Phoenix lock down their drawmen for title defence.

Player coach Tony Hand has begun re-tooling his championship winning Manchester Phoenix this week by securing two centres for the 2011/12 campaign.

Forward Slava Koulikov has agreed terms with the Altrincham club and will replace the departing second line centre Greg Wood, who has signed for his hometown Sheffield Steeldogs with ex-Phoenix defencemen Ben Morgan and Pavel Gomeniuk.

The 32 year old Russion born star joins Phoenix from Slough Jets but qualifies as a British player as he has a UK passport after spending the last 15 years playing ice hockey in this country.

Last season, Koulikov produced 81 points in 52 games and helped the Jets win the EPL cup, whilst he has also played for Basingstoke Bison and Hull Stingrays in the Elite League.

Tony Hand told the clubs website: “Slava is a great signing for us. It is not often a player of Slava's quality comes on the market.

“We also have the added bonus of him being British qualified. This makes quite a difference as I look to form the lines for next season.”

Meanwhile third line centre Tom Duggan has re-signed with the club after making a big impact in his first season.

Duggan, 20, chipped in with 30 points last season, helping Phoenix win their first league title and Hand was eager to keep him at the club.

Hand said: “Tom was my choice as coach's player of the year. His effort was outstanding all season.

“Tom never gives any less than 100% every shift. He is still a young lad and will no doubt make an even more significant contribution next season.”