Slough Jets re-sign Aaron Connolly

Published 11 Jul 2012 10:56 0 Comments

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HEAD Coach Slava Koulikov has announced Aaron Connolly has re-signed for English Ice Hockey Premier League play-off champions Slough Jets ahead of the 2012/13 season.

The promising 19-year-old Brit spent the 2010/11 season on a two way contract with Slough and Chelmsford Chieftains but impressed sufficiently to earn himself a full Jets contract for the following campaign. Last season he made 51 Jets appearances registering 17+14 for 46 penalty minutes.

Born in Northfleet, Connolly started his hockey career at Invicta making an English National League (now National Ice Hockey League) debut with the Dynamos in 2006/07 scoring five points in three appearances.

He then moved to Chelmsford where he combined under-18s action with ENL scoring at a point per game in the 2009/10 season and over that the following year.

While still eligible for the U18s, and on a two way contract, Connolly made his first appearance for the Jets scoring 4+3 in 19 appearances - impressing his then colleague and now head coach Koulikov.

And on his return last season he proved a better player than the man who made his debut the year before which enabled him to show his ability playing on all three forward lines, including special teams, and continued to impress Koulikov while playing against him last term.

Connolly took time out from the Hangar to represent Great Britain at U20 level in the World Junior Championships Division 1A scoring 2+1 from five appearances and, along with his impressive Jets play, made him one of Koulikov's top priorities to re-sign.

Koulikov said: "I'm pleased to have him on board.

"With the development and progress Aaron made in the last two seasons he's a very thoughtful player and I'm very happy that he's gong to continue his work and development with us.

"Aaron's a very fast skater, he scored 15 goals in his first full season and you don't get a guy who scores that many that early very often.

"He's young, hockey hungry and will make our dressing room a better place. I look forward to working with and watching him continue to develop over the season."

Connolly commented: "I'm very excited to be back in Slough for another season and can't wait to get started again and hopefully bring back another trophy."

** See Friday's Observer for all the latest news from the Hangar **

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