Invicta Dynamos Head Coach Kevin Parrish has today secured his first new arrival of an off-season still very much in its infancy with the capture of 22 year old utility man Brad Watchorn from the EPL’s Bracknell Bees.
Brad Watchorn joins from Bracknell. Londoner Brad Watchorn rose through the ranks in Berkshire and made his debut appearance for the club’s most senior side as early as 2005/06 aged just 16. Despite also splitting his time with the Bracknell Drones under 19s and the Hornets in the ENIHL, the skater managed 20 outings for the Bees in the EPL – picking up four goals and an assist as a promising junior.
The following year Watchorn then took his game across the Atlantic, as he appeared for the Richmond Hill Rams in the Ontario Greater Metro Junior A Hockey League (OGMJHL), before returning to these shores, and to Berkshire for the second half of 2007/08.
He would remain in the EPL for the next term – this time tallying four points and 129 penalty minutes in 34 outings for the Wightlink Raiders – before making the inevitable move back to Bracknell in 2009/10 to appear for the Hornets. Over 32 outings he enjoyed a return of 13 goals and 19 assists whilst his developing reputation for dropping the gloves also saw him collect 187 minutes of penalties.
His performances caught the eye of Raiders’ player/coach Jeremy Cornish and so, in 2010/11, Watchorn soon found himself back on the Isle of Wight where his 33 points and 166 PIMS helped the team scoop the ENIHL Southern Championship. Now, after another year in the EPL with the Bracknell Bees in which he managed eight points and 151 penalty minutes, he will be looking to pick up the silverware once again but this time in the colours of the Invicta Dynamos after penning a contract that will bring him to Gillingham.
Speaking on the arrival of Brad Watchorn ahead of the 2012/13 campaign, Invicta Dynamos Head Coach Kevin Parrish revealed that he thought the skater would bring a new dimension to the side and that he saw his latest acquisition as a key summer signing.
Parrish said, “I’m delighted to have Brad joining us at the Silver Blades Ice Rink Gillingham this year and believe his capture is a major coup for us. We needed a player at the club who could take care of matters when they get physical and Brad, who arrives with a reputation as a tough guy, fits the bill perfectly. Over the last few years he has proven he’s not one to shy away from a bout as he has stepped in to defend his teammates and I see him playing an important role for us in 2012/13”.
Despite lauding his latest capture’s brawling abilities, Parrish then added that he acquired Watchorn for more than his fighting prowess when he said, “I’m not bringing Brad in solely to act as an enforcer as, despite being just 22, he has years of EPL and ENIHL experience that will prove an asset to the team. He has posted strong numbers at this level before, he knows what it takes to win having picked up silverware in both Bracknell and on the Isle of Wight and he’s the sort of player that will pick up points and put in a performance on any line. He’s already raring to go in his new colours and I look forward to working with him in the new season”.
Latest capture Brad Watchorn is the Dynamos’ second signing of the off-season with the skater, who can play as a forward or back on the blue line, joining Tim Smith on the roster ahead of the 2012/13 campaign. The 6ft 3in tough guy will don the number 77 shirt when he makes his debut in Gillingham come September.
Picture by Tim Bowers