Ice hockey star Manchester Storm have started the season off right not only with an opening-round victory but with a shiny new signing in former NHL pro Joe Morrow.
The hugely talented, experienced and well-travelled defenceman previously played for the Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens and Winnipeg Jets, making 162 appearances in five years competing at the top level, and now he’s arrived at the Storm Shelter.
A former first-round NHL draftee (ranked 23rd overall back in 2011), Morrow joins the 2023/24 roster as one of the biggest signings the Elite Ice Hockey League has seen in a decade, let alone Storm themselves.
Boasting an unrivalled pedigree here in Britain and years of experience, the 30-year-old Canadian blueliner has some serious stats to his name.
He started out by spending four years in the major juniors with Portland Winter Hawks (WHL), where he amassed 151 points (33G 118A) in 227 matches. Then, in his draft year — undoubtedly his best season — Morrow managed 64 points (17G 47A) in a 62-game campaign.
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After a string of solid performances in the AHL for Providence Bruins across the 2013/14 season, Morrow eventually went on to make his full NHL debut in 2014 for the Boston Bruins, the fourth-most successful team in NHL history and would maintain his status as a top-flight skater until 2019.
Late that year 2019, the proven defender departed North America to experience Europe for the first time, joining Dinamo Minsk in Belarus before moving on to Finland and the infamous Ässät franchise for the 2020-21 season.
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Following two relatively quick stays in Kazakhstan and Switzerland over the past couple of years, Morrow has now arrived in Altrincham, the home of Manchester ice hockey. It’s safe to say that not only is the club buzzing about his arrival but the rest of the EIHL are too.
Announcing the signing on Monday, 25 September, Manchester Storm revealed they had been working for months to get a deal for Morrow across the line and are obviously “delighted to able to bring in the former NHL player” and his remarkable CV.
Speaking on the acquisition, head coach Matt Ginn said: “To be able to sign a player of Joe’s calibre is huge for our group. When he became available we jumped at the opportunity to better ourselves.
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His experience in the top leagues around the world, including the NHL, will be invaluable to our group. Joe will be relied upon on both sides of the puck, and I’m thrilled to bring him on board.”
With the Storm beating the Nottingham Panthers 3-2 on their opening day of this year’s campaign and Morrow still yet to be introduced to the side, the local team could be in for an electrifying season.
Featured Image — Joe Morrow/Manchester Storm (via Instagram)
Sport
A League Of Their Own LIVE is coming to Manchester
Danny Jones
The inaugural live tour version of A League Of Their Own Live Tour is heading out across the UK, with a big Manchester show booked on the list of dates.
For fans of the hit sports-based TV show on Sky, this will be the first time ever that the A League Of Their Own (ALOTO) cast will be presenting, performing and cracking plenty of jokes in front of a proper live audience.
There’s no stopping and resetting to get the shot with this production: just them and the crowds up and down the country – we know you won’t let the side down, Manchester.
Booking one of the city’s biggest and most storied live entertainment spaces, we have every faith they’ll make it a night to remember.
A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN LIVE TOUR
The hit TV show announces its first-ever live arena tour! Hosted by Jamie Redknapp!
As you can see, already confirmed to be taking part in the live adaptation of the panel show are regular co-hosts Jamie Redknapp and Jill Scott, as well as some of the big names.
In addition to famous former sports personalities like Manchester United defender Patrice Evra and ex-boxer Tony Bellew, they will also be joined by comedians Tom Davies and Maisie Adam.
Massive football fans themselves, who have both been part of the ALOTO cast in the past, it’s a funny lineup, for sure.
While the main presenter, Romesh Ranganathan, has not been confirmed as part of the touring crew, it’s worth noting that the lineup could change closer to the time. We wouldn’t be surprised if they have some special guests up their sleeves for one or two of the shows, either…
Please let us see ‘Wazza’ roped in to recreate this moment:
Speaking of the dates, you can see all the shows – including the Manchester this coming autumn – currently announced down below:
A League Of Their Own Live Tour dates – 2026
Friday, 4 September – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Saturday, 5 September – AO Arena, Manchester
Tuesday, 8 September – OVO Arena Wembley, London
Friday, 11 September – Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne
Monday, 14 September – bp pulse LIVE, Birmingham
Thursday, 17 September – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
As detailed above, early access can be enjoyed either for Three Mobile members or via the venue’s official presale window, which opens at 10am this Thursday, 30 April.
Meanwhile, general admission tickets go live at the same time the following Friday (1 May); you can get ready to grab yours right HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via AO Arena)
Sport
John Stones is leaving Manchester City after a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester City defender John Stones has revealed he will be leaving after nearly a full decade in sky blue at the end of the season.
The England and Man City defender has lifted pretty much everything there is to win at club level, being part of the ‘Centurions’, Treble-winning and four-in-a-row sides.
John Stones signed for City back in August of 2016 and has gone on to be part of their greatest-ever period of success under Pep Guardiola, not to mention becoming a mainstay in the national team during that time.
Sharing a moving video on social media, announced the decision that will see him depart after the best part of 10 years this summer.
Having made nearly 300 appearances for the Cityzens, he will leave the Etihad as one of their most decorated players, with a tally of 19 major trophies, the same number of goals and nine assists during his time with the club.
That being said, depending on how the remainder of this 2025/26 campaign goes, all of those stats could improve even further.
Writing in an official statement of their own, Man City went on to say: “Armed with wonderful technique, a sublime passing range allied to a superb work rate and astute reading of the game, Stones was in many ways the very embodiment of Pep Guardiola’s City.
“Such was his natural talent and tactical flexibility that Stones’ City career later saw him often deployed in a hybrid role, which saw him move into the middle of the City engine room to great effect, not least in the 2023 UEFA Champions League final…”
He is now set to leave as a free agent this June.
John Stones will leave Manchester City in the summer, bringing an end to a memorable and hugely successful ten-year stay.
They sign off by adding that “the Club and all of our supporters will take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to a superb servant of Manchester City Football Club at the end of the season.”
Following rumours of his departure in recent weeks and months, a number of clubs across Europe are already thought to have expressed interest in a transfer for the 31-year-old.
Some of the names floating around the Yorkshire-born centre-back’s signature include AC Milan and Bayern Munich; there have even been some hints at Everton attempting to re-sign him.
Where does he rank among your favourite City stars of all-time, Blues?
Danny Jones -
26th September 2023 
