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Tony Hand MBE signs for a further three years

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Manchester Phoenix Ice Hockey Club is delighted to announce that coach Tony Hand MBE has agreed a new three-year contract extension.

The deal, added to the one year remaining on his current contract, will keep the evergreen player coach in Manchester until 2015.

Club owner Neil Morris said “This is fantastic for the club and the future of Phoenix. Tony is the best signing I have ever made for the club.” The deal extends the relationship between Tony and Neil to 9 years, in itself a record in recent British Ice Hockey history.

Neil also said, “The man’s ability to find quality players year in year out never ceases to amaze me. That, coupled with his coaching skills, bringing out the best in these players, is an absolute bonus for the club”.

At 43 years of age, Hand is still one of the top British players in the game and hit a league record 133 point last season. He intends to continue playing next season but will evaluate this as the year goes on.

Said Mr Morris: “He is still the best British player out there and a huge bonus is that we work well together and get on extremely well. He is an honourable, trustworthy man, a trait that is not too prevalent in the modern game.”

Coach Hand is in the process of trawling through the many CV’s of players who have shown an interest in playing for Phoenix and said “I am happy with the way things are going and we are close to announcing our first few signings. You need to improve the team each year and have to find the right type of player for the positions you have to fill. It is my job to go through all the emails from agents and find the right fit for the club.”

Phoenix had an excellent season last year, winning the EPL championship and reaching the semi finals of the Cup and the Play-offs and coach Hand is confident of bringing more success to the club in coming seasons.