LEEDS KNIGHTS’ pre-season return to The Castle gave fans their first look at the two new players brought in to help get them ready for the slog that is NIHL National.

Import forward Cullen McLean - one of head coach Ryan Aldridge’s newest additions, alongside former Manchester Storm and Glasgow Clan defenceman Zach Sullivan - both impressed when they took to the ice for the first time in front of the Knights’ faithful.

The pre-season opener against the Netherlands’ Tilburg Trappers may have ended in a 3-1 defeat but there was plenty of promise within the Knights’ performance - perhaps even more so when they then visited Hull Seahawks 48 hours later and edged their Yorkshire rivals out 4-3.

“It was rockin’, it was good,” McLean. “It was basically packed. I could hear the fans’ energy and we definitely felt it.”

STARTING OUT: Cullen McLean impressed over the opening pre-season weekend against Tilburg Trappers and Hull Seahawks. Picture courtesy of Knights Media

placeholder image — STARTING OUT: Cullen McLean impressed over the opening pre-season weekend against Tilburg Trappers and Hull Seahawks. Picture courtesy of Knights Media

The 6ft 2ins Canadian has only had a short amount of time with his new team-mates at Elland Road, but the team is already confident going into the season.

He said: “As a team we’ve been working hard. We’ve only skated maybe five times together, but I think we’re looking good and I think we’re a good team.”

McLean has improved over his junior hockey days, last year he led his team in scoring with 21 goals and 32 points in 22 games for Neuilly-sur-Marne in the French second tier.

He said: “I've bumped up my weaknesses to become strengths. I think my play-making ability, my speed off the rush are my biggest strengths. This summer, I've been working a lot on getting stronger and bigger to hopefully hold on to the puck in the corners because I know this league's big for that.”

THAT WAS THEN: Cullen McLean - pictured in his time playing for Ontario Tech Ridgebacks in the USports league. Picture courtesy of Ontario Tech Ridgebacks.

His season in France with ‘Les Bisons’ was the first time since his junior days where he had averaged over a point per game and McLean plans to continue that scoring touch here.

He added: “Last year I kind of had a couple more goals and assists.

“So, it's good to see that part of my game come through. I just want to work my hardest, play the best I can. And hopefully the puck goes in the net soon enough.”

One thing excites the former Soo Greyhound more than anything else now that he wears the Knights’ colours - winning.

“The winning culture and all the guys in (the locker room) are unbelievable. I can’t wait to keep building chemistry with them and win some games this year.”

The big forward has high expectations for the forthcoming season which - after this weekend’s pre-season double-header against Sheffield Steeldogs - gets underway on Friday, September 18 at home to Hull.

“This team has won the last three years,” said McLean. “I don’t think that’s going to change.”

LEEDS KNIGHTS 2 got their 2026-27 NIHL North One campaign off to the perfect start with victory in their opening two games.

Aaron Jordan’s young team opened up with a 4-2 win at home to Hull Jets before producing an even more impressive performance 24 hours later on home ice when they hammered Billingham Stars 8-2.