Newly appointed Invicta Dynamos Player-Coach Anthony Leone has begun his summer recruitment by re-signing 28 year old Maidstone born defenceman, and his new captain for 2019/20, Ryan Giles who has already made 239 appearances for the club.
Ryan Giles is a former Invicta junior who made his senior debut for the Dynamos in 2006/07 aged just 16. In the 12 years that followed, he has spent 8 with the Mos whilst appearing for the Romford Raiders, Chelmsford Chieftains and Streatham IHC in between.
Most recently he prematurely halted a break to his hockey career in 2018/19 to answer an S.O.S. and return to the Dynamos when they found their defence depleted by injuries.
Giles already has 239 Dynamos appearances under his belt during which time he has found the target 23 times and claimed 94 assists to build a tally of 117 points. Whilst in a Mos jersey he has lifted an ENIHL National title (2008/09), three ENIHL Southern titles (2006/07, 2008/09 and 2009/10) and a further ENIHL South Conference B title (2007/08).
He added to these successes whilst with the Chelmsford Chieftains who claimed an NIHL South Division 1 championship in 2014/15. Now, after a brief break from the game that allowed him to focus on matters away from the ice, he is back and fully committed to the side where he first made his name and keen to add to his medal haul.
Speaking on his return to the Dynamos, Ryan Giles said, “Invicta is my hometown club. I watched the Dynamos as a kid and came through the junior system here. I iced for the team in the 10th anniversary year and was honoured to then be a part of the 20th Anniversary Legends’ Game a decade later.”
“I love this club and it means a lot to be able to return.” But what was it that brought the blue liner home again? “I just couldn’t turn down the opportunity to play a big part in ‘the new era’ with Anthony Leone and to help the club move forward in the right direction” he tells us. “It was an easy decision for me. I’m excited.”
Giles then spoke on his hopes for the upcoming 2019/20 campaign when he added, “It’s important to me that we have a good core of young home grown players pulling on a Dynamos shirt and I want us to be a team that competes in every game. We have the best fans around, I want us to keep the stands full and the atmosphere pumping.”
“It’s going to be a good year but also a building block for our long term future. Personally I’m already working hard to be ready for the season – one that I hope will be my best yet – but my focus will also be on helping some of the younger guys develop”.
Having signed up his new club captain for 2019/20, Player-Coach Anthony Leone said, “As soon as I was appointed in my new role I needed someone to fill my old position. This had to be someone with passion for the club, someone with experience and someone that would do anything for the jersey.”
“There was only one player in my eyes – Ryan Giles. He’s a home grown player who will look out for his team and will push the younger guys in the right direction. As soon as I contacted Ryan and asked him to wear the ‘C’ I could hear how much it meant to him.”
“He was pleased about the direction I intend to take the club and he will be a big part of helping us down that path. I know he will be up there alongside the best captains to have worn this club’s shirt.”
Ryan Giles will return to the number 90 jersey when he takes to the ice for the Invicta Dynamos in 2019/20.