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North East Ice Hockey star to be remembered in memorial tournament

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Former stars of North East ice hockey will fly in from across the world to join local-based players past and present in remembering former star Ian Defty at a special memorial tournament in August.

Ian, who hailed from Durham, was only 28 when he died in April of this year, his semi professional career having spanned more than 12 years with several clubs, including Newcastle, Whitley Bay, Durham, Hull, Guildford and Dumfries/Solway.  He was also involved with the Great Britain squad for many years and considered his proudest moment to be winning a gold medal as assistant captain of the under 19 Great Britain squad in the European championships.  During two years with the Newcastle Vipers, he was a member of the Findus Cup-winning side. He also won the players’ player of the year award in the 2002/03 season, which is voted for by his fellow team mates.

In celebration of his life there will be an Ian Defty Memorial Trophy tournament played at Newcastle Arena on Wednesday August 27, featuring a whole host of ex-team mates and friends of Ian.  Stars who have already agreed to play in what should be an entertaining night of ice hockey, include ex-Newcastle, Guildford and Manchester Storm import defenceman Scott Campbell, former Newcastle and Guildford crowd favourite Mikko Koivunoro and well established net minder Pasi Raitenen, whose career in England has spanned many years.  Other players who have agreed to play include current Vipers captain David Longstaff, recently retired Durham and Newcastle stalwart Shaun Johnson, current Whitley Bay coach Simon Leach, veterans Ivor Bennet and Martin King; former Vipers chairman Paddy O’Connor, former Vipers team mates Karl Culley, Michael Bowman and Ritchie Thornton. Also icing will be former team mates from his junior days at Durham.

The tournament has also attracted Northumbrian Water as an individual team sponsor and any other organisations or individuals who want to know about sponsorship can e-mail Gary Barr at g.barr91@yahoo.co.uk

Tournament organiser and current Vipers game night announcer Gary Barr said, “Ian was a very close friend of mine, and we shared some great memories together over the years. He was more like a brother to me rather than a friend, and he will be dearly missed by so many.  Ian was seen in that way by so many people and he was the sort of person who’d never let you down, that’s why people are coming from across the world to be back in Ian’s native North East to celebrate his life.  I’ve been planning this game to celebrate Ian’s life all summer, but hadn’t been able to find a venue to hold it at. After speaking to some of the members of the Vipers management setup, a date was agreed to play at Newcastle Arena. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank those people for being a great help in organising this game. I’ve been constantly busy speaking to ex-teammates of Ian’s from all over the world to make up the 40 players that I need. I’d like to urge people to buy a ticket, come along and have some fun, whilst also showing Ian’s family and friends the appreciation he deserves for his dedication to all of his former clubs.”

Tickets will be available soon from Newcastle Arena’s box office and also from Breakout ice hockey shop on Gilesgate bank in Durham, priced at £5 for adults and £2.50 for children under 12. If anyone requires any further information you can contact Gary at his email address - g.barr91@yahoo.co.uk

Doors open on August 27 at 6:15pm – Tournament begins – 7:00pm – Tournament ends (approx) – 9:10pm.