Hull Seahawks confident Johnny Corneil can help them realise NIHL National ambitions

Approaching a fourth season behind the bench with his hometown team, head coach Davies has made no secret of his desire to bring some silverware to East Yorkshire.

A failure to make the Final Four Play-off Weekend in Coventry for two straight seasons has proved immensely frustrating for Davies, but he believes Corneil’s many qualities can be a big factor behind the team ending their wait for success in 2025-26.

Crucially, the 27-year-old Canadian-born left-hander will be full-time with the Seahawks this time around, having spent last season on loan from the Elite League’s Manchester Storm.

For Davies – who has already released Chris Wilcox and Jordan Fisher this summer, along with youngster Rhys Edwards – bringing Corneil back was an easy decision.

“There were a number of reasons I wanted Johnny back next season,” said Davies. “First and foremost, he’s a great lad who fits so well into the team and the culture.

“He is a player that has come here having played at higher levels and so he brings a level of professionalism we need to help us as a team get to the next level.

“He’s a player that plays great at both ends of the ice and someone I can rely on to play in big moments.

“Defensively, he’s very capable and a very good mix of a player that I think you need in your imports.

“He’s really excited about coming back and wants to improve on last season also, which was another big factor in me wanting him to come back.”

Corneil, who enjoyed a productive season in Norway ahead of first joining the Storm for the 2023-24 season, made a telling impact when he made the loan switch to the Seahawks with just over a week of the season gone.

The move meant an early departure for import Kaden Haas, who had scored four goals and an assist in just two games before being shown the door.

Corneil went on to score 79 points in 52 league and play-off appearances, 39 of those goals, making him the Seahawks’ fifth leading points scorer.