Coach Koulikov delighted as Peterborough Phantoms land Scottish star Speirs

Duncan Speirs in action for the Sheffield Steeldogs

Speirs has played the majority of his career in Scotland, progressing from the Solway Sharks’ junior system into their senior side.

The 22-year-old forward consistently scored points during his time in Solway, and worked with Phantoms head coach Slava Koulikov with the Great Britain Under-20s team.

In the 2018/19 season, Speirs iced for the Sheffield Steeldogs, where he put up a career high of 33 goals and 22 assists for 55 points in just 34 games.

He scored in both of the meetings the Dogs had at Planet Ice Peterborough against the Phantoms in that season.

Last season he stepped up to the Elite League for the Dundee Stars, where he iced both as a forward and a defenceman, but he has now committed the next two years of his career to the Phantoms.

“I’m happy to have signed for the Peterborough Phantoms," said Speirs.

"I know from playing against the Phantoms that they’re a competitive team and strive to be the best, and that’s something I’m really looking forward to being a part of."

Phantoms coach Koulikov has long been an admirer of Speirs and is glad to have finally sealed the deal to bring him to Peterborough.

“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to capture Duncan," he said.

"He’s been on my radar for the last couple of seasons and last year when we spoke, his dream was to move up to the Elite League and we obviously have to respect that, because that’s what all young Brits should aim for.

"But we kept in touch and when he became available, we took the chance to bring him in.

"He fits in with the kind of guys we have and knowing him from GB 20’s, I’ve seen him progress as a player in the last three to four years.

"He definitely is the right guy for our organisation. He brings an offensive threat, we know he can finish, but his overall game is really good.

"He’s a solid two-way hockey player, who can link with majority of players we have on the roster and I’m very excited to finally have the chance to work with him on a daily basis."