Invicta Dynamos Head Coach Kevin Parrish has today revealed that his three year chase for the signature of netminder David Wride is finally at an end.

The Harrow born shot stopper recently penned a contract to join the club for the 2012/13 season.

25 year old goalie David Wride appeared in Bracknell for the Bees in 2003/04 but it was two years later with the Haringey Greyhounds in the ENIHL that he really made a name for himself. Between 2005 and 2007 the shot stopper assumed the role of number one at Alexandra Palace and here his performances saw him recognised as one of the best in the division.

In his first term in North London, despite his Haringey side languishing towards the foot of the table, Wride still finished amongst the top five goalies in the competition with a save percentage of 90.09% from over 870 shots – that was more than 500 more attempts on his net than any those ranked above him.

The following year he then played a major role as the Greyhounds enjoyed an emphatic turnaround – finishing third in the ENIHL South and scooping the ENIHL Southern Playoff Title. His stunning form would draw the attention of the EPL’s Milton Keynes Lightning and, in 2007/08, Wride would ice 33 times for the Buckinghamshire outfit as he deputised for experienced shot stopper Barry Hollyhead in the league above.

Despite an excellent 91.07% save percentage, the goalie would return to the ENIHL the following year where he reassumed the role of number one back with the Greyhounds in Haringey.

In 2009/10, the Bracknell Hornets then came calling and Wride finished the season with only Dynamos netminder Joe White above him in the rankings leading to him backstopping the Berkshire team again during the next term. However, after two years playing out of the John Nike Leisure Sport Complex, he was on the move for 2011/12 with Essex outfit Chelmsford keen to acquire his services.

Ultimately his switch would pay dividends as he shared netminding duties at the Chieftains with Ben Clements and played a pivotal role in bringing the ENIHL Southern Playoff Title to the Riverside with an excellent performance in the final against the Romford Raiders. Now he will be hoping for similar success in Gillingham having penned a contract to join the Dynamos for whom he will don the number 31 shirt from September.

Speaking on the capture of shot stopper David Wride, Head Coach Kevin Parrish revealed that he had been courting the player for some time and was relieved to have finally got his man.

Parrish said, “David is a top netminder and a player I have been chasing for the last three seasons. In previous years we have had a number of issues in tying down goalies but I’m pleased to say that his arrival has brought an end to that curse and I’m delighted that he is finally joining us in Gillingham”.

The Dynamos’ supremo then explained why Wride had been so high on his wish list when he added, “David has been a top performer at this level for a number of years regardless of whether his side was battling for the league title or fighting to avoid the wooden spoon. Last term he iced for Chelmsford and I watched him again in the playoff final against Romford where he stood on his head for 60 minutes and, in my eyes, he won them the game. Naturally I’m very happy to be bringing a player of his experience and calibre to Kent and I look forward to working with him”.

Shot stopper David Wride is the third new face to join the club in the off season and the fifth player to commit to the side ahead of the 2012/13 campaign with Jack Tarczycki, Tim Smith, Peter Vaisanen and Bradley Watchorn also on the roster.

Picture by Tim Bowers