The Invicta Dynamos have announced the return of 20 year old Medway born Harrison Lillis.
The defenceman is switching back to the Silver Blades for 2014/15 following a half season stint with the Streatham Redskins.
Home grown Harrison Lillis rose through the ranks in Gillingham, appearing in the NIHL South’s second tier with the Invicta Mustangs as early as 2009/10 aged just 16.
Whilst still splitting his time with the under 18s, the skater managed 7 points in his first 15 appearances as a senior – a tally that would see him continue with the side the following year.
In 2010/11 he then dressed 23 times for the Mustangs, managing 2 goals and 8 assists in the process, before stepping up to make his debut for the Dynamos in 2011/12.
Aged 18 Lillis would feature on 19 occasions for the Mos in a campaign that saw him net his first NIHL South Division 1 goal – a milestone that was then later eclipsed by his first senior hat-trick in a playoff encounter with the Cardiff NIHL Devils.
The following term he would divide his time between the Mustangs and the Dynamos before once again seizing his opportunity to impress in the post season as he stepped in to plug a defence ravaged by injury in the playoffs.
Strong performances against both Cardiff and Chelmsford helped secure his roster spot for 2013/14 but, after 30 further games in Gillingham, the defenceman opted to test himself in new surroundings and switched to nearby Streatham for the remainder of the season.
Now though the 20 year old is back at his home town club where he has already pulled on the Dynamos jersey 94 times before 2014/15 gets underway.
Speaking on the return of Harrison Lillis, Head Coach Kevin Parrish made light of the player’s departure last season and said he was looking forward to helping the blue liner demonstrate his potential this time around.
Parrish said, “Harry moved on in the middle of the last campaign following a disagreement over his ice time and pressures away from the game but sometimes it’s good for players to move elsewhere, get a different perspective and increase their experience.”
“He had been in Gillingham throughout his career so some time with Streatham in South London might have been beneficial to his career.”
“Now though it’s good to have him back. He cares about this club, was excited about a return to Kent and will be raring to go come September”.
The Dynamos supremo then described what he expected from his latest signing when he added, “Harry is one of those players that seems to have been around for a long time but is still very young.”
“He has plenty of promise and has shown his best for us in playoff games where he stepped up and played beyond his years.”
“His challenge now is to get his head down, work hard on and off of the ice and I’ve no doubt that such dedication will see him reap the rewards come game day.”
“This could be a defining season for Harry and I’ve no doubt he will be looking to make his mark in the NIHL South Division 1”.
Finally Harrison Lillis briefly commented on his return when he said, “I’m over the moon to be back at Invicta. I have a long history with the club and so naturally it’s the team I’m most passionate about.”
“I can’t wait to pull on the jersey again come September and the sooner the season gets underway the better. I’m ready to go!”
Harrison Lillis is the twelfth player to sign for the Dynamos ahead of 2014/15 with news of further signings to come in the month remaining before the Oxford City Stars arrive in Gillingham for the first faceoff on Sunday 13th September.
Picture supplied by David Trevallion.