Hutchinson latest to quit the Phantoms
PHANTOMS have been dealt another blow with the news that James Hutchinson has decided to leave the club.
PHANTOMS have been dealt another blow with the news that James Hutchinson has decided to leave the club.After losing top scorers Nathan Rempel and Craig Peacock last month, the treble winners must now cope without one of last season's key defensive lynchpins.
Hutchinson (25) was an ever present as Phantoms won an historic trophy treble but has decided to try his luck in the Elite League with Hull Stingrays.
After joining Phantoms three seasons ago from Manchester Phoenix, the free scoring geordie won an army of fans at the Peterborough Arena where his slick, swashbuckling style saw him finish as the club's top scoring D-man with 48 points.
But after struggling during his last spell in British hockey's top flight with Manchester (where he was used as a makeshift forward), Hutchinson was clearly determined to use Phantoms' success as a springboard for another shot at the Elite League.
He said: "After lots and lots of thinking and talking with my friends and family, I decided to take this opportunity to have one last crack at the Elite League.
"Without doubt I owe this opportunity to the Phantoms and I am grateful beyond words for the last three seasons - the time of my life.
"I would like to thank all the coaches I have worked with in Peterborough, Kevin King, Doug McEwen, Phil David and of course Colin Patterson - all of whom helped me hugely with my game.
"I would also like to say that the best fans in the EPL by a country mile are the Phantoms fans. Sunday night in Bretton was made to feel like my home from home and I thank you all.
"I wish Phantoms every success in the future as many of the guys are now my closest friends. I feel extremely lucky to have had the chance to play with each and everyone of them and I hope that they continue to be winners on and off the ice."
Another player leaving Bretton this summer is netminder Euan King.
The 20-year-old reserve stopper was given limited opportunities last season and may be on his way to Romford.
TWO players who will not be joining the exodus from Bretton however are Joe Miller and skipper Lewis Buckman who have both commited for another season.
Miller is a big plus after pushing Craig Peacock for the title of top British scorer last season while Buckman returns for his 11th straight season having won every major honour with the club.
Also on his was to the Peterborough Arena is defenceman Alex Symonds.
Symonds spent last season with the Telford Tigers and will hook up with his former Tigers team-mate Tom Carlon, who made the move to Bretton two weeks ago.
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Weather for Peterborough
Friday 19 March 2010
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C - 13 C
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