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Phoenix add right winger Luke

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Manchester Phoenix player/coach Tony Hand has moved to within one of completing his new-look roster with the signing of American right winger Luke Fulghum.

Hand commented, "Luke interested me immediately and I was pleased to learn he was interested in coming to Europe. The references we took spoke highly of his skating ability and speed, his energy, grit and competitiveness. He's won championships in college hockey and knows how to find the back of the net. I'm very confident he'll be an excellent signing for us."

Hailing from Colorado Springs, 27-year old Luke Fulghum (pronounced Ful-jum), promises to be an exciting addition to the Phoenix roster for the 2008-09 season. Standing six feet tall and weighing 195lbs, the right shot forward can play either wing, and will bring energy and excitement to the team. "I'm real excited to be coming to England, it's a great opportunity for me," he enthused. "I'm really looking forward to the experience; I was in Scotland earlier in the summer on a golfing tour and really enjoyed it over there."

A graduate of the University of Denver with a degree in Real Estate and Construction Management, Luke has been steadily building his hockey career in the East Coast Hockey League and knocking regularly on the door of the American Hockey League. "I wasn't drafted out of junior hockey, but I've been twice to Toronto Maple Leafs training camps and each year I've had a call up to teams in the AHL. The first time I was still at college and whilst it was only for a couple of weeks, I enjoyed it and each time I've played up I've tried to take something from the experience to help improve my game."

Quizzed as to the attributes he'll bring to the Phoenix he added, "I like to play a high energy, high-speed game trying to use my agility to create scoring opportunities, and I don't mind the physical aspect of the game. Most of all, I play to win."

With the addition of Luke Fulghum, Phoenix have just one more player to announce to complete their 18-man roster and Hand closed saying, "I can confirm that we've agreed terms with another forward, we're just awaiting the exchange of paperwork to be completed."

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• Profile for Luke Fulghum