THREE ice hockey players from the Isle of Wight who used to to regularly play their sport at the Ryde Arena ice rink before it shut, had huge success at a recent tournament held in Hull.

Joe Osborne, Blair Dubyk and Mike Treadwell played for the Basingstoke Buccaneers at the East Riding city recently — helping them remain undefeated across their five group stage matches, winning the semi-final and going on to win the final of the Ricky Barker Memorial Cup against local side, the Hull Knights. 

Isle of Wight County Press: Totland's Blair Dubyk with his best forward and tournament MVP (most valuable player) awards with Basingstoke Buccaneers.Totland's Blair Dubyk with his best forward and tournament MVP (most valuable player) awards with Basingstoke Buccaneers. (Image: Blair Dubyk)

Games comprised of two 15-minute periods, with a running clock and Jonker's rules to help keep games flowing.

Their impressive results comprised beating Cardiff Dragons 11-1, Nottingham Cyclone 8-1, finalists Hull Knights 9-0, Leeds Lightning 9-0, the Sheffield Ice Tigers twice (one of them the semi-final) 4-0 and 4-1 respectively, and Hull Knights 8-1 in the final.

Blair was also voted as, and won an award for being, the tournament's best forward and the tournament 'MVP' (most valuable player).

Mike, the keeper, achieved three shut-outs, while Joe put in solid defensive work and contributed towards the multiple goal tally for the Buccaneers.

Isle of Wight County Press: Islanders Mike Treadwell, Joe Osborne and Blair Dubyk celebrate with Basingstoke Buccaneers team-mates in Hull.Islanders Mike Treadwell, Joe Osborne and Blair Dubyk celebrate with Basingstoke Buccaneers team-mates in Hull. (Image: Blair Dubyk)

Joe, 34, from Cowes, has played ice hockey since he was a junior on the Island, coming through the ranks to play for the once-popular Wightlink Raiders, then Tigers, and finally, the Wightlink Buccaneers, until Ryde Arena folded.

Blair, who lives in Totland, but grew up with ice hockey in Saskatchewan, Canada, came to the UK in 2008 to play, before he moved to the Island.

Mike, 37, of Newport, was a late starter in the sport, but played roller hockey, which helped him make the step-up to ice for the Tiger, and multiple recreational teams.

"The three of us have been just trying to find our own hockey fix, after the ice rink on the Island was taken away from us," said Blair, 43.

Isle of Wight County Press: Islanders Mike Treadwell, Joe Osborne and Blair Dubyk celebrate winning with the Basingstoke Buccaneers in Hull.Islanders Mike Treadwell, Joe Osborne and Blair Dubyk celebrate winning with the Basingstoke Buccaneers in Hull. (Image: Blair Dubyk) 

"Last season, we played at Gosport and had a great time with them, before we were asked to try the Buccaneers — a great group of guys, who have welcomed us. 

"We manage as many training sessions and games as possible, but due to cost, the lives we lead and our jobs, we can't commit to it every week. 

"We all have full-time jobs on the Island, so it's just a weekend hobby for us."

The trio will be featuring in another important event, a regional cup final against the Chelmsford Nighthawks, the current holders, on August 20, which Blair to be a huge challenge.