HEAD coach Tony Hand has moved quickly to keep the core of his Manchester Phoenix team together ahead of the new ice hockey season.
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.
“I have said all along that keeping the majority of our side together is my biggest priority. Ben Wood has been a huge part of our success, so bringing him back was an easy decision," said Hand.
"He is a great person to have around the dressing room, and can play as either a forward or defenceman. Having that sort of player in the squad is invaluable to a coach."
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