With the season now just days away the Invicta Dynamos have confirmed the appointment of assistant coach Dmitri Rodin and the awarding of the captaincy to Welsh forward Nicky Lewis.

Heading in to 2015/16 Nicky Lewis is the Mos’ longest serving player having penned a deal in the summer to spend a seventh consecutive season at the Silver Blades Gillingham.

The Welshman first iced for the Dynamos in 2009 and has since gone on to wear the team jersey on 258 occasions whilst claiming 223 points in the process.

Now he will lead from the front both on and off the ice as Head Coach Kevin Parrish places the ‘C’ on his jersey heading into the new campaign.

Speaking on the appointment of Nicky Lewis as captain Parrish said, “We have a very young and hungry side this season and Nicky has both that invaluable playing experience and a long history at the club behind him that make him the ideal candidate to be captain.”

“However beyond that Nicky is also a fantastic character to have in the changing room, he’s passionate about his hockey and this team and he’s always shouting encouragement to his teammates from the bench.”

“You can see when Nicky is out on the ice that he’s one of those players that never gives up and that’s exactly the role model I want for this side as we head into the new campaign.”

“I’ve no doubt that he will be a formidable captain and I’m sure the supporters will be pleased with his appointment”.

Meanwhile Head Coach Kevin Parrish has also welcomed a new addition to his staff with the arrival of Estonian defenceman Dmitri Rodin as assistant coach.

40 year old Rodin retired from skating in 2013 bringing an end to an illustrious playing career that saw him captain his country, ice in the Elite League and EPL and appear at the top levels in Estonia, the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia.

He arrives in Gillingham with a string of international honours on his CV including numerous ‘Best Defenceman’ awards from World Championships in recent years.

Now he will be bringing his vast experience to the Mos as he aids Kevin Parrish at training sessions throughout the season with his main focus on supporting the netminders and the team’s rear guard.

Talking on the arrival of Dmitri Rodin, Head Coach Kevin Parrish said, “I’m delighted Dmitri has joined the coaching staff and look forward to working with him over the course of 2015/16.”

“We have a very young team this year and Dmitri has a huge amount of experience at various levels that the guys will undoubtedly benefit from.”

“He’s a fresh set of eyes and a new approach and I’m sure the club will reap the dividends of his appointment as we get further into the season.”

“Dmitri and I will both coach the side at training sessions allowing us to give individual lines and players more attention and help them further develop and improve as the year goes on.”

“He’s a welcoming character, very knowledgeable and I’m very pleased to have him working with the Mos in 2015/16”.

The appointment of Dmitri Rodin and the awarding of the captaincy to Nicky Lewis comes as the Dynamos begin their final preparations ahead of the first puck drop on Sunday.

The Mos will take on the Bracknell Hornets at the Silver Blades in the NIHL South Division 1 at 5.15pm with doors opening at the venue from 4.30pm.