Leeds Chiefs Kieran Brown out to end months of frustration after joining Telford Tigers for NIHL National Spring Cup

KIERAN BROWN says he is looking forward to putting months of frustration behind him after securing a spot on the Telford Tigers roster for the NIHL National Spring Cup.
Kieran Brown, in action against Leeds Chiefs for Sheffield Steeldogs last season. Picture courtesy of Cerys Molloy.Kieran Brown, in action against Leeds Chiefs for Sheffield Steeldogs last season. Picture courtesy of Cerys Molloy.
Kieran Brown, in action against Leeds Chiefs for Sheffield Steeldogs last season. Picture courtesy of Cerys Molloy.

The 19-year-old forward enjoyed his first full team practise at Telford Ice Arena earlier this week with fellow new signings, former Sheffield Steelers team-mate Cole Shudra and Sam Jones, who was signed by the Steelers last summer for the 2020-21 Elite league season.

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Brown left the Steelers at his own request last summer frustrated by the lack of ice time under successive coaches and was snapped up by NIHL National outfit Leeds Chiefs ahead of the 2020-21 season.

Kieran Brown, in action last season for Sheffield Steelers, has signed for Telford Tigers for the duration of the NIHL National Spring Cup. Picture courtesy of Dean Woolley.Kieran Brown, in action last season for Sheffield Steelers, has signed for Telford Tigers for the duration of the NIHL National Spring Cup. Picture courtesy of Dean Woolley.
Kieran Brown, in action last season for Sheffield Steelers, has signed for Telford Tigers for the duration of the NIHL National Spring Cup. Picture courtesy of Dean Woolley.
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But the coronavirus pandemic - which had already brought the curtain down early on the 2019-20 campaign across all levels of the sport - continued to wreak havoc by making it impossible for any kind of season to be staged.

It was even more frustrating for Brown given he had spent over two months of last season injured, having greatly impressed for Sheffield Steeldogs while on a two-way deal from the Steelers. He returned, briefly, only to see the season end early.

Now the talented winger is looking forward to a return to action under Telford head coach Tom Watkins, with the Tigers’ first scheduled game in the Spring Cup at home to Raiders on Saturday, February 20, the return match taking place in Romford 24 hours later.

Sam Jones, in action for FifeFlyers last season, signed for Sheffield Steelers for the 2020-21 season, but will skate out with Telford for the Spring cup. Picture courtesy of  Jillian McFarlane/Flyers Images.Sam Jones, in action for FifeFlyers last season, signed for Sheffield Steelers for the 2020-21 season, but will skate out with Telford for the Spring cup. Picture courtesy of  Jillian McFarlane/Flyers Images.
Sam Jones, in action for FifeFlyers last season, signed for Sheffield Steelers for the 2020-21 season, but will skate out with Telford for the Spring cup. Picture courtesy of Jillian McFarlane/Flyers Images.
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“I’m just desperate to get playing again,” admitted Brown, who came through the junior system at Bradford Bulldogs under his watchful eye of his dad, Andy, the club’s head coach. “I’m so excited. I can’t wait to get back to some kind of normality - practising in the week, then playing at weekends. It’s going to be great.

“You get into a routine and I’ve missed that, the practise sessions, and then having games at weekends, that side of things has been really tough, not just for me, but for everyone.

“I’ve missed it loads, the team spirit in the dressing room, everything - the thing is that we’ve all taken it for granted for so long and then it has just been taken away.”

Following the seven-week Spring Cup, there are hopes that the NIHL National will be able to stage some kind of shortened league campaign, with all 10 teams invited to take part.

Cole Shudra is seen as a key asset by Telford Tigers head coach Tom Watkins ahead of the NIHL National Spring Cup. Picture courtesy of Dean Woolley.Cole Shudra is seen as a key asset by Telford Tigers head coach Tom Watkins ahead of the NIHL National Spring Cup. Picture courtesy of Dean Woolley.
Cole Shudra is seen as a key asset by Telford Tigers head coach Tom Watkins ahead of the NIHL National Spring Cup. Picture courtesy of Dean Woolley.
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Leeds are one of four teams playing out of rinks owned by Planet Ice not taking part in the Spring Cup, with Peterborough, Milton Keynes - who took part in November’s Streaming Series with Sheffield Steeldogs and Swindon Wildcats - and Basingstoke also on the sidelines. Hull Pirates are the other team missing, due to their rink expected to undergo a major refurbishment from next month.

Brown has signed up for seven weeks with the Tigers, but hasn’t given up hope of skating out with the Chiefs should they go on to be involved in any kind of league campaign that may take place in April and May.

“I was really looking forward to playing for Leeds this season,” added Brown. “It’s close to my home in Bradford and is a new team for me, so it’s been a bit rubbish.

“But hopefully we can get something going in April and May because there is talk of all 10 teams being involved in some kind of league. Fingers crossed on that.

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“I’m lucky in a sense over the last few months that I’ve been able to work out at home and stuff, but it was hard to get motivated at times knowing that there was no hockey at the end of it. But with signing for Telford and the Spring Cup there’s plenty of motivation.”

Watkins said he was looking forward to working with all three of his new signings.

“I’m delighted to add the new players to the roster,” he said. “All are very exciting players who will add depth to the line-up which I think is key given the short time we have had to prepare for the cup. All three players have a huge amount of talent.

“Offensively, the addition of Kieran adds scoring punch. He’s an explosive player who has an excellent scoring touch. Cole comes with the ability to play as a forward or in defense which is great from my point of view but we will be utilising him on the D core.

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“Sam joins us in preparation for what will hopefully be a successful run at the GB squad for the World Championships. He’s a player who skates exceptionally well, has great poise and control on the puck and for a D-man will put up numbers. We’re grateful for the support of the Sheffield Steelers in making this signing possible.”

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