Nathan’s long career with Peterborough Phantoms will continue into the 2020-21 season

The 22-year-old defenceman came through the junior system in Peterborough, before stepping up into senior hockey in Chelmsford.

He played for the Milton Keynes Thunder in the 2015/16 season, before returning to Peterborough to sign for the Phantoms the following season.

Long has now spent four years with the Phantoms senior side and is looking forward to continuing his time with the club.

Long said: “I’m really happy to be re-signing for the Phantoms, and to be honest, it was an easy decision.

“We have a great team on and off the ice. Slava Koulikov is a great coach and with Jason Buckman as defensive coach, and Tom Norton running the blue line, it means I’m constantly improving my game.

“The whole team is constantly moving forward and Slava has put together another competitive squad.

“I’m really glad to be a part of it again and look forward to the season.”

And Koulikov was pleased to seal the return of another local player to his roster for next season.

“I’m very pleased to have another local guy committing to our team for his fourth full season,” Kouliokov said.

“‘Longer’ has a lot of good qualities namely his skating, shooting and his first pass.

“He had some opportunities on the penalty kill last year and he fits the way we want to play.

“At the age of nearly 23, we have now set him new goals, and if we can achieve them together this season, I believe he can cement his position and start pushing for a place higher up our defensive lines.

“I’m looking forward to trying to help ‘Longer’ to achieve those goals.”

Phantoms are still waiting to find out when the National League will start.

Competitive ice hockey in the UK usually starts in September, but that now appears most unlikely due to concerns about hosting indoor sporting events.