The boys are back in town

Tuesday, 21st June 2011

The J Davidson Sponsored EPL Champions Manchester Phoenix are very pleased to announce the re-signing of two fan favourites for next season.

James Archer has returned to patrol upfront after an excellent season in which he picked up the second championship medal of his career. James hit 21 goals and 23 assists in regular season play and notched another 2 goals for good measure in the play offs.

The well-travelled forward has had a great career in the EPL. He helped Peterborough Phantoms to a grand slam in 2007/08 and, of course, Phoenix’s triumph last year. James has also graced the international stage, picking up GB under 18 and 20 World Junior Championship gold medals in 2005/06. He has also iced, on loan to Hull Stingrays for the last two years, in the Elite League.

James said: “It was great to pick up a league winner’s medal last year. The team had a great locker room and, when Tony asked me to come back, it really was an easy decision. I have travelled about a bit in the league and felt that, as I am now a house owner, it was time to settle down and have a degree of stability in my life.“

His response, when asked about the club’s signing of Slava Koulikov, was: “Slava is a really good signing for us. He can score and set up from all over the ice and if I am on the same line it can only improve my game.”

Coach Hand said of James’s return: “He had a good season with us last year and brought a lot of energy to the second line. His build makes him difficult to get off the puck and I am looking for even more from him this season. A good returnee for the club. He knows the league well and is one of the top British players in the EPL.”

The second piece of good news is the announcement of the return of Stephen Wallace.

The 27 year old winger is back for a third term at the Ice Dome after first appearing in Phoenix colours towards the end of the 2009/10 season. Stephen, like his line mate James, has had an extensive career in the BNL/EPL and was the team’s third top goal scorer last term with 25 along with 25 assists.

He also had a good junior career with the national side and picked up a full set of bronze, silver and gold medals in the World Junior Championships between 2001 and 2004.

Stephen said: “I didn’t have too bad a season and was happy to come back for another year. I did think about packing it in due to work and travel but winning the championship has got the old feeling for the game back and so here I am.”

When asked about his 50-point season Stephen commented: “I don’t set any goals at the start of the season and, to be honest, did not know I was the third top scorer. That’s good to know but it is all about team work and working together to win silverware. I will do my best again this coming term and hopefully help us on to even more trophies.“

“Stephen scored a lot of goals for the team last year and played a major part in our team’s success, as did everybody else.” commented Coach Hand. “He was certainly one I wanted back and I am delighted he will be with us for another season.”

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