The Invicta Dynamos have announced that 21 year old blue liner Ryan Giles will be making an immediate return to the club’s rear guard after the skater this week declared himself fit for action.

Giles, who withdrew from competitive hockey in January 2011 to aid his recovery from a serious car accident the year before, is now in line to make a comeback and could lace up his skates as the team travel to Chelmsford to face the Chieftains on Sunday.

Defenceman Ryan Giles first played for the Dynamos in 2006/07 and, despite his young age, soon became a hit with the team’s supporters as his no nonsense approach and whole hearted displays impressed in the ENIHL. In his debut year he picked up the club’s ‘Rookie of the Year’ award before going on to spend a further two seasons at the Silver Blades Ice Rink Gillingham.

In 2009/10, Giles then opted to test himself in the EPL with the Romford Raiders but, despite a string of promising performances, his spell in the league above came to a premature end as travel difficulties halted his experiences down Rom Valley Way. This prompted a return to Kent and the Dynamos, however, in February 2010, the blue liner was then involved in a major car accident that resulted in a broken femur whilst also causing damage to his knee.

A plucky Giles looked to have beat the odds as he chose to return to the ice at the start of 2010/11 but, despite making 19 appearances, the defenceman felt he was unable to play to his potential and took the option to hang up his skates to fully focus on his recuperation.

Now, a year and a half after the accident that threatened to end his hockey career, the skater feels he has fully recovered, will be able to rediscover his best form and is raring to go once again in Dynamos’ colours.

Speaking on his imminent return blue liner Ryan Giles revealed that he was delighted to be back and that he was eager to get started in the new look ENIHL.

Giles said, “It’s good to play for my local team and with the guys I have grown up with and known for a long time. We have a good core of Brits here and a couple of ‘imports’ that look to be great pick ups and I’m excited to get going in a league that is now of a very impressive standard”.

The defenceman then spoke of his recovery  when he said, “When I returned to hockey last season following my accident I had a titanium bar in my leg running from my hip to my knee. I couldn’t move properly and it didn’t feel right skating. I am really grateful to Kevin Parrish and the club for allowing me to play but I stopped when I realised I just wasn’t up to it. I had limited movement in my leg and the worry of its weakness meant I just wasn’t good enough or up to speed”.

Giles then detailed the changes since his break from the game when he said, “Now I have had the bar out and I found that the rehab was far easier this time around as the operation was a lot less destructive on the muscles in my leg. On the ice I feel like I used to before my accident, I have worked very hard on my fitness and, though I’m a little older now – but still only 21 – I’m hoping to pick up from where I left off before the incident”.

Meanwhile Head Coach Kevin Parrish revealed his delight at having a fully fit Ryan Giles back on his roster when he said, “It will be great to have Ryan not just back with the team but out on the ice again. He has been through a considerable ordeal but battled bravely throughout and I know he can’t wait to return to action for the club once again”.

Parrish then added what he thought the blue liner brought to the squad when he said, “Ryan plays with his heart and does everything it takes to see his team ahead on the scoreboard come the end of the game. He plays physical but is also tactically aware and there is no doubt that a fully fit Ryan Giles would be an excellent addition to any roster in the ENIHL – so we’re glad to have him here!”

Defenceman Ryan Giles could return to action on Sunday against the Chelmsford Chieftains as the Dynamos travel to Essex for a 6.30pm faceoff against the current playoff champions. If he does feature Giles will be hoping to add to his 12 goals, 53 assists and so 65 points in 151 appearances for the side to date.

Picture supplied by David Trevallion