23 year old prolific forward Daniel Hammond will make Gillingham his home in 2013/14 after the Invicta Dynamos won the race to secure the former Chelmsford star’s services for the upcoming campaign.

Daniel Hammond arrives in Kent with a reputation for goal scoring that has placed him amongst the biggest names in the NIHL and his promise was discovered early on in his playing career with the skater first appearing in the EPL as early as 2004/05 aged only 16.

Just one year later, and a 17 year old Hammond would then dress 41 times for Chelmsford in the league above and continue to impress by tallying 19 points at the Riverside. A further 29 outings the following year, whilst still splitting his time with the Chelmsford under 19s, preceded a switch to nearby rivals Romford in 2007/08 – the forward managing another 15 EPL points whilst icing down Rom Valley Way.

The Chieftains would lure him back though and, when financial constraints saw them drop from the league above into the NIHL’s second tier come 2008/09, Hammond returned to his hometown club in a bid to secure promotion to Division 1.

Having being made to earn their place amongst the top rank of the NIHL South via the second division, Chelmsford breezed through the 2008/09 campaign by winning all but one of their 32 league encounters with forward Daniel Hammond played a pivotal role.

55 goals and 36 assists from 27 appearances saw him amass 91 points in a triumphant season and his rate of scoring then only continued to impress over the years that followed in the NIHL South Division 1.

A return of 74 points from league competition alone in 2009/10 was bested by a tally of 75 a year later, before, in 2011/12, the Chelmsford hotshot managed a 86 from 36 outings – 42 of those from goals of his own and 44 accumulated via assists.

His excellent return helped the Chieftains claim playoff glory come the close of the campaign whilst, last season, he then contributed 28 goals and 23 assists from 27 fixtures as the Essex outfit secured the league title.

Now though the prolific forward will be looking to continue his excellent record in the colours of the Invicta Dynamos after penning a contract that will see him ice at the Silver Blades Gillingham in 2013/14.

Speaking on the capture of forward Daniel Hammond, Head Coach Kevin Parrish revealed that he was delighted to have won the race for the 23 year old’s signature and finally have him wearing a Dynamos jersey.

Parrish said, “Danny is a player I’m sure every coach in the league has admired but never thought they could secure given his obvious ties in Chelmsford. However, following his recent departure from the Chieftains, I’ve no doubt he was inundated with offers and so I’m thrilled that he has opted to join us in Gillingham.”

“There isn’t a team in the division that wouldn’t want to have his services at their disposal with his record at this level simply fantastic”.

Daniel Hammond joins the Invicta Dynamos having managed an incredible 286 points for Chelmsford in 136 NIHL top tier games – 151 of those courtesy of goals and the other 135 via assists.

It’s a tally that has his new coach excited about his potential input come 2013/14 with Kevin Parrish saying, “Danny’s stats speak for themselves and I’ve no doubt he will deliver more of the same in Kent. Whether he is putting the puck in the net or setting up his teammates, he always seems to have an effect on the outcome of the game and it’s players like these that win you silverware.”

“He has a great attitude, is excited about the new challenge and I am looking forward to working with him at the Dynamos. I’m sure the fans will quickly make him feel at home”.

New signing Daniel Hammond will wear number 9 in Gillingham and you can see him at the Silver Blades when the first puck drops in early September.