News

Dean Holland is first new face for Phoenix

Tweet

Tony Hand has signed his first new face for the 2010-11 season with the arrival of right-winger Dean Holland.

The twenty-two year old native Geordie has spent four years with the Newcastle Vipers of the Elite League having learned the game playing through the junior system in Sunderland. A right shot right-winger, Dean stands just under six feet tall and tips the scales to around the 175lb mark.

Phoenix supreme Tony Hand commented, “I’m very pleased to have signed a player like Dean so early in the summer. He’s an energy player and will bring some grit to our team for next season, as he’s not afraid to get to the crease or work the corners. Dean will bring another excellent work ethic to our roster and I’m sure the fans will like what they see from him.”

Asked about his joining Manchester, Tynesider Dean is aware of the demand for success, “Manchester is a big city and in sporting terms demands winners, and I’m coming to the Phoenix to do exactly that – to win. I talked to Tony and he excited me just talking to him. I want to play, I want to succeed and moving to Manchester ticks all the boxes for me. You always look for a challenge, new experiences and the Phoenix offer me exactly that.”

Asked about leaving Newcastle and the Elite League, Dean added, “I’ve enjoyed my time with the Vipers, but I’ve no doubts about coming to Manchester. I know some of the guys on the roster already, so settling in won’t be difficult and talking to others, I know the standard of the EPL is very competitive and that suits me. I want to be involved and I want to be part of a successful team. I’ll look to encourage my team mates, work both ends of the ice, drive the opposition net and give the other teams defenceman a hard time every night.”

Hand added, “I’m still talking to a couple of the guys from last season about possible returns and there are guys from other teams interested in joining us too. For the time being, I’m happy to concentrate on the British players and then I’ll turn my attention to the four places we have available for non-British trained players.”

Player Profile

• Profile for Dean Holland