News

Lachowicz agrees to shirt number change

Tweet

Manchester Phoenix forward Robert Lachowicz has magnanimously agreed to give up the number 7 shirt in favour of recent signing Andre Payette.

Payette had enquired about the availability of the number seven shirt and asked if Lachowicz would be willing to change. Phoenix GM Andy Costigan advised, "A lot of players have superstitions and a favourite shirt number is just one of them. Andre asked for number 7 and when we advised him Robert had claimed it, he asked if we could ask him to change."

Nottingham born Lachowicz is currently in Canada at a seven-week training camp, but when contacted readily agreed to the former Philadelphia Flyers draft pick taking the shirt number.

"Robert was very professional about it," added Costigan. "It's the little things like this that are the early signs of good team spirit in the camp and Andre was delighted at his agreeing to a change to the number 11 shirt."

Payette noted, "Up until my time in Newcastle, I've always worn the number seven and I was keen to try and get it having signed in Manchester. My next option was number 9, but with Tony wearing that I figured that was a non-starter. Robert was good about it and I look forward to thanking him in person when he backs from his training camp."

Player Profiles

• Profile for Robert Lachowicz
• Profile for Andre Payette

Related read

• Power forward Payette - a two in one boost for Phoenix