New-look Peterborough Phantoms are back on the ice this weekend
The new-look Peterborough Phantoms take to the ice for the first time this season on Saturday (7pm face-off) when hosting Romford Raiders in a challenge match at Planet Ice.
It’s the first chance for Phantoms fans to run the rule over numerous new signings ahead of a National League campaign that starts on Saturday, September 19 at reigning champions Swindon Wildcats.
Record-breaking goalscorer Cam Hough has left the club after two prolific seasons and moved up into the Elite League competition with Fife Flyers. He scored in his new club’s first two pre-season games last weekend, against Kyiv Capitals and Hull Seahawks.
Experienced forward Adam Berg has replaced his fellow countryman. Berg played most of his hockey in Germany last season.
There has also been a change of Canadian netminder with fans’ favourite Hayden Lavigne being replaced by Matt Hennessey who joins the team from Anna Maria College in Massachusetts. Lavigne has retired after two excellent seasons with the city side.
Among the other new Phantoms recruits are forward Ewan Hill from Romford and 20-year-old defenceman Henry Newell who has signed on a two-way agreement with Elite League side Nottingham Panthers.
There have also been changes to head coach Ashley Tait’s backroom team. He now has three assistant coaches in players Nathan Pollard, Janne Laakkonen, and Tom Norton.
Phantoms finished fifth of 11 teams in the National League last season before failing to qualify from their play-off group. They also lost a League Cup semi-final over two legs to Sheffield Steeldogs.
After their trip to Swindon, Phantoms host Basingstoke Bison at Planet Ice on Sunday, September 20.
The city side have back-to-back pre-season challenge matches against local rivals MK Lightning on the weekend of September 12 (away)/13 (home).
The full National League line-up is: Basingstoke Bison, Bristol Pitbulls, Hull Seahawks, Leeds Knights, MK Lightning, Peterborough Phantoms, Romford Raiders, Sheffield Steeldogs, Solway IHC, Swindon Wildcats and Telford Tigers. They will play a 54-game regular season with the top eight qualifying for the play-offs.
Phantoms 2 will play in NIHL South Division Two. Phantoms Women will compete in Division Two of the National League.