Newcastle Predators

The Newcastle Predators were originally called the Crowtree Bandits, playing out of the Crowtree Leisure Centre in Sunderland.

The team was initially made up of local players from the Sunderland area, including some who had previously iced for the Sunderland Chiefs in the old English national League. The team relocated to Whitley Bay in 2000 following the enforced closure of their old Wearside rink.

Following the move up the A19, the team changed their name to the Newcastle Predators to fit in with their new surroundings and under the guidance of their charismatic coach Stu Davis, the team has continued to improve year after year.

The Predators finished third in the Northern Rec Cup standings in 2017 but last season was a much tougher challenge after what was a difficult start to the campaign. However, by the end of the season performances on the ice improved and they will be looking to carry that form into this year’s competition.

The Predators can boast an impressive international line up with the American-born, Ron Pierce, who having arrived from St Louis, Missouri has been converted from a goaltender into a legitimate winger who brings a lot of energy to the team.
Goaltending duties are usually split between Canadian-born Brent Hope and former Whitley junior Max Hadfield.
Patrolling the blue line is another former Whitley Junior player, Mark Bone, who is also an NIHL linesman. Bone’s defensive partner in recent years has been the experienced Graeme Nelson. While, Australian-born Dylan Stevens, stepped up from the Whitley Bay Lightning, last season to have a great campaign.
Other defensemen on the team include former Sunderland Chief, Stuart Weaver, who also arrived last season. Weaver is the cousin of illustrious GB international and former Durham Wasp, Jonathan Weaver. Lee Gill who despite only being in his early twenties holds a lot of experience on the team and has iced for the Northern Stars in the past. Another former Whitley Junior is Adam Winter, who sat out last season after he suffered a serious leg break down at iceSheffield in 2017 but having returned to full fitness will bring another dimension to the Predators rear guard.
Leading the scoring for the Predators will be Slovakian-born Centre Peter Tomek who once had a stint with the Whitley Warriors. Known as ‘Tank’ to his friends Tomek is fiercely competitive and helps make his team’s offense tick. Both Jake Shanks, and former Solway Shark, Anthony Charters have lined up alongside Tomek in the past and are an intimidating presence on the ice. Normally deployed as forwards both can switch to defence if required. Last season Tomek saw Ron Pierce and player coach, Stu Davis on his wings. The latter having been a part of the team since their days as the Crowtree Bandits. He brings a vast amount of experience and leadership to the team and is a well-respected hockey coach, within the Rec circles.
Jamie Penaluna, who prefers to be known as ‘Doug’, loves to drop the gloves and brings a certain degree of physicality to the side. As does former ENL player Curt Elgie who has got into disciplinary problems on more than one occasion. Sunderland-born trio, Ian Russell, Michael Ord and Derek Hodgkiss will also feature and have been involved in hockey dating back to the Sunderland Chiefs days. Hodgkiss, a utility player, will line up wherever his coach asks him to.
Completing the forward line up is Scottish pair, Richard Aitken, who hails from Kirkcaldy in Fife, and came through the Scottish team’s junior development system, and Neil Ben Cornelius Spanky Spud McCallum who chipped in with some important goals last season. While team joker Stu Darby is a strong second line center and Richie Lawson’s best friend Wayne Feeney will also be relied upon to add depth to the roster. Feeney loves to take pride in his appearance and spends a lot time in the shower but when on the ice is very accomplished in the face off circle.