19 year old forward Jake Stedman will join the Invicta Dynamos on a two-way contract with the NIHL South Division 2’s Mustangs in 2018/19 allowing the skater to test himself at a higher level and add depth to the Mos roster.
Jake Stedman is a home grown talent having progressed through the junior ranks in Kent. In his third season with the under 16s in 2013/14 he averaged over three points per game with 36 goals and 27 assists in 18 fixtures whilst aged just 14. In the same season he also played 13 times for the under 18s – scoring 10 and playing a role in 7 more for 17 points.
Come 2014/15 Jake Stedman continued to dominate at junior level with 12 goals and 11 assists in 15 appearances for the under 16s and an emphatic 32 strikes and 23 assists for 55 points in 14 ties with the under 18s.
He would also make his senior debut – the forward dressing twice for the Invicta Mustangs and claiming two points in the NIHL South’s second tier. Over the next two campaigns Stedman then split his time with both the under 18s and the Mustangs – 21 goals and 18 assists coming in 20 outings for the under 18s in 2015/16 whilst he also netted 8 and setup up 3 more in the NIHL.
In 2016/17 he captained the under 18s on 17 occasions and notched another 13 times whilst teeing up 19 and scooped 6 goals and 2 assists in 13 games for the Mustangs in Division 2.
Last season Jake Stedman featured full time in the NIHL’s second tier and 9 goals and as many assists saw him tally 18 points from 22 outings. In the latter half of the campaign the forward’s performances caught the eye of Dynamos Head Coach Kevin Parrish and he was called up to Division 1 where he made his debut for the Mos.
Stedman featured in 11 games for Gillingham’s most senior side and claimed 2 assists as he adjusted to life in British ice hockey’s second tier. Now the 19 year old joins the Mos on a two-way contract with the Mustangs to gain further exposure in the NIHL South Division 1 and continue his development.
Speaking on the signing of Jake Stedman, Head Coach Kevin Parrish said, “Jake is a home grown talent and I’m delighted to be able to bring through one of our own from the youth setup all the way through to the Dynamos.”
“Jake has an excellent record in junior hockey, has been a key player for the Mustangs in a very competitive NIHL South Division 2 and then looked far from out of place when he finished with us in the NIHL South’s top league last season.”
“He is a hardworking player capable of getting amongst the points and at 19 he still has his best years ahead of him. I look forward to having his energy on the team and believe he will be an excellent addition for our roster for 2018/19”.
Jake Stedman will wear number 17 when he ices for the Invicta Dynamos this season.