LOSING your only import defenceman less than a month into a season is a blow Leeds Knights head coach Ryan Aldridge could never have anticipated.

When it very quickly became clear Matt Staudacher was done for the season, Aldridge was forced into a frantic search to find a suitable replacement.

The Knights were already two down on the back-end due to injuries suffered by Jordan Griffin and Lewis Baldwin.

It was almost three weeks before Aldridge pulled the trigger on a replacement for the unfortunate Staudacher, but once Sam Dunn landed in Leeds, it was quickly apparent the Knights had struck gold.

LEADING MAN: Defenceman Sam Dunn made a timely and positive impact when coming ion mid-season at Leeds Knights. Picture: Miles Tidman/Knights Media.

placeholder image — LEADING MAN: Defenceman Sam Dunn made a timely and positive impact when coming ion mid-season at Leeds Knights. Picture: Miles Tidman/Knights Media.

The leadership, skill and willingness to play through the pain barrier were the kind of qualities that made it necessary for Aldridge to bring the right-handed Canadian D-man back for the 2026-27 campaign.

The experienced Dunn was ideally-placed to guide and protect the younger members on the Knights blue line around him, including a then 16-year-old Jonas Bennett who had been thrust into fray perhaps earlier than expected due to the widespread early-season injury issues in that area that had plagued the Knights.

While wholly embracing his defensive responsibilities - not just for himself but those around him - Dunn made a positive impact all over the ice, scoring nine goals and 15 assists in his 47 league, Cup and play-off appearances.

“Obviously with the injury to Staudacher, it was a massive blow at such an early stage but then to replace him with somebody like Dunny was, I guess pretty lucky,” said Aldridge.

THAT WINNING FEELING: Leeds Knights celebrate their NIHL National Play-off Final success against Hull Seahawks in Coventry in April. Picture: Miles Tidman/Knights Media.

“But he came in and was immediately a great team-mate. He's got that old-school hockey mentality, a bit like Matty Barron, just goes about his business in the right way.

“There were times last year when he was advised against playing because of injury, but he made the decision that he wanted to play - he didn’t want to let the boys down.

“And I think that sets the tone for the whole team, in a way. It just shows everything about him, it shows leadership and desire and those kinds of people are a dying breed. We were very lucky to get a guy like that and we’re obviously very happy to be getting him back.”

Aldridge said that Dunn’s influence on those around him would continue on his return, given his wealth of experience and the respect in which he is held.

“He came straight into the line-up and played with Jonas for a long time,” added Aldridge. “And that helped Jonas out loads, he protected him - not just physically, but the way that they played together.

“I know Jonas loved playing with him and I know everyone that played with him loved playing with him.

“He definitely helps the young boys, he coaches at home in the summertime so it's something he wants to be a part of.

“He's probably going to help our D out a lot this year - he's just a guy that gives everything.”

As for Dunn himself, he admitted there was little doubt about where his immediate future lay, particularly after helping the Knights lift the NIHL National play-off crown in memorable fashion in Coventry last April.

“We have a special group of players at Leeds and big ambitions for the year ahead,” said Dunn. “I am beyond excited to be returning for a second season.

“The energy, the atmosphere, and the support from the Knights’ fans is second to none and it's an organisation that I'm incredibly proud to be a part of.

“Last season showed the character and resilience of our group and lifting that play-off trophy only makes us hungrier to achieve more when we come back in August.”