ONE thing Liam Peyton was hoping to find when he made the move across the Atlantic in the summer was competitive hockey. He hasn’t been disappointed.

Any time a player takes a step into a new environment for the first time - particularly in an unknown country - there is an element of risk.

Leeds Knights: Solid bond allowing Knights to stay among leading contenders

But Peyton has settled into life at Leeds Knights on and off the ice with relative ease, the transition made easier by the close bonds he has forged with both team-mates and staff.

An energetic, hard-working forward, Peyton has also made a significant contribution to the Knights’ ability to ensure they remain in the running to land a fourth NIHL National league title.

Those hopes may have taken a knock at the weekend with defeats to Milton Keynes Lightning and leaders Swindon Wildcats but, with more than half the regular season remaining, there is plenty of time to close the seven-point gap that now exists between them and their Wiltshire rivals.

Key to those hopes will be the input of Peyton, who has taken on a leading role in what has been a grind of a season so far, posting 10 goals and 13 assists in 25 games.

“The hockey has been good,” said Peyton, who contributed two assists in Sunday’s 5-3 defeat at home to Swindon. “The pace has been extremely high. Every game is competitive and that’s how you can detect a good, strong league because on any given night any team can show up and get the win.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Liam Peyton has had a positive impact since joining Leeds Knights. Picture: Kev Bland/Knights Media.

“The hockey is maybe a little less structured in terms of form and system compared to back home, but the speed and the skill is certainly there every night and it’s a physical brand of hockey.”

On his own contribution to the Knights’ cause Peyton - who spent last season at Dalhousie University in USports before turning pro with Trois-Rivières Lions in the ECHL - is satisfied with how his game has gone so far.

“There are things that have definitely been a learning curve coming over and stepping into a big offensive role,” he added. “But I feel happy with how things are going.

“I had a few-games slump there but the team was still succeeding and I feel like I’ve been contributing in other ways as well.

CLOSE BONDS: Liam Peyton's move to the UK for the first time has been helped with the close friendships forged with his Leeds Knights team-mates. Picture: Kev Bland/Knights Media.

“So, on a personal level, I’ve been happy and I feel as though I’m doing all I can do to help the team succeed and bring home two points every night and continue to chase those championships.”

Leeds will look to bounce back from only their second pointless weekend of the campaign when they host Yorkshire rivals Hull Seahawks on Friday night.

The Seahawks come into the game boasting their best form of the season, with back-to-back overtime wins against Romford Raiders last weekend stretching their current winning streak to four games.

The last time the two met at The Castle, Leeds enjoyed a convincing 5-1 win. Hull gained revenge on home ice a couple of weeks later, though, when they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2.