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Manchester Phoenix announce the Capital signing of Slovakian forward Martin Cingel

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Martin has iced for the last 9 years in Edinburgh Capitals colours amassing 207 goals and 250 assists. He is known as an all-round forward with an eye for goal and, in a difficult season for the Caps last year, managed over a point a game.

Cingel iced with coach Hand in 2003-04 in the old BNL league, knocking up 106 points between them and two years later, they met up again in the Elite League where they hit 82 points. He also brings a wealth of locker room experience, having been captain of the Scottish side for 4 of the last 5 years and will be a steadying influence on the younger members of the team.

Coach Tony Hand said: “It is a great coup for the club to gain the services of such an experienced player. I have played with and coached Martin and he will give 110% every game. I felt the club needed a player with Martin’s abilities to fit into the shape of this season’s team. He is a great guy and the fans will warm to him very quickly.”

And that is not all...

The club has had a busy week and are doubly pleased to inform the fans of the return of our Championship winning net minder Stephen Fone. The popular 23 year old backstopped Phoenix to their first title last season, and was elected to the English Premier League All Star starting line up.

Returning to Phoenix for a third term, BT, as he is known to the fans, has now iced over 100 games for the club and is hoping for an injury free season and is looking forward to helping the club to another championship.

Rotherham-born Fone burst onto the scene at 18 years of age with Solihull Barons and was snapped up by Elite League side Coventry Blaze as their back up net minder a year later. Making his debut in the GB Under 20 side in the same season, he picked up a World Junior Championship bronze medal with the national side.

Phoenix fans first saw his talents when he was loaned to the club in the 2007-09 season, icing in 3 games when starting goalie Scott Fankhouser was injured.

Coach Hand commented: “Foney had an outstanding end to last season and made a significant contribution to our Championship win. He is gaining in experience every game and was one of the first on my list to return to the club”

Player Profiles

• Profile for Steve Fone
• Profile for Martin Cingel

Related read

• Fone returns for second Phoenix term