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Ben Wood to return for 2015-16

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Ben Wood has agreed terms on a return to Manchester Phoenix next season – and he’ll remain a pivotal part of the club’s bid to regain the EPL title.

The 27-year-old utility man has been a virtual ever-present for the Phoenix since moving to Oakfield Road as a junior in 2008. Wood's loyalty was rewarded in 2013 when he was handed the assistant captain badge, helping Manchester to the English Premier League title. That victory was his second EPL success with the club, after he was part of the side that won its first championship in 2010.

Phoenix Head Coach, Tony Hand, made Wood captain when Luke Boothroyd was injured last season – and he’ll call on that experience during the 2015/16 campaign.

He said: “I have said all along that keeping the majority of our side together is my biggest priority. Ben Wood has been a huge part of our success, so bringing him back was an easy decision. When I made him assistant captain a few seasons ago, he took the chance with both hands. It was the same when he took on the captaincy. A lot of players would struggle to handle the responsibility, but not Ben. He is a great person to have around the dressing room, and can play as either a forward or defenceman. Having that sort of player in the squad is invaluable to a coach.”

Wood's willingness to change roles has seen him pick up several Most Improved Player awards during his time with the Phoenix. The most recent of those came at the end of last season, following his strike in the play-off quarter final against Basingstoke Bison.

“The fact that Ben has won so many Most Improved Player awards is testament to his tenacious character,” Hand added. “He is always willing to take on new roles and make improvements. I have watched him develop from a junior into an extremely good senior player. Ben is a great example of how Manchester’s junior system is working to secure the future of ice hockey in the city and beyond.”