Change in Management Team|website=Twitter.com|access-date=15 January 2022}}

Aldridge was named as permanent Head Coach ready for the 2022-2023 season, a season in which the Knights won both the league and the playoffs.{{cite web|url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/nihl/2022-2023|title=2022-2023 NIHL Season Standings and Stats|website=eliteprospects.com|access-date=12 July 2024}} In the 2023-2024 season, the Knights successfully defended their league title, but lost in the playoff final to Peterborough Phantoms in a shootout defeat.{{cite web|url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/league/nihl/2023-2024|title=2023-2024 NIHL Season Standings and Stats|website=eliteprospects.com|access-date=12 July 2024}} The following off-season, England Ice Hockey accepted a request to submit Leeds Knights 2, a new team, into the NIHL 1 North league. Upon creation, Davey Lawrence, the Leeds' National League team's assistant head coach, became the Head Coach of Knights 2.{{cite web|url=https://leedsknights.com/news/leeds-knights-2-is-confirmed-for-2024-25|title=Leeds Knights 2 Is Confirmed for 2024-25|website=leedsknights.com|access-date=12 July 2024}}

Roster

Correct as of 2 November 2024

(*) Denotes a Non-British Trained player (Import)

class="toccolours" style="width:97%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
colspan="11" style="background: #1661a3; color: #f6e014;"| Netminders
style="background:#ddd;"

!width=5%|No.

!width=5%|Nat.

!!width=22%|Player

!width=7%|Catches

!width=16%|Date of birth

!width=20%|Place of birth

!width=24%|Acquired

|Contract

style="background:#eee;"

|31

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

| align=left| Sam Gospel

| L

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1994|03|27|df=yes}}

| align=left| Nottingham, England

| align=left| 2021 from Manchester Storm

| 24/25

style="background:#eee;"

|32

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

| align=left| Harrison Walker

| L

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2002|06|25|df=yes}}

| align=left| Bradford, England

| align=left| 2022 from Widnes Wild

| 24/25

class="toccolours" style="width:97%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
colspan="10" style="background: #1661a3; color: #f6e014;" | Defencemen
style="background:#ddd;"

!width=5%|No.

!width=5%|Nat.

!!width=22%|Player

!width=7%|Shoots

!width=16%|Date of birth

!width=20%|Place of birth

!width=24%|Acquired

|Contract

style="background:#eee;"

|3

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

| align=left| Bailey Perre

| R

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2004|05|10|df=yes}}

| align=left| Swindon, England

| align=left| 2022 from Swindon Wildcats

| Two-Way

style="background:#eee;"

|8

| {{flagicon|CAN}}

| align=left| Bowdyn Neely

| R

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2003|10|15|df=yes}}

| align=left| Calgary, Canada

| align=left| 2023 from South Shore Kings

| 26/27

style="background:#eee;"

|14

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

| align=left| Lewis Baldwin

| R

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1999|07|02|df=yes}}

| align=left| Billingham, England

| align=left| 2019 from Solway Sharks

| 25/26

style="background:#eee;"

|18

| {{flagicon|LAT}}

| align=left| Krisjanis Fugalis

| L

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2003|04|23|df=yes}}

| align=left| Liepāja, Latvia

| align=left| 2024 from Iroquois Falls Storm

| 24/25

style="background:#eee;"

|24

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

| align="left" | Dylan Hehir

| R

| align="left" | {{Birth date and age|2002|11|30|df=yes}}

| align="left" | Billingham, England

| align="left" | 2022 from Whitley Warriors

| 24/25

style="background:#eee;"

|44

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

| align=left| Jordan Griffin

| R

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2002|01|29|df=yes}}

| align=left| Crewe, England

| align=left| 2020 from Sheffield Steelers

| 24/25

style="background:#eee;"

|54

| {{flagicon|CAN}}

| align=left| Noah McMullin*

| L

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1998|06|15|df=yes}}

| align=left| Sackville, Canada

| align=left| 2023 from Ontario Tech University

| 24/25

class="toccolours" style="width:97%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
colspan="11" style="background: #1661a3; color: #f6e014;"| Forwards
style="background:#ddd;"

!width=5%|No.

!width=5%|Nat.

!!width=22%|Player

!width=7%|Shoots

!width=16%|Date of birth

!width=20%|Place of birth

!width=24%|Acquired

|Contract

style="background:#eee;"

|6

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

| align=left| Ethan Hehir

| R

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2001|07|02|df=yes}}

| align="left" | Billingham, England

| align=left| 2019 from Billingham Stars

| 24/25

style="background:#eee;"

|9

| {{flagicon|SCO}}

| align=left| Jordan Buesa

| L

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2000|03|30|df=yes}}

| align=left| Troon, Scotland

| align=left| 2023 from Glasgow Clan

| 24/25

style="background:#eee;"

|11

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

| align=left| Matthew Haywood

| L

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1990|12|27|df=yes}}

| align=left| Doncaster, England

| align=left| 2022 from Glasgow Clan

| 24/25

style="background:#eee;"

|12

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

| align=left| Kieran Brown 'C'

