Hull Seahawks coach Matty Davies on why Brock Bartholomew is the perfect fit
MATTY DAVIES says Brock Bartholomew has returned to Hull Seahawks at the ideal time to help kickstart their NIHL National season.
The Seahawks lie eighth in the standings at the quarter-way mark of the 2025-26 campaign with head coach Davies desperate to find the right formula needed to get in among the front-runners.
He has threatened changes on a number of occasions this season, the latest being after the 5-1 defeat at fierce derby rivals Leeds Knights 10 days ago.
Bartholomew was a hit in his debut season for Hull in 2023-24, finishing the season as the league’s top-scoring defenceman with 63 points in 53 games.
He will bring Hull’s import tally to five, one above the number allowed to play in games at any one time. For now, Davies is happy to go with an extra import.
“He’s coming back at a good time,” said Davies. “What he’s going to bring to us is being that No 1-2 D-man who’s going to log plenty minutes but also add to us offensively.
“He will just be able to bring us more from the blue line, as well as all over the ice. He’s got a great stick, he breaks up the play really well and he can get it to the forwards quickly - and that’s something that I think we’re missing.”
Davies admitted the loss of veteran D-man Davey Phillips just days before the start of the season to arch-rivals Sheffield Steeldogs, was not something he had planned for - having already used up his import quota by signing four forwards.
Although he believes his team’s defence has got better collectively, he feels it has lacked the capacity to provide offence.
And while Bartholomew will not make his competitive return until next week, most likely at Telford Tigers - Davies is keen to get a full week of practice into him beforehand - he is confident the 24-year-old left-hander can provide the game he feels his team is currently lacking.
“That’s nothing on our D,” insisted Davies. “Our D core are young and even a couple of the older guys here, have never been that type of player, or been in that scenario to be that type of offensive player. So that’s not on them, it’s on me and making sure I get the right mix of players.
“I also think he will help with the younger D-men, with that offensive side of the game and help them become better offensive players. “I work with the young lads quite a bit on that side of the game and we really want them young lads coming through and improving that side of their game and Brock will just help with that.”