Ollie Barron joined the Wild back in the 2016/17 season, after progressing through several Sheffield-based teams for over a decade. He made his hockey debut in 2002 for the youth team Sheffield Rapiers at 14 and quickly made an impact on every team he iced for in the following years. 

After 4 seasons of captaining the Spartans in NIHL North 1, he made the move to the North West and became the player-coach of Widnes Wild, leading them to huge success in his introductory season. 

Over the 3 years he spent with Widnes before hanging up his skates in 2020, after the initial Covid series, he amounted a substantial 200 points in just 92 games and led the team to silverware victory in the end of season play- offs each year. He brought in a new style of play that benefitted the Wild hugely, ultimately allowing them to make the step up from D2 to D1 hockey, where they compete today.

Greg Ruxton joined the Widnes Wild in their inaugural season after playing for several Blackburn-based sides, starting in 2001 for the Blackburn Thunder, and finishing with U19 side Blackburn Thunderhawks in 2007.

He signed for the Wild following a season backing for fellow NIHLD2 side Fylde Flyers, having played 12 games with an 87.5% save percentage. Ruxton helped Widnes finish 5th in the debut season, and he continued to post impressive stats over his 4 seasons before hanging his skates up in 2017, after finishing the season with a 92.1% SV from 21 games.

Your YKK sponsored Widnes Wild are thrilled to announce that another player will have their number retired, during the 2023/24 season.