The Invicta Dynamos have announced Taylor and Brandon Chard as the sixth and seventh signings of the 2022/23 campaign.

Both now join the Mos having represented the Invicta Junior Ice Hockey Club at every level. The additions of both signify the huge importance of a pathway for young hockey players to thrive at Invicta to ultimately become the future of our club.

Anyone who has been following Medway ice hockey for a little (!) while may recognise the Chard name. Their father, Phil, is a former Dynamos legend who featured in 302 games spanning 8 seasons, from 1997 to 2006. A formidable D Man who scored 99 goals and 194 assists throughout his Mos career, placing him 9th in the all-time top points scorer’s table and concluding with the club retiring his number 23 jersey when he bowed out of the sport.

The love of ice hockey is clearly running in the Chard blood and his sons are now set to continue the Chard legacy and leave their own mark on the history of our club.

Taylor made a dream start to his senior hockey career scoring his first goal in his first game against the Slough Jets in a preseason challenge back in September. He iced 15 times for the Dynamos last term, adding a couple assists along the way. Alongside this he continued to ice for the Invicta Colts under the guidance of Phil (Under 18’s Coach) and with his younger brother Brandon. Both were crucial in helping the team to secure the South 2 League Title beating both Haringey Hounds and Swindon Tigers in a dramatic finale. Taylor contributed 15pts from the Blue line whilst Brandon led the team in goal scoring netting 26 times and adding 12 assists for 38pts across the season.

The club have made it clear that, under Lennon, this season there will be a new approach regarding player development and the Chard brothers are key to unlocking the potential we see with the young players coming through the ranks.

On signing, Taylor had to say “I learnt a lot playing for the Mos last year and am looking to build upon that experience and take my senior career to the next level. I’m really looking forward to the challenge and am grateful to Karl for inviting me back.”

His brother Brandon added “As a junior at the club, I’ve always aspired to play for the Dynamos, and to be given this opportunity is something I am really looking forward to and something I consider a huge honour.”

Head Coach Karl Lennon outlined the importance of recruiting the Chard brothers saying “One of my key ambitions with the Dynamos is to create a path for young players to flourish and so the signing of Taylor and Brandon embodies that perfectly. We got to see glimpses of Taylor last season and I can assure you that alongside his brother, Brandon is an extremely talented prospect too. We will provide them both with an environment for them to realise their potential also knowing that in the background we can call upon their old man (who you all remember well) to give them continued support. Phil gave me my spot in the Dynamos roster all those years ago and it’s a privilege for me to now return the faith with his two boys. I know how special it is to share the same team as your sibling (BTL #6), especially here with the Dynamos and I can’t wait to see two Chards line up next season!”

Taylor will continue to wear number 54 and Brandon will wear number 16 for the Invicta Dynamos in 2022/23.