The Invicta Dynamos 2019/20 Coach’s Player of the Year Luke Thirkettle has committed to the club for another season after agreeing terms with Player-Coach Anthony Leone for 2020/21.
Homegrown forward Luke Thirkettle is a product of the junior setup in Gillingham and rose through the ranks before making his senior debut for the Invicta Mustangs as a junior in the NIHL South’s second tier in 2015/16. In the seasons that followed the skater split his time between his junior sides and the Mustangs before committing to the Division 2 side full time in 2017/18.
In 2018/19 Luke Thirkettle then had his first taste of icing for the Dynamos as he stepped up to fill the void left by a number of injuries to the roster. His battling displays in eight late season outings suitably impressed and he was signed up to the Dynamos on a full time basis for the 2019/20 campaign.
Last term the forward dressed in all but one of the team’s 42 fixtures, scored 4 goals, claimed 6 assists and so amassed 10 points. His work rate and desire to wear the team shirt saw his Player-Coach select him as his Coach’s Player of the Year at the end of season awards and now he returns for 2020/21 looking to continue his development.
Speaking on his return to the Mos, Luke Thirkettle said, “I’m delighted to be back with the Dynamos for another season. This is my hometown club and I love being able to wear the Mos jersey every week. Last year was great for me personally as I learned so much from everyone involved.”
“I enjoyed every minute of being on this team and I think everyone else in the room would say the same for themselves. So when Coach Anthony Leone asked me to return for another year it was a very easy decision.”
Player-Coach Anthony Leone spoke of Thirkettle’s return saying, “Luke is a young, homegrown player with a hunger to play for this team and there was never of question of letting him move elsewhere for 2020/21. Luke is still developing but last year he showed he has a role to play at this level of the game.”
“He grabbed a good number of points but also put in the effort that made him a worthy winner of the Coach’s Player of the Year award. I know he’s determined to continue his progress and he has a passion for this team that we wouldn’t be without. I look forward to working with him again when the new season gets underway.”