Canadian winger Curtis Huppe becomes the latest in a line of proven marksmen signed to the Manchester Phoenix by player-coach and ace recruiter Tony Hand.

Following in the skate trails of Johan Molin, Joe Tallari, David-Alexandre Beauregard and Ed Courtenay, the 31-year old Manitoban is relishing the responsibility and expectations that will land on his shoulders.

“I’m relishing the challenge of leading the line for the Phoenix this year and I’m looking to win silverware for sure,” commented Huppe. “I’ve played for Tony before and I know what he is all about. Tony like to play a fast, attractive, offensive style of hockey and that suits my game. I like to score goals and help others to as well and I’m really looking forward to a whole new challenge.”

Massively experienced in North America after nearly five full seasons in the Western Hockey League before turning professional and spending four seasons in the East Coast Hockey League, it was Tony Hand who first brought the man from Winnipeg to the UK in the 2004-05 season when the Scot was player coach of the Belfast Giants.

Standing 6ft 1inch and weighing at 205lbs, Curtis Huppe has a proven record of scoring as 112 goals and 119 assists in three years as a Giant and one with the Coventry Blaze clearly testify.

Tony Hand remarked, “I’ve always liked Curtis as a player, he does the simple things really well. He’s a good guy to have in the room too and he will be a great influence and role model for the younger guys. He’s a fine athlete, deceptively quick and without loading undue pressure on him, I’m extremely confident that he will be one of the stand-out players in the EPL this season.”

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