Desire to repeat that winning feeling sees Bissonnette stick with Knights

The body may have been weary and battered, but the heart and the head were in fine shape for Matt Bissonnette, his love for hockey rekindled meaning he was happy to return to Leeds Knights for a second season.

- by Phil Harrison

And when your first season has produced an NIHL National league and cup double, why wouldn't you want to come back?

For the Knights - having waved goodbye to forwards Matt Haywood and Matt Barron along with pivotal defenceman Noah McMullin in one go through retirement, keeping hold of Bissonnette was a key piece of business.

His veteran presence, his calming influence - allied to his justified reputation of being one of the top and most consistent imports at this level - will again prove crucial to any success the Knights may go on to enjoy in 2025-26.

And the 33-year-old Canadian-born winger believes he is still in the best place for that to happen.

"I'm sure everybody is going to be trying to knock us off, like they did last season," said Bissonnette.