Hand Plays it Safe with Mattsson

Tony Hand, the player/coach of the Manchester Phoenix has completed his squad for the forthcoming season of ice hockey in the English National League with the signing of stay-at-home defenceman Andre Mattsson.

The 29 year old who tips the scales at just under 200lb, was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti but moved to Sweden from a very young age. The true nature of his playing style is evident from his career stats as he only has 22 goals and 54 assists to his name with nearly 500 games played in a number of Scandinavian leagues. However, this will be the player that Hand will look to for leadership in defence as the rock-solid Swede’s main objective is stopping other teams from scoring with his no-nonsense and aggressive defensive style. This should fit well with the line-up at the back already formed by Hand that includes young Brit Luke Boothroyd, one of last season’s outstanding players.

Mattsson commented, “My game is primarily as a defensive defenceman. I try to make the smart move, forcing opposition forwards into areas where they’re not so comfortable and I play the body to try and gain possession of the puck. It’s then about making the simple play to set the transition going and then trying to support the forwards.”

For the past three seasons Mattsson iced with Comet IK in the Norwegian Elite League and player/coach Hand remarked on his final signing, “I am very pleased to have found a player of Andres’ calibre to come and complete the roster. He’s got good size, plays a strong physical game and with experience of the top level in both Sweden and Norway”

“I have high hopes for him. Everyone we’ve spoken to about him has given us excellent references and reports and I think he’ll bring a whole new look to our blueline.”

With the line-up for the new season complete, the fixture list has also been confirmed in the past few days and after the Phoenix play the pre-season double header against Sheffield Scimitars on the weekend 12th/13th September, they will begin their EPL season away at the Basingstoke Bison on the 19th September before the first home game on the 20th September when they will entertain the Swindon Wildcats.

Hand added “The squad is now finalized and I am very pleased with the way we look on paper. The training sessions and pre-season games against Sheffield will help me confirm the line combinations I’ve got in mind and then come the 19th of September, we embark on what I’m sure will be an highly entertaining and interesting first season in the English Premier League.”