Dragons Strengthen Manchester Storm Development Pathway for 2026/27
The Deeside Dragons are delighted to continue their player development partnership with Manchester Storm ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The partnership provides talented young British players with a clear pathway towards professional ice hockey, combining regular training within a Motorpoint Elite Ice Hockey League environment with valuable senior game time for the Dragons in NIHL Division One North.
Theo Malone Returns
Theo Malone will continue as a Manchester Storm and Deeside Dragons development player for the 2026/27 season.
Theo will remain fully integrated within the Storm organisation while continuing his development through competitive senior ice time with the Dragons.
Bailey Thomas Joins Three-Way Agreement
The Dragons are also pleased to confirm that Bailey Thomas has joined Manchester Storm’s Development Player Programme through a three-way agreement involving Manchester Storm, Hull Seahawks and Deeside Dragons, providing him with further NIHL opportunities with the Seahawks.
The agreement will provide Bailey with access to professional coaching and training while ensuring he receives carefully managed competitive opportunities throughout the season.
Manchester Storm’s Development Player Programme is built around individual progression, with each player receiving a tailored development plan, regular exposure to a professional hockey environment and placements designed to maximise meaningful ice time and long-term development.
Manchester Storm General Manager Ryan Finnerty highlighted the importance of the club’s relationship with Deeside.
“That’s why our relationships with organisations like Hull Seahawks and Deeside Dragons are so valuable to us.
“Those partnerships allow our players to play important minutes, experience different situations and continue their development in competitive environments while remaining part of everything we’re building in Manchester.”
Finnerty also spoke highly of the returning development players and the addition of Bailey Thomas.
“We have extremely high hopes for our returning development players, including Theo Malone. They took significant steps forward last season, both on and off the ice, and now the challenge is to continue pushing, continue learning and continue earning bigger opportunities.
“We’re also excited to welcome Bailey Thomas into the programme this season. British players are improving year on year, and our responsibility as a club is to give them the environment and opportunities they need to succeed.”
Deeside Dragons Head Coach Mike Clancy added:
“The partnership between the Deeside Dragons and Manchester Storm is about creating a genuine pathway for talented British players to develop, compete and ultimately reach their potential.
“Having players such as Theo Malone and Bailey Thomas training full-time within a Motorpoint Elite Ice Hockey League environment at Manchester Storm while gaining valuable game experience with the Dragons gives them the very best of both worlds.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to accelerate their development in a competitive environment, and we’re excited to play our part in helping prepare the next generation of British talent.
“This is exactly what player development should look like, and we’re proud to be working alongside Manchester Storm to make that vision a reality.”
The partnership will continue to give talented British players access to elite-level coaching, professional standards and competitive senior ice hockey.
Dragons supporters can look forward to following the progress of Theo and Bailey throughout the 2026/27 season.
#BeMore#Dragon #OnceClubOneGoal #HereForTheHockey