At the start of the 2022-23 season, he was part of a goaltending tandem at the newly-formed Hull Seahawks with Jordan McLaughlin, the pair brought in by head coach Matty Davies for the franchise’s first-ever season in NIHL National.
Of the two, McLaughlin got the more starts, while the pair also benefitted from training with Elite League’s Sheffield Steelers.
However, Warburton decided to try his luck elsewhere the next season, ironically at the old squad of his former goaltender teammate, the Solway Sharks, who were the newest team to enter the UK’s second division under head coach Martin Grubb.
However, Sheffield has always been home, and Warburton has now returned, accepting a two-way contract offer from two of his previous clubs.
Enjoying the benefits of a lot of ice time north of the border, Warburton finished 22 starts with a 4.29 goals against average and an.858 save percentage. With that in mind, he will be well-positioned to start most of the Sheffield Steeldogs’ games in 2024–2025 and be eager to become their first-choice starter.
But the affiliation with parent club the Steelers is an important part of the deal, allowing Warburton to train with both teams and, when required, try his hand at top-flight UK hockey once again.
Like the signings of Nathan Ripley and Finlay Ulrick before him in May, it is the ideal arrangement for all three parties.
Like current GB No. 1 goaltender Ben Bowns, Warburton was raised in Rotherham and went through the Sheffield youth system. “It’s good to be back home,” he remarked.
I’m eager to advance my hockey career in Sheffield, as this is where I began playing the sport.
“My ultimate goal is to play for the Steeldogs, but in order to get there, I know I need to give my all on the field.”
Steeldogs’ player-coach Ben Morgan, who knows Warburton from his previous stint with the Steeldogs, said he expected the 22-year-old to compete hard to establish himself as the team’s first-choice.
Be the first to comment