Bradford Bulldogs look to challenge for top four NIHL spot

The 2022-23 campaign was by Brown’s own admission very much a development season for the club, one that was borne out by finishing seventh in the overall standings. 

This time around, however, buoyed by several new faces across all areas of the team, Brown is confident he has a more competitive line-up, one that can get back to challenging at the right end of the table, much like they were in the years immediately prior to the pandemic. 

While Hull Jets have taken up the option of moving up to NIHL North One after last year’s regular season title success, North Two has actually expanded, with the addition of two new teams. 

The arrival of Kingston Sharks, who Bradford host in their opening game on Sunday, ensures that Hull maintain a presence in the fourth tier, while Billingham Buccaneers means there will now be a direct chain linking the junior teams at the Forum with the Stars in NIHL North One. 

Brown thinks the expansion will make for a more even league and while it’s expected that play-off winners Telford Tigers 2 will probably be the team to catch, the Bulldogs’ coach believes his team are one of those capable of making it to the post-season.

“I genuinely believe we have a stronger team this year,” said Brown. “We’ve strengthened up on all lines. 

“Last season was very much a development season, we knew that from the start, having lost a few key players to them either moving on or retiring. 

“And while we’re still looking for our team to be a stepping stone for the juniors - as we always are here - we should be stronger and we should definitely be aiming for a top four position and the play-offs.

“We’ll be bringing some of our 18s through again, we’ve taken on a few extra players so we’ve got a much larger squad this year. We had problems with consistency and getting enough players to some of the games last year, that proved to be one of our biggest problems.

“So I think with those additions and the players we’ve kept hold of, we’ll just be a much stronger unit.” 

Andy Brown feels the Bulldogs side can build on last year's promise. (Image: Alien Aerial Photography.)

New faces appear all over the ice this season for the Bulldogs, starting with netminder Jake Londes who will share goalie duties with Sam Bolwell after joining on a two-way deal from North One’s Widnes Wild.

On the back-end, Joe Howie (Nottingham) and Joel Bark (Widnes) offer more depth, as will Jacob Brownlie in his first year out of Under-18s hockey. 

Up front, Declan Kime, Ben Fox, Ross MacPherson and Mikey Speare give Brown more options, as does the inclusion of Under-18s forwards Tom Mardell - who scored his first senior goal last season - and Ollie Massey.

“I think it will be a much more even league this year, " added Brown. “Hull and Telford were head and shoulders above everybody last year and I presume Telford will still be very strong again this season. 

“I think Billingham will be strong and the league generally to be stronger. Over the next few years the likes of Leeds are expected to put a team into the league and perhaps a few others, too. 

“So I can only see the league going from strength to strength and we’re excited to be a part of that.”