James Ferrara: Peterborough Phantoms captain, leader, legend

The local boy turned leader of men waved an emotional farewell last Sunday night (March 15) when stepping off the Bretton ice – where he has spent much of life – for the last time.

Ferrara skippered the city club to English Premier League play-offs glory back in 2015 and led them to an honours treble last season.

He confirmed back in the summer that the 2019/20 campaign would be his last, but due to the Coronavirus outbreak it ended on Sunday - a few weeks ahead of schedule.

Speaking a few moments after Phantoms 10-3 victory against Swindon, Ferrara said: “I’ll miss everything about hockey - the game itself, the people I’ve met and the fun it brings.

“I’ve played this sport since I was five years old and I don’t know any different, but I’ve got lots to look forward to away from hockey.

“There have been so many great times but the one that really sticks out is winning the play-offs in the way we did, and the guys we had,

“That was a magical moment that will stay with me forever and going on to do what we did last season was also brilliant – not because I was captain, but just being part of a group of guys with the fight and belief that we could go and get the job done time and again.

“There are some brilliant people in the British game and it’s a pleasure to have been a part of it for so many years.

The 32 year-old has racked up 671 appearances to sit second on the all-time list behind Jason Porter (693).

He has piled up 564 points in that time – the highest of any British player to grace the Peterborough hockey scene.

Ferrara’s haul of 181 goals is the third-best tally by a Brit (10th in all) and his 400 assists are also the most managed by any Brit (second overall).

With such quantity and quality, it’s no surprise he cut an emotional figure following his final outing when joined in retirement by brother, Robbie.

“There were a lot of emotions running through my body on Sunday night,” added Ferrara.

“Swindon certainly didn’t have to come here and fulfil the fixture, but they have my utmost respect for doing so and allowing myself and Robbie to have a truly special night to end our careers.

“It was a nice feeling to be able to celebrate a goal in my last game and I’d have kicked myself if I’d missed that chance.

“The last two seasons I’ve played alongside Padi (Ales Padelek) and Glenny (Glenn Billing) and their two of the best linemates I’ve ever had.

“Each and every night we’ve known what we are going to get from each other and it’s made it really fun.

“I was going to retire at the end of last season but changed my mind. There have been some tough games when I’ve not quite felt up to it, but the guys in the room have really helped me.

“I’ve found it harder to look after myself off the ice. I’m in good shape physically and I always train really hard, but there are times when I’m just absolutely knackered!

“I’ve played through a knee injury for the last three weeks and it’s taking time to recover from that which also tells me it’s the right time.

“I don’t think any of those things have impacted my game negatively this season, but they might well do in the future when the league is only going to get stronger.”

So will we ever see Ferrara back on the other side of the boards?

It seems he’s far more likely to be sat among the supporters than on the bench.

“Coaching is not an ambition of mine as such, but I guess you never say never,” he continued.

“I feel I could do a good job in one respect or another, but first and foremost my focus is on being a parent and giving my children the opportunity to enjoy their hobbies and interests in the way I was able to do with hockey.

“If I could commit the time to stay involved in hockey it would be to play, rather than coach, as that’s what I love to do.

“There are a lot of great people involved in this club and Peterborough hockey is one massive family which I hope I can still be a part of in a much lesser capacity.

“I’ll certainly get down here when I can to cheer on the guys and enjoy sitting in the stand as that’s not something I’ve done since I was very young.”

The double-retirement of James and Robbie means that a member of the Ferrara clan won’t feature on the Phantoms roster next season for the first time since 2002.

While they have ended their careers, their youngest brother, Luke, is still going strong.

The Great Britain international, who has just enjoyed another fine season in the Eite League with Coventry Blaze, had six seasons as a Phantoms player himself – notching up 232 points in 285 appearances and also featuring in the 2015 play-offs triumph.