Leeds Knights' winning habit helps convince Owen Sobchak to stick around
A WINNING tradition is what helped entice Owen Sobchak over to Leeds Knights first time around.
And having been able to play his part in keeping that successful habit going, it is no surprise the Canadian forward is returning to West Yorkshire for the 2026-27 NIHL National season.
Many eyebrows were raised when Hull Seahawks agreed for Sobchak to move to White Rose rivals Leeds in early January.
To be fair, it was a move which seemed to work out well for both teams, although it was Leeds who continued their trophy-laden run going at the Seahawks’ expense when they produced a stunning comeback in the NIHL National Play-off Final in Coventry.
Canadian Sobchak may not have scored against his former club on that occasion but he made a telling contribution from the moment he arrived in Leeds, enough to convince head coach Ryan Aldridge to bring him back.
“The culture, the standards, the tradition of winning were always something I wanted to be a part of,” said Sobchak after agreeing a new one-year deal. “And now that I have been lucky enough to be accepted and join the community, it means a great deal.”
Aldridge said Sobchak was a player who had the capacity to turn games around on his own.
“Sobs is another key part to the puzzle,” said Aldridge. “He came into the group late last year but fitted right in.
“He played some massive games for us and he can change a game with his vision and a big goal.
"He came to Leeds to win and thankfully he got to do that. Hopefully, he can help us be in the hunt again next season.”
Sobchak joins fellow forwards Finley Bradon, Kieran Brown, Oliver Endicott, Bálint Pákozdi, Liam Peyton, Daragh Spawforth and Edgars Vengis on the Knights’ roster for 2026-27.
Defencemen Sam Cooper, Bow Neely and Bailey Perre are also returning, as is No 1 netminder Sam Gospel, with Harrison Walker back after a season away in NIHL One with Blackburn Hawks.