Leeds Knights' captain Kieran brown talks about signing a new, extended deal which will keep him at the team until the end of the 2024-25 NIHL National season
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00:00 There's many things that make it so special. I've been treated unbelievably the last three
00:13 years yet, this will be my fourth again. So there's nothing but positive things from my
00:17 side, from the owners all the way down to the coaching staff and the physios. It's always
00:23 been unbelievable. So I'm excited and this is where I want to be, so I'm happy to get
00:27 the deal done.
00:28 If you can catch my mind back quickly, when you first signed here, obviously we were talking
00:34 post-Covid, weren't we? It was all very strange times, nobody really knew what was going to
00:39 happen long term with the game, the sport and things in general really, everything was
00:42 up in the air. Did you anticipate that it would be as eventful and successful as it
00:48 has been?
00:50 Maybe not so when I signed originally, but the first year I really enjoyed it and then
00:56 they wanted me back again. So I was like, yeah. And then every year just being better
01:00 and better and you can see from the start to now the organisation, which way it's going.
01:06 It's going in the right direction for me anyway, so I'm happy.
01:09 And that first season back was crucial for a lot of people, wasn't it? Particularly yourself
01:12 because you obviously missed a lot of hockey because of Covid, but you'd also that season
01:15 before Covid or the season that got broken up by Covid, you missed a lot of that season
01:19 because of injury. So that first season back, having a full season back in the swing of
01:24 it, which I think was relatively injury free if I remember correctly, must have been a
01:27 big one for you.
01:28 Yeah, it was. Yeah. So the year before signing Leeds, I was injured, I only played 16 games.
01:33 So you know, and then Covid happened, so I haven't played for a while. So yeah, that
01:37 first year was massive for me. I had to prove what I was worth basically, because I hadn't
01:42 really done that at this level yet. But yeah, I had injury free. I've touched wood, I've
01:47 actually not missed a game for the Leeds Knights at all yet. So hopefully we can keep it going.
01:51 Good stuff. Ryan Aldridge, I know you and him get on very well. He's a coach that you
01:57 admire a lot. He's got a lot of time for you and I think it's mutual. How big a part was
02:02 him being around in your decision to stick around for longer?
02:06 Yeah, massively a big part for me coming back. I want nothing but respect for Ryan. He's
02:13 away from the rink, he's a good friend, he's a good guy. You can text him, rely on him
02:17 for anything. But then as soon as the hockey starts, you know, he's serious and he's a
02:21 really good hockey coach. So I'm happy that he's here.
02:26 Whenever you sign a new deal anywhere these days, there's always a lot of talk about,
02:30 well, he should be doing this, he should be doing that. Why is he staying in Leeds? He
02:34 should be playing in the Elite League, he should be looking to get to Europe, he should
02:37 be looking to get to North America, etc. You'll see it, you'll probably grow tired of it.
02:42 What about beyond 2025? Do you sort of think about your next move at all after Leeds Knights
02:47 or is it just a case of head down, concentrating on what's immediately in front of you?
02:51 I'm just going to take it as it comes, honestly. The past three years here have been unbelievable,
02:57 like I've said. So I'm happy where I am right now. I've been given the captain role last
03:02 season, so that's a big responsibility that I'm carrying. So, yeah, 2025, we'll see what
03:08 happens, but I'm happy where I am right now. So I want to be at night.
03:11 [END]
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