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Matt Compton handed back-up goalie role

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Tony Hand has continued his early summer recruiting drive with the signing of Cheshire born netminder Matt Compton.

Standing six feet tall, 22-year old Matty Compton has been hoping for a chance to step up his hockey career and jumped at the chance to join the Manchester Phoenix as the number two goalie. Originally from the Chester area, Matt Compton played six years with the Flintshire Freeze including being a member of their English National League North Championship winning team in 2003-04 before spending last season icing with the Blackburn Hawks.

"I played there with Dave Clancy who was part of the first Phoenix team," noted Compton, "and he told me if I got the chance I should go for it. He told me he had a great experience with the club and so I'm looking forward to the challenge ahead. I've wanted to step up to help improve my game and progress my career, and I'm really excited."

Asked how the move came about Compton expanded, "I contacted the club and was made up to get a call from Tony Hand within a day. We chatted and he said he'd make a few calls and get back to me, and he did. Next thing, the contract offer arrived in the post and I couldn't pick the pen up quick enough to sign it and send it back."

Phoenix coach Tony Hand commented, "Matt knows from our talks what will be expected of him and I think he'll do just fine. He's a big goalie and will benefit from the more intensive training and conditioning that we'll put him through. It's a great chance for him to learn from a professional set-up and build upon the experience he has from his days under Mark Stokes and Bobby Haig, and it's important for the future that we give younger players a chance to step up."

As to who Matty Compton will play back-up to between the pipes Hand would not be drawn saying only, "the number one netminder is a key role and we've got a couple of irons in fires. But the best are still playing, so it may be a while before we can name that particular name - the homework on this is critical."

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