A pair of forwards have been welcomed by the Nottingham Panthers this past week in Sweden’s Didrik Henbrant, and Canadian, Tyler Welsh, Head Coach Jonathan Paredes strengthening his offense ahead of the new season later this year.
Henbrant, at 25-years-old, debuted for his local club at just 15, making fifteen appearances in the J16 Elit league, his early ice career starting off quite well, representing Linkopings HC at U16, U18, U20, and senior level, in the space of just five years.
The former student of the University of Maine would make his professional debut, for Linkopings, in the Swedish Hockey League, against HV71, during the 2016/17 season, before a spell with Karlsrona HK; he’s spent the last four years in North America, with three seasons skating for the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the last, in Maine, in the NCAA Hockey League.
Welsh meanwhile has also spent time in the NCAA, the Canadian-born, 26-year-old forward, from Whistler, British Columbia, spent three years icing for the Yale Bulldogs (Yale University), before joining Long Island University, as well as turning out for the Newfoundland Growlers.
A multi-sport athlete in his youth, Welsh played golf and ran cross-country when in high school, so he’ll feel right at home in Nottingham, last season would see the forward excel in France’s top division, Ligue Magnus, for Mulhouse (Eastern France, near the Swiss/German border) and would average a point per game, racking up 12 goals and 24 assists, in his 36 outings.
On joining the Panthers, Henbrant said: “I had a good talk with Jonathan (Paredes, Head Coach) and Omar (Pacha, CEO) and I really like the way they want to play.
“The organisation seems very professional with a dedicated fanbase. Scrolling through social media about Nottingham, the fans seem really, really good and that’s a big bonus.
“The NCAA is really good and there’s a lot of skilled players; the work ethic is really high.
“It was a bonus for me to study and have an option for after my career, but it was huge for me to play hockey.”
Meanwhile, Welsh added: “I am super excited. First of all, Nottingham is a first-class organisation and the fans seem spectacular here, so that drew me in. The supporters, organisation, arena and the city just seem amazing.
“I know Kevin Massy who played in Nottingham briefly (2021/22 season) and I have other friends who have played in the league. They said great things about the Elite League and Nottingham.
“I know there’s lots of expectation and pressure, but I think it’s exciting. There’s a new coach and probably a lot of new players. It will be fun to gel and we will look to have a great year.
“The style of hockey I play I think will suit us and I am looking to build off last year.
“Nottingham is looking to return to the top end of the standings and I am excited to be part of that.”
Please contact sarah@panthers.co.uk if you would like to sponsor a player during the 2023/24 season (NB – Player sponsorship is available on a first-come, first-served basis; and, existing player sponsors will get first refusal on returning players).
Season tickets for the 2023/24 season are now on sale, with Bronze, Silver, and Gold, available to Panthers fans; you can get more information on those here.
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*Article provided by Peter Mann (Senior Correspondent).
*Main image @PanthersImages Tyler Welsh in action for Yale Bulldogs.
