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Phoenix wish Dwight a Boxing Day farewell

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Manchester Phoenix are disappointed to confirm that popular defenceman Dwight Parrish will play his last game for the club on Boxing Day against the Newcastle Vipers.

Dwight Parrish was a member of the inaugural Phoenix team when the club was formed in 2003 and returned to the organisation this season as player coach Tony Hand looked to bring in some experience to his defensive corps. The 36-year old originally from Southfield in Michigan was delighted to return the Phoenix after two seasons as player coach of the Bracknell Bees when he expressed in the summer that, "I've always had a feeling of uncompleted business playing hockey in Manchester."

However, as a family man with wife Nicola and young son Max to consider, Dwight Parrish has received an employment offer outside of ice hockey from back home in his native United States and advised Phoenix supreme Tony Hand in late November of his situation. "Tony was tremendously understanding with me and reluctantly accepted my request to be released from my contract. If it were possible for me to complete the season with the club, I would do so in a heartbeat, but the job offer that has come my way means that I have to leave for Houston Texas on the morning of the 28th," said Parrish.

Hand commented, "Dwight was a great fit for our club this year as he's a big, strong defenceman and he knew the league. He brought a calming influence to the locker room and that's why I had no hesitation in making him one of the teams' alternate captains. It's a shame that he has to leave now, but he was totally professional in advising us of his situation and has actually stayed longer than he originally expected. Dwight has been a great servant to the club in two spells and everyone wishes him, Nicola and Max the very best for their new adventure in America."