Irwin gets the Phantoms job
Peterborough Phantoms have unveiled the man they hope will fill the shoes of their greatest ever coach. Step forward Doug Irwin.
Peterborough Phantoms have unveiled the man they hope will fill the shoes of their greatest ever coach. Step forward Doug Irwin.Irwin is a name few in the English game will be familiar with, but after a career coaching college hockey and spells in the German and Italian leagues, Phantoms believe they have found the man to replace Colin Patterson.
In his first (and as it turned out only) season in the English Premier League, 'Professor' Patterson guided the club to an unprecedented trophy treble of the EPL title, EPL Cup and the play-off crown.
Now Irwin, 50, has been handed the task of picking up the reins ahead of next season, despite rumours linking Phantoms legends Doug McEwen and Jesse Hammill to the Bretton hotseat.
Phantoms' director of hockey Jon Kynaston said: "We are pleased to announce the appointment of Doug Irwin to the position of head coach.
Doug Irwin: coaching career
1991-1992:
ERC Sonthofen (Germany, Oberliga) as head coach
1997-1998:
Calgary Royals (Canada, AJHL) as head coach
1998-1999, 1999-2000, 2000-
2001 & 2001-2002:
University of Lethbridge (Canada, CIS) as head coach
99/2000:
SAIT Eye Opener champion
01/02:
SAIT Eye Opener champion
2002-2003 & 2003-2004:
ESV Bayreuth (Germany, Oberliga) as head coach
2004-2005 & 2005-2006:
HC Gherdeina (Italy, Serie A2) as head coach
2006-2007 & 2007-2008:
HC Eppan (Italy, Serie A2) as head coach
"Following the departure of Colin Patterson the club had a big hole to fill as our treble-winning coach decided against a second season with the club and we firmly believe we have captured an excellent coach and leader in Doug Irwin.
"We are delighted Doug has decided to join the club and are excited by the experience and quality he brings.
"Following a long and successful playing career Doug has since held some very challenging and high level coaching roles including a four-year term as head coach of the Lethbridge University Hockey Programme in Canada and more recently several seasons in professional head coach roles in the professional leagues of Germany and Italy.
"Experience, quality and depth of knowledge were important components in the search and Doug clearly displays these in abundance."
And it is clear Kynaston hopes Irwin can reproduce the exciting, attacking game which won the club many admirers as Phantoms swept all before them last season.
"It was also important for the club to ensure as best it can that the character of the incoming coach is able to repeat aspects that worked so well for us last season and we are confident we have this in Doug," added Kynaston.
"He comes highly recommended from sources all over the world and is excited and itching to get to work with our organisation and begin a new chapter in both his career and the clubs.
"We would like to welcome Doug to the Phantoms and look forward very much to the impact we hope he will have."
Irwin will also head the club's Academy program.
JESSE Hammill has been appointed head coach at the Romford Raiders for the coming English Premier League season.
Despite being linked with jobs at former club Phantoms and the Bracknell Bees, he will take charge of the club he guided to the play-offs after taking over in the New Year.
Email to a friend
Print this page - Popular
- Most comments
- Most shared
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Local pages
Looking for a...
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 20 March 2010
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 3 C - 13 C
Wind Speed: 19 Knots
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 3 C - 13 C
Wind Speed: 10 Knots
Wind direction: South west
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.