| L

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2001|02|27|df=yes}}

| align=left| Bradford, England

| align=left| 2021 from Widnes Wild

| 24/25

style="background:#eee;"

|19

| {{flagicon|SCO}}

| align=left| Innes Gallacher

| R

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2004|10|05|df=yes}}

| align=left| Kilmarnock, Scotland

| align=left| 2023 from Kilmarnock Thunder

| 24/25

style="background:#eee;"

|22

| {{flagicon|LAT}}

| align=left| Edgars Vengis

| L

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2008|09|18|df=yes}}

| align=left| Ogre, Latvia

| align=left| -

| Two-Way

style="background:#eee;"

|23

| {{flagicon|CZE}}

| align=left| Michael Danečko

| L

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2004|06|23|df=yes}}

| align=left| Havířov, Czech Republic

| align=left| 2024 from Sheffield Steeldogs

| Two-Way

style="background:#eee;"

|33

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

| align=left| Finley Bradon

| R

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2005|11|24|df=yes}}

| align=left| Darlington, England

| align=left| 2022 from Billingham Stars

| 26/27

style="background:#eee;"

|37

| {{flagicon|CAN}}

| align=left| Matthew Barron*

| R

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1999|03|25|df=yes}}

| align=left| Yarmouth, Canada

| align=left| 2023 from Trois-Rivieres Lions

| 24/25

style="background:#eee;"

|41

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

| align=left| Oliver Endicott

| L

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|2004|06|10|df=yes}}

| align=left| Swindon, England

| align=left| 2022 from IPK U20

| 24/25

style="background:#eee;"

|73

| {{flagicon|CAN}}

| align=left| Matt Bissonnette*

| L

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1992|01|16|df=yes}}

| align=left| Beaconsfield, Canada

| align=left| 2024 from Sheffield Steeldogs

| 24/25

style="background:#eee;"

|95

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

| align=left| Mac Howlett

| L

| align=left| {{Birth date and age|1999|12|30|df=yes}}

| align=left| Woking, England

| align=left| 2023 from Dundee Stars

| 25/26

class="toccolours" style="width:97%; clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center;"
colspan="11" style="background: #1661a3; color: #f6e014;"| Team Staff
style="background:#ddd;"

!width=5%|Nat.

!!width=16%|Name

!width=16%|Position

!width=16%|Acquired

!width=20%|Place of birth

!width=24%|Joined From

style="background:#eee;"

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

| align=left|Ryan Aldridge

| Head coach

| 2022

| align=left| Swindon, England

| align=left| Okanagan Hockey Academy U18, England U18

style="background:#eee;"

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

|align=left|Stephen Nell

|General manager/Owner

|2021

|align=left| England

|align=left| Swindon Wildcats, NIHL

style="background:#eee;"

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

|align=left|Jason Thomas

|Equipment/Team Manager

|2019

|align=left| Swindon, England

|align=left|

style="background:#eee;"

| {{flagicon|ENG}}

|align=left|Verity Thomas

|Partnership Manager

|2024

|align=left| England

|align=left|

Source:{{cite web|url=https://www.eliteprospects.com/team/28040/leeds-knights|title=Leeds Knights|website=Eliteprospects.com}}

Season-by-season record

As of 17 March 2025

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

class="wikitable" width=97% style="clear:both; margin:1.5em auto; text-align:center"
align="center"

| colspan=12 style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold; background-color:#1661a3; color:#f6e014;" | As Leeds Chiefs:

style="font-weight:bold; background-color:#dddddd;" |

| Season

LeagueGPWLOTLPTSGFGALeague PositionCupPlayoffs
bgcolor="#eeeeee" align="center"

| 2019-20

align="left"| National Ice Hockey League49133422814522910th of 10N/AN/A
bgcolor="#eeeeee" align="center"

| 2021-22

align="left"| National Ice Hockey League4827192561861724th of 9DNQQF
align="center"

| colspan=12 style="text-align: center; font-weight:bold; background-color:#1661a3; color:#f6e014;" | As Leeds Knights:

style="font-weight:bold; background-color:#dddddd;" |

| Season

LeagueGPWLOTLPTSGFGALeague PositionCupPlayoffs
bgcolor="#eeeeee" align="center"

| 2022-23

align="left"| National Ice Hockey League56465597310144style="background:#ffd500;" | 1st of 11 (C)Fstyle="background:#ffd500;" | Champions
bgcolor="#eeeeee" align="center"

| 2023-24

align="left"| National Ice Hockey League54467193266132style="background:#ffd500;" | 1st of 11 (C)SFF
bgcolor="#eeeeee" align="center"

| 2024-25

align="left"| National Ice Hockey League544111284253135style="background:#ffd500;" | 1st of 11 (C)style="background:#ffd500;" | ChampionsSF

{{col-end}}

Note: GP = Games played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; OTL = Overtime Losses; PTS = Points; GF = Goals For; GA = Goals Against

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [https://www.leedsknights.com/news/ NEWS]

{{British ice hockey}}

Category:Sport in Leeds

Category:Ice hockey teams in England

Category:Ice hockey clubs established in 2019

Category:2019 establishments in England