Though he originally looked set to spend a year across the pond, the Invicta Dynamos have announced that 20 year old forward Scott Bailey will in fact now be returning to Gillingham for the 2017/18 season.
Scott Bailey only joined the Mos as recently as January 2017, after financial issues at his EPL team the Manchester Phoenix forced the club to withdraw from competition, but he became an instant hit at the SilverBlades and a firm favourite of the Dynamos fans.
The forward’s blistering pace, swift hands and excellent work rate ensured he kept spectators on the edge of their seats and a return of 10 goals and 5 assists in 18 outings made him a threat to the remainder of the NIHL South Division 1.
It was in the post season that Bailey truly excelled – the Invicta number 9 notching 8 goals in just 6 games making him the team’s second highest scoring player in the playoffs with only Czech import Adam Rehak tallying more.
Two of those strikes came in the final as the forward fired in against the Chelmsford Chieftains both home and away to have a major hand in the Dynamos claiming the NIHL Southern Playoff title – a 19th honour in the organisation’s 20th year.
Prior to joining the Mos, Bailey had risen through the junior ranks in Guildford and Slough, in addition to spending several years playing youth hockey across the pond in Canada and America. On his return to the UK he would feature 35 times for the Manchester Phoenix in the EPL before Kent came calling and the SilverBlades Gillingham became his new hockey home.
That seemed set to end this summer as the forward aimed to switch back across the pond for 2017/18 but a change in his circumstances will now see the skater remain in the UK and return to the Dynamos for another campaign.
Speaking on the return of Scott Bailey, Head Coach Kevin Parrish said, “Originally we thought we had lost Scott for the new season, which was a major blow after his excellent form towards the end of 2016/17, so I was delighted to receive the call where he informed me he was now staying home and wanted to return to the Dynamos.”
“Scott is an excellent young player with the potential to be even better and his performances in the playoffs especially show he’s more than capable of making his mark at this level.”
“He brings energy, pace and points to the team, he’s a major hit with the club’s supporters and a great guy to have in the changing room so I am more than happy to have him on our roster again for 2017/18”.
Scott Bailey will once again wear the number 9 jersey for the Mos as they compete in the what is now British ice hockey’s second tier when the new season gets underway in early September.