Defenceman Ryan Giles has returned to the Invicta Dynamos after just one season away as Head Coach Kevin Parrish re-signed the blue liner from the Romford Raiders.

22 year old Maidstone born Ryan Giles spent the majority of his junior years in Gillingham before making his first senior appearance for the Dynamos in 2006.

After scooping the team’s ‘Rookie of the Year’ award in his first term, he went on to spend a further two campaigns in Kent before another accolade come the close of 2008/09 – the ‘Playoff Player of the Year’.

His form prompted a move to the Romford Raiders, then of the EPL, but he was back with the Dynamos before the end of the season as transportation issues drew a halt to his spell in the league above.

His hockey career would then suffer a major blow in February 2010, when a serious car accident threatened to end his time in the sport altogether, but the plucky defenceman battled on, continuing to represent the side until the close of 2011/12.

Finally, last season, the blue liner sought a change of scenery and returned to Rom Valley Way where he was ever present in the league and finished his year in Essex with a record of 5 goals, 23 assists and so 28 points from 54 games in all competitions. He also amassed 88 minutes of penalties.

After his year with the Raiders the other side of the Thames, Ryan Giles returns to Kent looking to add to the 182 appearances he has already clocked up in a Dynamos jersey and the skater says he is delighted to be back home.

Giles said, “I’m very happy to be back with the Dynamos and it will be a privilege to wear an ‘A’ on my shirt’. This club means the world to me so I’ll be playing with my heart on my sleeve every week and doing all it takes to get the win.”

“I really can’t wait to get started!” He then looked forward to what lay ahead for the Dynamos when he said, “In my opinion, this season will be the biggest challenge the club has faced. After dominating the league for so long it has now been a few years without a trophy and this has to be the season that changes.”

“Meanwhile, on a personal note, I’ve now got my first full term under my belt since my car accident and I really feel like I’m getting back to my old self on the ice. I’ve just had a great year but I really feel like the upcoming campaign will be my biggest yet”.

Meanwhile Head Coach Kevin Parrish announced that he was pleased to have Ryan Giles back at his disposal and suggested he had seen a change in the player during his spell in Romford.

Parrish said, “After a number of consecutive seasons in Gillingham I feel Ryan just needed a year away last season and you could see from his performances that his confidence was back and he had returned to his best.”

“He’s a local lad, now back playing for his local team and this, coupled with the maturity gained both in his hockey and in his personal life over recent times, makes him an excellent candidate for the role of alternate captain.”

“I have no hesitation in putting the ‘A’ on his jersey and I look forward to working with him again when 2013/14 gets underway”.

Ryan Giles, who is the fourth player to make the Dynamos roster ahead of the puck drop in September, will wear the number 90 jersey when he takes to the ice at the Silver Blades next campaign.

Picture supplied by David Trevallion.