New Signing: J.J. Pitchley

From Blue to Black and White, J.J. Pitchley joins the Bees.

J.J. Pitchley brings a wealth of experience to the Bees with a hockey career spanning 20 years from junior club level, Junior A in the USA with the Dallas Snipers, NIHL, EPL through to International level with caps for the under 18 and under 20 teams at the World Championships. He is no stranger to the Bees camp icing with the Hornets, Stingers, Drones and the Bees. 

Finishing 7th in the Raiders scoring last regular season didn't do him justice as he is a much better player than the stats show. Hopefully, returning to the Bees will enable JJ to start enjoying his hockey again and the fans are sure to make him very welcome.

J.J. Pitchley's Statistics during his latest spell with the Raiders, from 2016 to 2022

His motto is "There is only one real choice in life. Be ordinary, or be extraodinary - I choose the latter". This spirit will definitely help the Bees improve their league placing and is exactly what Coach Sheppard has been looking for.  

Who's left to re-sign?

There are only 4 players in the Bees 2021/22 final roster who we are yet to know the destination of, after the announcement earlier in the week that both forward Zaine McKenzie and defenceman Josh Kelly would not be returning to the team.

Two of these players are Joe Baird and James Galazzi, where retirement could be on the cards being aged 42 and 38 respectively.

Adam Goss is also yet to resign, and with the majority of National teams already confirming both their netminders for the upcoming season - retaining Adam seems crucial to partner with DWE next season unless Doug does his magic and has someone up his sleeve.

Finally, Josh Martin is also yet to have his commitments for next season confirmed having spent the last 7 season with the Bees and Hornets. Josh has found himself in the top 10 for pointscorers within the Bees for all of the last 4 regular seasons - ranging between 21 and 24 points per season.





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