Local ice hockey side Manchester Storm have announced a promising new signing in the form of Canadian forward, Brandon Cutler – a player they have already dubbed as a “proven goalscorer.”
Cutler arrives from DEL2 (DEL2 (Deutsche Eishockey Liga 2) outfit EC Kassel Huskies over in Hessen, Germany, where he spent his maiden campaign outside of North America.
Now set to remain on the European circuit for a sophomore season and first here in the UK, the Alberta-born winger and Western Hockey League (WHL) youth product comes with a great pedigree and stat pack even at just 25.
Officially revealed on Tuesday night, 5 August, Storm didn’t hide their excitement over the acquisition of the soon-to-be Elite Ice Hockey League debutant.
Having notched multiple AHL call-ups and represented teams such as the Abbotsford Canucks, Belleville Senators, Hartford Wolf Pack, and Colorado Eagles, as well as the Victoria Royals and Red Deer Rebels, he’s amassed plenty of worldly experience and a broader knowledge of the sport.
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It’s this foundation, along with a record of 25 points (11G, 14A) across 40 appearances in his first season across the pond, that has seen him identified as a viable attacking threat for Manchester Storm.
Writing in a statement on the club website, they noted how “Cutler enjoyed a highly productive spell with the Utah Grizzlies (ECHL), where he amassed 122 points (61G, 61A) in just 127 games.”
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During his five cumulative seasons with the Royals and the Rebels, he racked up more than 250 appearances and developed a reputation as one of their most prolific and industrious players.
Newly-installed head coach and former veteran player, Cam Critchlow, said of the latest recruit: “Brandon is a dynamic forward who brings a great work ethic and a solid two-way game.
“He’s proven he can produce offensively at the professional level and will be a key part of our forward group this season. He’s hungry to win and will fit right into the culture we’re building here in Manchester.”
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📝 A PROVEN GOAL-SCORER
25-year-old Canadian winger Brandon Cutler arrives from EC Kassel Huskies (DEL2), as he looks to extend his stay on the European circuit. In 40 DEL2 appearances, Cutler recorded 25 points (11G, 14A) in his debut season outside North America.
— Manchester Storm | #TakeShelter (@Mcr_Storm) August 5, 2025
Cutler follows the announcement of fellow new signings Brad Jenion, along with Storm academy graduates Tyler de la Bertouche and Jace Gledhill, who recently arrived in Altrincham from Chester’s Deeside Dragons.
This also comes after another announcement detailing a treble of two-way deals, which will see Noah Kääriäinen, Josh Crawley, and elite development squad product Theo Malone spend time with fellow affiliated partners Hull Seahawks as part of their ongoing collaboration.
Already a Manc ice hockey legend, Critchlow confirmed his retirement (again) back in March, but was quickly unveiled as the new Storm boss just a couple of months later.
Safe to say there are plenty of reasons to be excited about the 2025/26 season inside the Storm Shelter.
Critchlow will be watching from the sidelines at Planet Ice this year.
Kyle Walker announces retirement from international football with England at 35
Danny Jones
Former Manchester City star and England defender has announced his retirement from international football at 35 years old.
He calls it a day for his country with nearly a century of appearances.
Kyle Walker, who has won six Premier Leagues, four Carabao trophies, a pair of FA Cups and a Champions League title with Man City, made his national team debut back in 2011.
Now, nearly a full decade and a half later, he is hanging up his boots on the biggest stage, retiring as England’s most capped right back in history.
As you can see, he confirmed the news in a highlight video looking back on her best moments with the Three Lions.
Sharing a lengthy and emotional statement in the caption, the Yorkshireman wrote: “After more than a decade representing my country, I have decided to retire from international football. Playing for England has always been the biggest honour of my career and something I will always be proud of.
“Thank you to every teammate, coach, manager, the 12th man, and everyone behind the scenes who has been part of the journey. Every roar from the fans pushed the team along, and I’m looking forward to joining them to support the lads in the World Cup.”
His last appearance in an England shirt came in June against Senegal, since dropping out of manager Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice team and future plans, with both form and age no doubt being factored into that decision.
Walker added: “The memories in an England shirt will stay with me forever.”
96 caps 🧢 Five major tournaments 🏴 A #ThreeLions legend ⭐
He went on to sign off by saying, “I also want to thank my family for their support every step of the way. They have made this journey even more special, and I will always be grateful to have shared it with them.”
The Sheffield-born fullback left Manchester last year following a loan spell at AC Milan, before joining fellow Premier League side Burnley FC permanently this past July.
Meanwhile, the Clarets are staring down relegation back to the Championship; however, this step will no doubt help Walker prolong his club career, whether or not he stays in Lancashire.
Where does Walker rank among the all-time England defenders in your mind?
Featured Images — Oleg Bkhambri (via Wikimedia Commons)/England (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Wigan Warriors’ Bevan French out for around four months with major muscle injury
Danny Jones
Wigan Warriors player Bevan French has unfortunately been ruled out for roughly four months following a fairly serious muscle injury.
An important playmaker and cog in the wider team, his absence will surely be felt.
French, 30, is said to have suffered a hamstring tear during the win over Toulouse Olympique this past weekend, and while not as severe as a full rupture, Bevan has now been told by the club he will be sidelined for approximately 16 weeks, according to head coach Matt Peet.
Speaking to BBC Radio Manchester after learning the news, he provided a number of updates from the physio room, including the latest on Jai Field, who French had been filling in for at fullback.
While Wigan are currently leading the Super League once again, they will be without one of their key Warriors with just under a dozen games left in the season.
The Greater Manchester club’s quadruple-winning boss and former Coach of the Year admitted that, despite some obvious disappointments in the immediate aftermath, his “positive” and “philosophical” attitude has already kicked in.
He’s quite philosophical, Bevan. He quickly flips a switch.
“Now he knows the timeframe and the schedule for his recovery, like most professionals, he can get his head down now and focus on the present”, said the 41-year-old.
The Australian stand-off/fly-half has regularly run the show in red and white, and even amid periods out of the squad, he remains an understandable fan favourite and integral part of the team when fit.
You only need to hear pundits and peers alike describing him as a “special” talent to know how much of a big miss he’ll be.
As mentioned, Peet also shed more light on Field, who dropped out with appendicitis last week and is himself set for around four to five weeks away.
For now, youngster Noah Hodkinson is being given the chance to fill the void and work his way into the first team after regularly impressing in the reserves.
Nevertheless, they could have really done with him ahead of their upcoming games.
Domestically, all three of Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves and St Helens aren’t far behind them in the table, so it could prove to be a tasty remainder of the 2026 campaign.
You can watch the highlights from the result against Toulouse on Saturday, 7 March, here.
Danny Jones -
6th August 2025 
