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Phoenix sign versatile duo

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J Davidson sponsored Manchester Phoenix have signed Ryan Johnson and brought back Ben Wood for the defence of their EPL title.

Ryan comes back to the Dome after a season with the Sheffield Steeldogs and appearances in the Elite League with Sheffield Steelers.

Sheffield-born Johnson started his ice hockey career in Hull with the Kingston Juniors in the GB under 19 league. The following season he graduated to the Kingston Jets in the English National League and notched up a healthy 30 points in his debut season.

He moved back home the following season and spent the next five years with the Sheffield Scimitars in the ENL and the English Premier League. In 2008-9 he split his season between the Scimitars and the Edinburgh Capitals of the Elite League.

Manchester came calling in 2009 and Ryan iced 47 games on defence in the club’s debut season in the EPL. The versatile player, who is as happy up front as behind the blue line, returned to his home club - now known as the Steeldogs - last season, again doubling as defender and forward. He totalled 8 goals and 9 assists in 40 games for them.

Ryan said: “It was great to see Phoenix win the title last year and I am itching to get my hands on one of these medals. I will be doing my best to help in the defence of the championship. I will play anywhere the coach wants me to, it’s a team game.”

Coach Tony Hand said: “It is good to have Ryan back at the club. He is versatile and can contribute both on defence and in attack. He is working hard on his fitness and will have a utility role with the team. Ryan is good in the locker room and also knows the league inside out.”

Ben Wood returns to the dome for a third full season. The Macclesfield-born 23 year old played in the Under 19 league in 2005. 2006 saw him ice again for the avalanche with appearances in the English National league for Flintshire Freeze and Nottingham Lions.

After another good season in 2007 for the Freeze, he signed up with the Manchester Phoenix ENL team and made 2 appearances for the Phoenix Elite League team. The senior team moved to the English Premier League in 2009 and Ben happily moved with them, dressing 55 times, scoring 1 goal and 8 assists.

Returning for a second season last year, Ben dressed 57 times, putting up 3 goals and 1 assist and, of course, becoming the proud owner of a championship winning medal.

Ben is a utility player who is comfortable in defence or in the forward lines and is looking forward to next season. He said: “I will be doing my best to step up my game next season and earn myself regular ice time with the team. Last season was just fantastic. It was my first championship win, and I want more!!”

Coach Hand: “Ben is a great lad who works his socks off in training and on game night. I am looking for him to step up a gear next year and increase his points total. I am very pleased to have him back in the squad for the new season.”