With the regular season finale almost upon us, we would like to take the opportunity to celebrate #2 James Archer, as he is set to head into retirement following the culmination of the 23-24 season.
A message from #2 James Archer – "I never thought that it would end this way... It's going to be emotional, but I couldn't ask for a better group of guys to see it out with... The set up here, the way the club's going and the direction it's going, it's a club for the future... I feel very fortunate to have been given the opportunity to come here and be able to help out with such a great group of lads."
Archer will retire a champion, lifting silverware in his final season as he iced in 38 games, scored 3 goals and 3 assists so far, as a Leeds Knight!
Head Coach Ryan Aldridge had this to say on Archer’s retirement – “We brought in James in late in the summer and he fitted in straight away. His experience on and off the ice has been key in what we have achieved this season, as well as bringing a bit of team toughness and grit that we needed. All of us here with the Knights would like to wish him well in his retirement and thank him for his service to the club as well as to British hockey.”
This season isn’t the first time he’s lifted a trophy, with a long list of accolades throughout his career:
2005-2006: U18 WJC (D2|B) Gold Medal + U20 WJC (D2|A) Gold Medal
2006-2007: EIHL Champion + U20 WJC (D1|B) Bronze Medal
2007-2008 EIHL Champion + EIHL KO Cup Champion
2010-2011: EPIHL Champion
2012-2013: EPIHL Playoff Champion
2013-2014: EPIHL Champion
2018-2019:NIHL 1 Champion + NIHL 1 North Champion + NIHL 1 North Playoff Champion
2023-2024: NIHL National Champion
This Friday we will be honouring James with a pre-game ceremony, with some extremely Limited Edition Pucks for sale, in what will be our final regular season game – but don’t worry, the season isn’t over as we have THREE exciting Playoff Home games still to come in April!
Get tickets to the games here.