Bailey Hind-Pitcher has become the first player to join the Bristol Pitbulls as part of their recently announced affiliation with the Swindon Wildcats.
Hind-Pitcher is just 18 years old but has already excelled in senior hockey. At just sixteen, he laced up alongside Steve Osman and Tamas Elias for the Division 1 Bracknell Hornets. Despite his age, he finished fourth top goal scorer for the club as they went on to secure a top four finish in the league.
His potential for the coming season was further shown by his invite to the recent Great Britain national team u20 junior training camp at Sheffield.
Hind-Pitcher said: “I’m really excited to get involved with the opening of Bristol in their new rink and in a new buzzing city with a strong existing fan base.
“I just can’t wait to get on the ice with the group of guys we’ve got so far which are a strong young squad full of energy and potential to compete at a high level. I hope in our first year we give it a good run and can play at the level the league is at with speed and hopefully build our way up the leagues in the south.”
Head Coach, Jamie Elson, said: “We couldn’t be happier to be taking Bailey on a two-way deal with Swindon this season. And this is where the new agreement between the teams will really help players at Bailey’s level.
“He has spent the past year in Swindon as part of the OHA academy and all the feedback from Aaron Nell and Ryan Alridge, who have both worked a lot with him, was very positive. We have all talked about where we see him being able to go in the future.
“He is a great kid, with good natural size and shoots the puck extremely well for an 18-year-old. Bailey is a hard working guy. He has already experienced playing in NIHL1 in Bracknell and MK so knows what the level of play will be, already making a good impression with those teams.
“He is signed to the Wildcats, who like Bailey a lot, but will be starting the season with us as a Bristol Pitbull. We are excited to have him as part of our group, and I think the fans are really going to like what they see from him when we hit the ice. I’m really looking forward to getting to work with Bailey on a weekly basis and helping him develop his game as we support him and look to help push him to the next level.”
Hind-Pitcher’s number 34 jerseys are all being Owned and Loaned by Charlie Brisker. He is still available for player sponsorship. Email Richie Hargreaves at sponsorship@bristolpitbulls.co.uk for more details.
