Leeds Knights: Why Ryan Aldridge considers Oli Endicott one of his 'game-changers'
EVERY team needs a ‘game-changer’ or two in their squad to help them pull off unlikely wins, to lift trophies. As far as Leeds Knights’ head coach Ryan Aldridge is concerned, Oli Endicott is one of his.
The energetic forward signed up for a fourth full season at Elland Road Ice Arena at the back-end of last week. It’s hard to believe he is still only 21.
There was probably little doubt he would be returning, especially given his long history with Aldridge that stretches all the way back to their time together in Swindon at the Okanagan Hockey Academy.
When the two came together again in November 2022 it was largely because of the mutual admiration they had for each other.
There have no doubt been harsh words along the way, the same as there would be between any coach and a player, but there remains a close bond.
The game-changing quality Aldridge believes Endicott possesses was perhaps encapsulated best most recently in the play-off group clash at home to Hull Seahawks, when Endicott started the move which led to the only goal of the game, delivering a hit on Jamie Chilcott to keep the puck in play while simultaneously passing to Daragh Spawforth.
When Spawforth’s subsequent wraparound attempt was foiled, it was Endicott who was driving the net to jam the puck home.
“Oli has a bit of an old-school hockey player about him and he can definitely change a game,” said Aldridge. “He can have a massive impact if he plays the way I believe he can play.
“He’s a fans’ favourite and I think he’s a fans’ favourite for the way he plays and when he plays like that he is really effective and he’s hard to replace.
“I don’t think there are many players left like him that can play that kind of old-school game, or are prepared to play that style.
“He’s high energy, takes time and space away from players and causes other teams to make mistakes.
“He’s definitely grown on and off the ice this last couple of years, as a person he’s matured and he’s a massive part of our locker room and team
“He’s the kind of player that other teams’ fans love to hate - that’s probably why I love him.
“We spoke on Sunday as a team before we left (for the final in Coventry) and I pointed three people out and Oli was one of them.
“And when Oli plays the way he can, we’ve always got a chance of winning - he makes everybody else around him better.”