HEAD coach Tony Hand has moved quickly to keep the core of his Manchester Phoenix team together ahead of the new ice hockey season.

The newest acquisition made by Hand in the off season is the capture of ex-Sheffield Steelers defenceman Mark Thomas.

Thomas, who last suited up for the Phoenix back in 2003, has been plying his trade in Sheffield for the last 10 seasons and has won three Elite League titles with the Steelers along with three playoff titles and a Knockout Cup win.

Hand said: “Mark has played at the top level of British ice hockey for almost all his career, and is a fantastic player. To have him join us for next season will lift us to a whole new level.

"We are looking to win back the English Premier League title and Mark will certainly bring us closer to that goal."

Hand, who retired from the game at the end of last season, signed stalwart Phoenix netminder Steve Fone and forward James Archer immediately following the playoff final defeat to Peterborough Phantoms but has since made sure the centre of the team is uninterrupted.

Further Brit returnees include defencemen James Neil and forward Jacob Corsen Heron whilst last week the club announced that 27 year old defenceman Ben Wood was also returning.

Phoenix also moved to re-sign import forward Robin Kovar for what will be his third term in Manchester.

It’s not all been good news for Manchester however with departures from the club including Czech forwards Michal Psurny and Frantisek Bakrlik whilst Brits Bobby Chamberlain and Shaun Thompson have also moved on for the new season leaving Hand with work still to be done.