An Interview With Harrison Lillis
Hi Harrison, after a long time with Invicta you opted to move to Streatham recently. What prompted the change?
I found It very hard to leave Invicta as It’s my local club that I spent the majority of my junior and all of my senior career, a total of 9 consecutive seasons up until now, playing at. I had seen my confidence decline right from the start of this season and my enthusiasm towards hockey had gone. I found myself ending the previous season on a sky high after good performances in the playoffs, then by Christmas on a low. My game had fallen to pieces. I found that I was becoming buried in a hole and not being picked up. I spoke to players that I have good friendships with and found myself joining Streatham right on top of deadline day.
How do you find you’re settling in with the RedskIns?
I have been made very welcome at Streatham by all of the staff, players and fans. I have been very lucky to have been given greater opportunities than those that I had at Invicta and have been made to feel like an important part of the team at Streatham. Since joining Streatham I have seen my ice time triple and my confidence has grown. I am getting coached in all aspects of the game and learning new plays and systems to help improve my game. I really love the size of their rink as it gives you more time on the puck, and the boards read perfectly.
You’ve played in defence and up front, where do you think you’re best suited?
I don't really know, I find the strongest part of my game is skating on the puck which as a forward is a good quality, however playing defence allows me to break the puck out successfully using this quality of my game. My size helps me as a physical presence so I find this feature better suited for defence but I do enjoy playing both positions. Other coaches and players have told me that I am a far better defence man so I’ll take their word for it.
How did you first get into hockey?
I first got Into Ice hockey like most people in my generation, watching the Mighty Ducks. I used to pretend to skate in my front room with shoe boxes on my feet until my parents took me to the rink. I was nearly 7 and my Dad got me a pair of Bauer supreme Impact 100 skates. I then had skating lessons and joined the junior u10s team a year later.
You’re now sharing a dressing room with the guy who writes the weekly NIHL round ups…Worried you’ll end up with an embarrassing story being shared, or do you already have some blackmail material on Dave Carr?
I do have a reputation for doing stupid things I guess so that makes me easily open to all of the banter in the room. However David Carr did buy Capri suns for all the boys in the room after getting juice boy which is something I have never seen. In the Redskins dressing room I find Evander Grinell and Jaime McIlroy always the guys dishing out the chirps and jokes but I don't have much on them right now.
Outside the NIHL are there any teams/players you like to follow?
I watch the NHL on the TV normally late nights after training or long away games but I don't actually support a team. Although I do like the New York Rangers because I like their jerseys so I find myself following them more than any other team.
Last question from us. How difficult Is It to train and work on plays when you can play on a huge rink like Streatham or Bracknell one night, and the next be In Milton Keynes skating on their tiny sheet?
I cannot stand playing on small Ice pads. I find myself shooting from my own end rather a lot and a lot of the boys get the hump with it. I find small pads very clumsy with bodies everywhere. The big pads are much better to play on as you can move the puck much better and there is more space for skill. Overall the game is better to play and watch if on a larger pad I think.
Many thanks to Harrison for taking the time out to talk to us. You can follow him on twitter @harrisonlillis and keep up with the team throughout the season at @streathamhockey.
If I've used your photos please let me know, I'm more than happy to give credit where it's due.
If you’ve got any feedback, you can tweet me @MattMerritt. I’d love to hear from anyone who takes the time to read the blog.
If you’re a hockey player/coach/team manager in a competitive league, I’d love to ask you some questions too, so get in touch!