Aldridge sees ‘endless potential’ at Leeds
COACH Ryan Aldridge has committed himself to Leeds Knights until at least 2024 declaring he wants to make it the team every British player wants to come and play for.
News that the 43-year-old will be returning on a two-year deal to Elland Road will delight players and fans alike, considering the job he did on an interim basis after replacing Dave Whistle in January.
He steered the Knights to a fourth-place regular season finish in their first-ever NIHL National campaign, although they ran out of steam in the play-offs when failing to win any of their six games.
Having spent his time travelling to and from Leeds during the
last three months of the 2021-22 season, Aldridge will now relocate to the area with his family from his hometown of Swindon.
It follows talks with owner Steve Nell – who he previously worked for at Swindon Wildcats and the Okanagan Hockey academy – about his role essentially becoming a full-time position.
To fulfil that, Aldridge needs to be close by in order for him to help the team progress the way he and Nell want it to.
“For myself, I want to make Leeds the place where every British player wants to play and that might take one, two, maybe three years,” said Aldridge.
“Having been in that building last season, you just know people are going to want to play there.
“I believe the potential here is endless and not just because of the hockey.
“The whole city, the way that everyone gets behind their sport, behind all the sports, I don’t think there is anywhere else like that in the country. It’s absolutely amazing and I want to be a part of that.”