Kieran Brown backed to have positive impact on Leeds Knights
JOE COULTER is backing fellow Leeds Knights’ forward Kieran Brown to light up NIHL National next season.
The two have been playing alongside each other in recent weeks for NIHL North Two outfit Widnes Wild in the behind-closed-doors Three Rivers Cup while, prior to that, Bradford-born winger Brown was part of the Telford Tigers roster for the Spring Cup.
Coulter played for Leeds Chiefs in their debut campaign, while Brown chose to end a three-year stay at Sheffield Steelers in the Elite League in order to move to Elland Road last summer.
It meant the pair were set to play alongside each other for the Chiefs in 2020-21 before the coronavirus pandemic ensured there would be no sophomore ‘regular’ season for the new second tier.
If the government roadmap out of lockdown continues to go to plan, the pair will now come together in Knights’ colours in early August when the Knights gather under head coach Dave Whistle for the first time.
And Coulter can’t wait to see what Brown can help the Knights achieve, the talented 20-year-old having previously impressed in the second tier when racking up 10 goals and 24 assists in just 19 games for Sheffield Steeldogs in 2019-20, while on a two-way deal from the Steelers.
“If I was to sum it up in one word, it’s frightening how good Kieran is,” said Coulter, who was last week revealed as the Knights’ latest signing for 2021-22. “I don’t think he gets credit enough for his all-round game. Obviously, he puts up points but, for me, it’s the small things he does off the puck that are just as impressive.
“I know playing at Widnes isn’t the level we’ll be playing at come September, but he’s blocking shots, taking the body – little things like that.
“I would say he could the best Brit forward in the league next season and in terms of what he can achieve in the next couple of years, it’s frightening.
“Obviously, he’s been hit by a couple of injuries that have held him back over the last couple of years but, speaking to him, he’s just desperate to get a full season under his belt and really show what he can do in terms of numbers and helping us win games.”
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