Great Britain forward Phil Hill will join his Telford Tigers team-mates ahead of this weekend’s games against Sheffield Steeldogs and Swindon Wildcats.
Hill signed for Telford in the summer, but has spent the first few weeks of the season with Sheffield Steelers, as part of their participation in the Champions Ice Hockey League
Pending registrations, he is likely to slot straight into the Telford squad for the opening week of their EPL title defence – an
d will have a key role to play in those first two games.
Tigers head coach, Tom Watkins, said: “It is great news to have Phil come into our squad at this stage of the season. To have a player of his calibre come here is a superb pickup.
“He has the potential to be a key guy for us. He’ll no doubt play on one of our top lines and hopefully form a good combination with those players.
“In terms of the changing room, we’re getting a really professional guy who has won at Elite League level. To have that sort of experience is fantastic.”
Hill has been a regular with the GB set-up since 2008, only missing out on last season’s trip to the World Championships in Eindhoven.
That experience could prove vital this year, as Telford look to retain both the EPL title and British Challenge Cup.
Watkins added: “What we’re doing is to use the experience of the senior guys in the dressing room. Guys like Jason Silverthorn, Rick Plant, Max Birbraer and Pete Szabo have been around for some time.
“They are always passing on their knowledge to the younger lads, which really helps them out. Phil will be part of that.”
The 33-year-old is understood to have received an offer to remain with Sheffield Steelers after the CHL competition, but instead decided to honour his agreement with Telford.
“We are aware of the process that was in place and what was offered,” Watkins said.
“It was a risk worth taking, but it has been entirely Phil’s decision. We are pleased that he has decided to become a Tiger.”
Hill is likely to make his debut against Sheffield Steeldogs on Saturday, before appearing in front of home fans for the first time against Swindon Wildcats on Sunday (6pm).
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