Inglis signs new deal with Stars

Dundee-born defender Kris Inglis has signed a new deal that will keep him with Kitmart Dundee Stars for another year.

Inglis joined the Stars in 2016, while he continued playing with Scottish National League side Dundee Comets on a twoway contract and also iced with the club’s under-20s.

He has developed a lot over the past four years to become an integral part of the defence core. Last season Inglis picked up six assists and featured in 26 matches after a spell on the sidelines with injury.

The 22-year-old also boasts two winner’s medals after helping Comets to lift the 20172018 SNL League and Play-off Championship.

After signing Inglis for his fifth season at DIA, Stars head coach Omar Pacha said: “Kris has been a vital part of our team over the last few years and he has really shown a lot of improvement.

“Last year he had a strange season where he was in and out of the line-up, but I really thought that when he was out of the line-up you saw the importance of having him as a steady defenceman.

“This year I think it is really important for him to take the next step and to continue his improvement.

“Kris is still really young but we want to see his improvement this year more than ever and we are really confident that he is able to take that next step.”

Pacha added: “I am really pleased with his development, but as I said, last year he was just really unfortunate with injury troubles.

“He has been with this organisation since 2015, as a player practising with the team, but I really feel that over the past three years he has made significant progress.”

As Inglis has continued to improve, Pacha also wants him to take on a bigger role in the coming season.

The coach said: “I really want to expand his role on the team and be able to use him in different situations.

“I think, for him, the big thing is trying to stay healthy all year and to be consistent in his play because I believe that consistency is one of the key things that all young defenceman have to work on.

“Kris has got all the tools – he skates well, he can be physical, he reads the play really well but he is one of those guys that needs to stay healthy and he will learn by playing more games, which will help him to improve on every aspect of his game.”

After penning his new deal, Inglis said: “I am delighted!

“Dundee is my home and the feeling of playing for this club is such an honour.

“I am glad things are slowly beginning to get back to normal in this country and the prospect of the season starting before the end of the year is very exciting.

“It’s never a difficult decision to play in Dundee for another season, with recently graduating from university I am excited to be able to completely invest myself in hockey and to bettering myself as a player.”

Kris Inglis: Ready for fifth season in Dundee.