The man dubbed ‘phenomenal’ by the team’s supporters will make a return to the Invicta Dynamos this weekend.

The club’s all-time highest points’ scorer Andy Smith has cut short his retirement to agree a contract for 2013/14.

Forward Andy Smith needs little introduction with his tally of 442 goals and 412 assists giving him a total of 854 points in a Dynamos jersey. It’s a mammoth collection that began back in 2004/05 and looked to have concluded come the close of 2012/13 when the skater hung up his skates to spend more time with his young family and to manage other commitments.

However the prolific talisman has now become available once again and wasted little time in returning to the club – Smith set to resume action this weekend as the Dynamos host the Chelmsford Chieftains in the NIHL South Division 1.

Speaking on the return of Andy Smith, Head Coach Kevin Parrish revealed he was delighted to have the lethal forward back amongst his playing staff and suggested he would further help the attacking talent already at the club.

Parrish said, “Andy’s record is simply phenomenal and beyond question. When the chance to sign a player of his ability becomes possible you don’t even think about it – you just make it happen. He has been a talisman for the Dynamos over recent years and I’ve no doubt his pace, goal scoring prowess and creative vision will only further bolster our already strong forward lines.”

The Head Coach then continued to add, “Andy’s arrival not only brings more skill to the roster but also gives us a little more depth. No tiring defence is going to want to play our lines of forwards and the key now is to ensure we perform at our best each week to translate a strong squad into points on the board”.

Finally, Head Coach Kevin Parrish briefly addressed Andy Smith’s retirement when he said, “Technically Andy never retired. He had a lot going on over the summer with his wedding and other commitments and was not sure he was in a place to properly commit to the club in 2013/14.”

“However circumstances have now allowed him to join up with the team and he is raring to go and get back out on that ice where he belongs. I have no doubt it won’t be long until we are again seeing the very best of Andy Smith”.

Forward Andy Smith will once again don the number 26 jersey for the Dynamos – a jersey he has made his own over the last decade – and will link up with Daniel Hammond, Jakub Klima, Juraj Huska, Callum Fowler et al this Sunday against the Chelmsford Chieftains.

Faceoff in Gillingham is at the usual time of 5.15pm.

Picture supplied by David Trevallion.