Kieran Brown and Lewis Baldwin backing each other to deliver for Leeds Chiefs in NIHL National

WHEN Lewis Baldwin and Kieran Brown skate out on the ice together for Leeds Chiefs next season, it will be akin to taking a short step back in time.
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Both have been confirmed as two of the Chiefs’ key signings ahead of a 2020-21 NIHL National campaign that is expected to face-off later than the normal September start date due to the delays in ice rinks reopening in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Boris Johnson’s confirmed yesterday that rinks could open their doors to the public once again from Saturday, August 1, onwards, as long as ‘prevalence’ of Covid-19 ‘remains around or below current levels’.

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It’s a small step, but it opens the gate slightly further for the resumption of ice hockey.

And, when players and teams are eventually allowed to start training and, subsequently, playing once again, both Brown and Baldwin are keen to resume the on-ice combination that they have enjoyed in previous years, mainly as juniors at Bradford Bulldogs.

The Chiefs’ revealed on Wednesday that 21-year-old defenceman Baldwin would be returning for a second season and he is buoyed by the addition of his former team-mate Brown.

“He’s just a natural talent,” said Baldwin.

“He’s exactly the kind of signing who will help us be more competitive next year.

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“Last season, we struggled to score, that’s why we didn’t win many games, but Kieran just has a knack of finding the back of the net.

“He’s already beat somebody before he’s got the puck on his stick and he’s already scored before he’s got into position to shoot, if that makes sense,

“He’s quick-thinking and is such an instinctive player. It was the same when we were playing together growing up at Bradford – he just has a head for the game.”

After coming through the ranks at Little Horton Lane together where they played alongside each other in Bulldogs colours for three years, both went their separate ways.

Kieran Brown, pictured in action against Leeds Chiefs last season while playing for Sheffield Steeldogs as part of his two-way deal with Sheffield Steelers. Picture courtesy of Cerys Molloy.Kieran Brown, pictured in action against Leeds Chiefs last season while playing for Sheffield Steeldogs as part of his two-way deal with Sheffield Steelers. Picture courtesy of Cerys Molloy.
Kieran Brown, pictured in action against Leeds Chiefs last season while playing for Sheffield Steeldogs as part of his two-way deal with Sheffield Steelers. Picture courtesy of Cerys Molloy.
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Forward Brown, 19, spent a couple of years playing ‘midget’ hockey in North America before returning to these shores to take up a two-year apprenticeship under Paul Thompson with Elite League team, Sheffield Steelers.

Baldwin played almost a full season with Manchester Phoenix in the now-defunct English Premier League, but their collapse before the end of the 
2016-17 campaign led to him playing at Blackburn Hawks the following year – where he again played alongside Brown, who was there on a two-way from the Steelers.

A season north of the border with Solway Sharks followed before the Billingham-born blue liner returned closer to his adopted home when signing up for the Chiefs’ maiden campaign.

He proved to be one of the positives in a tough debut season for the Chiefs, finishing the year as second-top points scorer with 13 goals and 21 assists.

Defenceman Lewis Baldwin  is happy to be teaming up with former Bradford Bulldogs' team-mate, Kieran Brown. Picture: Dean Woolley.Defenceman Lewis Baldwin  is happy to be teaming up with former Bradford Bulldogs' team-mate, Kieran Brown. Picture: Dean Woolley.
Defenceman Lewis Baldwin is happy to be teaming up with former Bradford Bulldogs' team-mate, Kieran Brown. Picture: Dean Woolley.
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Brown was a prolific scorer throughout his junior career and a big reason why the Steelers took him on board.

But a lack of ice time under the coaching successors of Thompson saw frustration creep in for Brown towards the end of his three-year spell there, prompting him to ask to be 
released this summer to pave the way for his move to Elland Road.

He is looking forward to potentially playing alongside a number of former team-mates – depending on who else player-coach Sam Zajac brings back – and with his first-hand knowledge of Baldwin’s game, Brown believes the Chiefs possess a quality operator who will only improve with each passing season.

“It will be great to play with Lewis again,” said Brown. “I think he’s probably going to be one of the top defenceman in the league next season.

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“You could tell how important he was for Leeds last year, not just in terms of the points he produced, but his all-round game.

“You could see how much he developed both sides of his game from the start to the end of last season.

HELLO AGAIN: Lewis Baldwin, left, and Kieran Brown, pictured during their time playing as juniors at Bradford Bulldogs. Picture courtesy of Glenn Baldwin.HELLO AGAIN: Lewis Baldwin, left, and Kieran Brown, pictured during their time playing as juniors at Bradford Bulldogs. Picture courtesy of Glenn Baldwin.
HELLO AGAIN: Lewis Baldwin, left, and Kieran Brown, pictured during their time playing as juniors at Bradford Bulldogs. Picture courtesy of Glenn Baldwin.

“The extra ice time was fantastic for him and his development and he’s also a good leader on and off the ice, too. A lot of people look up to him and they will even more next season.”

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