The Whitley Warriors are an ice hockey team based in Whitley Bay in the north east of England. Founded in 1957 as the Bees, they changed their name to the Whitley Warriors in 1964. The Warriors played at the highest level of British ice hockey for much of their history but currently play in the Scottish National League (SNL).
Ahead of the 2025-26 season, the Warriors moved from the NIHL North Division 1 to the Scottish National League (SNL) due to fixture scheduling issues while continuing to play their home games at Whitley Bay Ice Rink .
Club roster 2022-23 (*) Denotes a Non-British Trained player (Import) NetmindersNo.Nat.PlayerCatchesDate of birthPlace of birthAcquired Contract30 Mark Turnbull L Northumberland, England 2021 from Billingham Stars22/2332 Joshua Crane L Coventry, England 2021 from Nottingham Lions22/23 Jack Wakefield L Durham, England 2022 from Åmåls SK J2022/23
DefencemenNo.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthAcquiredContract5 Matthew McDonald 2000 (age 22)England 2021 from Whitley U2022/2313 Kyle Ross R Whitley Bay, England 2017 from Essa Stallions22/2322 Adam Wood R Somerset, England 2021 from Streatham IHC22/2324 Harry Harley 'A' L Whitley Bay, England 2018 from Hull Pirates22/2378 Rihards Grigors* L Dobele, Latvia 2021 from Fife Flyers22/23
ForwardsNo.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthAcquiredContract7 Thomas Fraser R 2003 (age 19)England 2019 from Whitley U2022/2311 Shaun Kippin 'A' L England 2015 from Deeside Dragons22/2314 Dean Holland 'C' R Newcastle, England 2014 from Guildford Flames22/2315 Anthony Wetherell 1999 (age 23)England 2016 from Whitley U1822/2316 Lewis Crisp 1999 (age 23)England 2022 from Billingham Stars22/2318 Matěj Valiček* L Czechia 2021 from HC Baník Sokolov B22/2320 Philip Edgar L Kitchener, ON, Canada 2017 from University of Waterloo22/2327 Jamie Ord England 2016 from Whitley U1822/2331 Adam Finlinson L Whitley Bay, England 2017 from Swindon Wildcats22/2337 Matthew Betham 2004 (age 18)England 2021 from Whitley U2022/2351 Connor Lewis 2005 (age 17)England 2021 from Billingham Stars22/2357 Callum Queenan R Whitley Bay, England 2019 from Meaford Knights22/23
2021/22 Outgoing +OutgoingNo.Nat.PlayerShootsDate of birthPlace of birthLeaving For12 Dylan Hehir R 2002 (age 20) Billingham, England Leeds Knights, NIHL26 Rolands Gritans L Daugavpils, Latvia Billingham Stars, NIHL 1
Honours British Championship: Winners – 1972/73, 1973/74
English National League Championship: Winners – 1999/2000, 2000/01, 2001/02, 2007/08
English National League: Runners-up – 1997/98
Northern League: Winners – 1973/74, 1974/75 Runners-up – 1976/77, 1977/78, 2006/07, 2010/11
Northern League Play-offs: Winners: 2006/07 Runners-up – 1967/68, 1976/77
English National League North: Winners – 2001/02, 2009/10, 2010/11 Runners-up – 1997/98, 1999/00, 2000/01, 2006/07, 2007/08
English Cup: Winners – 2001/02 Runners-up – 2000/01
Anglo Scottish Cup: Winners – 2000/01
Scottish Cup: Winners – 1991/92, Runners-up – 1992/93
Heineken British Premier League: Runners-up – 1987/88
Benson & Hedges Cup: Runners-up – 1992/93
Autumn Cup: Winners – 1971/72 Runners-up – 1972/73, 1974/75, 1976/77
BIHA Cup: Winners – 1957/58, 1958/59 (as Whitley Bees)
NIHL North Cup: Runners-up – 2019/20 Runners-up – 2021/22
NIHL North Division 1 Moralee: Winners - 2019/20 Runners-up – 2021/22
Ice Hockey Journalists UK Hall of Fame: Terry Matthews (1987), Alfie Miller (1988), J.J. 'Icy' Smith (1988), Hilton Ruggles (2009), David Longstaff (2022)
Junior teams The Warriors have numerous junior teams, The teams are: Under 9 - Mischiefs Under 11 - Arrows Under 13 - Mohawks Under 15 - Tomahawks Under 18 - Braves Under 20 - Renegades Ladies - Beacons
Retired jerseys Alfie Miller (#10) is the only jersey that has been retired for the Warriors.
Logo Despite the Warriors' logo depicting a Native American (the logo and colours being "inspired" by the Washington Redskins) and the associated controversy which resulted in the Redskins removing their logo on the grounds that it was considered racist, there has been no similar discussion around the Warriors'. Teams like Frölunda Indians HC and Chicago Blackhawks which have similar logos have come under significant pressure to change their logos on similar grounds. Frolunda announced that they would no longer be called the Indians and would be changing their logo.
References
External links Official Website