News

Britain's Great One to lead Phoenix

Wednesday, 19th April 2006

Tony Hand, arguably the greatest ever-British born and trained ice hockey star, is joining the Manchester Phoenix as the new Player/Coach.

After weeks of advertising for, researching, and interviewing coaching applicants from across the globe, the Phoenix are delighted to have chosen 39-year old Scot Tony Hand to be the vanguard of their return to action in the Elite Ice Hockey League.

With an All-Star career behind him including being the first British born and trained player to be drafted into the NHL when selected in the 12th round of the 1986 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers, Tony Hand has in recent seasons turned to player/coaching firstly with the Dundee Stars in the British National League, then the Belfast Giants and Edinburgh Capitals in the EIHL.

Speaking about his move to Manchester Tony Hand commented, “I’m naturally excited about joining the Phoenix and the opportunity to re-kindle the passion for ice hockey in Manchester. Over the years, the game has a big history in the city and to be given the chance to build a new team from a totally clean sheet is just the chance I was looking for. The ownership have spoken very sensibly about the clubs aims and ambitions, and together I think this is a great chance to build something very positive and to win silverware.”

Phoenix MD Neil Morris commented, “Back in December I tasked Andy Costigan with the job of recruiting a new head coach. Andy spent many hours researching a long list of applicants and eventually came to me with a short list of six. We reviewed the notes and came to the conclusion that we could not make a bad decision, the trick was to ensure we make as correct a decision as possible, and in Tony Hand we feel we have made a great decision.”

Costigan continued, “Initially, to be honest, we did not want to go the route of a player/coach, but when the player/coach in question is Tony Hand, you revisit that policy. We had a really tough choice to make as the final six applicants were, and indeed are, quality applicants and we were well aware that other clubs were strongly chasing Tony’s services for next season. People may say this was the worst kept secret in hockey for many a year, but, they are wrong, this was the best-kept secret. However, it was the most correctly rumoured secret of the year.”

As a player, Tony Hand has won:

  • 5 times winner of the Scottish Cup
  • 2 times winner of the Norwich Union sponsored Autumn Cup
  • 2 times winner of the Benson & Hedges sponsored Autumn Cup
  • 3 times winner of the League Championship
  • 3 times winner of the Playoff Championship
  • 1 times player/coach winner of British National League Championship
  • 1 times player/coach winner of BNL Playoff Championship

Tony Hand's achievements as recognised by the British Ice Hockey Writers' Association are as follows:

  • 5 times the leading British points scorer in league player - 1998/99 (Sheffield Steelers); 1999/2000, 2000/01 (both Ayr Scottish Eagles); 2004/05 (Belfast Giants) and 2005/06 (Edinburgh Capitals).
  • 2 times the Best British Forward - 2004/05 (Belfast Giants) and 2005/06 (Edinburgh Capitals).
  • 5 times the Player of the Year - 1998/99, 1992/93 (Murrayfield Racers, Heineken League); 2001/02 (Dundee Stars, BNL); 2003/04 (Edinburgh Capitals, BNL) and 2004/05 (Belfast Giants, EIHL)
  • 1 time the Coach of the Year - 2001/02 (Dundee Stars, BNL)
  • 18 times selected for All-Star Teams - 1983/84, 1984/85, 1985/86, 1986/87, 1987/88, 1988/89, 1989/90, 1991/92, 1992/93, 1993/94 (All Murrayfield Racers); 1994/95 (Edinburgh Racers); 1995/96, 1997/98 (Sheffield Steelers); 2000/01 (Ayr Scottish Eagles); 2002/03 (Dundee Stars - BNL); 2003/04 (Edinburgh Capitals - BNL); 2004/05 (Belfast Giants); and 2005/06 (Edinburgh Capitals - EIHL). 

Tony Hand's 9 points (2+7) against New Zealand in a 1989 World Pool D game are the points and assist record in modern play for Great Britain.

On 29th June 2004, Tony Hand (then player/coach of the Belfast Giants), received an MBE from Her Majesty the Queen, for services to the sport of ice hockey. Hand wore Scottish tartan and formal highland regalia at the glittering ceremony at the Palace of Holyrood House in Edinburgh. “This is a great honour for me personally but it is also wonderful to have ice hockey highlighted in such a prominent way.” said Hand. “It’s a nerve wrecking experience but also very exciting. I chatted briefly with Her Majesty and she congratulated me on my career achievements and wished me continued success."