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Mr Versatility returns to Phoenix

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Manchester Phoenix are delighted to announce the return of fan favourite Ben Wood to the line-up for his 9th season in a row.

The 28 year old Macclesfield born player has been Coach Hand’s go-to guy for the last couple of seasons, playing on defence or on the forward line when required, and has worn an Assistant captain’s letter for the last three seasons.

Ben’s junior career was spent with the Flintshire Flames under 16’s and the Flintshire Avalanche under 19’s before progressing to the then senior Deeside team, Flintshire Freeze, in 2006. Moving over to Altrincham in 2008, he iced for the Manchester Phoenix National League side and made two appearances for the Phoenix Elite League team. When Phoenix moved to the English Premier League in season 2009-10, Ben moved permanently into the first team squad and has iced regularly ever since both as a forward or in his preferred role as a defenceman.

Ben has now iced 398 times for Phoenix in English Premier Ice Hockey League and Cup competitions and has helped his team to 2 Championships and a Play-off Championship win.

Ben commented, “It’s great to be back in Phoenix colours. They are a great organisation and it fits well with my work in Personal Training. I am really looking forward to playing in our new rink as the club moves into the future.”

Coach Hand said, “Ben gets better every season and is important to the squad. It is great to have a player who can switch from defence to forward to defence if the situation dictates.

“I’m actively recruiting for additional British players to bolster the squad and I’m looking to speak to a number of players in the coming weeks.”