Rhys Edwards in action for Bradford Juniors
The YKK sponsored Widnes Wild are pleased to announce the signing of exciting 16 year old youth prospect Rhys Edwards for the forthcoming 2022/23 NIHL season.
Edwards joins the Wild on a 2-way agreement with the Bradford Bulldogs and will also ice for them in the Laidler Division to give him the maximum amount of ice time and match experience.
Rhys is a product of the highly successful Bradford junior development system and has already had some 200 junior matches under his belt, having scored 131 goals and 154 assists.
He has played for the Bradford junior teams in every age group and was the top scorer in the Bradford Under 16 team last season and second top points scorer in the Under 18 team – despite being primarily a defenceman. He has played Conference hockey at every age level as well and was selected for both the Under 17 and Under 19 Northern teams this year.
Rhys is also very experienced at inline (roller) hockey. He has represented Team UK at State Wars in the USA – one of the biggest hockey tournaments in the world – on several occasions, and has won 1 silver and 2 bronze medals.
Widnes wild player coach Richard Haggar said of Edwards: –
“Rhys is another prospect who is gifted and has bags of potential. He has played all levels at roller hockey and ice hockey which you can see the skills he has developed. Rhys is a good stickhandler, has an eye for the right pass, can read the game which is far beyond his years and is able to play both forward and defence. Training and playing at this level will continue to aid his development in hockey. He will be coming to us on a 2-way with Bradford with the aim of getting him as much ice time as possible this season. I have no doubt Rhys will get better and better with guidance from the team as the season goes on with his work ethic and willingness to be the best player he can be.”
Talking about his move to the Wild, Rhys said:
“I am excited to be starting my Division 1 hockey career with Widnes Wild and am very grateful to Richard for giving me this opportunity to play. I can’t wait to start training with the rest of the team and am looking forward to the season starting.”
Rhys Edwards will wear the number 5 shirt and his home, away and warm up shirts are available to “own and loan” at a cost of £80.00 per shirt for the season.
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