Peterborough Phantoms re-sign netminder, but a defenceman has left the club

Netminder Ryan Bainborough will play a third straight season for his local club and will push number one Jordan Marr for his National League starting place.

Bainborough said: “I’m really pleased to be back playing for a third season with the club I grew up playing for.

“We always have a great atmosphere in the room and a great coaching set up too and I’m looking forward to the challenge this year.”

Phantoms coach Slava Koulikov reckons he has the best pair of netminders in the league.

Koulikov said: “Ryan formed a great partnership with ‘Marrsy’ where both goalies pushed each other and with that made our team very competitive and gave us chances to win in every game.

“Ryan played some big games for us last year in the league, but probably the biggest game he played was against Hull in the Cup semi-final where he played a big part of getting our team to the final.

“We have the best goaltending duo in the league and I am looking forward to working with both of them once again.

Phantoms netminder coach Euan King added: “Ryan proved last season that he wasn’t a back-up goalie but was a 1B option who can step in and give the team confidence that he had their backs.

“His performances last season, especially in the cup semi-final, proved that he a very good goaltender at this level who can play and handle the pressure.

“For me, Jordan and Ryan are the best one-two punch in the league, and we are in an enviable position.

“Ryan comes to the rink every day with a smile and work ethic that makes him a lot of fun to work with and he understands and plays his role perfectly.”

Defenceman Gareth O’Flaherty has left Phantoms to join MK Thunder.