The Invicta Dynamos have announced that they have today re-signed 23 year old defenceman Tim Smith from the EPL’s Sheffield Steeldogs.
The blue liner is likely to return to action for the team in the ENIHL South Division 1 against the Slough ENL Jets this weekend.
Tim Smith originally signed on for a fifth consecutive year with the Dynamos during the summer but, after just three outings in Gillingham, he called a halt to his time in Kent as he sought a leave of absence and returned home citing personal reasons. Whilst further north the defenceman then seized the opportunity to test himself in the EPL and he penned a contract for the Sheffield Steeldogs for whom he would make 22 league appearances.
However, now the blue liner has opted to return south for the remainder of the season and the Dynamos’ two-time ‘Defenceman of the Year’ will be lacing up his skates to ice at the Silver Blades Ice Rink Gillingham for the close of the 2011/12 campaign.
Speaking on the return of Tim Smith, Head Coach Kevin Parrish declared himself pleased to have the experienced defenceman back on his books and suggested the move was a ‘no risk signing’.
Parrish said, “Tim’s return is excellent news for the team and his arrival should prove a valuable boost for the side ahead of the 2011/12 run-in. We know exactly what we’re getting by re-signing Tim and that’s a player that, for the last few years, has been amongst the best blue liners in the ENIHL South and the pick of our rear guard for the last two seasons”.
Parrish then added that Smith’s return would help the side off of the ice as much as on it when he added, “Tim is also a big character to have on our roster, with excellent leadership qualities, and his drive and determination could be an important factor as we look to improve our league position before driving for the playoffs”.
To date, Tim Smith has iced 148 times for the Dynamos, netted on 15 occasions from back on the blue line, tallied 115 assists and so amassed 120 points and he will be hoping to add to that record as the team take on the Slough ENL Jets this Saturday evening.
Picture by David Trevallion