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Playing for Phoenix is a homecoming for Spanswick

Monday, 20th July 2015

Phil Spanswick is looking forward to a homecoming with Manchester Phoenix in the English Premier League next season.

The Warrington-born netminder spent part of his junior career in Deeside, before moving to Canada with his family.

He returns to the north-west next season, having studied - and played - at the University of Calgary for a number of years.

And the 22-year-old is looking forward to renewing his career in British ice hockey.

He said: "I was born and raised in Warrington, and spent my second year playing in Deeside, before moving to Calgary. I am really looking forward to coming back over in August.

"I've always wanted to come and play ice hockey again in the UK. I've still got contacts from when I played here before and one of those is Tony.

"He managed to sort everything out for me and I signed for Manchester pretty quickly. It has all worked out really well."

Spanswick, who will fill the back-up slot behind Stephen Fone, has followed the club online during his time in Canada.

Those years in North America saw him play with the University of Calgary Dinos - and gain useful experience ahead of his EPL debut.

"I got a decent amount of hockey while I was out there, although a degree in Mechanical Engineering is a lot of hard work," he said.

"I managed to get spotted by the Dinos goalie coach, who got in touch with the guys on the team.

"I got some really good game time, and it was a big step up for me."

The youngster also wants to develop a good working partnership with Phoenix starting netminder, Stephen Fone.

He added: "I'm looking forward to meeting Stephen and working with him. I have seen some of his stuff online, and he looks like a great netminder.

"Tony has told me a lot about him and, so I'm just really keen to get started."

Phil Spanswick

Phil Spanswick


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