CHELMSFORD Chieftains have pulled off a major signing coup with the announcement that completing the defensive unit for Gary Clarke’s men is former Elite and Premier League defenceman John Connolly.

Connolly spent last season with Solway Sharks in NIHL1N, while spending the previous one all over as he iced for Slough Jets in both the EPL and NIHL, Manchester Phoenix in the EPL and also a brief stint in Kazakhstan with MHC Kazakhmys.

Connolly has also played in the Elite League for Edinburgh Capitals and Braehead Clan, as well as being a GB international at U20s and U18s.

He’s also spent time in the USA in the WSHL with the Texas Renegades and New Mexico Renegades. And this is all before he is 23!

And if that wasn’t enough, he was the highest point scoring defenceman in the league and was voted on to the NIHLN All-stars team as selected by the writers at the highly-regarded Pro Hockey News.

The Paisley native was quick to be snapped up by Clarke once he knew the much-travelled and vastly experienced defenceman was available.

Clarke said: “I am pleased to announce that wearing the number seven jersey this coming year and completing our defensive line-up will be John Connolly.

“John is a very young but very experienced defenceman.

“He is an offensive-minded defenceman.

“He is very light on his feet and very mobile and knows how to get himself around an ice pad.

“On top of this he has great hands and is very confident on the puck and can make great passes to send forwards on their way.

“Last year John was part of the very dominant Solway Sharks in the NIHLN.

“He knows what it takes to win silverware and I think the way we play will suit his style very much.

“I am very much looking forward to working with John and I think the defensive unit we have is very strong compared to last year which makes us better overall and a much tougher team to beat.”

On defence, John joins Alex Staples, Alex Green, Tibor Schneider, Sean Easton and Danny Wright and new signing Julian Smith.