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Young gun Joe Miller is Tony Hand's first summer signing

Friday, 5th May 2006

Exciting left-wing prospect Joe Miller has become the first summer signing for Tony Hand and the Manchester Phoenix.

Twenty-one year old Joe Miller has spent the past three seasons with the Telford Wildfoxes and Telford Tigers as well as appearing for the Great Britain Under-18's in 2002 and Under-20's in 2004. On a two-way contract last season with the Coventry Blaze Joe, voted Best Forward for the Telford Tigers last season, has improved his all-round game sufficiently to prompt new Phoenix coach Tony Hand to sign him and in so doing, beating other teams to his signature for next season.

Hand commented, "I did my homework on Joe and was very pleased with what I learned about him. He's got good size, plays with an edge and has an eye for goal. I'm confident he can make the transition into the Elite League and be a key part of our third line. He spent last year as part of the Coventry system and the experience of their training regimen will have helped him enormously. We're aware that other clubs were interested in Joe so, we're very pleased we've convinced him that Manchester is the right choice and to put pen to paper."

Speaking of his signing, Cardiff born and bred, Joe Miller commented, "I was delighted to get a call from Tony Hand shortly after he was appointed head coach in Manchester and I'm really excited about having a chance to work with and learn from him. I'm looking forward to proving myself at the highest level in the Elite League. I'd like to pay tribute to and say thanks to the Telford club for giving me the chance to project myself forward and to Claude Dumas who was a great influence on me."

In 46 appearances for the Telford Tigers last season, Joe Miller scored an impressive 38 goals and 33 assists for 71 points while accumulating 90 penalty minutes.

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