Streatham Redskins are delighted to announce the signing of ENL South All-Star defenseman Dominic Hopkins from the Wightlink Raiders.
The 31 year old has made the switch to South London and becomes the first new face to be announced by Streatham ahead of the 2012/13 season and joins goalie Will Sanderson on the confirmed roster so far.
Hopkins has been one of the standout blue liners in the league in recent years, winning the ENL Play Offs with Bracknell Hornets in 2009/10 and a league title with Wightlink in 2010/11, whilst also being voted the league’s best defenseman by his peers in both 2010/11 and 2011/12.
The Reading born 6’ 5” blue liner started his career in the British National League with Guildford Flames, Dundee Stars and Slough Jets before time in the Elite League with London Racers and Basingstoke Bison.
“I am looking forward to the new challenge” explained Hopkins, who was Alternate Captain for the Raiders last season.
“The team struggled last season but the Streatham fans always seemed to be right behind the team and obviously it is a club with a strong history but also a bright future”
“The rink at Brixton is a good facility and the set-up is all there for the team to build and compete with the bigger teams in the league. A club like Streatham deserves to be better than struggling at the bottom of the league and I am looking forward to playing a part in making sure that doesn’t happen again”
Streatham escaped relegation on the last day of the 2011/12 season with an emphatic win over Slough in front of a massed away following of Redskins fans, and whilst the elation on that evening anyone connected with the team felt was high, Head Coach Barry Spours is keen that it is not repeated.
“Last season was a transitional year” explained Spours, who will be returning behind the bench for 2012/13.
“We struggled with injuries and a number of core guys left before the season started and to be honest it was an uphill battle”
“We scrapped and fought for our lives as the season went on and eventually we pulled through on that famous night in Slough”
“The fans stuck with us, the players dug deep and despite the rink closure we survived and now we want to build and Dom is a fantastic capture for us”
“He is well respected across the league, he gives us so many qualities including strength, experience and goals and of course he is a winner, and that’s what any team wants”
“We have been scouting hard this summer for new players and it is certainly a crowded market with a number of clubs chasing a limited number of players, but we want people to know that Streatham is a place where players can enjoy playing”
“We have a new rink, good facilities, a good core of people within the organisation and we will do all we can to make Streatham a competitive team in the 2012/13 season”
Streatham will be making further announcements as the summer goes on, however you can always read about Redskins news first on our official website.
