Leeds Knights: Sam Zajac backs young guns to make positive impact in NIHL National

YOUNG GUN: Defenceman Ben Solder has impressed for Leeds Knights in pre-season, including his ability to play forward when required. Picture: Andy Bourke.

SURROUNDED by young guns he may be, but Leeds Knights’ Sam Zajac has no concerns over the ability of his fellow defencemen to prove themselves at NIHL National level this season.

While the average age of Dave Whistle’s Knights’ roster is 23.47, his defensive unit registers even lower on the scale, at 22.85.

Zajac is the ‘elder statesman’ of the group at 32, Leeds-born Bobby Streetly next oldest at 27, with the other five blue liners aged 23-years-old or younger.

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Lewis Baldwin, Ross Kennedy and Jordan Griffin have at least one season of second-tier experience behind them, while 20-year-old Ben Solder played 12 games for Raiders IHC in the Spring Cup before going on to impress in the Elite Series for Manchester Storm, from where he has joined Leeds on a two-way deal.

For 17-year-old Archie Hazeldine, it is his first taste of life at this level but he has looked impressive in the four pre-season games played by the Knights. And Zajac believes age for the Knights’ defence will prove to be just a number, with the group’s quality, speed and willingness to stand up for each other already evident.

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