Dean Boothroyd, Josh Stockton and Connor Medley - in their own words
THANKING YOU: Josh Stockton, Dean Boothroyd and Connor Medley (right) will all play their final home game as a Bulldog in the NIHL North Two play-off quarter-final first leg against Sutton Sting.
SATURDAY, March 30 will prove to be a big day in many ways at Bradford Ice Arena.
Not only is it the first leg of the NIHL North Two play-off quarter-final against Sutton Sting, but it will also mark the last home game in a Bulldogs jersey for three players who have given their all for the club during their time here.
It will be tough for the Bulldogs to reach the last four, but it would be the perfect way to send off Josh Stockton, Dean Boothroyd and Connor Medley as they prepare to close out their time with the club.
Josh, of course, has already had a memorable last season with the team, creating new scoring records for points, goals and assists in recent weeks. In all he has played 233 games, scoring 231 goals and 187 assists.
Captain and defenceman Dean, who like Josh came through the club’s junior system, steps down holding the record for the number of appearances made by a player for the club -
Since making his senior debut in 2004, the 38-year-old has played 363 games for the Bulldogs, posting 50 goals and 156 assists.
Centreman Connor, departs sitting sixth in the all-time appearance list, he also played for the juniors but, after time away from the sport, didn’t make his senior debut in 2017. He has gone on to play 147 games, while contributing an impressive 72 goals and 89 assists.
This 2023-24 season has proved to be his most productive yet, scoring 31 goals and 36 assists in just 28 games.
The club would like to place on record their sincere thanks and appreciation for everything all three players have done for the club during their time here.
They will be missed greatly and are obviously welcome back at ‘The Pound’ any time they choose - as long as they bring their skates!
We asked all three players to put down their own thoughts on their time as a Bulldog and what the club means to them … and also asked Andy Brown to have his say on each player.
Dean Boothroyd
HEADING OUT: Captain and defenceman Dean Boothroyd holds the record of 363 appearances for the Bulldogs. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.
DEAN: “I have realised and come to the decision this season that it was time to retire as I felt I am no longer playing to the level I would like and was used to. Coupled with each day after games was getting harder and harder to recover from!
“I have played at Bradford since I was 17 - (over 21 years and several hundred games ago!) and in that time, the club has been more like a second family as much as it has been a hobby I have always enjoyed. I have always played for fun and have so many good memories from playing for the Under-19’s - as it was at the time - and the Bulldogs.
All the people, whether it be coaches, players or anyone that helps run the club are what make the club special and I will be forever grateful for what it, and the sport in general, has taught me and helped me with.”
Once a bulldog, always a bulldog! #96
Andy Brown: “Dean has been an exemplary captain, and has lead the team for me since I took over coaching the seniors. In my opinion he’s still one of the best D men in the league and whilst his legs may not move as fast now as they used to, his understanding and reading of the game means he’s rarely out of position.
He’s certainly one Bulldogs player who could have gone on to play at a higher standard but he’s a Bulldog through and through and I will miss him as a player, captain and great friend.”
Josh Stockton
JOSH: “It was a huge personal achievement to become the Bulldogs all time goals, assists and top points scorer. It wasn’t something I was aware of until half way through the season, I knew this would be my last season playing in the league so I really pushed to get the record and was happy to finish the job on Sunday for the goal-scoring record with a couple of games to spare.
“It’s been a tough season with a number of injuries to key players, we have not done as well as we wanted to but have had some strong performances throughout the season. Hopefully, we can find something extra for the play-offs and, who knows, maybe cause an upset!
RECORD-BREAKER: Josh Stockton has enjoyed a phenomenal last season as a Bulldogs, becoming the club’s top scorer for goals, assists and overall points. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints
“As the play-offs will be my last games for Bradford it would be great to end on a high - so let’s see what happens.
“Bradford is a special club which over the years has produced some exceptionally talented players thanks to the hard work and dedication of Andy, occasionally we get those players for senior games which give us a boost before they move on to bigger and better things.
“I have enjoyed playing for Bradford over the years, it’s a great club that focuses on developing players and getting them to the level they want to be at. No matter the result win or lose we always have a laugh.
“I decided to finish playing in the league as my two boys are now old enough to start their own hobbies, I’m definitely going to miss it and it’s probably only going to hit me at the end of the summer when I’m normally ready to jump back on the ice.”
AB: “Josh is another product of the Bulldogs’ junior system and what a player he’s been for the club. He’s a fantastic forward and one of the best goal scorers Ive had the pleasure of working with, there’s certainly no one I’d rather have on the puck around the net.
Josh is a great guy and again I’m sure he could play another 10 seasons if he chose to but with a young family and pretty much every Bulldogs scoring record broken no one can blame him for wanting to bow out at the very top. Hopefully we’ll see Josh back again, if not as a player certainly as a coach.”
Connor Medley
CONNOR: “I knew the day would come for me to hang the boots up and retire one day but i thought i would be able to get a few more years under my belt - but with commitments like my family and business it feels like the right time for me.
“I am now 31 and I'm not getting any younger, I have the knees of a 60-year-old and playing hockey isn't getting any easier. Although the team isn't where it wants to be in the league, I've personally had the best season of my career and ending on a personal high seems a good time to do so.
“My partners in crime Dean and Josh are also hanging the boots up this year, so going out with them makes sense to me.
TOP DOG: Connor Medley has enjpyed his most productive season for the Bulldogs, but is heading into retirement after the NIHL North Two play-offs. Picture: Andy Bourke/Podium Prints.
“I started at Bradford when I was 12-years-old and it’s only right that I end it here - there wouldn’t be another club I’d ever play for- the coaches, managers and players are the best I could ever have asked for.
“Bradford is more than just a hockey club. it's a huge family that comes together for the love of the sport and I am proud to have pulled the jersey on so many times for the club.
“The club has been there for me for more of my life than not and I would like to thank everyone involved past and present for some of the greatest years of playing! I will miss everyone and playing next season but I will be still coming down to see everybody once in a while.
“Also, I have to give a personal shout too for our coach, Andy Brown, for helping me get to the level I have, putting the time and effort into the team and putting up with me all these years!
“Thank you for the memories Bulldogs - of which there are so many!”
AB: “Connor came through the ranks as a Bradford junior and although he took several seasons out from playing on ice, he kept his skills sharp playing roller hockey.
“Connor has developed well over the past few seasons and worked his way up through the team to become one of our most influential forwards. This season has been his best yet and I’m sure he could play another ten if he wanted to. If he decides this is his last he’s certainly going out on a high.”